To rebuild or not to rebuild

[sleepercatcher]

How about some advice. I’ve looked at the trailer. It’s not a teardrop, just a camper. It’s 12’ long 6’ wide and 7’ tall. The exterior walls are 3/8” plywood that havn’t been painted since construction. The top is aluminum. The running gear is the back half of a 31 Chevy that was converted to a trailer. The wheels are 20” spoke wheels, no tires. I’m working on getting the pictures put online. I’m thinking if it's rebuilt, I’ll have to separate body from frame and pretty much start over. Any thoughts?

SC

[Miriam C.]

How about some advice. I’ve looked at the trailer. It’s not a teardrop, just a camper. It’s 12’ long 6’ wide and 7’ tall. The exterior walls are 3/8” plywood that havn’t been painted since construction. The top is aluminum. The running gear is the back half of a 31 Chevy that was converted to a trailer. The wheels are 20” spoke wheels, no tires. I’m working on getting the pictures put online. I’m thinking if it's rebuilt, I’ll have to separate body from frame and pretty much start over. Any thoughts?

SC

If it is cheap and you don't mind the weight. Go for it.

[Chip]

SC,,, welcome to the forum,,, first and formost dont believe everything you read on here,,,

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REBUILD OR RESTORE,

I will be glad to come and haul it off to the great trailer yard in the sky,,,
since you are new and all,, Its the least I could do to help out a newbee,,

My new found friend, by all means refurbish that find, not only is it old its made by ya family and is worth the effort,,, If they could build it,, you can rebuild it,,, go for it,,,

unless I can haul it off for you,,

anyhow,, welcome to the forum,,, ask and ye shall have answers,,
Good luck with your project,,

chipper

[Gage]

Boy I'm glade I stepped in here. It's a 'one of a kind' and old. If you have the time (about 2 or 3 years) go for it and restore/rebuild it. It'll be a project but in the end, well worth it.


P.S. Don't listen to Chip. He just wants it for himself.

[Steve Nikkel]

FORGET IT!!! Why? 31 Chevy body is just a WOOD framework with stamped metal(Steel which will need to be formed) NAILED on. Now if you understand that you could finish 2 trailers for the work of making new wood (without patterns most of the time) to repair the body, metal repair(read RUST), metal finishing,filling, prime and paint. Structural repair of the frame so it's SAFE to tow at current speeds, then wiring both 120 and 12 volt. If having something your great grandpappy threw together is that important to you, realize that unless you possess major metalworking skills, for the time, effort and expense of having done by someone else that which you can't---you could BUY a nice` unit from Pleasant Valley, Lil Bear,or even one of Camp Inn's 500/550 models
Consider the generic Benroy, and build your own, if you want to get started without dropping 6 grand

OOPS!!!! darn misread, thought the trailer was using part of the 31Chevy body, as Gage says, it's a one off and going to be a longer term project. PS, I've been the TERMITE on a Chevy from the late 20's---been there got the T-shirt---don't reccommend any to follow in my boot prints!!!!!

[Gage]

P.S. The thing I would do with out question is to replace the axle & wheels. You can get 16" spoke
wheels that look like what's on it and would be a lot safer. And that spring setup. Something has to
be done about those.

[Chip]

letme clarify something,, If you are wanting the easy way out and the most bang for your buck,,, buy a new one,,, If you count up the time and money it will take to properly rebuild ya trailerr, it ainta gonna be feasible,,,

if ya care about a family heirloom, and a dear old girl that has survived damn near 60 years, then time and money aint an object,,

I say go for the gusto and bring her back to life,,, just think what modern day materials and equipment could do to rework this old trailer,,,

and Gage, ya dang right Ill take her,, but it wouldnt mean as much to me as it would you SC,,

heck if ya got 30 more years out of it, its as least as much as ya get with new conventional trailers,,,

GO FER IT,, I double dog dare ya!!!

[sleepercatcher]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice. It's always good to hear from folks who have been there and know what it's going to cost. I'm not ready to make a decision yet but if I decide to go for it, I'll let you know and post the photos.

SC