How about a temporary shelter over the project? It would allow you to take your time and do things the way you really want rather than having to rush it.
All sorts of options available here including buying new, used or building your own. If you buy one you can always recoup some of the investment by selling down the road.
I thought about the temporary shelter. I may go that route if I decide to strip the skin. I'm feeling better about the trailer after spending most of the day on it yesterday. I pressure washed it, and I hit it pretty hard to see if I could find any more leaks. I washed everything but the roof, and I was pleasantly surprised to find NO water inside. The roof should be an easy fix- the old sealant comes off easy when it's heated, and there isn't much of it. I didn't see any galvanization or holes anywhere. There has never been any kind of sealant applied to it. I put a tarp on top and secured it with bungee cords. That in and of itself made me like the trailer more.... with my other rig (28' Mallard T/T) it takes a huge tarp, a ladder, and 2-3 people to do it. This one took me standing on the bumpers about 10 minutes to secure.
I got the inside cleaned up a bit, removed spider webs, etc. and tried out the layout. The full bathroom just makes it. It's small, but easy to move around in, and the shower is about 2.5' square and is just as usable as any RV I've been in.
The biggest problem spot is the front corner and the ceiling around the only skylight. I'm going to pull the paneling back on the corner and see if I can get in there and only replace the sides. If I have to replace the sill I'm not sure what I'll do. If I can just replace wood without going in from the outside I will do what I can, and possibly install new paneling with screws so I can easily go back in later if I have to.
Again, I'd like to be able to use it while I'm working on it. I have a tendency to lose interest in huge projects unless I'm getting some enjoyment out of them while I'm working on them. My thought was to get it sealed up well, repair what I could from the inside, install new paneling where needed, paint the interior, lay a laminate (think Pergo) floor, buy a futon or something, and start using it. Thoughts???
NCHornet1 wrote: You need to strip all the interior paneling off so you can see and inspect all the framing. You can sister in new studs without stripping the exterior, all depends on the condition of the floor plate and top plate. If these are good I would just rip out old and replace with new, or sister in new if the rott isn't bad. It actually looks to be in pretty good shape and a fun project. Just take one area at a time and it will come along.
NCH
This is the approach I'm going to take. Hopefully the floor and top plates are sound.
BTW- I've been to Mt. Airy and LOVED it! Great little town.
Very nice rig. Looks to be in decent shape. Just went through the same sort of project last year on a 1970 FAN Style Liner. Spent the majority of the summer working it over. The wife and I had a blast. What a feeling when you go on the first "voyage" with it and you get evryone looking it over at the CG. Makes it all worth the time and sweat. Like others have stated, you are saving a small piece of American history and getting a better built unit to boot. Just take you time, ask questions and keep picturing the unit finished. I found that is the key to keeping motivated, picture it finished.
DOG IS OUR CO-PILOT
1990 Dodge D-150, 318 cid, 727 Load Flight, 1970 FAN Style Liner 22'
Draw Tite Class 4 W.D. - Kelsey Hayes Elect/Hyraulic Controller
Plain, simple and dependable!
1MoProject wrote: After reading all 125+ pages of the Vintage RV Pictures thread I decided I needed another project in my life (as if I don't already have enough to do) and picked up this little basket case.
Looks like a GREAT place to start. Keep us posted on your progress.
StuartW wrote:
Great pic, love the sawhorse in the back.
TV: Mint 1972 Ford F-250 XLT
TT: 1969 19' Excel; entertains 6, feeds 4, sleeps 2 You don't shoot to kill, you shoot to stay alive.
I don't carry because I have to, I carry because I get to. My pictures
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I didn't see any galvanization or holes anywhere. There has never been any kind of sealant applied to it. I put a tarp on top and secured it with bungee cords. That in and of itself made me like the trailer more.... with my other rig (28' Mallard T/T) it takes a huge tarp, a ladder, and 2-3 people to do it. This one took me standing on the bumpers about 10 minutes to secure. 
