Hello from Bill

[David Tilston]

I am loving this thread! (though it is not exactly a towable, molded, FG, RV )

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

I am loving this thread! (though it is not exactly a towable, molded, FG, RV )

So am I, but I draw the line at engine filters and gas tank leaks

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

I am loving this thread! (though it is not exactly a towable, molded, FG, RV )

Hi: David Tilston... I don't know about towable... It might just need to be towed a lot!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Rick Mooyman]

Awesome thread. Glad it runs but the all important question have you driven it yet? I know you said you had it towed home.

Not sure why so many people are hung up on the fact that it is not a tow behind camper. I think as long as it is fiberglass and an RV it sould not have any problems in this website.

I am watching this thread daily and watching your progress and looking for ideas I may not have thought of for my own camper rebuild.

Rick

[cpaharley2008]

Keep up the progress reports, Bill, you have a following now

[Thomas G.]

I want to know where you will hang the fuzz dice. Is there an inside rear view mirror?

I'm enjoying following this rescue. Keep posting those pictures.

[blewis]

Originally Posted by Rick Mooyman

Awesome thread. Glad it runs but the all important question have you driven it yet? I know you said you had it towed home.

Not sure why so many people are hung up on the fact that it is not a tow behind camper. I think as long as it is fiberglass and an RV it sould not have any problems in this website.

I am watching this thread daily and watching your progress and looking for ideas I may not have thought of for my own camper rebuild.

Rick

Yup..Definitely fiberglass. I have to get some cracks repaired at the back

[David Tilston]

Kinda looks like it got rear ended. What is with the big tear at the bumper?

[blewis]

I noticed when I had it towed to the house, when unloading on the flat bed the back started to bottom out which started to put pressure on the long crack areas. We had to make some adjustments for it to clear. My guess is this happened before during past transports.

[Carol H]

Bill, your making great progress on your project. Cant wait to see the finishing product. Very cool.

[Francesca Knowles]

Hey, Bill!

Have a care as to how much of the wood innards you take out- some FG units rely for part of their structural support on the interior wood!

And here're some questions for all you onlooking aficionados of FGRV's:

Let's talk origins!

I'm really curious as to who might have made the fiberglass shell. Who was building FG units in SoCal back then?

The shape etc. looks to me a little like a Fiberstream- were they located down there?

Francesca

[blewis]

Great questions. The entire shell is pretty strong and the fiberglass is thick. I plan on putting in framing but the hard part is all the curves. Not sure the best to handle this. Perhaps someone out there has suggestions. Should I use 1/16" to 1/8" thick square tubing that can be rolled to match the shape of the shell or use wood or even both?

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by blewis

Great questions. The entire shell is pretty strong and the fiberglass is thick. I plan on putting in framing but the hard part is all the curves. Not sure the best to handle this. Perhaps someone out there has suggestions. Should I use 1/16" to 1/8" thick square tubing that can be rolled to match the shape of the shell or use wood or even both?

Did the original manufacturer install wood stringers to attach interior walls/fixtures to? If so, how are they attached, and are they sound?

Francesca

[blewis]

There were only 12" strips of wood that were laminated onto the fiberglass shell is areas where the cabinets/counters/seating are located. When I got the RV, it was half way stripped inside but there where no visible signs of any framing. I am not sure how other fiberglass trailors are constructed but I want to put in some type of framing to make sure everything is secured down and safe. Need to do more research before I get into that task.

[Francesca Knowles]

By "laminated on", do you mean that they're covered with fiberglass cloth/resin? That's an important clue as to quality of construction, in my book. Not all early rigs were built that way.

Am I looking at wood paneling in the interior? If so, how is it attached, and is there insulation behind it?

Francesca

[blewis]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

By "laminated on", do you mean that they're covered with fiberglass cloth/resin? That's an important clue as to quality of construction, in my book. Not all early rigs were built that way.

Am I looking at wood paneling in the interior? If so, how is it attached, and is there insulation behind it?

Francesca

Yes, the wood support strips are bonded with fiber cloth and resin. There are no fasteners/nails or screws going through the outer shell. The paneling you see on the inner wall are some type of flexible foam core with resin over it to stiffen it. These foam core panels are bonded with fiber cloth and resin. These panels can be easily pulled off so I am thinking it was an effort to insulate. There are probably better ways to insulate and create a vapor barrier with the materials available today.

[Francesca Knowles]

VERY interesting!

If the "flexible foam" is similar to the kind used in construction these days, I'd probably leave it in place- it probably contributes at least some rigidity to the shell. It actually sounds a lot like the "foam core" that some new mfr's are bragging about.... You could carve out strips of it if you wanted to glass on furring strips to the shell. Such strips could serve to provide an air gap between, say, reflective bubble-type insulation and whatever surface you decide on for finishing. That trailer shape might lend itself to the use of fiberglass reinforced panels like you see in kitchens...

Francesca

[Borden]

What a great find!

[blewis]

Half way done with restoring the floorpans. The rust damage was worse than what it appeared to be prior to sanding. Killed all the heavy rust with vinegar/water and sanded away the surface rust. After some patch work, cleaned with thinner and shot primer. It is amazing what you can learn on youtube. Thanks to the autobody experts who share their How-To videos online for all to view!

[Francesca Knowles]

Wow- beautiful, Bill!

And you're right- where would we do-it-yourselfers be without youtube?

Keep those pics comin'....

Francesca