Maiden Voyage Complete After Door Repair

[Nanph]

I’d like to thank everyone in this forum for your amazing help these last 19 months. I’ve completed the windows, belly band and repainted - it shines! I’ve also completed most of the interior.
As I was driving her to have the wiring upgraded a couple of weeks ago though, the door fell off. Yikes! The door was weaker than I had realized and I hadn't replaced the latch side lock. After pouring over posts on this forum it was a quick weekend job to cut, place new wood and FG for strength. I repainted the affected areas and decided to bolt everything for even extra strength. That door is solid! I wanted to share some photos.
We took her camping for the first time this weekend and she pulled like a dream. The highlight of my weekend was a couple stopping by to admire her and assuming that it was a professional paint job. Woo hoo! Thanks everyone. I would have been lost without you!

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[John in Michigan]

Nice work. It looks great!

Did you make covers for the holes in the ensolite?

[Nanph]

The fibreglass panels that I removed were in perfect shape so I’ve used an epoxy adhesive lightly in two spots to hold it in place, but easily removed if needed. I put a light bead of caulking around the ensolite patch and replaced it using the same stippling technique that I used when removing the t-molding. It’s a pretty seamless repair but allows me easy access if I ever need to get in and tighten the bolts.

[David Tilston]

Nancy, I am curious, you have a rock guard installed on the rear window, but I don’t see one on the front window. While I would love to have a rock guard on both the front and rear, I would consider the front window a priority. Is there a reason that you don’t have one on the front window?

[Nanph]

You have a great eye for detail David. I have a rock guard for both but ran out of time. It will be installed this week. I am having custom decals made for them next spring. I’ll replicate what was there but in a different colour.

[David Tilston]

My eye for detail may be good; however I somehow have missed most of your threads. I suspect that you were posting during one of my inactive periods. I just read every thread that you have posted. I am impressed. On your window thread, I would have added that the windows should be taken out from the bottom first. It’s just the way they’re shaped.

I am trying to figure out the year of your 4500. The window in the door doesn’t open, so it is not a 1978. From your, “Prepping floor of Trillium 4500” thread, it appears that your trailer is setup for an RM211 fridge, not an RM36. The kitchen sticks out to accommodate the larger fridge in a 1978 and older 4500. So I am guessing pre 1978, not post. Is the front a solid bench, or is there provision for a front dinette?

[Nanph]

You are right on the money. It’s a ‘77. There is a solid bench. We have the parts to convert it to bunk beds but we are empty nesters and don’t need the bunks. I would have loved a front dinette. In lieu of that I’m thinking about installing a shorter fridge and designing a slide out dining table that pushes under the counter when not in use. Thank you for the information regarding the fridge model. I think that the fridge was the only thing that wasn’t original in our trillium. I’ll attach a photo. You’ll see that I still have a lot to do both inside and out - including switching back the front and rear windows!
Sorry for the sideways photos.

[David Tilston]

What is missing from your kitchen is the drawer that would be between the stove, and fridge. You may be able to recreate this. I could post pictures of the factory set-up if you like.

I have a plan for converting a front gaucho to a front dinette.

Materials:
Pultruded square tube:
https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/S...-FT/p/WWG4ATP5

FRP Pannels:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/48-in-x-8-f...-Panel/3446544

First cut out the required foot well. This will involved cutting right through the top hatches. Then frame the opening on both sides of the foot well with the square tube above. Close the sides with FRP sheets. Some work will be required on the top hatches as well. Though you seem skilled with fibreglass.

Lastly, I would use the same method as Trillium did to hang the table. That is from the bottom of the front window frame. Using the same sheet of FRP, I would glue two layers together to make a double thick sheet that is as wide as the window, and will reach down to the seat hight. . The difficult part would be forming the cover for the window frame so that the FRP lays flat against the Ensolite.

[Nanph]

I would be interested in converting to a front dinette. Do you know anyone who has done it successfully?
When you have a moment I would really like to see a photo of the factory set up with the drawer. I repainted all of the original doors but I’m not happy with the finish and didn’t install. I’ll likely do something different with them or make new ones.

[David Tilston]

Nancy, Below are two pictures. One shows the drawer, the other is without the drawer.

[Nanph]

I see what you mean. Thank you. It looks to me as though someone has fit the opening to the fridge so it may have been like this originally.

[David Tilston]

I would be inclined to think that the drawer was removed to accommodate a taller fridge. You also seem to be missing the shroud that surrounded the back of the fridge. I believe that was to help keep the products of combustion, generated by the fridge, from getting into the coach. It also likely helped to direct the air from the bottom vent to the top vent. It can be seen in the picture that I posted with the drawer removed. It is the brownish structure behind the drawer guide. I have one from a 1300, that would probably work in your trailer, should you ever want to install an absorption fridge like an RM211.