Allow me to introduce ourselves, we are The Vintagers, and we are TOTAL newbies.
Changes in life/lifestyle meant changing things we did. Camping was something we did not do. For years, to us, camping was the Holiday Inn, roughing it, a Motel 6. We have spent weekends in mountain cabins, beachfront condos, and lakeside inns.
A few weeks ago, we tried tent camping. We even "test camped" one night out in the yard. Good thing we did too. I learned how to assemble the tent with minimal assistance, and realized a chamber pot was required for the Mrs.
We spent a weekend at the lake in the tent, and with the benefit of a very seasoned camper pal, had a wonderful and trouble-free weekend. We enjoyed it, and have decided to do it again. Realizing the work to load, transport, unload, setup, then to breakdown, load, transport, and finally unload and store the camping items, my wife bought us a camper trailer.
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It is a VINTAGE 1967 Mobile Scout 12 foot canned ham camper. We LOVE it. It is in OK condition at present. No obvious leaks and it rolls straight and true. I am a skilled handyman, this will be a project of love.
We tried to get it home on the Mrs's Taurus, but, the pivot wheel would not come off and was dragging. Fortunately, we have AAA-RV, required for my motorcycle to be covered, and they were a phone call away. AAA sent a flatbed wrecker to haul it. The new toy did not even make it to the house.
Before bringing it home, it went to the tire shop. I had the (original?) 6.50x15 tires replaced and the bearings packed before I brought it home. The camper also got a trip to the laundromat.
In Georgia, we are in Level IV Drought water restrictions, so no outdoor hose, but the pressure wash car wash can rent you water. They recycle the run-off back through, so, it can be used. $20 worth of quarters later, the little camper from under the oaks was clean enough to enter our neighborhood.
The front window had been replaced with an a/c unit previously, but, a tree limb had fallen, damaging the camper skin and a/c. Previous owner had patched the camper's wound, but the a/c's wound was fatal. The patch around the old a/c was not done well and leaked, so, the first item was replace the air conditioner and rebuild a wall. You would be surprised how much damage can be concealed by contact paper.
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Two days later, 10,000BTU's of remote controlled cooling power is installed. "Peel & Stick" roofing membrane behind aluminum flashing with a white powder-coat finish is now covering a massive scab created by someone that thought screws made up for caulk. Every 2 inches or so, a screw was through the patching metal previously installed. The wood used to fill the larger than a/c window opening had gotten wet and the plys of plywood separated. A 1x12 and steel keep the a/c from falling out or stressing the wall structure.
The original seat cushions were long gone. We are compromising for efficiency and using an air mattress until suitable foam cushions can be sourced. We had a queen air bed used for overflow guests, but, it was THREE INCHES oversized, and could not be used without worry of puncture. The "bathroom closet" pressed in to one corner it was too long, and when spun 90 degrees, could not fit for 3 inches, it was too wide. We opted to get a $20 air bed in Double (full) Size. I found by turning the air bed sideways across the back wall, we still had enough area for two sit places, so, plywood went across the center aisle. Foam seat cushions will soon be created, a table installed between, and the original slide seats repaired.
The potty has given in to the ages. 40 years of acids poured in often, it must have died a slow painful death by corrosion. Mind you, the porcelain shell is in near mint condition, but the flapper has evaporated, ashes to ashes/dust to dust etc, etc, etc. Neil Young was right, Rust Never Sleeps. We secured a Coleman portable toilet to serve chamber pot duties.
The 120v wiring is OK (I think) the two light fixtures work, as do the outlets built in to the base. The outlets do not permit a grounded (three prong) plug, and I have plans to add two electric outlets with grounded sockets. The water heater trips the ground-fault on my outdoor outlet, and will require further investigation.
Water is by two methods. A small holding tank with a pump at the sink, or pressurized from a hose commection. I primed the pump, even remembering to add a few drops of cooking oil, and 60-80 pumps later, we had flow. Not that I would drink this water, but, it was clear and did not have an odor. Where we camp (Army Corp Eng) has water. The hose feed was a separate issue. I got the "blue" drinking water hoses, got connected up to test. As soon as I gently open the flow, I hear water run. As I wait for test results, I see dripping. Water ran for 2-3 seconds at very low pressure.....this can mean only 27 things. Either the water heater, already known to trip a ground fault circuit, was leaking, or, it was the feed pipe to it. There, behind the potty, where the water feed pipe rested against the drain pipe, it had split. The appearance was the pipes touching caused the feed to corrode quicker, weaking the wall, that split from internal pressure. I will be replacing this with PEX real soon.
The water heater is another issue. While it is nice to have hot water for dish washing etc, the $2-300 tag for small heaters is extraordinairy. I looked at rv water heaters, 2.6 gal undercounter models, and even the "instant" tankless heaters. This is, to me, like a TV in a camper, do you NEED it. If any of you know of a solution for under $100, I would entertain any suggestions.
There is a stove, 3 burner, small oven too. Cooking in the camper would be too much heat/vapors in the camper, I opt to continue using my Coleman 2 burner old reliable propane stove outside, and I have a small propane grill too, can be used as a 3rd burner. I did add an under-cabinet toaster oven, for toasting or light baking needs. The Mr Coffee has to be there.
There is water damage to the ceiling plywood, and the inside of the bathroom/closet. I am going to redo it with white pvc, sorry to the pureists, the pvc suits our lifestyle and budget. The exterior has wear and tear, tree limb damage, and a few bad patches. It has also been painted with a brush, leaving many accentuated brush stroke. The wife and I joked about covering the outside with .this stuff.
I will get to photos eventually, just been too busy getting it ready for its maiden voyage, heading to Allatoona Lake this Friday. Just think, in two weeks, a camper previously destined to become a chicken coop will return to an appreciated life as it was intended. A camper for 2, all three of us entering our "mature" years.
Stay tuned for updates.
Afterthought:
I have read many great suggestions here already, and have seen many personalized "homes away from home", so THANK YOU to ALL.
* This post was
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edited 06/22/08 06:03pm by The_Vintagers *
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Gongrats and Welcome to you and you family. This site can be a great site when in need. Hope you have few needs and lots of fun. As far as hot water, If all you want to do is wash dishes it is just as easy to but a pan on the stove.
2002 Damon Challenger 348 Ford V10
Blue Ox Auto Stop and Aventa II Tow Bar
2001 Ford Sport Trac with Remco Driveshaft Disconnect
Welcome Kathy and Frank. Everyone was a newbie at one time or the other. Looks likeyou have a good start on 'do it yourself'. This is good cause RVing involves lots of that!
Which part of Georgia you from? We live north of Athens. Hope to see you guys some time.
doc
What a wonderful way to start..happy camping..and look forward to seeing your pics........
i so understand the newbie part..i got us a lil 12fter this year and it has opened up new adventures and many new friends........i have been bit by the bug and i am so glad i finally took the plunge............
Happy new camper!
Sounds like you have a few projects ahead but the systems are simple and there is plenty of room for customization.
Good luck and enjoy!
SteveB
'01 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD HO 6sp, Reese 15K Pro w/ Kwik Slide, Prodigy
'04 Jayco Jayflight 28.5RKS
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