I'm beginning to wonder what I've got myself into!!
I just (somewhat impulsively) bought a '86
Cadet trailer for $1450. After realizing what I'm up against, I'm beginning to wonder if I paid about $1000 too much for it. However it is really hard to find small
light fibreglass trailers these days. The particular trailer I bought is probably one of the most sadly neglected Cadets in Canada. I fell in love with it's potential though, and hope I can restore it and create some special family memories with it.
These are neat little trailers that weigh only about 900lbs or so. The drive home was a 1 hour drive over a good sized mountain pass. My '95 Maxima towed it like it was nothing. I had fears that the
tires would blow or the bearings seize, but there were no such problems.
The trailer was left to the elements for many years, and also suffered the skills of a handyman who was not so handy. The roof was left for so long that it has lichens and moss growing on it and some of the fibre glass has rotted creating pits and holes. This also caused
leaks which damaged the interior.
The owners previous to me had rescued the unit from the neglectful owner with the hope that they could restore it themselves. They decided it was too much for them and put it up
for sale.
Fortunetely the unit came with decent cushions, a decent
awning, and the original curtains/screens and canvas surround for the poptop. The canvas is totatly rotted and will serve only as a template for a replacement.
I've cleaned the unit up, and covered it with a tarp for the time being. Once the weather dries out a bit and I finish some house reno's I'm in the middle of, I'll start putting time into the trailer.
I really have no idea what I'm doing, or what products to use, but so far my list is something like:
- Completely gut the unit and remove the remaining glue and foam backing from the inside.
- Pressure wash the lichens/moss off the roof
- Repair the fibre glass shell in multiple spots with new fibreglass/epoxy
-
Paint the roof with some sort of heavy duty roof coating for RVs which will seal the fibre glass repairs I make
- Replace the pop-top, window and door rubber seals
- Seal all seams/cracks/holes throughout the entire shell (some sort of caulking?)
- Give the rest of the shell exterior a cut wax
- Replace the interior floor with new plywood and lino
- Check and repair/replace all wiring
- Buy new RV
battery and install
- Install new appolstry to the interior
- Sew/cut/install new canvas for the poptop
- Make new screens and mounting system
- Make new curtains
- Do a better job repairing a crack in the front window
- Repair and reinstall cabinets/closet/benches/tables etc.
- Replace
propane lines and regulator
- Check and replace/repair water tank, pump and lines
- Overwhelming? Yes! Maybe I'll be done this project by the time my 3 year old son moves out to go to college!
I'll keep you all posted. I'll also start reading through this site to see what others have done in my situation. Perhaps I should just write this thing off, part it out and not waste my money on it. I was hoping to save a few $$ by restoring a trailer, but I'm staring to wonder.
Cheers! Nick
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