U-Haul CT13 ''The Project''

[theman]

Hello,

I bought a CT-13 a month ago. The PO started a big transformation to make it unique. There is lot more to do and as I need to share my experience here is what I have done so far (My friends dont get to excited about the project). At lest my wife seem to be proud of is men .

First I got a deal over a propane frdige, a converter and a furnace. Every unit is in mint condition and I just paied 250$ for all of it including a flolding table and some more propane connection. Happy me

I started the project by installing the converter and by changing every electrical wire in the unit. I upgraded with a 30 amp inlet so no more fitting to get the wire back in in (I installed it further than the water entry) or no need to clean any mud because the cable will go in a rear outside box (project to come).

It was worth to extra hours to do every wire and now I feel more secure.

The next project was to install a Fanstatic unit. Again, lucky I was because I found a great condition used one for 90$ including a brand new Max-air. I started by adding a reverse switch because there was none on the unit. The installation went fine and for us It is a must have.

Now I have ordered seal, pile divider etc. to do every windows. That is a lot of work but they all look like, almost, new. Just waiting to get second layer of paint before re-installing them. The PO add done a good paint job but was a bit rought so I decided to water sand the egg and do one last cover since the PO left me with a brand new liter of paint.

The last couple of days I have been working on lifting the egg from the frame, grinding and sanding it. I already give a first pre-coat of paint. Tomorow I will get it to a friend welding shop to repair some parts and than the final painting and the egg will be sitting on a, close to new, frame.

As, for now, I have so much fun working on it. Nobody understand what is fun about it but I am just waiting to get the final results.

If anybody wants to follow the work in progress you can go to: www.photobucket.com/UhauCt13-TheProject

I will add pics as I get thing done.

Next step: Re-installing the frame under the egg, finish the paint job, install the newly recondition windows. (I will have extra seal, if anyone need some window work let me know will sale the extra for a great price).

After, I will attack to propane issue. Installing the fridge, the new heater etc.

If any of you have any suggestion, comments, idea, question let me know.



Fred

[Donna D.]

Wow, thanks for sharing the link to your pics. As much fun as you're having with the rebuild... I bet you're going to have even more fun when you go out camping! Be sure to post pictures of that too please

[theman]

Thanks Donna! Lot of work still to go and yes I hope to have loy of fun camping with the final product. Hoppefully I am done before our vacation that start end of june.

[Thomas G.]

Thanks for posting your pictures. It is a great resource for any UHaul owner to see all the parts, so we better understand how it all goes together.

And happy camping!

[mmHoney]

may be a little late but do you have the seal for the window or other parts thanks

[theman]

I do have the old one but they are pretty dry. I will have some seal left over that I would
Be willing to sale for a good price.

What other parts would you need?

I also have the water pump for the swamp cooler but no swamp cooler.

[D Davis]

I need the window seals. Private message me with the costs. Thanks for sharing your pics, and parts.

[theman]

Will send you pm as soon as I know exactly how much leftover I have. Less than 2 weeks for sure.

Fred

[h.mike]

What a fantastic build. I can't wait to see more. Your doing a great job. I'd be really interested to know more about the converter and electric you did. I have a uhaul 13 and my electric is an absolute mess. Best of luck with your project. Mike

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by h.mike

What a fantastic build. I can't wait to see more. Your doing a great job. I'd be really interested to know more about the converter and electric you did. I have a uhaul 13 and my electric is an absolute mess. Best of luck with your project. Mike

Diane (above) redid her electrical wiring / converter and can probably give some advice.

[Paul Chet]

Thank you for sharing Fred. Your photos will be very helpful for future owners who wish to do the same thing. I remember those rust spots on my old U Haul ... I miss the U Haul but I don't miss the rust. You have done a very nice job sir!

[Thomas G.]

Speaking of rust spots, I found that Home Depot has stainless steel screws fairly cheap, so for $5 I replaced all the rusted external screws on my UHaul with shiny stainless ones.

Those rusted heads were depressing.

[theman]

Update:

I have been working every weekend since april and things I am getting there.


I did a lot of propane mod to be able to install a new Attwood heater and a 3 way fridge. That was lot of work but no propane leeks and 2 working units. Thanks to Tom for the tips on installing the fridge, I did get around the same work patern.


I finished a final paint coat after spending 25hrs on wet sending (what a job) but it was worth it. I use Britghside with brush and tip technique. It is not a perfect job, but it is clean. If I add to to it again, I would hire a spray paint professional but still it looks great. The PO add done a great job before but I wanted a smoother finish.


Frame: I also add to restart my primer job since the grey primer was pealing off. I used a zinc base primer and it made a world of a difference.


Here are some pics for those who would like:


(For you reader, hope my english writing is not too bad)

[theman]

Some more pics.

[Thomas G.]

Wow, Fred! Great work.

You are going to have a really nice camper soon. I like the upper fridge vent with a removable door. I wish I'd done that now - so much easier to access if necessary.

[CindyL]

Looking really great! Can't wait to see the final camper!

CindyL

[djtriceflt]

Fred,
Excellent! Heavy restoration and your photos will help us all,
Thanks Indeed, and looking forward to see further progress!!!

[theman]

Here is the final result for the heater. Instead of filling the old chemnee hole with fiberglass I made used a painted aluminium plate and the result is great.


In the next days I will be reflorring and reorganizing esthetic issue. Will send some more pics soon.




Fred

[Paul Chet]

Fred you are "The Man" indeed!!! It has quickly become apparent that you are doing an expert job. When its all done and ready for camping, your U Haul will be the envy of the campground!

[Robert Johans]

Fred, great job so far. Keep up the good work.

If it is not too late to mention it, buy yourself a Dremel (or other brand) Multi-Tool. These can help you cut through the FG with a lot of precision, minimum edge chipping and very little dust/waste.