Dave - new Biggar owner

[Calgary Dave]

Hi, I'm Dave; a new member with a new (to us) 19 foot 1978 Biggar.

Many years ago, with absolutely zero auto mechanic skills, I dove in and bought an air-cooled VW Westfalia. Thanks to some wonderful communities, the journey of VW maintenance and repair wasn't so daunting. I learned how to work on cars, and many years of happy camping ensued. The air-cooled was eventually replaced with a more modern water-cooled van, quite possibly the best camper ever created in one neat and tidy package.

Then something happened that wreaked havoc on our camping experience: kids. Unless the weather is perfect, the Westy is just too confining for a family of four.

We decided to go the route of the trailer. We wanted to keep things reasonably small and light, but didn't love the idea of a tent trailer (we camp in bear country, and it can also get cold in the mountains). We settled on a fiberglass unit of some sort. Friends of ours have a Boler, but they only have one little guy, and it works for them. We started searching for a 17' Bigfoot, but ended up finding a 19' Biggar.

I was initially intimidated by the 'uniqueness' of the Biggar (ie. lack of parts). I also have absolutely no experience with trailers; maintaining, towing, winterizing, whatever.

After finding this community and it's resources, things once again don't seem as daunting. I get the impression that most of our eggs (round or square) are built very similarly, and there are solutions to most of the issues that could arise.

So we embrace the Biggar's uniqueness, and we'll make it our own.

Now to start looking for a tow vehicle.


/Dave

[Donna D.]

Hi Dave, to FiberglassRV, we're glad you're here

I think Biggar's are neato! I'm sure it will serve your family well and you'll make tons of memories along the way.

[Pam Garlow]

Welcome, welcome, welcome, Dave! We will be looking forward to photos of your lovely Biggar (because we love photos!).
You are correct that there is a huge wealth of information on this forum. If the part is not available, you can bet that someone in this group has figured out how to make something else work instead.

[Mike Magee]

We're happy that you found a Biggar. As you modify it and make it your own, remember to post pictures.

Soon your trailer will be Biggar and better.

[Marinab]

Welcome Dave!!! Another Biggar owner here is great. Now there will be 3 of us. :-) if you need manuals, just go to the document center. Looking forward to your before and after pictures, so don't forget to post them.

[John J. M]

Wonder if it is my old trailer ?

[Big_R]

Originally Posted by Calgary Dave

Hi, I'm Dave; a new member with a new (to us) 19 foot 1978 Biggar.

Many years ago, with absolutely zero auto mechanic skills, I dove in and bought an air-cooled VW Westfalia. Thanks to some wonderful communities, the journey of VW maintenance and repair wasn't so daunting. I learned how to work on cars, and many years of happy camping ensued. The air-cooled was eventually replaced with a more modern water-cooled van, quite possibly the best camper ever created in one neat and tidy package.

Then something happened that wreaked havoc on our camping experience: kids. Unless the weather is perfect, the Westy is just too confining for a family of four.

We decided to go the route of the trailer. We wanted to keep things reasonably small and light, but didn't love the idea of a tent trailer (we camp in bear country, and it can also get cold in the mountains). We settled on a fiberglass unit of some sort. Friends of ours have a Boler, but they only have one little guy, and it works for them. We started searching for a 17' Bigfoot, but ended up finding a 19' Biggar.

I was initially intimidated by the 'uniqueness' of the Biggar (ie. lack of parts). I also have absolutely no experience with trailers; maintaining, towing, winterizing, whatever.

After finding this community and it's resources, things once again don't seem as daunting. I get the impression that most of our eggs (round or square) are built very similarly, and there are solutions to most of the issues that could arise.

So we embrace the Biggar's uniqueness, and we'll make it our own.

Now to start looking for a tow vehicle.


/Dave

I totally rebuilt my 1976 Biggar inside and out, keep in mind when getting a tow vehicle that the Biggar weighs in at 3900 lbs. I still have the water h
eater furnace issue to deal with.

[Marinab]

Dave, could you post some pictures please? I would love to see what you have done to the inside.
Also could you take a picture of your information sheet for me? I'm comparing them to see if we can tell what number our units might be. Thanks, Marina

[Calgary Dave]

Hey all. We're starting to come out of hibernation and fix up a few things.

Any idea how the Tedco fridge is mounted? I can't see any screws, but it won't budge. It feels like it's glued in. I'm trying to rip it out to install a working Dometic.

Oh. Here's a few pix from last fall.





Dave

[David Tilston]

That is one nice unit! Most modern interior I have seen.

While I am kinda a Trillium guy, Biggars are very interesting to me, but I have never been in one. Since we are both in Calgary, I am sure we will run into each other. Want a group 24 gel cell battery, or two, for free? PM me.

Not sure of Tedco fridges, but on my Dometic RM36E, there are screws that are in the frame around the door, but covered by plastic snap in covers.