Have owned this little jem for 19 years. It was in decent shape when I got her, but had some water damage from a tv antenna installed over the sink and damage to the door side cabinets, probably from heavy snow. Two decades, many, many camping trips with a family of 5, more heavy snow and a major car accident later, she was in sad shape. The frame,
fiberglass and
windows were in great shape but the wood interior was done, the floor rotted out and the appliances no longer worked. For her 40th she gets a compete rebuild. The interior has been completely gutted and all that holds the
windows on are the screws at the top in the
fiberglass. I removed the frame, took off the surface rust and re-coated with Por15 and a rubberized asphalt coating. (see photo 1) The original electric
brakes were a rusty mess I haven't used them, but the 10" hubs are fine and the races look great. The bearings still look immaculate even though they have never been changed. The spindles are great as well, except for one little spot on one seal diameter that has a couple little pits that didn't clean up 100% in the original machining. One question I have not been able to answer yet, is what was the original angle of the torsion bar suspension. I last towed it two years ago, and it still towed like day 1. The angle now sits at 12 degrees clockwise past horizontal.(see photo 2) There is not a lot of travel when the trailer is raised, maybe just over an 1". According to what I can find, the original angle was likely 10 deg and sag of another 10 deg is acceptable. Does anyone know if this is correct or another definitive way to make a call on the torsion bar? I plan on finishing the rebuild as is, the
axle can be swapped out later if needed. The frame is now back on, compiling a cut list for the wood, and preparing to remove the
windows. The layout of the trailer will be much different. A header with vertical supports as well as some other internal skeleton parts to give the roof and sides structural integrity. The main section of the floor will be a full 1" thick edge-sealed marine plywood and the depressions in the floor will be filled with closed cell foam. The bed will be permanent, and under the bed will be a 48" pull out drawer and table. A single seat over the door side wheel wheel, a double on the other side, some counter and cupboard space up front, as well as a Cozy Cabin Marine Heater to replace the
furnace. There will be no inside
fridge, instead a front mounted box for a portable 3-way freezer. No provisions for hook-ups (120V, city water), but a
battery, 12V led
lighting and minimal plumbing.