'47 MobilGlide..VIN verified!

[working on it]

I also got a copy of an ad that appeared in a magazine from 1946. I like the MobilGlide tag line in the ad: " Manufactured by a company with an eye to the future. Sold only by leading dealers with a conscience."

I like that tag line; I used kindasorta the opposite tack on my pseudo-manufacturer's plate.

actual nameplate.jpg (38 KiB) Viewed 3127 times

Whether (or not) I have a conscience (or the opposite) is best left up for others to judge....

[doug hodder]

Whew...it was a fairly long day today. Close to 400 mi. of driving, loaded the trailer, unloaded it, and pressure washed it. I'm so glad it was a solid trailer as they used hat channels and it's skinned both on the exterior and interior with aluminum as the truck driver was doing like 75 on I-5 with it. This one is going to take a lot of work, has a crack in the tongue, a load of rivets on the roof are missing.

All in all, it's a decent carcass to build I believe. I'm so glad we didn't have any issues while transporting it. Big thanks to my neighbors who both helped out and were able to organize the whole towing trip for not much more than a substantial tip to the truck driver. Also a major thanks to Donn and Donna for letting me know about this trailer from the get go! I was amazed on how light this one is. Maybe 50# tongue weight. The whole thing is probably under 1K right now as it sits. It is missing most of it's interior however. Next step, get someone from the CHP to come out and verify the VIN on it and then I can start cutting off the tongue and reworking it. Thanks for watching. Doug


Loaded up and ready



South bound and down, loaded up and truckin' on I-5



It's home! pre washed.



after washing....now I can start cooking up ideas...

[S. Heisley]

Congratulations on getting it home without incident, Doug. 400 miles is a long drive, especially when you've got your fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong. This one will be great fun to watch.

[danlott]

Looks like a great project. Will be following along with your rebuild.

Dan

[cherokeegeorge]

Boy, the lot over there at DougKraft is getting a little crowded.

[Juneaudave]

Sweet!!! What a journey! Glad it's home and congratulations!

[bdosborn]

Nice job getting it home. Now look out for those pine cones!

Bruce

[dguff]

Glad to see that you got it home safely and with no issues. Looks like another great project and an interesting thread (or is it tred? ) to follow.

Jerome

[rainjer]

Hey Jerome, you started his punch list yet?

Jeremy

[Steve_Cox]

'47 MobilGlide - a thing of nostalgic beauty for sure. Very nice Doug.

[48Rob]

I think I see a reflection of Doug in the paint job...

Rob

[wagondude]

I think I see a reflection of Doug in the paint job...

Rob

If you don't now, you will soon. That's for sure. Now the best show on the 'net begins.

[doug hodder]

I had the VIN verification guy come out today and check out the trailer. There is no title on it, just a bill of sale. I gathered up as much info from the RV Museum and Hall of Fame on the MobilGlide Globetrotter as I could find. I wanted to get it titled as a '47 before I tear into the frame on it since once I do that, it's a "new construction" item. 45$ later it's got all the info I need to get it titled and licensed as a '47. I need to build a new frame as the tongue is cracked and has had previous repairs on it and besides...there is a lot of torch work to get the old torsion axle out from under it.

I was also the recipient of a fantastic gift from Steve E! About 9 years ago Patty picked up a Calif. '47 trailer plate at a garage sale. Calif. DMV has a program that I can get this plate assigned to this trailer. I'll have to come up with something to repay his kindness. Hopefully all the planets are in alignment so that this all comes together and I get it done. Next stop...the DMV office. In the meantime, I'll jack it up this weekend, crawl underneath and get a hub to hub measurement, and frame rail dimensions for a new flexiride axle so I can get that ordered, also measurements and materials list for a new frame.

The plate is in great shape for 67 years old, should restore nicely! Doug

[danlott]

Doug,

I know where there is another one of these trailers in my town. I have been watching it for a few years, but have never been able to talk to the owners. I will have to go by an try and talk with them again. Maybe take a few pictures.

Dan

[danlott]

Here is a picture of the trailer in my town. I was again unable to talk with the owners, it seems like they are never home. This picture is not very good, but I cannot get close enough to it without going onto the owners property. Don't want shot, so this is as close as I can get.



I will try harder to catch the owner at home, so that I can get better pictures.

Dan