Anyone ever remodel an old camper Trailer?

[Arkansas_Fat_Man]

:) Just bought me an old 24 ft. Unique Travel Trailer. Pretty nice shape to be 35 years old, but has some water damage inside from leaky roof. Need to tear out most of the inside wall board and replace. Also the roof. Has anyone ever remodeled an old camper? If so what kinds of advice can you give ? Thanks. A.F.M.

[CarolAnn]

Does remodeling an old trailer house count?

If campers are built anything like trailers were 30 years ago, they're not built very well! In a camper, it wouldn't even be that expensive to replace some of the interior because there's not that much square footage:

If the walls are covered with masonite panels, take them down and install some insulation. Save the old panels to re-use, or use them for patterns to cut new.

Another place they used to skimp (maybe still do - ) is the subfloor. If your's is particle board, you'll be glad you spent a few bucks to replace it with plywood!

I also shored up some soft spots with joist brackets and 2x6 boards before putting down new subfloor for better support in the doorways.

My sister-in-law and I also cut a hole in the end and installed a window. We had absolutely no experience, but it turned out fine! A borrowed reciprocating saw sure made the job easier than the little jig saw I started with, too!

If you're replacing any of the foam cushions that are found in most campers, you'll be shocked when you see what foam is selling for now! I hope somebody has some good sources for this for you - it's about 10X higher than it was just a few years ago!

Please post more details of what you plan on doing, and how extensive your remodel is! (And pictures!)

;D

[ShieldWolf]

Had a 17ft Prowler made in 1976 used as a spare room while working on the house, roof had leaked and the interior walls were full of mold. Ended up burning it to the ground and taking what was left to the scrap yard after found out what it woul'd cost to fix up.

[shadowwalker]

I have done this twice, If your ripping wall or something with odd shape or angle. Keep The old piece as a template. On the water lines keep them where you can get to them later. Double think what your doing. In case you will have to do it again. I used 1/4 inch plywood. You can bend it pretty good and it is lighter and alittle easier to work with. Be careful if knocking out divideing walls look to see what they might be holding up or together. Look at the floor. If doing a total room look about starting with it. It's hard to go back and do it after you have completed other things. If you have leaks, fix them first. It won't do to fix the inside and have it leaking all over your work or as you do it. IF you are thinking of putting anything in there make your work so you can later. While your doing it. Check out the stove, fridge ect. And clean them. Be on the look out for things you can get free or good deals on to go in there. While you are doing it.Hope it helps.

[Arkansas_Fat_Man]

:D Hey Guys ! Thanks ! For the advice. I have a friend comeing tomorrow and he's going to help me tear out the front room first . He used to work for starcraft & he said they used to build them in three stages. He also said that we need to fix all leaks first & take off the roof air cond. since it dosen't work anyway. I'll let you know the outcome ounce we get started& see what we are really in for. Thanks again ! A.F.M. ;D

[nightshift]

Definitely fix your roof and outside walls/seams first. Any leaks and you will do it again. If you have no plans of moving/towing the trailer you could even do a new roof over the old one with overhangs to prevent leaks. I would do most of the tear out first to see if it is really worth remodeling. Watch for rot on the floors especially in bathroom, kitchen, entrance, and around water heater. Also consider that the old trailers had aluminum wiring that is very dangerous when it gets old. May be advisable to rewire while you have the interior stripped. Sometimes a "free" trailer ain't no bargain ;) Ex-paw-in-law got one and is using it for storage. Ended up not being worth fixing. I have worked on old trailers and just about anything can be repaired, depends on what you think it's worth. An old Airstream would be worth alot. Good advice from all.

[txanne63]

I remodeled a 10x50----do save old trusses etc as stated above.

And your in for some frustration---once into it--your going to find stuff you havent been able to see.

Smile!!

annie

[Arkansas_Fat_Man]

8) Yep ! Your right ! Ounce you get started you find a lot that you didn't expect. Rot, rot, & more rot. Stripped out the whole inside. Cut new frame pieces, placed them first. Then took old roof air off roof and patched the hole. Took off old skylights & patched more holes. Patched holes on top edges, cool sealed the entire top of trailer. Everything looked great until the first big rain & then found another leak. Wish I had never started this project. Would have been a hell of a lot cheaper to have bought a nice trailer to start with. Oh ! well ! I'll keep you posted. ;) A.F.M.

[scoutinlife]

Goodluck with your project ;)!!!!

[GREEN_ALIEN]

Best of luck and hope the pockets are deep.

It might be better to save the cash and buy a newer, nicer trailer?

GA

[Arkansas_Fat_Man]

:( Well the remodeling project is on hold for now. Ran out of money. Finally got roof not to leak, new flooring in place. New wood frame work, rewired with new recepticle boxes in place. Insulated interier walls, sealed with plastic to act as moisture barrier. Relined trunk & tiled trunk floor. Framed upnew walls in bathroom, and kitchen. Saved all the old kitchen cabnet drawers, and slides. All old cabnet doors. Will have to build all new cabnets. I think it will be pretty nice when I get finished. Will have to wait for a while until my money starts comeing in to finish. Thanks to everyone for their input & good info. Thanks. :D A.F.M.

[disleksic]

I have remodled three very old trailers and I have found that if you just want a decent trailer your ahead to buy it already decent but if your like me and like to tear it apart and change things as you put them back together then its just fun I took an old 15 foot tandem and the rear was rotten so I tore it off and made the whole ass end of it a ramp that could be pulled down and used as a deck or a toy hauler yes I can haul two four wheelers in it and I have I quite enjoy it and the steel tube frame I put in the end has sturdied up the trailer too so if your in it for fun have fun but if you just want a decent trailer buy one thats already decent and you will save money ;D ;D