refurb or build my own

[f.bishop2008]

Hello all, I am about to get started on a camper but cannot decide if I should gut an old small camper or build from scratch ? Theres a chance I can pick up and old camper (small enough to be towed by a car) from a farm. I was wondering which would be more cost effective. After seeing some pics on here, well they have my interests.
Thanks for any advice, Frank

[canned o minimum]

FIRST questions: Are you a woodworker ? Have tools ? Have TIME and patience ? Have ROOM to build/rebuild ? Have a significant other who will SUPPORT this and NOT take the wind outta yer sails ?

Lots to consider my friend...Though the rewards are GREAT ! If have ALL of these affore mentioned ...

[jdarkoregon]

can you show us what the camper you might be able to get looks like?

[f.bishop2008]

I will get the chance for some pics this weekend, and hopefully some nogotiations. I will post the pics then.

[madjack]

...one thing to keep in mind about doing a refurb on an old camper...there is nothing much to the framing, etc. and if it is in much need, you will probably havvta take it completely apart and start over...many of these projects turn out to be more intensive than originally thought............
madjack

[f.bishop2008]

I think that is what I want the first one to be, Something for me to spend the winter on., or longer, lol. I guess as long as the frame and structure (shell) are in good shape it should be somewhat of a headstart compared to building my own. I never thought about doing something like this till my girlfriend and myself came across an old scotty down near york, Pa. After seeing it a week later we had to go back and see if it was for sale, the shaky old guy had a lifetime of stories about it (which we enjoyed) he only wanted 300 bucks but one wall and the ceiling were destoyed by water damage. it was a shame, other then that it was nice. but that seemed to get me fired up to find a scotty but they are way to expensive, so, now I'm going to build my own, at least one that is the same size. I hope to get a lot of help off this site.

[jdarkoregon]

I built my first trailer from scratch without any plans other than a sketch on a napkin... I did finish, but I made lots of stupid mistakes!

Without plans there are lots of decisions that have to be made. Every decision was based on hours of research, much of it done by asking questions and looking through pictures here on this forum. I won't say all the advice given here is worth listening too, but it all helps get a person going in the right direction. I've since planned three more trailers and because of my experience I think I could make them much faster, way cheaper and with fewer mistakes than my first.

BUT.... I now think taking apart a trailer just to rebuild it exactly as it was when it was new would be a great education. Oh how I wish I was smarter.

I am now planning to restore a vintage trailer. It will be awhile before this happens but it will happen. I even think it might cost me less and I will learn more about trailer construction.

Don't be afraid of taking on a restoration, IT WILL COST MORE THAN YOU HAD PLANNED AND IT WILL TAKE LONGER, MUCH LONGER.

Don't be afraid of taking on a new construction either. IT TOO WILL COST MORE THAN YOU HAD PLANNED AND IT TOO WILL TAKE LONGER, MUCH LONGER. PLEASE BE SMARTER THAN I AM AND GET A PLAN. A few bucks up front will save you time, money and really decrease your frustration.

Everybody here wants you to succeed!!!! So after you decide HOW and WHAT don't forget about us, let us be cheerleaders and instructors.

Go Get-R-Done. We can't wait to see your results

John

(I'm the crazy guy from Oregon who make a larger than normal teardrop with tandem axles)

[f.bishop2008]

Thanks for the advice and your future support. Plans will definately be purchased before my first ground up build. Im sure the price varies but what type of dollar figure do you think I will be looking at ? Thats a very nice camper. Thanks again,
Frank