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11-23-2010, 07:24 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1978 Trillium 4500
Massachusetts
Posts: 137
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Removing the bathroom in my 78' Trillium 4500
I have decided to remove the bathroom. I have already removed the holding tank and toilet the previous owner installed. I have also removed the top piece that goes along the front and includes the sink area to the right. It looks like I have to unbolt 2 bolts that go through the floor through the frame to remove the rest in one piece. I assume the walls on each side(by stove) and ( by door) can be removed without any loss of structural integrity. I was wondering if I need to do any reinforcing anywhere? Maybe where the door hinges are? But I don't think so. After all is removed I plan on making a dinette area that can fold into a bed. I need to touch up some spots with new Ensolite or something similar. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Other than selling and buying one all done Thanks Randy
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11-23-2010, 11:51 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
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I wouldn't assume...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gumpit
I assume the walls on each side (by stove) and (by door) can be removed without any loss of structural integrity.
After all is removed I plan on making a dinette area that can fold into a bed.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?
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I am forgetting the layout of a 4500 aft of the entry door...
Is there a closet there? And what is the measurement of the opening between the walls? I have in the past removed interior walls in a Compact Jr. and had the roof sag, so I would be hesitant to remove your "wall-ettes" if I were doing that modification. I would try to figure out a way to modify the table (have it slide from side-to-side?) so you could fit through to the seats in the corner...
One feature I would ask Reace to build into an Escape 19' are similar "wall-ettes" like what you have, so a privacy curtain (or accordion door) could be hung between, making an enclosed sleeping compartment like on a Pullman train car that would allow people to play cards at the rear dinette while a companion (or child) is sleeping up front... just a random thought...
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
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11-24-2010, 06:27 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1978 Trillium 4500
Massachusetts
Posts: 137
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I can cut/modify the "wall-ettes" to remain and still give support. I was hoping not to so that it had a more open floorplan. It does have the closet to the aft of the door which is centered pretty much on the camper. I will have to check and see if it really gives any support. If it does I may be able to remove just the one "wall-ette" at the entry door. I will search for pics of other 4500's with dinettes and ask those owners about the "sag" issues. Unless someone reading has one and can chime in. Originally there was a bifold door across the "wall-ettes" but if folded in and was a heavy pain. I think a curtain would work ok to seperate the area.Thanks Randy
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11-24-2010, 05:35 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: 74 Boler 13 ft / 97 Ford Aerostar
Posts: 368
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We have a 30 year old 4500 with the front dinette factory installed. I don’t have pictures handy until the spring (it was -28C this morning), but our front area is completely open just like a front couch unit would be. There do not appear to be any sag issues at all. I would hazard a guess that removing the wall-ettes would not cause a problem for sag, however I might wish for something like that when the bed is made up in the front for the illusion of privacy. If I had your wall-ettes, I would consider alternative uses and perhaps partial disassembly before taking them out entirely.
Rick G
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11-24-2010, 05:42 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1978 Trillium 4500
Massachusetts
Posts: 137
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I will try placing some temporary seating and a table in to see if I can leave the wall-ettes in place and still access the seating. I am not a contortionist so it will have to be easy to sit down or modifying will have to be done. I may be able to cut vertically and make it a thinner wall and still ahve the option for a curtain. Randy
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11-25-2010, 06:20 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: Former 1978 Trillium 4500 owner (now 2010 R-pod)
Posts: 235
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Isn't the bathroom model 4500 a rare model? If its not too late please reconsider cutting up your original trailer. I suspect you will devalue your trailer by proceeding with these mods.
__________________
77 Trillium 4500
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11-25-2010, 08:48 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1978 Trillium 4500
Massachusetts
Posts: 137
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I have no use for it. I definitely want a front dinette and am going to use the wall-ettes. The top came out in one piece if anyone wants it. If not I am tossing it the weekend. Randy
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11-27-2010, 12:00 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1972 Boler American and 1979 Trillium 4500
Posts: 5,141
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I agree with Phil.
Gumpit, consider finding a front bunk model to do the front Dinette mod on. It will be a lot easier. There are people that would love to have the front washroom model. Maybe you can find someone to swap with.
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11-27-2010, 04:35 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1978 Trillium 4500
Massachusetts
Posts: 137
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Well there is enough of the old vanity if anyone wants to modify their camper. I also have the cabinette door for the vanity. The shelf is junk but that was just cheap thin plywood. Easy enough to make another.It only took me a day to make the dinette. I did keep the wall-ettes for support and to be able to put a curtain acroos for sleeping privacy. I will make the table stand and then make the cushions. I also need to figure out what I am going to recover the walls with. So if you know anyone in driving distance to Massachusetts who wants the vanity it is theirs. The wall-ettes can be made out of plywood. And the rest can be fiberglassed in. I don't mind doing the mods to mine. It wasn't pristine to begin with. But when I am done it will be very solid and water tight and set up the way I like. I don't care about resale value. Doing the work is half the fun.....Randy
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11-27-2010, 11:38 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
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I like it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gumpit
I did keep the wall-ettes for support and to be able to put a curtain acroos for sleeping privacy. I will make the table stand and then make the cushions. I also need to figure out what I am going to recover the walls with.
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I suggested thinking of them as an asset because I believe that making your task as simple as possible aids in actually completing it. I have sacrificed "good enough" in pursuit of "perfection" and fallen short too many times. It's looking real good so far.
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
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11-30-2010, 07:13 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Borden and Carole
Trailer: 1978 Earlton Ontario boler
Ontario
Posts: 1,506
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Would be nice to have a sink but can not add one in our boler due to space requirements. Your bathroom seems to have been very large? It looks to be more than twice size in ours; so can understand why you want the change.
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11-30-2010, 07:28 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1978 Trillium 4500
Massachusetts
Posts: 137
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It was 28" deep and the width of the camper. I was surprised there wasnt a shower in it because it was so big. Randy
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11-30-2010, 08:05 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Borden and Carole
Trailer: 1978 Earlton Ontario boler
Ontario
Posts: 1,506
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Smaller bathrooms have a shower; ours has the dinette at front with bathroom next to it across from the door. Bathroom black water tank is under toilet and dinette seat. Combo shower and toilet; shower was not installed but mold has indents for same. I am in the process of retro fitting the shower. Would also want the dinette.
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11-30-2010, 08:23 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1973 13 ft Compact II
Posts: 416
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I want just the OPPOSITE!
I have a 13' Compact II with the extra privacy room. I recently asked my Trailer/van conversion specialists if they could install a marine toilet and for how much. They told me that there wasn't enought clearance on the bottom for a black water holding tank that would properly empty out. I told them that other trailers (Casita, Scamp,, etc) have them already factory installed...but they say my trailer is too low to the ground. ANYONE out there in Compact II land or any other 13' trailer land that has installed a toilet in theirs?!!!!
Or should I just be content with building a platform to hold the porta-potty in place and empty it into one of those portable plastic tanks?
Any help is MUCH appreciated!
Toilet-less-at-the-beach!
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11-30-2010, 08:27 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,707
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbuehler
I have a 13' Compact II with the extra privacy room. I recently asked my Trailer/van conversion specialists if they could install a marine toilet and for how much. They told me that there wasn't enought clearance on the bottom for a black water holding tank that would properly empty out.
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Barbara, Scamp and the like use a marine toilet where the toilet sits ON the tank and the whole thing is inside the trailer. No tank below, the only thing below is the drain gate/valve.
In this picture (from Scamp) you can see what I mean:
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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11-30-2010, 08:35 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1973 13 ft Compact II
Posts: 416
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Maybe I should've showed them a picture like this...
...and maybe there was some 'small amount' of miscommunication about where the black water tank would be. I will try call another place, like camping World (way too expensive) unless you can recommend another spot in PDX where I could go to have this done.
THANKS, Donna. It's always fun to be writing in the early morning and get an instantaneous answer from you! I know we are the early birds on FG!
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11-30-2010, 08:42 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,707
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I'd go back to the folks you originally contacted and show them a picture. There certainly are trailers with the black tank underneath. Y'all just weren't on the same page. Otherwise, there's a ton of places in Portland. If you really need it, I'll get you the name of the one that was recommended to me.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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11-30-2010, 09:09 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Borden and Carole
Trailer: 1978 Earlton Ontario boler
Ontario
Posts: 1,506
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Toilet in trailers
The factory toilet in ours sits on top of our grey water tank and it extends width of bathroom and behind through wall under to seat of the dinette for space reasons. Black water tank is above floor making is work in winter. The tank drain curves under to drain spout close to floor.
P.S. hope this helps
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbuehler
I have a 13' Compact II with the extra privacy room. I recently asked my Trailer/van conversion specialists if they could install a marine toilet and for how much. They told me that there wasn't enought clearance on the bottom for a black water holding tank that would properly empty out. I told them that other trailers (Casita, Scamp,, etc) have them already factory installed...but they say my trailer is too low to the ground. ANYONE out there in Compact II land or any other 13' trailer land that has installed a toilet in theirs?!!!!
Or should I just be content with building a platform to hold the porta-potty in place and empty it into one of those portable plastic tanks?
Any help is MUCH appreciated!
Toilet-less-at-the-beach!
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11-30-2010, 05:11 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Randy
Trailer: 1978 Trillium 4500
Massachusetts
Posts: 137
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Mine had the holding tank and toilet inside and was the main reason I wanted it out. Was quite an eyesore and the platform kept the vanity door from opening and the bifold door from opening properly. I might get the portable toilet to take with me on extended trips but I like the option of leaving it at home when not needed even more. With the new dinette setup I can still have a privacy curtain held by the wall-ettes and keep the toilet in the removable table area. Randy
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11-30-2010, 08:05 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1972 Boler American and 1979 Trillium 4500
Posts: 5,141
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Randy,
There are a few posts here where people have installed the porta-potty under one of the dinette bench seats at the front. With your workmanship that I've seen so far, I imagine you are very capable of doing a nice job on a similar mod.
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