old camper question

[the other side]

If you are going to remodel an old camper (the inside only) and you want to take the old stuff out (fridge, cabinets, dinette, etc...) and put new lighter weight stuff in, how much consideration do you have to give to the weight redistribution? Will the different weight of the items cause the camper to be "unbalanced" and cause problems with how it handles on the road? Also, if you move things around inside the camper, will the weight shifting cause problems with how the camper handles on the road? And what if the walls have a heavy wood and you want to put lighter materials in to make the over all weight of the camper lighter?

[48Rob]

Using lighter materials is fine.
Most vintage trailers depend on the sum of all the parts, securely fastened to each other, to make up the strength of the whole.
Redistributing a little weight shouldn't cause any big problems, but major redistribution with little to no thought of how removing 200 pounds from one side, or end and placing it on the other, can cause big problems.
Each trailer was designed with tongue weight, side to side weight distribution, axle placement, wheel, tire, spring, axle rating, etc. in mind.

When re-designing, consider existing weights, as well as temporary weights, such as food, supplies, water in tanks, etc.

Rob

[jstrubberg]

It's absolutely a consideration, however, you can make up for a lot of permanent weight moves with where you put your temporary weight items, i.e. stow the full coler in the front of the trailer while towing instead of the back.

[the other side]

So if I was to replace each item (item for item) with an item that weighed less, but leave them in the same place, would that equal out in the end? And I could then make the campers weight less?

[citylights]

So if I was to replace each item (item for item) with an item that weighed less, but leave them in the same place, would that equal out in the end? And I could then make the campers weight less?

In general replacing item for item, you should be fine. Without more details, about the old and new items, I don't think we can say for sure. Personally, I would go for it!

[the other side]

I guess you are right! If I end up making things too light I can always pack more supplies for camping in it! Cast iron weighs a lot. I'll just pack it all in strategic locations.

[the other side]

Foiled by feabay again!! I was watching this old camper on fleabay and they stopped the auction (probably to sell it outside of fleabay). Darn it! I was waiting till the end to bid high... RATS