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07-11-2015, 07:40 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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New Owner of a Trillium 4500
Well, for better or for worse, we are now owners of a '79 Trillium 4500. To my uneducated eyes, she looks like a gem. What do you think?
I actually have all of the original paperwork including the owners manual, sales brochure and a thank you letter from the president of Trillium to the original buyer.
I towed it home with my parent's Vue since the original owner of my Forester installed a Reese hitch but no trailer wiring. The trailer towed well; no sway. But, for sure I felt like I was pushing the limits of what the Vue can handle.
Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV
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07-12-2015, 08:47 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Pat
Trailer: 2011 Escape 15a
Minnesota
Posts: 130
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Congrats! The trailer looks to be in great shape. Have fun with it!
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07-12-2015, 08:54 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Name: brian
Trailer: Currently Shopping
Connecticut
Posts: 7
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Looks very nice.
Wouldn't kick it out of my driveway, (if you need a drive way let me know lol).
Brian
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07-12-2015, 02:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Trillium 4500
Colorado
Posts: 112
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As a fellow owner of a 4500, I can say lucky you! It looks like it's in good shape! Welcome to the club!
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07-13-2015, 04:31 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Very nice Trillium! But, I think, like many other owners of a Trillium trailer, that you might have the year wrong. Two things make me say that. Your converter is not pictured, but it is likely below your furnace, as opposed to in the dinette side of your kitchen. That, and the fact that the window in your door opens. As far as I know they only put an opening window in the door in 1978. Not much of a difference.
If you wish to confirm the year of your trailer, take a look at the Trillium serial number list:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post521768
You can find the serial number of your Trillium in the upper right corner of the data sheet on the inside of the door of your closet.
Also, there were originally bi-fold doors on the bathroom. The bench seat would fold up. Then the doors could close to reveal the toilet, and sink.
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07-13-2015, 09:37 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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David,
You are right on all counts. My serial # is 451100881. It is not in the closet; I think the door to the closet may have been replaced. But it is on the title. The trailer is titled as a '79 being that it was purchased in January of '79. (I can post a copy of the thank you letter from Trillium if anyone is interested. I thought that was kind of cool.). But, I do also think that it is actually a '78 because of the location of the converter and the window on the door. I knew there were originally doors in the front; what have people some to replace them if they're missing? I was thinking tensioned curtain rods with long curtains. But, open to suggestions.
Anyhow, first camping trip is scheduled in the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to it!!
'79 Trillium 4500 owner since July '15
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07-14-2015, 09:59 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Trillium was known to build in advance. In fact, it is probably why they went out of business. Tom Young, the former owner of the modern incarnation of Trillium and a former employee of the classic Trillium, told me that it was the bank calling the loan that killed the classic Trillium. They financed the production of large volumes of trailers to save money by buying in bulk, but when the interest rates skyrocketed in the early eighties, the bank got nervous and called the loan. As Tom tells it, while in receivership, they sold all the existing trailers, in inventory, at list price, and the bank got their money, but that was the end of Trillium.
They used to put a manufactured date sticker on the 1300's. When someone buys a trailer in 1979, they call it a 79. I have decided to try to list by date of manufacture, but I can only call it my best guess. I will put your trailer on the list under 1978, even though it was purchased in 1979.
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07-15-2015, 03:38 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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Previous owner said that the canvas was junk and needed to be replaced. Looks pretty doggone good to me. Or my standards aren't that high.... Heheh
'78 Trillium 4500 (masquerading as a '79) owner since July '15
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07-15-2015, 03:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Ohhh... That is a good one! Does yours have a zipper that goes around the edge? Do you have the spring loaded poles that go with the awning?
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ies-49152.html
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07-15-2015, 04:35 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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Yes, it has the zipper. Supposedly the poles are in the rear bumper. Haven't pulled them out yet.
'78 Trillium 4500 (masquerading as a '79) owner since July '15
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07-15-2015, 05:32 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Please let me know if you have two sets of springs for each pole. I can't figure out why I do.
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07-15-2015, 06:10 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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My poles are a mess. Very rusty. Not sure if they are salvageable or not. I'll post pics of everything tomorrow.
'78 Trillium 4500 (masquerading as a '79) owner since July '15
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07-17-2015, 06:42 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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With the exception of the three poles that hold the awning up, I am pretty sure my poles are beyond hope. So, project for Saturday is to try to fabricate a setup out of PVC. Wish me luck.....
'78 Trillium 4500 (masquerading as a '79) owner since July '15
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07-17-2015, 07:01 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: Former 1978 Trillium 4500 owner (now 2010 R-pod)
Ontario
Posts: 235
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looks good.
Our 4500 came with the same awning and screen room. Our poles were also rusty but I was able to sand them all down, paint them silver and replace the rubber ends. Everything works great now - well worth doing.
__________________
77 Trillium 4500
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07-17-2015, 08:24 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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Phil, mine were left somewhat assembled and have rusted together. I can't get them apart now. I'll post pics and maybe someone can help me get them apart.
'78 Trillium 4500 (masquerading as a '79) owner since July '15
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07-17-2015, 01:13 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Use a large torch. Heat might help loosen the rust.
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07-19-2015, 05:02 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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I hacked together framing from the awning out of PVC. Here is a video of what I did.
https://youtu.be/cZsXuvqxeno
'78 Trillium 4500 (masquerading as a '79) owner since July '15
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07-20-2015, 09:01 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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I can't help but notice some sag. When it gets full of water, it will sag more. Have you tried running the garden hose on it? If it catches water, there could be a problem. You also need an angle at the peak.
Here is a picture of mine. I was lucky, all the poles are in good shape.
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07-20-2015, 11:07 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Name: Brian
Trailer: Looking
New York
Posts: 18
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Could you get me some pics of it underneath to see how your poles connect? Yes, there is some sag. I need to tweak the poles in from so that there is a better forward slope. Once I've done that, I'll tweak the support poles to tighten things up.
'78 Trillium 4500 (masquerading as a '79) owner since July '15
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07-23-2015, 01:59 PM
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#20
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Member
Name: Colleen
Trailer: Trillium
WA
Posts: 84
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Congratulations! I have a 1300 which I love, but, unknown to her I still look at 4500s with longing. Enjoy that trailer, buddy.
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