~ Welcome to our Little Vintage Camper Blog…

We bought our Camper/Trailer on Saturday, April 2, 2011

It’s been slow going…but now 4 (now 5) years later, I’m happy to say we are in FULL BLOWN REBUILD MODE!

Won’t you come along and see how we do it.

I hope more than anything…we get to camp soon!

Oh yes, and leave a comment, and let me know you visited…. I love to read them and will answer each one!

Showing posts with label Exterior Before. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exterior Before. Show all posts

Friday, April 15, 2011

Exterior Views- Sharpie Scripture~


I don't have any new progress to show... so while we are having some down time on the trailer I thought I'd show you some random EXTERIOR shots. These are all before we started doing any work on it. 
Except for the last one. 


This is the front. The windows are in tact. One glass pane has been replaced... they are jalousy type windows and they work.  (they crank out)  There is supposed to be a cover that goes over this window; you can sort of see an outline and the hinges. That will have to be replaced. 
 That is NOT an A/C on top.  It is a vent fan with a HUGE cover over the top.  That will be replaced also. 


The RS (roadside) has many vents. We're still trying to determine which vent went to what appliance or holding compartment.  Since we're pretty sure our camper had a Potty inside... We think the lower front vent was for the holding tank  (black water ???) Since it has a hinge and locknut for opening and closing. The other two vents we think are for ventilation for the Refrigerator and Cook stove. 
 The tires are good. Yay! 

 We have to replace the wind up 'jack' on the front. As ours is WOUND UP...and won't go down. And we have no bottles.  I'm searching Craigslist for these ... I saw one for free with a grill last week ; about 1 hr away... we didn't go and get it. 


*** I have 7 sets of windows to make curtains for. I can't wait to get to that part !(the decorating part) I'm tempted to start now... but there is just so much else; and we really haven't discussed color- etc. 
I'd like something with a vintage/retro vibe. Colorful and Fun! 
I'd kind of like to see how the outside paint turns out before I pick fabric and all. 


 In these pictures (the one above and the one below) you can see the sides and the paint pattern.  Where the dark blue is... the metal has a diamond quilted pattern ( I don't know if that is a makers trade mark OR just the style for that era of trailer making)  But... I've seen some pictures and I think the piece at the bottom -below the front windows may have been the same and painted the same... I've see that pattern on another trailer... (though it wasn't the same shape as ours)  
Also... We have the original door jam with screen door hinges... but I think that will all have to be replaced. 
Right now we have the cargo door ...seen below ...off the trailer and are waiting to cut the hole for that and re-attach the tail lights; which are needing to be replaced. 


The rear window is completely (well there is one) paneless. The jalousy mechanism works... but most of the glass is gone.  Honey is tweaking that door and it's trim work and we've got a replacement locking handle for it too. 
I've taken it upon myself to incorporate a little prayer and truth into this little trailer.  I hope to wash it in the word.  Where ever possible when we are re doing a space... I use my handy dandy Sharpie marker and write a little scripture on the wall. Then it is covered up with the siding. This is the side panel next to the door. I also wrote Ephesians 2:8  on the front wall before it was covered but didn't get a shot of it. 


Maybe one day if this trailer ever has to be 'remodeled' someone will find it and they'll get a blessing out of it too! 


***As always-- if by viewing these photos you know anything at all about the make , year and model of our little trailer please leave me a comment below or email me (use the contact me link in the sidebar). 

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Bringin' Up the Rear--

 These are pictures of the REAR- TEAR OUT PHASE---
I'll show you pictures and tell you what I know what I think I know.
 (If you have information or details as always-- please, pass it on to me- cause I'm still learning and researching)

YES! Those are huge nails right thru the aluminum siding. Dog-gone it! 
The tail lights I think are called Wedding Cake lights. 

Both are cracked and broken and needing to be replaced. 
The paneling underneath these lights is rotted (but that's another post) 
The bumper is square and hollow. 


In doing my research and from what I've seen snooping around at other trailers...
this bumper is for holding a 'sanitation- dumping hose' 
YAY! 
That tells me that my little Camper had a Potty inside...AT SOME POINT. 
I Sooooo want a POTTY INSIDE.
So now we have to figure out where it went. That is why I took some crazy pictures of the ceiling.  

 This is the trim (coming from the top of the picture down)and it was screwed on with hex-head screws.Then along the edges where the side metal meets the rear metal... I don't know if you can see the detail or not... but... those are nail holes; more like little tacks to hold that metal down.


Once you get all those little nails out...using a pair of vice grips or channel locks...(whatever your tool of choice  WEAR GLOVES...THE METAL IS SHARP AND IT WILL CUT YOU!)
ANYWAY... under that... are little tiny staples holding the first layer of metal (in this case the side panel) to the plywood. 
So... 
SCREWS
NAIL-TACKS
STAPLES. 
I guess whatever works-- I'm figuring this trailer is about 50 plus years old- and what ISN'T EATEN OR ROTTEN--- IS STILL HOLDING! 
OK... 
AND THIS IS WHERE I ASK FOR YOUR HELP.... 

I told you there are no IDENTIFICATION MARKS on our trailer. 
We don't know the 
MAKE
YEAR
MODEL 
nothing. 
But twice I've found these markings on the inside of the metal skin... 

You know anything about OKIE MANUFACTURING? 
This was written on the front panel and the rear panel... ?  
I've done a little search-- not exstensively. 
I've found nothing. 

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a metal manufacturer that would have provided the metal skin for campers back in the day?  If so what makers? 
I so want to know about our trailer!!! 
Thanks for Reading
Grace and Peace