76 Ventura Updating and Modding - Fiberglass RV
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Old 09-29-2018, 01:33 PM   #1
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Name: Adam
Trailer: Ventura
British Columbia
Posts: 22
76 Ventura Updating and Modding

Picked up a 76 Ventura 13' trailer to tow with my Honda Element. I'll keep this thread for updates and mods. I've been a car guy for all my life and specialize in mods and alterations both for speed and esthetics. I will be changing all the exterior/interior lights over to LED (not sure exactly what or how yet but thats the plan) as well as a full interior remodel. I've bought this as secondary trailer for our family and for myself when I do short weekend trips to various ball tournaments.

I have done fiberglass work with car stereo installs as well so I will incorporate those skills and techniques on the interior for TV, and surround sound. Gotta have my comforts!



Look forward to being a part of the community!


https://www.instagram.com/p/BoS8PeGH..._web_copy_link


Berz out.
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Old 09-30-2018, 10:31 AM   #2
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
Posts: 211
Ventura

I have a 1974 just did a full reno,4 inch lift kit,all led lights inside and out and a 24 inch toung extention +a tool box on the toung. buffed all the gellcoat and put solar on the top.fun to play with .Welcome, it nice to other Ventura trailers they seem to be rare.
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Old 09-30-2018, 01:27 PM   #3
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British Columbia
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Thanks! I saw your thread and it gave me lots of inspiration. How did you do the lift? I’m new to the trailer game so I’m not sure how these things work. Body off frame and add risers or did you somehow modify the frame on the axle? Did the extension add toungue weight to the trailer or are the wheels center enough that it doesn’t really affect things?

Berz out.
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Old 09-30-2018, 04:50 PM   #4
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
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mods

This is what i made for mine .I used grade 8 bolts and locking nuts.install takes about 1hr. mine is a bolt on axle.
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Old 09-30-2018, 05:01 PM   #5
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
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mods

toung weight adds about 10 lbs the weight now is about 90 lbs dry .that is tool box empty lp empty.also makes it way easier to back up. my bride loves it. The lift when the trailer is levelmakes the bottom of the bumper 17"inches and the ball the same.
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Old 10-01-2018, 11:54 AM   #6
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Trailer: Ventura
British Columbia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MAP 56 View Post
toung weight adds about 10 lbs the weight now is about 90 lbs dry .that is tool box empty lp empty.also makes it way easier to back up. my bride loves it. The lift when the trailer is levelmakes the bottom of the bumper 17"inches and the ball the same.

The extra length would be a huge asset reversing. These things go cockeyed in a hurry lol. I'll have to look into doing the lift and the extension!



Update: Yesterday I got to some dismantling of the interior. My floor was wet and rotten as I expected once I took the linoleum off. I'll have to work at removing the plywood floor. Not looking forward to that but it is what it is.

Took the furnace out as well as the cupboard that was holding it. I was hoping to keep it intact but the furnace was stubborn and just wouldn't play ball so I ended up dismantling the whole cupboard, forcefully, and then removing the furnace. I don't know when it was last used but it was super rusty and there was a wasp nest inside it. I made some videos so once I put them together Ill upload em to Youtube and maybe make a reno series.



Berz out.
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Old 10-01-2018, 12:31 PM   #7
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
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mods

toung extention .and a before shot
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Old 10-01-2018, 02:00 PM   #8
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British Columbia
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Here's my first update video.



https://youtu.be/lvJnkDQ61aw


Berz out.
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Old 10-03-2018, 04:22 AM   #9
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Here's my first update video.



https://youtu.be/lvJnkDQ61aw


Berz out.
I color matched my Campster trailer to my red Element. Black on the bottom and red on top. Thought about using the Rhino liner but eventually decided it would be a lot harder to wash it with that textured surface. The shape of your trailer and mine both look good with the boxy shape of the Elements.
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Old 10-03-2018, 05:55 AM   #10
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
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mods

I have used box liner on my big foot it was not bad to clean . i used a boat washing brush. the trick with box liner is to have 65 to 70 psi at the tip of the gun it givesa finer finish.Raptor box liner is tintable . The next 2 jobe is 17 foot Boler nasty inside and a Beachcomer might end up as food trailers not sure what the clients want yet .we put a raised roof on one.
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Old 10-03-2018, 06:11 AM   #11
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
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mods

Curent one we are restoring is a Surfside was the same shape as the boler 17 new inside out side belly band removal and fiber glass top and bottom together.
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Old 10-04-2018, 06:41 PM   #12
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I plan on rewiring the whole trailer. So many splices and wires I've found everywhere. I think I'll just pull every last wire out and use all new wires so I know where everything goes and what it does.



Berz out.
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Old 10-05-2018, 05:10 AM   #13
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Name: Kelly
Trailer: Trails West
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I plan on rewiring the whole trailer. So many splices and wires I've found everywhere. I think I'll just pull every last wire out and use all new wires so I know where everything goes and what it does.



Berz out.
Good idea to rewire, what was done in 1974 does not really relate to all the lighting, electronics and solar devices as well as different battery types we now have available as options.
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Old 10-05-2018, 08:01 AM   #14
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
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mods

I replace the main wires on all mone ,i found the old copper wires are mostley green with corrosion. sorry if i dont respond right away as i am in the hospital .working on my third hart attack in 5 years .sucks to be me. Happy Trails.
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Old 10-05-2018, 11:20 AM   #15
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Name: Patricia
Trailer: 1975 Ventura
Ontario
Posts: 353
Hi, Welcome to the Ventura group.
I have a 75 that I have redone (and am still tweaking). I benefited greatly from the help of other owners of all types of fg trailers.
You asked a question about the roof. My roof is just like that. It is higher on the ends but i tested it and water did not pool at the fan so I consider that ok. It is just age, I think. I did reinforce the roof from the inside as many others have done and it retains the gentle curve so I am happy with it.
Just a caution about the tall cabinet as well as the uppers on the other side. Other much more seasoned fg owners than me have warned that these are structural and removing them can compromise the integrity of the shell.
Like you, I wanted a more open feel so I moved the tall cabinet to the other side and made a low cabinet having a one piece side support that runs up to be part of the upper cabinet. (see photos). So far, after over 20,000 kms of travelling, I have seen no evidence of cracking or other damage.
Hope this helps. good luck with your new venture.
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Old 10-06-2018, 08:12 PM   #16
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Thanks for the post I love what you did. The overhead with the stereo is exactly what I’ve got planned. Awesome.

Berz out.
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Old 10-10-2018, 02:10 PM   #17
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Trailer: Ventura
British Columbia
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This weekend I changed the rims and tires on the trailer. I want them to match my Element. Question for those watching. Does a wider tire and smaller side wall affect towing much? The rims are also offset putting them closer to the edge of the wheel well, which I Love. Here’s a pic.



https://www.instagram.com/p/Bou4xEmH..._web_copy_link

Berz out.
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Old 10-10-2018, 07:20 PM   #18
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Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot
Alberta
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mods

it should handel better ,but the off set in time will increase bearing where.
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