So.... about a year ago I decided to buy a camper. The problem is that my old land rover can't pull much, so I needed something lightweight and compact, but it also had to sleep 4 (two adults, two kids). I couldn't find anything I liked on the lots, and the only thing that was worth looking at was a small
fiberglass trailer from
Escape, built out in Chilliwack. They said there was a 2 year wait list to get one, so I decided to take matters into my own hands.
I bought a little 1974
Beachcomber B-15 that was in VERY poor condition and had been totally gutted by the previous owner and had a cracked and rusted out frame. I picked it up for $800 and went to work.
The first order of business was to build a new frame and the guys and Wildwood Metal Works in Langley built me an amazing frame from aluminum.
These guys were really professional and super to deal with. I paid $2400 for the new frame, and the best part is that they actually built me a custom
axle that is adjustable so I can lower or raise it up to suite my needs, and I tell you, that thing is massive compared to the axles you buy off the shelf.
Next I stripped out what was left of the interior and got to work framing out the inside.
The wife's "must have" list was to have solid bunk beds for the kids, a good sized
fridge, hot water and a stove. So I made the bunk beds permanent, rather than the fold up original kind that are very flimsy. I put in a new
fridge and then plumbed the whole thing with a 5 gallon tank for clean water, and 5 gallon for dirty water. I put the plug-in power and water connection pipes where the old signal
lights were (one on each side) and relocated the signals to the frame.
I made the table myself by taking a sheet of plywood and then printing off a vinyl picture and then framing it with maple and covering it in a thick epoxy coat. I think it turned out really nice. I picked up a pedestal table for a boat dining table off ebay for $300 and its really nice and works well. Its aluminum and solid and unclamps and compresses down to 12" and up to 28".
Redid all the upholstery, new flooring, custom cabinetry, put in a large
solar panel, power inverter, 19" 12 volt tv, outdoor and indoor speakers, outdoor hot water shower, a Fantastic fan with dual direction, and an A/C system.
I was just able to get it done for the last long weekend, and what a pleasure to use. It did everything I wanted it to do and more.
The guys at Dynamic RV in Chilliwack did most of the work and were absolutely excellent to deal with and put a lot of extra thought into it for me while we were designing it.
Anyways, I am now a proud owner of a
fiberglass rv and I couldn't be happier that I went that way.
Hope to see you guys out on the road!