Stretch Benroy 10/20/13 Update - Campable at last!

[DudKC]

After building up our confidence for about a year, we finally got started on our teardrop build. After braving the snow and cold for 2 days we have the old '72 Starcraft tore down to the floor. Hope to get the frame exposed, and clean up the gigantic mess that my dad's lower drive has turned into next weekend. Here are some pics of the progress so far.

Here she is in all her prior glory


This was a nice find inside. The previous owner said they rarely if ever used it, it's in great shape. Next to the cooktop is a sink, also in great shape, until I chipped off some porcelain getting it out. Luckily we've decided to nix the idea of a sink in the galley to give more counter space.


That carpet looking linoleum had my dad and I both fooled until we both nearly slipped on the slick surface and fell on our heads.


Next step (after cleaning up the mess and recycling aluminum): sandblast frame and wheels, repaint, then stand around with arms crossed saying "What Next..."

[Woodbutcher]

Good luck, there is no going back now. Enjoy the build, it's worth it.

[Papi]

Wow, I am amazed that even though my pop up camper starting point was 13 years newer, they really did not change much! Other than being stainless steel, my stove is exactly like yours. Interested in seeing where you go with this.

[Miriam C.]

Good job with the tear down! Love that orange stove!

[bobhenry]

So that's what I have to look forward to.....



That's some hard core builders..... "DEMO IN THE SNOW !"





Guess I had better get the snow shovel out and get busy !

[DudKC]

Bob, you have your work cut out for you! I had a serious case of "sledge arms" after swinging that heavy thing over and over. This weekend the floor comes off!

[Papi]

If your floor is attached like mine was, Starcraft used a gazillion self-tapping screws to hold it to the frame. Have fun with that! Under the linoleum is particle board, then a thin sheet of galvanized steel.

I thought the teardown was fun, really.

[DudKC]

Papi- same here. The teardown was easy compared to what we found when we flipped the trailer on its side and saw all the screws. We used a dremel and cut off the ends of about 10 screws, going through 4 blades in the process. The we started cutting the floor up, still haven't gotten it off! Not going to be fun at all. Hope its worth it in the end.

[aggie79]

Wow Dustin,

I imagine that was some kind of chore to breakdown that old trailer. Looks like you have plenty of room though and that trailer will make a very nice platform for your build!

Take care,
Tom

[Papi]

Not going to be fun at all. Hope its worth it in the end.

We broke it up into little slices of time, and it wasn't bad doing it a few minutes here and there.

[DudKC]

Got the frame exposed yesterday. Wasn't that daunting of a task using a hammer, pry bar, and some "delicate" force.



Now we are about ready for some sandblasting after we get a few of the remaining clips and pulleys off the frame. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to save the plastic wheel wells, so we might have to build them up off of the floor.

[Papi]

Got the frame exposed yesterday. Wasn't that daunting of a task using a hammer, pry bar, and some "delicate" force.

I was fortunate enough to have a "rotten sandwich" on mine; under the linoleum and above the galvanized sheet metal, the particle board was as mushy as oatmeal in places. What was solid came up with a little persuasion from a crowbar. I tried to unscrew as many screws as possible, but the rest were rusted in place so I whacked `em with a hatchet. They snapped off easily.

Glad to see you have a good, solid frame underneath. The pulleys and hardware come out easily compared to what you have done so far.

[DudKC]

Got the mess cleaned up, got the frame dropped off for sandblasting, and flipped the springs on our new axle today. We are thinking it might ride too low now. We'll see how it turns out once we mount it, might have to flip them back around.

[Miriam C.]

Now that the junk is off be sure the frame is square and level before you go any further!

[DudKC]

We got the frame back from sand blasting last week. Got it painted up. Looks like we're about ready to get serious.