Surprises behind everything - UPDATE 6/25/2010

[Gage]

So you want to restore a vintage trailer. Well be prepared to find many surprises behind anything you remove.

I'm replacing the lower skin panels on the Field & Stream I'm restoring. When I removed the rear skin, surprise, the wood was rotten and moldy also had holes in it. You could put your thumb right through it, it was in such good condition. So I removed that piece and again another surprise. The lwr frame and part of the flooring was also gone. I'm almost afraid to remove the right side skin. Can you blame me? Here's a couple of pictures. You can see more at http://www.gages-56.com/FnS.html

[doug hodder]

Amazing that it was still hanging together enough to drag it home Gage! Looks like they really found a deal on particle board, I'm assuming that's what it is...looks like it anyway. Any idea on what the original selling price was back then? I feel your pain! Doug

[Wolffarmer]

Gage

That really bites. but now you have something to do.

Randy

[S. Heisley]

That's just plain sad and awful, Gage. Do you think you can save it?

[Gage]

Amazing that it was still hanging together enough to drag it home Gage! Looks like they really found a deal on particle board, I'm assuming that's what it is...looks like it anyway. Any idea on what the original selling price was back then? I feel your pain! Doug

No problem dragging it home. Only had to move it three houses. But I towed it down to Romoland, about 90 miles down I-15 and got the whole trailer down there without the rear end falling off. And yes, the whole trailer is particle board, no interior framing to speak of. The one good thing about this restore is that the trailer was FREE. They only asked that I post pictures.

Do you think you can save it?

No problem. It's just a little more work than what I was planning. I've already got the new skin for it and broke. I got permission from Dean and was going to bring it up to the IRG. But that's not going to happen now.

[pete42]

"They only asked that I post pictures."

I'll bet they just want to see how bad it really was.

but show them pictures when you finish.

[teardrop_focus]

Mmmm... particle board.




I guess, Gage, when you're finished it'll be lighter -and- stronger than it was when new!

[Ageless]

mmmmm . . . . .particle board . .

When you can't afford termites

[lauriandgary]

Ouch

Isn't it just amazing how these old trailers hold up with all of the rot & damage!

Look forward to your restoration.

[The Teardrop Nanny]

euww.... I'm cleaning up a 1964 Aristocrat and found out the same thing was starting to happen on the bottom with the black mold. It has been stored outside since I was a girl, though under a carport cover. I will definitely NOT start taking it apart if this is what may await me!

Joanie

[Miriam C.]

REBUILD! Looking forward to the picties and the details. Sorry you have to redo!.

[Gage]

Moving right along. You can find more pics and how I got to the point it's at by clicking HERE. Enjoy