The Project

Facebook entry from 6/21/2011:

Mid 1960's Shasta Airflyte trailer was rescued last year from a lake property where it spent the last 20 years as a moss-covered storage shed. After working two hours to get the jack unlocked, I dismantled the setup and duct taped it out of the way. Tires held air but the lights weren't working so a light kit was cable-tied to bumper for trip home. Stopped every 1/2 hr to check wheels for overheating. This is my trusty Jeep Cherokee, Angus the Awesome.

Three Muskateers on the Road

MacGuyvering.  (Yes, it's a verb.)

Moss and a rusty bike rack.

Gutted and looking grim (rear view)

Storage (front view)

As-is on Hemlock Lake, NY

Headed to scrap yard, found just in time.

After a good scrub

Moss and bike rack are history

Updates include new tires, greased wheel bearings and flipping the axle for its new life as a hunting trailer lease. Ridiculously high but got the job done for bow hunting season:

Wheel After -- Ready to Cross Creeks

Wheel Before

My theory on trailer restoration in a nutshell: the better it has been cared for, the more there is to SAVE. Since it was gutted and going to seed, I decided to restore and renovate with a new theme: GEARHEAD.

Have tools, will travel

Work Detail:

*  Exterior scrubbed & cleaned last fall by G Force, the hardest working 'Tween I know:

Scrubbing Off the Moss -- There's a White Trailer Under There-!

* Rusty bike rack on the rear was trashed and a hitch-mounted bike holder will be added later.  Vintage bikes are so much fun to have @ trailer rallies:  ----->  TinCan Tourists

* Vinyl ceiling is down thanks to my UberHelper Megan-!   Hint:  Use a blowdryer.  This was a mid-project discovery that made the job go much faster, plus you can style your hair at the same time!   ~;^D

Vinyl Ceiling Before 

Wood Ceiling After

Vinyl Ceiling & Vent Before

Wood Ceiling & Vent After

* Bumper, step and tongue wire-wheeled and painted by the Marvelous Mike:

Step Before

Step After

Tongue w/New Jack Before

Tongue w/New Jack After

* Mangled ceiling vent on rooftop hammered and duct taped into submission by Me, then a large rock placed on top to hold in place.  It's a quick fix for now -- more on this later.   

* Waiting for DMV documents to make ol' Gearhead legal.

* UberHelper Megan has stained the ceiling, washed walls and mopped the mix 'n' match vinyl floor. There must be 4 patterns of tile and sheeting used over the years. This will disappear under commercial grade carpet:

Remnants of the Past

After Cleanup

* Plans are to replace the fiberglass stone guard over front window with plexiglass and artwork.  Will add my website address decal somewhere:  Campalumna.com

* Spare tire will be mounted to tongue where propane tanks used to be.  No gas or lanterns will be inside the trailer.

*  Avocado Green SANYO electric fridge is in the cabinet to the left of door.  Small but efficient use of space.

More details later as work continues...