New '78 trillium 4500 owners getting schooled

[Tyhee]

Hi folks, greetings from northern bc! What a great forum and people you have here and I have gleaned a bunch of useful tips already. We dived into this fibreglass frenzy by purchasing this unit locally it originally came from the okanagan and supposedly previous original owner had a new frame put under it?

Anyways we do not know much about these rvs but I am handy and after the tip of the bar keepers friend (WOW) I and very much looking forward to zepping it today! It does need quite a bit of work. All original with manuals too.

Leaks in corners after pressure washing thoroughly. Not sure of source.
Kitchen table is barely hanging on
Not sure if any propane appliances work
Not sure if any electrical works

On the front corners there is quite a bit of road rash pitting in the gel coat and one or two holes exposing the fg the size of a quarter. Should I fill this in with gel coat repair material or does the zep floor finish fill these in and seal them adequately? It does not look bad. Just want to protect exterior and stop the leaks for now.
Lots of questions but looking fwd to talking to you all.
Cheers,
John

[Tyhee]

Try to attach pic

[Tyhee]

It worked! Another pic

[David Tilston]

Zep will only give you shiny holes in the gel coat. If you plan to repair the pits in the gel coat, it would be best if you hold off on the Zep.

Leaks in the corners is likely the belly band.

There are three major jobs that an old Trillium require:
The belly band needs to be sealed
The windows need to re-installed with new wood frames.
The door needs to be re-installed.

Another likely repair will be a new axle.

[David Tilston]

Your first picture makes me doubt that you have a 1978. The window in the door does not open. Does the kitchen fibreglass extend for the fridge, or is it flat across the front?

You might want to compare the serial number, that will be on the data sheet that should be on the inside of the closet door, to this list:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post451605

It will give you an idea when your trailer was made.

Pictures of the inside would also be appreciated.

That rock guard logo is in better shape then any I have seen.

[Shadow56]

Welcome to the forum John, good times ahead for sure. looking forward to interior pic's as well.

[Tyhee]

Cool. I was hoping you'd chime in David. Read a few of your threads...
The window repair scare me. Live in a small town not many fibreglass boat repair shops around (none). Looked in CT this am for a gel coat repair ....I'm thinking smear and sand sort of thing? Do I then have to paint it too before zep? Did get a jug of zep and tubes of urethane sealant for auto glass shop...that stuff works wonders.

I hope to go around the top of the silver belly band with the urethane after scraping off the old silicone on there now. I wouldn't have to do the underside of band too would I? Really don't like leaks...

Last 3 digits serial 512 I know that for sure so I think it fits with 78 circa..?

The propane hook up looks un familiar to modern day bottles at least with our BBQ. Do I have to upgrade fittings.? Yes I will soapy water all fittings first very paranoid of gas in general.

More pics coming in few minutes going to snap some now.
This thing sure is a puzzle....should be very fun though the kids are begging to go camping this weekend! Better get to work..
Thanks for advice and welcome.
Cheers

[Tyhee]

Better pic in day light

[Tyhee]

Inside pic can I attach more than 1 pic at a time?

[Tyhee]

Doh sorry ...how do I rotate the pics?

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by Tyhee

Inside pic can I attach more than 1 pic at a time?

Yes. In fact, you can attach 10 at a time. Go advanced, and below the text entry box there are "Additional Options". Click on the "Manage Attachments" button. This will open an new window that will let you upload 4 attachments at a time. After you upload the four, the window will reset and let you upload four more, for a total of 10.

[Tyhee]

Most cushions removed for cleaning but they seem original and in very good condition. Happy about that. The vintage Route 66 curtains may or may not stay...also removed for washing.

[Tyhee]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Yes. In fact, you can attach 10 at a time. Go advanced, and below the text entry box there are "Additional Options". Click on the "Manage Attachments" button. This will open an new window that will let you upload 4 attachments at a time. After you upload the four, the window will reset and let you upload four more, for a total of 10.

Hi David thanks for the tip. I'll do that next time. Want to see a pic of anything particular let me know.

[David Tilston]

The picture of your kitchen, through the open door says it all. Your Trillium is a 1977. A 1978 would have a larger fridge. You have an RM211 fridge, vs an RM36E, or RM360. The different kitchens can be seen in this thread:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ons-53368.html

[Tyhee]

One more! I don't know if propane hook up is visible but looks original. I think I need some kind of adapter for today's 20lb tanks? Eventually.... Days of caulking cleaning and fixing ahead... All fun stuff

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by Tyhee

Hi David thanks for the tip. I'll do that next time. Want to see a pic of anything particular let me know.

I'd like to see pictures of everything, but most especially the data sheet on the inside of your closet door.

45-1100512 does seem to fit at the beginning of the 1978 models. On the list, 45-1100711, Chris McVeigh's trailer, I can see in his registry that he has an RM36E fridge, and the window in his door opens, so most likely a 1978. I don't have any pictures of Randy Bishop's trailers in the list. I am working on that.

I suspect that your trailer is a very late 1977 model

[Tyhee]

Did we get ripped off on the fridge?
J/k
Lol
Thanks! See u on new threads and let me know your consulting fees
Desperate to zep it all clean now but sealant first.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Tyhee

One more! All fun stuff

The shell looks good for the age. You should be happy with this find!

[Tyhee]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Zep will only give you shiny holes in the gel coat. If you plan to repair the pits in the gel coat, it would be best if you hold off on the Zep.

Another likely repair will be a new axle.

Yeah new axle eh? Will jack up and take wheels off for a closer look ...seller said orig owner they bought from had new frame installed about 5 years ago. Dumb question but would thi include a new axle too?

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Tyhee

Did we get ripped off on the fridge?
J/k
Lol
Thanks! See u on new threads and let me know your consulting fees
Desperate to zep it all clean now but sealant first.

David T is a good man. We are just a little envious of him being from the Prairies where fuel prices are soooooo low. Paid $1.50 per liter today in Ontario.