Rebuild project

[NateG]

Last year I picked up this project when a neighbor was selling his place. Upon asking about it he said I could have it if I could drag it away! So I pulled it out of the holes it had sunken into after sitting for years, put some air in the tires, and pulled it to the house. I didn't know when or if I would ever get to the project, but this past Spring I decided to tear into it.

[CalCop]

What a great find! Looks to be an early model Casita. I'm thinking 1980's era.
Have fun with your project. Please keep us posted on the progress.

[jerrybob]

Nice.....fun project.....how's the inside?

[NateG]

Thanks Calcop and jerrybob! The interior was pretty bad, I've stripped it down to the shell all around and the belly ba d was bowed out due to all the original shell attachments being gone and no inside support. Currently I am relearning how to lay fiberglass and getting the inside sorted.

[NateG]

I am bonding interior attachments points in order to avoid putting permanent holes in the skin as much as possible. I got this idea from reading it on a forum; I believe it was on here somewhere.

[NateG]

I took the frame off and discovered some areas needing some work, so it is off getting an upgraded axle as well as bracing and scabs put on. I should be getting it back in a few week and it will be a mad rush to put it together into a camp"able" unit as I have a trip booked in FL on Jul 7th.

[K Ann]

Great idea. When I get to the point of affixing my benches and kitchen permanently, I'll do the same.

[mopedmike]

Nate,

I am just a little behind you with my 86 Casita. Just finished gutting it. Contemplating the best way to get it off the trailer. How did that go for you?

[NateG]

Hey mopedmike I hope your project goes as smooth as possible! As for separating the frame and body; it was as expected I supposed, a true pain the knees you could say. For mine I took a few 2x4s and built a frame at the height I wanted a bit wider than the shell, then began the chore of the actual separation. It was a LOT small lifts, then I was able to slide 2Xs under the shell in several areas. I will upload some better photos tomorrow of the frame so maybe it will give you some ideas of what will work for you.

[NateG]

I know it may be overkill, and a very debatable thing, but I have decided to use Advantech for the subflooring and the 4 upright ceiling support areas. I am familiar with the product and am not overly concerned about the extra weight as it is low on the camper and I am having the axle replaced with a 5200# unit.

[NateG]

I'm awaiting the new Dexter axle being built right which should be done within a couple weeks. It took them an additional week due to them having to "build a part" prior to beginning the axle build. The fab did not really increase the price of the axle and I'm looking forward to getting the chassis back. Has anyone ever seen one of these Northland Engineering axles under their old Casistas?

[NateG]

Began framing the interior supports today, but it got too hot and muggy too quick to get all done lol

[Darrell in Al]

Good choice for the sub floor panels, if I was gutting mine to that point I would use a similar brand of it. More expensive than originally used stuff but I used it last year building my cabin "tiny house" . I used a brand made in Alabama.

[NateG]

Thanks Darrel, I hope it holds up well in this application. It's real good stuff for house use that's for sure! I worked a bit on it today and will try to get some updated photos tomorrow. As it turns out grinding down the inside to the shell is not a fun project in heat and high humidity lol...

[Darrell in Al]

I really do agree, I was patching a spot in my Scamp floor with fiberglass yesterday in the wonderful 90 plus weather. Between cutting fiberglass matting and putting resin layers, sweating, getting resin and fiberglass stuck all over my hands. Of course the best way to get to the spot is laying down so fiberglass in the arms and like too.
BTW, I thought about using a scrap piece I had left from my cabin floor project in the patching but figured it would be more of a hassle.

[K Ann]

I believe You Tuber, West Coast Johnny, did the same. He fiberglassed attachment points onto the shell of his '78 Scamp. https://www.youtube.com/@westcoast_johnny

[NateG]

K Ann thanks for that info I will check out that channel! I am back amd forth on it. I have done the back support pieces and put them in directly with out the bonding "tabs" and instead just bonded the entire support to the shell. I believe I am liking this method better because getting the tabs perfectly lined up on the shell proved to be a little difficult. And I'm thinking the 1 solid piece may be better for strength, but who knows.

Darrel, it does seem like these things can get us in precarious positions in less than ideal conditions lol.

[NateG]

I am working on putting some basic cabinetry in right now. I am building it pretty simply right now with the plan to upgrade it later after we get a better feel for the camper. I am placing my electronics area in the back drivers side under the bed and gonna try putting the intake for the AC at the back corner to pull air over the electronics as it moves to the AC. Time will tell if this will work I guess.

[NateG]

Getting a little farther on the cabinets. I'm kind of designing it as I go so disassembly is a common occurrence lol. Tested the AC I'm putting in today and cut a hole in the side of the camper for exhaust. I've been putting it off because I've spent so much time fixing and patching holes in the shell I couldn't bring myself to cut a new hole in it, but had to be done.

[mopedmike]

Great thread and nice progress Nate. I am a little behind you on mine. Finished gutting it and ready to start on the floor. Seems to rain every day I want to work on it though!