Maintenance & Restoration

Jon in AZ · 05-02-2018, 08:12 PM

This is a referral which I am posting it as an item of general interest. It is molded of RoyalexTM, not fiberglass, the same material used to make canoes for many years. Definitely a project- it has been stripped of all appliances, but the shell and windows appear fairly intact, and there's enough cabinetry left to guess at the original layout.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/r...576115295.html

Click image for larger version

Name: Royal Traveler.jpg
Views: 65
Size: 42.0 KB
ID: 118618

I have no personal knowledge of the trailer. Inquiries should be directed to the seller via the Craigslist link.

Glenn Baglo · 05-02-2018, 08:48 PM

If it's anything like my 13' Royalex canoe, it weighs a ton.
I'd ask or get it weighed.

Jon in AZ · 05-02-2018, 08:57 PM

You're correct, Glenn. There's some more information, including weight, from an owner in post #6 here, along with some good pictures showing what it could be with a lot of work!
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...eze-43981.html

We had a Royalex canoe, too- a 17'er. Held up to 2 adults and 2 kids. And yup, it was fairly heavy, though easily handled by 2 people. The advantage of Royalex is it can be dented without cracking and returns to its original shape with application of heat.

Bruce Thomas · 05-02-2018, 09:15 PM

Cool factor alone makes it worth it. Weight is high but so are some newer campers...look at the Nest.

Johnny M · 05-03-2018, 09:47 AM

That would be a good trailer to strip down to the bare shell and use as a plug to make replica fiberglass shells much lighter in weight. Cool design.

vintageracer · 05-03-2018, 12:54 PM

I would already own this trailer IF I was anywhere near Phoenix!

Unfortunately for ME that is NOT the case.

workhorsed · 05-03-2018, 02:22 PM

From the look of those tires it wouldn't appear to be that heavy? Under tired ??

The plug is a great idea. I'm looking for a Royalite canoe for just that purpose! Cheers. W.

Carl V · 05-03-2018, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

There's some more information, including weight, from an owner in post #6 here

The message reads 3400 lbs. Poster didn't mention if that was empty or loaded.

If empty, then yes, this is a very heavy trailer.
If loaded, well my similarly equipped 18ft Trillium 5500 came at 3325 lbs fully loaded last year. I'm planning to add a 60lbs awning this summer, that will bring the travelling weight close to 3400 lbs.

Jon in AZ · 05-05-2018, 07:12 AM

Looks like it's gone. Hope it found a good home and will get the TLC it needs.

moose_102 · 05-27-2018, 06:29 AM

I bought one of these a few months ago and am in the process of rebuilding. According to the old literature I received with it, the weight is just under 3000 lbs and the tongue weight is just under 300. It did seem light to tow when I moved it to my place. Mine has been panted, but left in a field for a number of years with no front window or rock guard covering the opening. So I have a bit of interior work to do.
The paneling, I believe, is maple with a "pickled oak" stain. I'm planning on buying a few sheets and staining myself. So far I have remove the front booth and floor below it and there was a bit of water held under the suspended floor, which I resolved by drilling a few drain holes and cleaned it all up with a washing of bleach/detergent mix.
I live in New York, Finger Lakes area.

Jon in AZ · 05-27-2018, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moose_102

I bought one of these a few months ago and am in the process of rebuilding...

Nice! Although it's not fiberglass, it is molded and of interest to many here. Could I encourage you to start a thread in the remodeling section and document your work? I would love to see your remodel and how this trailer is put together.

Best wishes on your project!

moose_102 · 06-26-2018, 05:06 PM

Here is what I have at this point. I have removed the rotted floor section to find it was holding water in the bottom from the years for an open window. The corrugation or ripple you see is the same on the roof. I also had a shot of the panneling which I have matched to Pickled Oak on maple wood.

Johnny M · 06-26-2018, 09:28 PM

Very interesting! Keep the posts coming of your progress!

moose_102 · 06-27-2018, 05:11 AM

I will but it will be in a new thread in the repair forum as suggested by "Jon in Az".

tnyturtle8 · 07-04-2018, 10:34 AM

I also have one of these trainers. I have tried to get some info on them and have had no luck. No one and I mean no one knows anything about them. I have talked to so called experts at the few museums and no luck. It is definitely a conversation starter and a very cool trailer. I was hoping to restore back to original but can’t seem to find what that is. Mine is in great shape and ihas almost all the original stuff but I’m not sure about the floors. I will figure out how to post some pics on here.

Donna D. · 07-04-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnyturtle8

I also have one of these trainers. I have tried to get some info on them and have had no luck. No one and I mean no one knows anything about them. I have talked to so called experts at the few museums and no luck. It is definitely a conversation starter and a very cool trailer. I was hoping to restore back to original but can’t seem to find what that is. Mine is in great shape and ihas almost all the original stuff but I’m not sure about the floors. I will figure out how to post some pics on here.

Nicole, maybe this very old thread will help you: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...eze-43981.html

tnyturtle8 · 07-04-2018, 10:53 AM

Here are pics of my trailer. There are some before and after. I had to redo all the cushions because they just crumbled when touched and the curtains were hideous.