Original or Modified

[841K9]

The perfect trailer is like the perfect truck or car- built, not bought.

I just wish I had the time and funds for my projects.

[Steve Hammel]

Deryk it seems like there are hundreds of rivets. They hold everything together.

[Donna D.]

I'm probably the last person who should give an OPINION, but this is mine. It's YOUR trailer, you should be comfortable and content. If you want to put a non-factory vent in the ceiling... do it, if it makes your camping experience better, etc., etc., etc.

After all these years of towing my trailer and going to MANY gatherings... I've NEVER heard anyone say "look Gladys a 1985 (??) with original (??) [whatever stuff].

It's YOURS make it comfortable and exactly the way YOU want/need. I just caution you to use professional skills and professional mods... no redneck, duct tape allowed if your expectation is to be stellar.

[FRED SMAILES]

The only thing I like about my Boler is the basic shape. And that is all that I won't change if I feel it will improves use. But even the shape is not untouchable!!
But like collector cars if I had a mint original one that I had space to store I may keep it that way.
Fred

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

no redneck, duct tape allowed if your expectation is to be stellar.

Well, there goes all my remodeling plans...

Francesca

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Well, there goes all my remodeling plans...

Francesca

Red Green would be proud!

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Red Green would be proud!

I know...he was so helpful with the remodel of the tow vehicle!



Francesca

[Evergreengirl]

Interesting discussion. I kind of go back and forth on this one. For example, the woodwork in our 1987 Bigfoot is in remarkably good condition, but there's an awful lot of it and it's dark. Most of the time I kind of like the original, cozy, cabin-y look of it, but sometimes I yearn for something lighter and brighter. Should we paint all the cabinets and woodwork or not? One day I think yes, the next, no. Since it's original and in good condition maybe it would be a big mistake to go slapping paint on it. Someday we'll go to sell it and I can just imagine a prospective buyer saying "Oooh, it's a nice trailer, but it's too bad they painted over all that original woodwork."

The flooring is definitely past its prime and I really see no reason to replace it with late 80's style vinyl. We've not hesitated to update the upholstery and curtains and we've replaced the vents with new ones, etc. When and if the refrigerator or the stove go belly up we won't go looking for 80' era ones to replace them. We'd want new appliances I think. But we do want to keep the overall "almost vintage" feeling and look of the trailer. We kind of like funk and junk and don't want to make our trailer too modern in style.

I say do what makes you happy. As so many have already said, it's your trailer so make it personal and have fun.

[deryk]

Steve lots of work, could get rid of most of the rivets by screwing the cabinets into the blocks of wood instead of rivets...


Kathy, is it wood, or wood laminate? If its wood, you could sand it and varnish it a lighter or warmer colour


deryk

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

I know...he was so helpful with the remodel of the tow vehicle!

Don't laugh. My brothers signature on the motorcycle track is his artful duct tape finnish. It hides the road rash well. At one point a track official told him that he should have more pride in his bike, and the flapping duct tape was distracting the other riders.

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by deryk

Steve lots of work, could get rid of most of the rivets by screwing the cabinets into the blocks of wood instead of rivets...

There may be a bit more to it than gluing blocks of wood to the fibreglass. I think it did not work out so well in this thread:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post357558
An impressive reno if I have ever seen one! But I think the lesson was, it just might be a good idea to glass over those wood blocks with some straps of fibreglass. Tie them to the wall.

[Steve Hammel]

I have lots of housebuilding and vehicle reno experience. I also redid my Trillium. I cut the cabinets out and glassed them back in again later. The Trillium is a far stiffer body than the Scamp. Another of my concerns is that the ensolite is in near mint condition. It's not sagging or peeling and I didn't "want" to take it off. I'm definately going to have to do something to stiffen up the Scamp. I have some aluminum tubing that I'm considering bending to the curves on the interior like the Oliver trailers have. I could put one behind the galley and one next to the upper berth.

[Evergreengirl]

Originally Posted by deryk

Kathy, is it wood, or wood laminate? If its wood, you could sand it and varnish it a lighter or warmer colour.

Deryk, I'm not exactly sure. The owner's manual describes it as "All wood laminate interior (no particle board or pressed board)"." I'd have to go take a closer look. My remembrance is that the trim around the cabinet doors is solid wood and that the fronts and sides of the cabinets themselves are a thinner material like a thin plywood. I don't think any of it is a vinyl like laminate surface though like you see on inexpensive furniture nowadays. EVen if it were all wood, stripping and/or sanding it all down would be a big job that I'm pretty sure were not too motivated to tackle.

[Steve Hammel]

Maybe whitewash it.

[Evergreengirl]

Maybe whitewash it.

Hmmm, that's not a bad idea. I could see that working.

[stevebaz]

I bought mine it was mostly origional, everything I wanted to add was modifying it, but in the process everything that was origional needed to be fixed or updated or moved out of the way. The only thing I could do without modifying something else not intended was hanging the 3m removeable coat hooks.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

I bought mine it was mostly origional, everything I wanted to add was modifying it, but in the process everything that was origional needed to be fixed or updated or moved out of the way. The only thing I could do without modifying something else not intended was hanging the 3m removeable coat hooks.

Ah, yes: the " Domino Effect"!

I frankly believe it's no more possible to do "a little remodeling" than it is to be "a little bit pregnant"

In for a little, in for a lot...

Francesca

[Rene]

We could not wait to update our Boler. The 70's upholstery was the first to go. I would love to get rid of the harvest gold toilet too but it will have to break first. Glad I don't have any avocado green. Then there was the beige exterior with the stunningly ugly orange stripes around the middle. Thank God for white paint!

[Steve Hammel]

I had a harvest gold toilet in an old Toyota motorhome. I used that plastic paint on it and it lasted for years with no one being the wiser.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

I'm vintage, just like my trailer.

Most of me is original, but parts have been replaced...

My 1978 Fiber Stream has a lot that's original:

• Gelcoat exterior & painted fiberglass interior shell
• windows & doors
• "Bubble" rock guard
• Water tanks & plumbing
• Kitchen & Bathroom Sinks
• Duette range/oven/heater
• Water Heater
• Refrigerator (2-way 110 volt/propane)
• Light Fixtures
• Wood wall paneling/cabinets
• matching green Carpet & Upholstery fabric
• Formica US-Map Dinette table top with porta-leggs (copyright 1968)

... and a lot that is new:

• Tail Lights
• Wheels, Tires, Brakes, & Springs
• Tongue Jack
• Fantastic Fan
• Bathroom roof vent with fan
• LED light bulbs
• Roof Air Conditioner w/ heat strip (Installing it tomorrow!)
• Water Pump
• Converter with Charge Wizard
• Cushion Foam
• Window Shades & Curtains
• Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets
• Toilet