Shasta rebuild - 12' tear
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:08 pmStarted my new build about month ago after discovering lots of rot after cleaning up the trailer after the winter. I purchased a '70 Shasta Compact a few years ago to tow behind my Element and it worked out great for a couple of summers conseidering I only paid $350 for it. However my plan all along was to use it for parts for my own design and after discovering mouse nests in the oven and severe rot in the walls I decided now was the time to rebuild.
I tore the Shasta down to the frame which was in good shape with just some surface rust and started building a standie teardrop trailer. I tried to incorporate the things I liked about the Shasta - large dinette, fold up bunk, windows, lightweight; and I discarded the things I wasn't so fond of - ugly profile, not enough headroom, inside kitchen.
What I ended up with was a scaled up teardrop with 6'3" headroom, queen size dinette, fold up bunk, and another bench/bed, and a full 6-1/2' rear galley with icebox, sink, and stove. Other items I designed in were storage for my Weber Q, 16 gallon water tank, 3 x 12V batteries, gas heat (from Shasta) and AC. I also enlarged the door so I could fit through without stooping and plan to cover the entire trailer in aluminum.
My construction is similar to the Puffin in that I am using 1/4" plywood, except that I am using birch since I will be finishing the inside with clear poly. All framing for the windows and doors is maple and I am using the benches and and rear cabinets in the hatch to reinforce and brace the walls. The roof spars are 1x2's and I plan to skin them inside and out with aluminum and run wiring and insulation between similar to what Retro Traveler does: http://www.retrotraveler.com/RT1400.html.
One I get the pictures off my camera I will post the build photos, currently I am building the body off the frame in my garage (so it will fit through the door) and will mount it on the frame once it is weather tight.
I tore the Shasta down to the frame which was in good shape with just some surface rust and started building a standie teardrop trailer. I tried to incorporate the things I liked about the Shasta - large dinette, fold up bunk, windows, lightweight; and I discarded the things I wasn't so fond of - ugly profile, not enough headroom, inside kitchen.
What I ended up with was a scaled up teardrop with 6'3" headroom, queen size dinette, fold up bunk, and another bench/bed, and a full 6-1/2' rear galley with icebox, sink, and stove. Other items I designed in were storage for my Weber Q, 16 gallon water tank, 3 x 12V batteries, gas heat (from Shasta) and AC. I also enlarged the door so I could fit through without stooping and plan to cover the entire trailer in aluminum.
My construction is similar to the Puffin in that I am using 1/4" plywood, except that I am using birch since I will be finishing the inside with clear poly. All framing for the windows and doors is maple and I am using the benches and and rear cabinets in the hatch to reinforce and brace the walls. The roof spars are 1x2's and I plan to skin them inside and out with aluminum and run wiring and insulation between similar to what Retro Traveler does: http://www.retrotraveler.com/RT1400.html.
One I get the pictures off my camera I will post the build photos, currently I am building the body off the frame in my garage (so it will fit through the door) and will mount it on the frame once it is weather tight.
Congratulations on your build and thanks for sharing the pictures with us. We like lots of pictures. If you get a minute, maybe you can upload a few pictures of how the inside turned out?
