TheTrailerShowroom 7X14

[pmspirito]

here are the samples of the 3 colors I plan to chose from. I did multiple samples so I can mix and match to see the various combinations.

I will be using the middle color for the bead board. The color on the left for the smooth paneling above the bead board. The color on the right will most likely be used for the chair rail, front window and door molding and base board molding.

The ceiling will most likely be white with white cove molding, but there is an even lighter shade of this color group that might work on the ceiling too.

[rebapuck]

Something I see alot in trailers (and houses) is a lack of counterspace. It always seems to be chopped up amongst the sink and stove etc. Try to put as much countertop run in one place as you can. One 12" space is infinately more useful than 6" here and 4" over there and 2" by the door.

[pmspirito]

You are correct about the wasted space in TT's and kitchens. Scroll up a few posts and your can see the size of my counter top. 80 inches wide, 34 inches deep along the front.

The reason I decided to go with a CT was not being able to find anything in a travel trailer that met my needs. I think the demographics for a travel trailer manufacturer are two adults, (Mom and Dad) and two teenagers, one boy, and one girl. That's why there is so much frilly stuff and tacky trim.

[rebapuck]

Agreed. Especially motorhome decor. $200k and it looks like a 70's pimpmobile.

[beccae]

I am not having much luck with Trailer Showroom.I call,she is on phone with someone else, tells me she will call me back,calls back much later or not at all,says no factory visit,and when I ask her questions,she needs to look up the answers and get back to me. We are looking at an 8x18,has been very helpful to look at the pictures of your rv door and windows.Your base unit is a Continental Cargo,correct? Would you change anything else on a factory order? My better half is a cabinet maker/formica man who is now on oxygen and can't do much of the work.Breaks his perfectionist heart.We wanted a curved roof, it rains 8 months out of the year here.I noticed yours came without the luan strips hiding the edges of the plywood,was that a request of yours?

[pmspirito]

[email protected] I believe this email address goes directly to Rick, the owner. He will straighten it out. Ask for Rick.

My trailer is made by Lark Industries in Douglas Georgia. I requested the flat roof. and the flat front. (no bend at all across the front). The regular flat front still has a 3/4" bow across the front. My front is completely flat so I could install my picture window.

The flat roof gives me more room for shelves along the top and makes installing the interior finishes a lot easier. The flat roof has a 5/8" bow in it to shed the rain.

The wood trim strips were removed by me. I removed all of the plywood so I could touch up the insulation and tape all insulation seams. I reused a lot of the old plywood for concealed areas and I cut it up for the ceiling furring strips.

The only thing I would do different for "the next one" (LOL) would be to delete the insulation option and do it all myself. Also I would delete the plywood on the walls.

I am very happy with my purchase from TheTrailerShowroom and the trailer that Lark Industries made for me.

[pmspirito]

The 20 gallon gray water tank is now installed. I used a "Fernco" rubber coupling at the tank to pipe connection. I am able to remove the entire tank without having to cut anything. The tank sits behind the refrigerator. With the fridge removed I can remove the tank.

[pmspirito]

The batteries are two 35ah wheelchair batteries. The power converter and battery charger is a Progressive Dynamics Series 9200 60amp.

The batteries will be wired individually to the charger and will have plug in connectors. I have an electric trolling motor and will unplug and remove one of the batteries at a time and use it in the boat.

[pmspirito]

Here is the final color sample. I will be using Benjamin Moore Regal brand paint. The paneling will be removed from the trailer and spray painted using a HVLP gravity feed gun.

[pmspirito]

The 2 1/2 gallon hot water heater sits on a little "skid" that also supports the electrical panel. The electrical panel circuit breakers are accessible from inside of the trailer directly behind a cabinet door. The hot water heater is easily accessible from the 24 x 24 cargo door.

[pmspirito]

The Formica counter has been finished. I do not use the regular brush/roller applied contact cement that is commonly used. I used 3M Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive. Not cheap. About $14.00 per can. I used almost two cans on this counter top. I applied two coats to the plywood and two coats on the Formica. This spray adhesive goes on thin and evenly. It also becomes tacky within two to three minutes. And it sticks like crazy.

[arnko37]

I am really impressed with your work and neatness of your shop. Also I am totally in love with that 193? Ford pick up in the background. Did you restore it? Arnko37 Port Charlotte FL

[pmspirito]

The little blue truck is a 1935, I restored it in 1985. Go to my web site and click on "in the garage" to see my fire truck and Model-T

www.peterspirito.com

[pmspirito]

A key element in this project has been the ability to store the trailer in the garage. With all of our collaboration and finagling I knew the trailer would still be about 3-inches TOO TALL to fit into the garage.

My solution was to make two steel wheel disks to replace the tires and wheels. The disks, being smaller in diameter than the tires and wheels would lower the the trailer and allow the trailer to fit into the garage.

I jacked up the trailer with a floor jack and removed the wheels and installed the disks.

The trailer rolled into the garage effortlessly. But it is a close fit.

That is my son in the photos.

[Trailershowroom]

NOTE: If this post violates any board rules with regard to advertising (I didn't intend it as an advertisement) or business being discussed, please feel free to delete it.



pmspirito,

Looks like you're knee deep in upgrading the trailer that you purchased from us. It also looks like you're doing a great job of it. After the email that you sent to me with this link in it I thought I'd look over it and see what the people were saying. I'm always interested in what the people think.

I see that there are two people here who have spoken with my representatives in the past and didn't have as good an experience as I would have liked to hear about.


b.bodemer - I'm sorry to hear that your being discouraged from visiting the manufacturing facility caused you to buy elsewhere. It's my fault (I own the company) that happened. I have told all of my employees to discourage visits to the plant, but not to refuse to allow it. There are several good reasons for that rule. The first is of course the insurance companies. They are less than happy when they hear that people who don't work there are on the production floor. The second is that we sell literally thousands of trailers every year. If we didn't discourage visits prior to people picking their trailers up, we would have so many visitors that we wouldn't be able to get anything done and in place of trailers taking a few weeks to build they might take a few months because we would have to constantly start and stop the production lines. There is also the issue of there not being any "customer service" people at the manufacturing facilities. When we have a visitor at the plant we have to pull someone (usually the production manager) away from doing his job to escort the visitor.

Having said all of that, we still don't refuse to allow for visits. Had you told the representative that you would require a visit in order for you to feel comfortable with the purchase, they are supposed to call me at that point so that I can arrange for it. We do require at least 24 hours notice prior to your arrival so that I can schedule someone to escort you through the facility.



beccae - I'm sorry that you have been having problems with communicating with my representative. Do you happen to remember her name so that I can do a little remedial training if necessary? If you have questions that she can't answer please feel free to send the questions directly to me at [email protected]

That email address comes directly to my personal computer.