trail mite replacements

[tinkandi]

hey all I have the opportunity rot purchase a trail mite 1970's

my concern I can't find ANYTHING if I need repairs.
who can I contact for info?? anything helps. thx

[thrifty bill]

No one really. It’s about being resourceful, google for answers. Realize most of what you might need is not specific to Trail Mite. Fiberglass repair is just fiberglass repair, appliances, window parts, etc. There’s no answer person to call.

Assume it WILL need repairs, not IF. A 40 to 50 year old trailer will need stuff fixed and parts are beyond design life. An old trailer is not for everyone for sure. But if you are flexible and resourceful, it can be fun!

[tinkandi]

thx Bill!

[thrifty bill]

The other good news is repair techniques are more about the repair and less about the brand trailer. So you can learn from someone doing repairs on their Scamp, or Boler or whatever. Yes, brands do have some unique stuff but a lot of it isn’t unique. Realize the trailer manufacturers tend to buy components from the same handful of companies.

+10 to below, I see newbies tossing original appliances that "didn't work" and then ask where to find replacements. Sometimes the replacements just don't fit, and the old stuff could have been repaired. Someone tossed the furnace from my Trillium, and it is obsolete and unique, so when its gone its gone. So instead of tossing stuff, read the various threads where people have repaired them. Besides appliances, door locks can be hard to find. And many "broken" door locks can be repaired by a local locksmith. And of course, until you have the right replacement in hand, a lock with issues is better than no door lock. And sometimes parts from one broken lock can be combined with another broken lock and you end up with a good lock. My current door lock is such a combination.

[Donna D.]

Just a tip, don't throw away anything until you have a replacement. You may need model numbers or measurements from your original parts... appliances in particular.


Good luck!

[tinkandi]

so simple but SO SMART LOL. thx!

[jbenkovich]

Hi Becca,
I also have a 72 Trail Mite and I haven't replaced much. I did buy new door hinges from Scamp and I found taillight covers at an RV junk yard. The old Coleman stove and heater work. I had a new tongue welded on last year. A friend put down a new floor. I can do all the 'remodeling' on the inside but have no skills for the work on the frame, fiberglass, and paint. I've taken it to several pros and have had quotes from 10K to 18K to make it new again. I'm going to take the advice I got just the other day, "enjoy it" and I do!

[tinkandi]

thx Julie. I got really lucky, much was cleaned and repaired.
no stove or sink or front of kitchenette. (did get sink) I will eventually close up the vents from refer past WAY too wet after rains. Been looking for window for the door, prob can be fixed but noticed many have another in kitchen ..time will tell.
that goodness I have a son that wants to try anything in repair, with of course the promise to use "Mazie" too.
mainly focussing on solar (portable) Jackery AMAZING little box! heading out for my second but first solo this next week excited, nervous new chapter in my life.....
Becca and Tink my little Yorkie

[jbenkovich]

Hi again, I looked up the Jackery and I have something similar, Goal Zero, that powers my usb lights, phone etc. Have a great first solo trip, you will most likely get inquires and thumbs up with your TrailMite!

[Mitten Mitsie]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Just a tip, don't throw away anything until you have a replacement. You may need model numbers or measurements from your original parts... appliances in particular.


Good luck!

Oh man! This was my first mistake as a newbie. I tossed the gross old seals to the side windows before realizing just how freaking hard it was to find replacement parts for my TM. I have since fudged a lot through trial and error. But my one side window still leaks on occasion!!

[Gerry]

When I had my 70's Boler, I replaced almost all the inside, fridge, furnace, added electric water pump, converter and all wiring. Outside light and water tank. With new items and it may have taken a little cutting here or there, to make things fit but in the end, everything worked fine. If you handy you can do it.