Okay, when the time comes where do you start first?

[neauone]

Okay, when the time comes to begin working on the Scamp, which do you recommend, the interior first than the exterior or the other way around. Secondly if you start on the inside (I'm replacing the Rat Fur) is the wiring the first thing, than the floor and lastly the Rat Fur? Just need a little help here, also when filling in the hair line cracks, do you sand first than prime it than fill it and sand or do you just prime (no sanding) and fill in the cracks? Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks
Guy
I will be replacing windows as well.

[Francesca Knowles]

Grandma FuddyDuddy sez: Start at the ground and work your way up!

In the excitement of new ownership, too many folks neglect the most basic basics of all: tires, suspension, hitch, frame, tow lights, brakes. Not much fun, but since those are the things that are most likely to be safety issues, I think that's the place to start.

Francesca

[Eddie Longest]

Are you going to paint the whole trailer outside? Why replace the ratfur?
Eddie

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by neauone

when filling in the hair line cracks, do you sand first than prime it than fill it and sand or do you just prime (no sanding) and fill in the cracks?

I'd get the cracks cleaned out, then fill to get the best bond to the fiberglass, followed by sand & prime.

This time of year in Georgia I'd probably do the outside first before it gets so hot.........

Charlie Y

[neauone]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Grandma FuddyDuddy sez: Start at the ground and work your way up!

In the excitement of new ownership, too many folks neglect the most basic basics of all: tires, suspension, hitch, frame, tow lights, brakes. Not much fun, but since those are the things that are most likely to be safety issues, I think that's the place to start.

Francesca

Tires seem to be pretty new, the hitch and frame likewise look fine, the lights are good, and the Scamp doesn't have any brakes that I am aware of. But I am having the wheels checked and packed with grease as needed, can't be too careful.
Thanks for the imput
Guy

[neauone]

Originally Posted by Eddie Longest

Are you going to paint the whole trailer outside? Why replace the ratfur?
Eddie

The Rat Fur is in terrible shape and coming apart at the seams and falling off the wall, as for repainting the outside of the trailer. I'm going to fill all the cracks sand it than perhaps keep it looking like an original Scamp. However, I did see one that was painted metallic gun metal grey and it looked "Bad to the Bone". But that's quite a piece down the road.
Thanks
Guy

[Carol H]

Defiantly outside first. Check replace wheel bearings, tres if there more than 4 years old. Check axel & frame for issues. Replace battery if its more than 5 years old or the PO ran it right down more than a few times. Check for loose rivets & replace. Check roof vents & pull out and reset if needed. Have the propane system checked out. Get the running lights working & update the tail lights to LED. Then spend a summer camping in it before you change anything.

The window type on your trailer are BTW one item that many here wish they could still order for a new trailer - once you have spent a day camping in the rain you will realize why that is ;-)

[neauone]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I'd get the cracks cleaned out, then fill to get the best bond to the fiberglass, followed by sand & prime.

This time of year in Georgia I'd probably do the outside first before it gets so hot.........

Charlie Y

So you don't sand it? even if they are hairline cracks? Than fill it, etc. The work won't begin until either the middle of September/End of.
Thanks
Guy

[neauone]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Defiantly outside first. Check replace wheel bearings, tres if there more than 4 years old. Check axel & frame for issues. Replace battery if its more than 5 years old or the PO ran it right down more than a few times. Check for loose rivets & replace. Check roof vents & pull out and reset if needed. Have the propane system checked out. Get the running lights working & update the tail lights to LED. Then spend a summer camping in it before you change anything.

The window type on your trailer are BTW one item that many here wish they could still order for a new trailer - once you have spent a day camping in the rain you will realize why that is ;-)

The windows are a must, the question than becomes, do I do the work or do I invest and have it done professionally. I can replace the screens myself as I do it quite often during the year. I'm surprised no one said to run the wiring first, outlets, ac, speakers etc., of course after the rat fur is removed.
Thanks
Guy

[Nelmes]

I wrote out a list of everything that needed to be done, then put it in order. Many things depended on others, those that didn't I jumped between as I hit obstacles or was waiting on parts.

[Roy in TO]

You didn't indicate the age of the trailer. I agree with Donna D ... consider it a hard tent on wheels. I'm a functional type of guy. I'd look after the functional first, comfort second and glamour last.
I agree with the list for sequencing, rather than duplicating efforts and factor in your time and workplace vis~a~vis when you want to use it. For example it will take some time to do both the rat fur and exterior. Both will benefit having the windows out to do a real good job.
We don't know how handy you are. As Nelmes suggested, make a list of everything that needs doing then add in with how comfortable or capable you are of doing it and post the list. You will have a better idea of how to proceed.

If it helps, we spent the first summer with duct tape on the roof patching a hole while we worked on other more important functional issues.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by neauone

The windows are a must, the question than becomes, do I do the work or do I invest and have it done professionally.
Guy

OK the questions to you is why do you feel the windows are a must? Have you priced out the cost of new ones yet? Are you aware of the downside to the newer styles you are considering?

As far as why people are suggesting you stick with the safety stuff first is due to having seen many new to fiberglass trailer folks jump in and start ripping things apart and throwing things away and then regretting after the fact they didnt take the time to get to know the trailer and the reasons for things being as they are or what works well while camping and what doesn't or having done their homework first as to what products may or many not be available to them to do the changes they thought they should do.

We're just trying to send you out to have some fun for awhile and not end up with a whole lot of pain & buyers remorse, due to having done a whole lot of changes a little to fast. Happens more often than you may think

[_Scamp87_]

I'm glad you asked this. I'm at a loss on where to begin myself. I'm going to have to do lots and lots of research.

My first thing is getting her home...i'm sure i'll be white knuckling the wheel and knees shaking. I'm used to pulling a popup so it's not the pulling that i'm worried about. It's the fact that i don't know anything about this Scamp.

[GMike A]

I agree with Chris. I took a white board and erasable pens and wrote down everything I could think of on my own and after going through these forums. Look at some of the work by Robert Johans and his threads he put here. Then I numbered in logical (mine) order of what to do and when. I too started with wheels,bearings etc. I would share my list via PM but would not do to put in on the thread as it will only create controversy and I dont want that. Its just the way I listed my order.
Good Luck

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Carol H

As far as why people are suggesting you stick with the safety stuff first is due to having seen many new to fiberglass trailer folks jump in and start ripping things apart and throwing things away and then regretting after the fact they didnt take the time to get to know the trailer and the reasons for things being as they are or what works well while camping and what doesn't or having done their homework first as to what products may or many not be available to them to do the changes they thought they should do.

We have one going right NOW that addresses what Carol mentioned. Slow down, use the trailer, do ONE thing at a time.

If you have doubts to this tiny bit of wisdom, check out this story: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ues-58643.html

[neauone]

Its been awhile since I posted, but I began working on my Scamp, you will see it in the forums.
I read the thread about the Bolar, can't help but feel for the guy.
Its good advice to tackle one project at a time.
Its just what I am about to do.
Guy

[Donna D.]

I saw your thread Guy and will follow along on your rehab!