The awakening of Olive: Updating a '79 Trillium 4500

[Reid Larsen]

Almost exactly two years ago we upgraded from our much loved Trillium 1300 ( see the thread: another trillium reborn) to a 1979 Trillium 4500. Bigger bed, bigger counter and closet and yahoo, a place for a two person dinette. The gaucho in a 4500 is at least 6" bigger than in the smaller 13' trailer and already had a space for feet- and for the dog to sleep not under foot.
Though in great original shape this new trailer needed some updating-at least in our minds. It had no on board battery, the converter was in the wrong place for our permanent bed plans and my wife says hot water is a must. I started by removing the old converter and installing a new electrical center w/ a three way battery charging system and a battery on the tongue.After a complete rewire the electric system is good to go. On to plumbing. Water pump, check. new counter to mount new faucet, check. Water heater-OMG yoiu have to cut a big !!! hole in the pristine side of the trailer.

[Reid Larsen]

The next major improvement is the creation of a two person dinette in the front to replace the couch/bunks or gaucho. Around this same time I had brakes installed on the existing axle and replaced the 1 7/8" ball receiver w/ a two inch one that allowed me to pit a new jack that was not a flip up side mount jack- I'm afraid they won't hold, I had a friend trapped when his collapsed and dropped the tongue of his trailer on his foot.

[Reid Larsen]

After the counter and table the interior of the ole girl looked pretty shabby so I tackled new doors and a closet work over and permanent bed. Also installed a new cork floor to replace the 33 year old rubber backed carpet that was beginning to self destruct. I don't have a good pic of the floor. Because the fiberglass floor is in such good shape I cut a piece of 1/8" tempered hardboard to fit and installed the glue down cork tiles ( spare stock from one of my customers) on the hardboard. I didn't want problems if I wanted to change the floor in the future. After I installed the floor I sealed it with several coats of urethane floor finish.

[Reid Larsen]

After several camping trips and a busy summer work schedule I found time to remove the leaking belly band and glass it smooth. There are several threads showing this process-Dave Tilson has one of the best showing the work involved in this process. Then pull the windows to prep for paint. Of course I found where the front window had been leaking and needed new wood to attach the window and the table inside. I am amazed the table held in place as rotten as the wood trim was.

[Reid Larsen]

It is amazing what a coat of paint will do to improve the looks of a shabby old trailer. With primer repairs and dull fiberglass hardly any one takes notice but a new coat of paint and every where you go people have questions and want to look.

[Rob Outlaw]

Nice work there, congratulations!!

[TomK]

Outstanding job Reid. That front table is my favorite part, and the bottom view makes me believe this isn't your first wood project! Really nice. What kind of wood is that?

Tom

[theresa p]

Reid---the trailer looks like new! Great work

[Pineapple Man]

So much work- but sooo worth it !! Looks nice

[Reid Larsen]

I'm a cabinet maker by trade- not my first project by any means. the wood is domestic cherry and the door panels and refrigerator panel is Japanese ash or Tamo.

[kirkman]

👍👍


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Timber Wolf]

Love your work, especially the front dinette. I want to do something similar to my Scamp, some day.

[Gilles]

Very nice job Reid.
Congradulations!

[Dave Frazer]

Reid,

Can you tell us how you attached the counter top and how thick it is?

It looks like you laid it on top of the existing fiberglass top?

Thanks,
Dave

[Lynn Musgrave]

Very nice...looks real good and I really like the woodwork details

[x2uol]

Hi Reid,
What kind of paint did you put on???
Thanks
Lou

[Reid Larsen]

The counter top is 3/4" plywood with plastic laminate (formica) top. I installed the cherry edge before the laminate and them routed the detail on the edge. The top is screwed on from below

[Reid Larsen]

I used an epoxy primer and an acrylic urethane single stage or direct gloss top coat. PPG brand though any brand would work about the same.

[Dave Frazer]

Did you sit it on top of the existing fiberglass counter top and screw through it into the plywood?

Dave

[francene]

Great job, Reid. Beautiful woodworking; especially like the dinette table with the utensil drawer and top cubby. Great use of space. Also the sliding door cabinet handles are really nice.
Trailer looks beautiful now.

Fran