Vintage Rally = Instant Community

Just back from the Vintage Trailer Rally on Seneca Lake and a blast was had by all, even the four-legged attendees.  =)

Making a Pit Stop for a Light Plug

Wings on the Lake

Sweetnessssss

"Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History."
Hello Norma Jean Baker !

Well Loved Truck and Still in Service

Yes, I do love miniatures too ~!

Need a hubcap?  Mind if they don't match?

Waiting on the No. 67 bus going uptown...

The Good Life 

Pegboard cabinet doors are handy.

Waiting for the tour to start ~ on best behavior.

Nightfall, bonfire time

Sunday Morning Blues

For more rally information, visit TinCanTourists.com.

Planet Earth

GearHead has managed to excite his owner beyond comprehension.  With a lot of help from friends, this ol' vintage trailer is back in the green, green grass of home.  Or rather, the driveway.  He's no longer hangin' mid-air like there's a flood comin'.   =)   Pictures require an explanation or two:

This is real heavy lifting -- not for sissies.

Stabilize the front

After hitching, the tongue was stable enough that the back end could be lowered to the ground.   (This was still an unpredictable project.)  I found myself holding this front passenger corner until I thought my arms would fall off, but I couldn't let go -- it was leaning hard against me.

Needs the logo and tinted windows.

Sharp !!

"The key question to keep asking is, 'Are you spending your time on the right things?'   Because time is all you have." — Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

Good Enough

I'm pondering the to-do list in front of me to get trailer ready for a Rally next month.   At what point is the trailer DONE?  Is it ready if there's a place to sleep and room for a cooler?  Are we there YET?   I would like GearHead to be unjackstanded and back on solid Earth.  Ready to tackle that tomorrow.  Long story but I'll have photos to show you how it was done.  The bus seat is ready to be installed, too.  Then, and only then, will I be ready to call it good enough.  Stay tuned.

Rim Shot

The trailer axle has been flipped back but there were a few glitches, namely TWO:

1. Starting out with junk equipment that has been on the trailer for 50 years.
2. Ending with the same junk equipment and hoping for a miracle.

Sooo, I went on a mission to replace the two 13" 5-hole rims, a size/lug combination that is impossible to find anymore.  The closest fit is a Ford rim but most only have the 4-hole pattern.   To buy *new* means you have to visit more than one tractor store because only ONE rim in that size is stocked at a time.  While I was out hunting down rims, the trailer had to remain on jacks until I could get the tires switched out.  The expense was unexpected but I am thankful to Ed @ Alfred Auto Center for making good on the new acorn nuts and for changing over the tires so quickly.  

Gearhead has new shoes and a new lease on life.   

The old rims are where they belong...history.

Rallies

I love old papers and photos.  Anything that refers to the past or can tell a story from a moment in time appeals to me.   Here is a vintage Gulf Tourguide map and an auction catalog of vintage cars that will double as a visitor book during trailer tours @ Rallies.  These events are attended by folks from all walks of life with war stories of how they found and fixed up their trailers.  A variety of brands are in attendance (from Airstream to Yellowstone), and what makes it worthwhile is the feeling of instant community.  Activities include the tours, potluck dinners, chili cookoffs and music each night.  For more information, visit TinCanTourists.com.

Vital Sign

Would you please take a moment and consider this -- the time it took me to post this note and for you to read it represents two patients somewhere.  One who can give something precious and one who can receive a second chance -- a priceless gift that gives meaning to loss and suffering.   Life is truly good.

Donate Life America

Why "Airflyte" ?

This 1967 trailer witnessed the atomic age, a time when Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon was 2 years away.   America was in a space race and all eyes were on the sky.   Shasta even made the window cranks functional and whimsical:

Propeller

Light Housekeeping

Today's post involves the lighter side of renovating -- the kind that doesn't involve heavy lifting (win-win).   Most of these housekeeping duties involve a couple of tools at most and attention to detail.  Let's begin:


There are holes in walls from a previous life @ the lake.   Sure, it's easy to spy on your neighbors at the campsite but 12" off the floor isn't really convenient.   I found this cover solution at the local hardware store.  There is a rubber gasket inside for a snug fit and I can also run an extension cord through here if necessary.  It's all about options.

West Nile virus is in western NY now.  Gotta get the screen door in working order.  (The window screens are in nice shape already.)  Scraped off the old weatherstripping on the door and will replace with new polyfoam.  The big hooks will go somewhere on the wall to hold my folding camp stools chairs.  (sorry, that word makes me laugh)

What to do about cabinet doors?  Peg board of course!  Ventilation [check], lightweight [check], keeping with garage theme [check].   Bought this 4x4 section @ Lowe's for $7.

The 20"x4"x3/16" jalousie/louvered glass is cut and installed with my handy-dandy rubber mallet.  Verysnugfit.  =)   Will eventually put tinting on the stationary windows.

These things take time but they add to the overall enjoyment of the camping experience.  And that makes me happy.

Sweet Dreams

"Sweet dreams are made of this" according to Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics.  Sing it, Sister!  =)   Red futon box was opened, pieces assembled, instructions glanced over a few times and then my Wingman Ace got to work:

Once we figured out the puzzle, we put it inside the trailer before assembling.   (Using the ol' noggin' today.)  Now there's a nice place to sit and sleep:

 

And then the cabinet was moved in and magnets added for flair:

Bus seat was picked up this afternoon but that will remain a surprise, since it needs some TLC.  I will leave you with my next project that involves wires and LED bulbs:

Meanwhile, looking to fabricate cabinet doors to maximize storage and keep contents from bouncing around in transit.  That is a tall project because it involves measuring twice and cutting once.  =)

Tile and Vinyl Sheeting

Discovered Armstrong boxed tile I purchased on clearance for another project.   After fielding concerns about the craziness of carpet in a camping trailer, I decided to put down these tiles instead.  At least they form a nice subfloor in case carpet sounds like a good idea later.   My time is taken up with cutting pieces to fit next to the curb side and front walls.   A very precise business which, thankfully, is coming to a close.   

Looking Front

Looking Back

The vinyl sheeting is such a pleasing pattern, like deep lake water.   This went up on the wall where the kitchenette used to be.    Then I added some license plates and a direction sign.  Will decorate as I go because it makes the hard work bearable.  Now that the floor is completely in, can furniture be that far away?   Stay tuned....

Signs, etc

May turn the wheelwell into a vintage teardrop.   ;^D

August & Everything After

That's a great Counting Crows CD by the way.  While I wait for things to dry up, I wanted to post details of what I have planned for the interior.

Foam pad and vinyl flooring

Textured carpet

Price dictates taste as they say.   I bought what was on clearance and will "make do."  It's not hideous and adds a lot to a bare interior with beige wall panels.   I miss the old Shasta's birch paneling that glows at night when the lights are on.   And lastly, camping stools with a trusty, rusty Tonka delivery truck that has been a huge part of somebody's childhood.   We're hitting the road together.  Soon.

Staying Still & Making Trails

Exterior Covers

This trailer has so many stationary & flip-up covers on the driver's side that have no purpose any more.  Since the interior is gutted, there isn't a need for city water hookups or a tank refill spout.  There isn't a stove or propane lighting, hence no need for vents to air out trailer.  Just lots of holes to nowhere.  Thinking...

Stoneguard

I struggled with keeping or changing the look of the stoneguard on the front of Gearhead for three reasons:

1. It had a long tear in the middle that cut through the fiberglass.
2. It was an ugly faded yellow color and none of the screws matched.
3. It was an after-market addition that had a serious job to do but execution was poor.  (see #2) 

Before, with stoneguard

After, with clean windows

It was a struggle to remove and when it finally did come loose, fell crashing down on the tongue -- but didn't crack or break on impact.   Amazing.  Do you suppose trailers made today will be this durable 45 years from now?

But I digress.  I planned to paint the guard a black matte, frame and all, but I think I like the Shasta front without it.   I washed the windows and removed old decrepit stickers and discovered a mangled jalousie pane holder.  I straightened it out and will measure to have a piece of glass cut.  I think the next time I find a trailer on the way to the scrapyard with this much work to do, I may run the other way.  MAYBE, she says 'cuz Aluminitis has no known cure.   = ;^0

Curb Side, Nice Profile

Waiting to make sure the roof is sealed up tight.  Cannot wait for work to progress inside.

G*O*O*P

Ya gotta have goop in the ol' toolbox arsenal for those pesky roof seams that will let in droplets and tsunamis.   I hope this works !   Would love to get a green light to move forward with the interior but if the vent leaks, all will be ruined and that's no good at all.  So, cross your fingers with me and let's hope for the best.

Airflyte Wings !

When I first saw Gearhead, those aluminum wings caught my eye and I was so pleased that they had not been removed either by tree limbs or careless owners.   Trailer folks have recalled using the wings to hang beach towels from and lean fishing poles against while family members headed off to other activities.   


Shasta wings were a trademark that Serro Scotty trailers infringed upon as early as 1961.   John Serro was told to cease and desist using wheelwell cutouts to form wings.  (In fact, there is an early Scotty nearby that has three holes where wings were affixed at one time.)   More information can be found here:  NationalSerroScotty.org

Airflyte owners need crew chiefs to support missions through rough territory.   "G force" polished the aluminum frames and buffed the pressed diamond metal.   "Mach 1" attached each one with 2.5" screws and plumbing washers & nuts.   What would I do without my wingmen?  

Wings removed for hunting season
(sparing no expense, covered holes with duct tape)

Wingman "Mach 1"

Wingman "G force"

More work continues this week... Carpet and pad to be installed tomorrow.

Floor and Curtains

Previous posts detail pulling up flooring, then the paper backing, then the glue until I reached bottom (plywood).   Today, I mixed up a batch of polyurethane that I received happily from my buddy and fellow YaYa, Lauren.  This mixture consists of many varieties of goopy sealers -- a recipe that cannot be duplicated.   But the smell.is.gone...victory!

Scraped clean of paper and glue, before

Sealing, before

Floor, after + New Curtains !

Some small improvements take a lot of time.   They're invisible energy vampires~!   But, it's all good.   Wings are next ~

Da VIN See Code

New discovery on right side of trailer tongue:  a VIN!    Trailer has a green metal plaque by the door indicating it was manufactured in the Shasta Pennsylvania plant, common for trailers here in NY.

P7228

P = Pennsylvania

7 = 1967 

and the 228th one made that year.

The chrome handle above plaque is pitted and weathered.  I think I'll leave it alone -- well, for now.  ;^)