New boler owner ... Jumping in head first

[beater_bug]

Hi Everyone I have been lurking about on these forums for a while now decided to join up and share. My wife and I were set on a fiberglass trailer after looking at a trillium locally (overpriced for what it needed IMO). After searching a for what seemed like a long time, my wife and I decided we would rather have a project unit than a moderate fixer uper or fully restored unit, and then this gem entered out lives. Not sure if its good or bad yet but I will post up some pictures of the progress later on.

[sarahspins]

Projects are fun! I can't wait to see what you do with yours

[kootenaigirl]

Looks like it has good bones. Can't wait to see your progress pics.

[Cathi]

Welcome, beater bug. Whew, what a deal. But we have seen what can be done. I predict that it will turn out beautifully.

[Mikmay]

Hey coty looks great a little zep and some carefully placed decals and she'll look like new but seriously I and many others here have had trailers in much worse condition and brought them back to life yours looks like a piece of cake

[Ian G.]

The peeling paint is just skin deep, it looks like it is a good foundation to start with. Have funm I am looking forward to your plan and the build.
Make sure you read lots and know that the interior cabinets are structural, they hold the shape of the "egg" and prevent the roof and walls colapsing.

[beater_bug]

Here are the interior shots





Gave it a pressure wash bath

[beater_bug]

Day 1 Demolition
I didnt take very good pics of all the contraptions the PO had made to hold various items, but they were heavy and cumbersome additions.





Way too warm for me inside, but still plugging away anyhow

[beater_bug]

This gem was screwed to the cabinet door, quite a unique approach to heating. They tapped into the LP line with a nylon T, no hose clamps or anything being used


Trip to the dump was in order


Love this tool more everyday

[beater_bug]

Quite a bit of rot is present


Stripping off the ensolite, It had detached in most of the compound curves and under the windows there were large pockets of water so out it came



Decided it was time to get some air flow going so out came the windows

[Nut501]

Cody,
Great pictures! Thank you for posting them! It appears that you have a handyman's dream!! Ha! Can't wait to see the finished Camper!!!
Good luck!

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by beater_bug

Stripping off the ensolite, It had detached in most of the compound curves and under the windows there were large pockets of water so out it came

Before you throw out the ensolite, consider saving some for others that need some for repairs. Barbe in WV is looking for a piece right now.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post475365

Looking forward to seeing what you do.

[beater_bug]

Unfortunately a lot of the ensolite is gone already I really wasnt very nice about removal and honestly never really thought there would be people looking for it, but the front and rear sections under the windows are still in place and I think the wall behind the closet up to the window (its under a tarp at the moment cant remember where i left off), if that helps anyone out still i would happily save it though.

[papa-t]

Welcome to the forum Cody. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Looks like good bones though.

[Ian G.]

A real word of caution Cody. You are removing all the structural supports. You will need to replace them or the roof and walls will sag considerably. Please take a look at my blog for some details "Click Here" Proud Canadian With what you have removed so far I would definitly be installing some temporary supports, you can see what I used in the blog. It is also important to maintain the correct shape so the door fits when you put it back together.

[RogerDat]

Well looks like you are off to the races! Nice thing about a project in rough shape, hard to mess it up if it is already a mess.

Loved seeing the pictures.

Working at 100* F is pretty dedicated (or crazy) but hey if it works for you I bet you will remember the experience that's for sure.

[beater_bug]

There hasnt been much support inside this egg for some time, if you look close at the pics of the upper cabinet above the support the fiberglass has broken upwards, The lower section of the closet has also buckled and broken and the section of the kitchen counter buckled around the couch module. The Drivers rear corner has separated from the shell, I can only speculate how long ago. The PO was still using it in this condition evidently. They scabbed some steel on it and kept on their merry way. The door is far from closing these days but Im not too worried about the the rest until I get the floor situation under control.

[beater_bug]

The frame is not in stellar shape and will be addressed as well.


Not the most ideal situation but it is holding the rear of the shell up quite well


A larger portion of the floor removed


Some axle modifications done by PO a 1.5" lift block... on the drivers side to make the egg appear level

With the shell leveled out this is the Pass side

And the drivers side

[Mikmay]

Coty one of the advantages to removing the ensolite which I did on my love bug is it will give you the option to remove all the exterior rivets and you can fiberglass all your cabinetry directly to the walls . Carefully plan everything in advance where you would like supporting systems including curtain rods , extra shelving before you recover the walls. One of the things I did in the love bug which made the interior seem much more roomier was to shorten the closet and kitchen by 6 inches and increase the bed size by that amount .you now have the options to make it your way as you have a clean slate to work with

[beater_bug]

Im not sure if glassing the cabinets in permanently is something I'm into. I am thinking the only real mod to the internals I am going to be doing is the addition of a front dinette. As our family is currently just the 2 of us, it makes the most sense. We can leave the rear dinette in bed form while camping. I also intend of adding all LED lighting, a new stove and sink and installing a fridge, and possibly a few other tweaks as i see fit.