Hunter 1 (Compact II ?)

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Hi all,
I'm very glad to have found this forum!
I've "inherited" a fiberglass trailer called a Hunter 1. It looks most similar to the Compact II pictured elsewhere. Pardon the poor images - I took these in the dark in my garage tonight. The label on the front says Hunter Industries, Chatsworth, CA, and the date of mfg says 3.74. I assume that's March 1974? My parents bought it used around 1980 and used it until about 1990. It's been stored in a barn since then. It's generally in good shape, but the white diamond vinyl interior is covered with mold stains even after scrubbing with bleach. Can it be saved?
Also, the wiring plug doesn't match the flat4 plug on my Honda Pilot. Sorry to be so ignorant, but would there be such a thing as a plug adapter available?
Finally, the propane connector sure doesn't look like the one on my grill. I can't tell where to disconnect it to get it refilled! As you can tell, I know nothing about trailers, but I'm hoping to take this one camping Memorial Day weekend. Any advice would be most appreciated!

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eaf45e96acf6Hunter1.jpg/> <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eaf46009c32dInterior.jpg/> <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eaf4610646e2Plug.jpg/> [img<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eaf46ce55929Propane.jpg/>

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Hello Bob. Interesting looking trailer - for being stored so long, it looks in
good shape.

I don't know much about mildew removal, but your propane tank looks
the same as the one on my barbeque. The regulator is screwed into the valve on
the top of your tank (presumably with the typical left-hand propane thread). It
is the hex-shaped brass piece on the end of the short tube connected to the
regulator (the round aluminum doodad).

No doubt other people will have better suggestions, but you could always replace
the wiring connector end with one compatible with your Honda (although I thought
most flat connectors were 4 wires rather than 5). Ah well, as I said, someone
with more experience will have the answer.

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Welcome to the Fiberglass RV Forum! Cool trailer! I think for the mildew stains, I might try some tub and shower cleaner that is supposed to be for mildew. Make sure you open all the windows and the door. Might want to put a fan in the doorway blowing out. That stuff is pretty toxic to breathe.

Nancy

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One of the things I would do for sure is get new tires before trying to take it far. I got a 1966 Chrystler 300 from my grandmother a few years ago with only 9000 miles on it. She had stopped driving 10 years before I got the car. The tires looked good and I headed for home with her. before 100 miles I had bought 4 new tires one at a time at gas stations in back woods Texas.
Also check for any propane leaks when you fire up the system. Old gaskets dry out and stop working .
Looks like a fun project with some nostalgia thrown in for fun.
Good Luck

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Tilex Soap Scum remover. Don't get the Mold and Mildew cleaner it won't do as good of a job. Spray it on, let it sit, then use a soft brush to scrub a bit and wipe off. Then rinse with soap and water. Make sure you leave the windows open or birdies and stars will be the only thing you see! You might want to wear gloves as well if your skin is sensitive.

Your propane tank looks like it has the old counter clockwise hook up. If there isn't a nut looking thing where the intake is, check it real close for marks. It might be rounded off. If it is grab a pipe wrench and screw clockwise to get it off. Also, you might want to check the condition of the hose... the black rubber can deteriorate over time, especially if it was stored and was in temperature extremes.

Cute trailer! Have fun with her!

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plug adapter are available. 5 progs could mean you have brakes, and will need a controler, OR you have a built-in battery charger. well either way you've got something the Honda isn't wired for.

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Charlie,

You won't be able to get that old propane tank filled. Starting in April, tanks without an Overfill Protection Device (OPD) cannot be refilled.

You'll have to buy a new tank and maybe an adaptor for the regulator connection. The connector on the new style tank has both internal and external threads (both left handed). Newer devices attach using the external threads and have a thumb knob instead of a hex wrench fitting.

If you're near a U-Haul store, take the trailer and tow to them and have them figure out the connections. You need to determine whether the trailer has brakes and a charge line for the battery. In either of those case, you'll need additional wiring in the Honda.

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Orginally posted by Morgan Bulger

Charlie,

You won't be able to get that old propane tank filled. Starting in April, tanks without an Overfill Protection Device (OPD) cannot be refilled.

You'll have to buy a new tank and maybe an adaptor for the regulator connection. The connector on the new style tank has both internal and external threads (both left handed). Newer devices attach using the external threads and have a thumb knob instead of a hex wrench fitting.

When I got my trailer last year, it had two old propanes. I knew that I would have to purchase two new ones that were OPD compliant. Then one day, I saw an add in the paper for Academy Sports (this was in the Dallas (TX) Morning News). It advertised that they had a ''no hassle'' propane exchange on 20 lb bottles. It also said they were on sale for $13.95.

I thought I'd give it a whirl and, sure enough, I ended up with two compliant full propanes for less than $30.

It probably doesn't hurt that we have a lot of gas BBQ grills around here, as well as well as campers, so they're everywhere. They even have them had the grocery store.

Keep an eye out in your area. You may find someone that has a ''no hassle'' policy.

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wal-mart will exchange those old propane tanks for refurbished ones with the new valve filled with propane for under $20 - i forget exactly how much. there's a company called blue rhino that retrofits old tanks with the new valve.

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Wonder if your old propane is OPD compliant?

There's a picture of this device on the lower portion of this link

OPD Complaint Valve

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When I needed a refill on a set of old style tanks I was told I needed to buy a new set,. Cost $70 each (40 lbs each) . I took the tanks to a propane dealer instead of the RV dealer, they instead changed out the valves for me for $20 per tank, did a pressure test at the same time for free. Check the actual Propane Dealers in your area, not the RV dealers for this.While you are doing this look at the bottom of the tanks, I was told that is where most tanks rust out if they are not maintained and painted .
I forgot to add they also told me a fast way to see if the tank was compliant was that the knob on top was semi triangular, the old ones are rounded.

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The interior of my Boler was pretty awful when I bought it. I was able to get the majority of the mildew stains out using Tilex (as suggested above). To brighten up the interior however - I followed that with a coat of white spray vinyl. Comes in standard spray cans and is made for repairing dashboards and car seats (so it's flexable). Did a great job in the Boler - I was very happy with it.

mkw

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Orginally posted by Charlie Crouchet

When I needed a refill on a set of old style tanks I was told I needed to buy a new set,. Cost $70 each (40 lbs each) . I took the tanks to a propane dealer instead of the RV dealer, they instead changed out the valves for me for $20 per tank, did a pressure test at the same time for free. Check the actual Propane Dealers in your area, not the RV dealers for this.While you are doing this look at the bottom of the tanks, I was told that is where most tanks rust out if they are not maintained and painted .
I forgot to add they also told me a fast way to see if the tank was compliant was that the knob on top was semi triangular, the old ones are rounded.

I was going to say that. I asked my propane guy about the new tanks, and he said he could probably change the valve in my olds ones. I said I heard Walmart took them for exchange and he said they were not the refillable kind. you had to trade them back each time. I do realise that he wanted my business, but that can or should be checked out. If you need to fill it else where.

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They are all refillable. Blue Rhino, and "swap-out" companies of that type, just take empty bottles, safety-check them, refill them, paint them if needed, put their label on them, and send them back out. You can bring in your old one and they'll swap it. You can then refill the "new" bottle anywhere (peel the Blue Rhino label off if it makes you feel better), or just trade it in again if you don't want to worry about the condition of the bottle you have. I was a Blue Rhino dealer (through Ace Hardware) for several years, at the time of the switch to the hand-tighten tank valves. We did the free upgrades then, too. Basically, we at Ace just provided space for Blue Rhino's "cage", in exchange for a cut of the sales. We were too busy, and frankly, unqualified to judge the "acceptability" of a customer's bottle, so we just accepted anything, and let Blue Rhino sort it out (this was considered acceptable to Blue Rhino).

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Charlie, you're right about the tires. I had to take the wheels off and get the tires replaced before I could move it at all. Based on that experience, I'm pretty sure it doesn't have brakes - must have the battery charger option...
Eric, I picked up the Tilex Soap Scum remover today - haven't tried it yet, but I will ASAP. Thanks for the tip!
Morgan, thanks for the suggestion about the U-Haul store. Turns out the U-Haul place in my town also sells propane. They told me to bring it in and they would try to work out both the wiring and the propane. Sounds like I hit the jackpot!
I spliced the wiring temporarily to get the brake lights working so I can be fairly safe getting it to U-Haul.
Thanks for all the feedback!

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Welcome Bob. After you get the propane tank situation figured out, the mildew cleaned up, and any other little thing that might come up, don't forget to give 'er a real good waxing! Enjoy your new aquisition.

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Bob, after sitting up for this long, be sure to pack your wheel bearings before doing much highway driving. Otherwise, you could find yourself sitting on the side of the road with burned out wheel bearings. It's a good idea, also, to keep a spare pair, along with wheel bearing grease, in the trailer.

Bob :)

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Orginally posted by Thomas and Janifer

I asked my propane guy about the new tanks, and he said he could probably change the valve in my old ones. I said I heard Walmart took them for exchange and he said they were not the refillable kind. you had to trade them back each time. I do realise that he wanted my business, but that can or should be checked out. If you need to fill it else where.

Jana, that's a good point about the tanks. I guess there are pluses to both the refillables and the swaps.

As for me, I choose the swap out kind. Why? Because it's initially cheaper and zero maintenance. Free swap and I never have to worry about the tanks rusting out. I found that a swap generally runs anywhere from $13 to $17 for a 20#. Based on my usage, it is totally cost efficient and virtually mantenance free. I suppose another reason is that around here, I only know of one place that refills propanes (closed on Sundays), yet there are more places than I can count within 5 miles that have swaps and are open 7 days a week.

Those going on extended trips might benefit from having one of each. :shg

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zero maintenance. that reason alone is just about reason enough. and add in the 7day a week open, I may have to try that. Its been so long since i've filled one up, I've don't remember the price.

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Jannifer:
The guy that told you the Walmart tanks were not refilable was strickly after your bucks, and if he is in the propane biz. he should know eht exact rules and regs, so he put his ethics on the back burner in exchange for a shot at your wallet. I would hesitate to trust him in the future.
Thinking about the trailer having no electric brakes is that something that can be retrofitted to an older trailer fairly simply?