frame care

[Ian Harrad]

Hello to all, I decided that it was time to make sure that the frame of my 78 trillium was going to last another 30 years. Yesturday I lifted the body off the frame after a couple of hours of work, fingers crossed. I was wondering if any one has had their frames sandblasted and painted or powder coated, even thought about the truck sprayed in liner coating. I will be doing a few weld on additions to the frame at the same time. What worked for you. Thanks Ian.

[Booker B.]

Hi Ian,

This couple did a complete body off job like you have done. They have a lot of pictures/discussions about the full restore.

http://members.shaw.ca/nova1/Dewey.htm

The earlier 72-73 Trilliums had issues with frame failures where the dimple occurs just as the frame sweeps from the propane/battery area under the front of the trailer. They recommended that you weld supports on for those year trailers.

Hope that helps

[Alistair Camelford]

Ian, I crawled under The Road Toad with a litre of Tremclad gloss last week.I'm still stiff and most of the black spots have been scrubbed off my body. Figger the Trill lasted 35 years exposed to the ravages of the Canadian Tin Worm...and no major damage...my coat of paint might get it through another ten at least!
On a related note, after viewing all the dire projections of Dexter axle life, I asked Hitch Guy if I should be looking at replacing mine. I still have a full four inches clearance, no bottoming out, no sags. He said he'd never seen one fail or had to replace one
So we'll keep fingers crossed.
Now if I go back to polishing the wheel wells, I'll know I'm ready for an intervention
TTFN alistair

[Ian Harrad]

Ian, I crawled under The Road Toad with a litre of Tremclad gloss last week.I'm still stiff and most of the black spots have been scrubbed off my body. Figger the Trill lasted 35 years exposed to the ravages of the Canadian Tin Worm...and no major damage...my coat of paint might get it through another ten at least!
On a related note, after viewing all the dire projections of Dexter axle life, I asked Hitch Guy if I should be looking at replacing mine. I still have a full four inches clearance, no bottoming out, no sags. He said he'd never seen one fail or had to replace one
So we'll keep fingers crossed.
Now if I go back to polishing the wheel wells, I'll know I'm ready for an intervention
TTFN alistair

Thanks for the info, the trailer axle seems to be ok for ride height. I was also thinking of putting thin strips of wood along the frame rails between the shell and frame or just putting back the original thin insulation tape. might weld in a receiver to the rear bumper for additional trailer (small boat) or removable bike rack, and run wiring also. I'm getting a price on sandblasting today . While the frame is out from under the shell I will be waxing her belly up. I think I need intervention.

[Ian Harrad]

Ian, I crawled under The Road Toad with a litre of Tremclad gloss last week.I'm still stiff and most of the black spots have been scrubbed off my body. Figger the Trill lasted 35 years exposed to the ravages of the Canadian Tin Worm...and no major damage...my coat of paint might get it through another ten at least!
On a related note, after viewing all the dire projections of Dexter axle life, I asked Hitch Guy if I should be looking at replacing mine. I still have a full four inches clearance, no bottoming out, no sags. He said he'd never seen one fail or had to replace one
So we'll keep fingers crossed.
Now if I go back to polishing the wheel wells, I'll know I'm ready for an intervention
TTFN alistair

Thanks again guys, I spent the last week grinding down the frame, and checking for any cracks . I found that the frame was in very good condition and the rust was just surface. While grinding the frame down I came across the serial # stamped into the frame under
a couple of layers of paint. I also came across a stamping on the rear bumper from the company that supplied the steel or the frames. Does any one know if trillium made the frames as well or just the fiberglass. The name stamped into the back of the bumper is BROCKHOUSE. I will be putting her back together this coming weekend after I pick up new mounting bolts and insulation tape. Here are a couple of pictures after the first coat of paint. I did 2 coats of paint. Thanks again Ian.

[Sahm J]

Hello to all, I decided that it was time to make sure that the frame of my 78 trillium was going to last another 30 years. Yesturday I lifted the body off the frame after a couple of hours of work, fingers crossed. I was wondering if any one has had their frames sandblasted and painted or powder coated, even thought about the truck sprayed in liner coating. I will be doing a few weld on additions to the frame at the same time. What worked for you. Thanks Ian.

Hi -

we picked up our trillium 13' today (1974) and we will be starting the restoration project asap.

question:

how do you raise the body off the frame and not damage the fibreglass?

What kind of jack / levellers to use?

thanks

[Ian Harrad]

Hi -

we picked up our trillium 13' today (1974) and we will be starting the restoration project asap.

question:

how do you raise the body off the frame and not damage the fibreglass?

What kind of jack / levellers to use?

thanks

Congrats. on the new trailer. I first cut off the 8 nuts under the trailer and disconnected the gas line and wiring from the tongue of the trailer. I started at the rear of the trailer under the space where the water holding tank sits. used a large square board to displace the weight. I used a large floor jack and slowly raised the rear high enough to get a 4x4 across the back of the trailer, and set the 4x4 on blocks . Then I moved to the front, the front of the trailer is not as smooth as the rear so a board across the front doesn't touch all the way across. I made some shims up to contour the bottom of the trailer. I then slowly worked it up , front then back then front. I pulled the trailer out from the front . This weekend I will be dropping her back down on to the trailer. I went to home depot and bought some insulation tape to put between the frame and the glass. good luck. Glad I did it. She is like new.