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1967Caravel · 07-11-2006, 10:45 AM

I picked up my first camper ever and it just happens to be a 1967 Caravel. started gutting it as soon as i got it home as it was a graveyard of mice and bugs and rotten floor. if anyone has ay advise it would be apprecated. ill try and add some pics for ya.

Foiled Again · 07-11-2006, 10:58 AM

The exterior looks really nice. (Momma tol' me if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all

)

The exterior DOES look really nice and it looks like the air conditioner is a newer one. I admire the courage, persistance and masochism of the restorers! Now seriously, you're going to have one sweet Airstream after you get it fixed up.

Remember it's like Alcoholics Anonymous - one day at a time.

ENJOY!

Paula

pinkflamingoes · 07-11-2006, 11:24 AM

That is one niiiice trailer. '67's rule!! Summer of Love!!

Be prepared for the freakout. Everyone goes through it. But if you have never done this before, you're NOT ALONE.

You will want to replace the floor and make sure the frame is in good condition, those are the first steps. You *can* do this with the shell of the trailer ON. (Yes, people take off the entire trailer shell and then put it back after repairing the frame etc. but a lot of people do it with the shell on. It's a matter of preference and some other stuff).

Finish your gutting and post again, and I can send you to some threads on what to do and how to do it.

My biggest problem is fear, and hesitation, and the forum members here are sooooo helpful. It's to the point now where some people have said "Wow you know a lot" but it's really just the lingo. I have a long way to go on my '67!

Keep posting pictures. Read and learn as much as you can, but try to stick to the task at hand and don't get too far ahead of yourself. If you're replacing the floor, don't start stressing about plumbing and electrical details, you can really psych yourself out of working on the trailer. Remember it's FUN!!

Did I mention your trailer is beautiful?

leefields · 07-11-2006, 01:15 PM

nice looking trailer...i am into the floor now and it is scary...just one day at a time like the pp said...outside looks great....make the inside anything you like...its your trailer..

Airboss · 07-11-2006, 02:07 PM

1967?? Hope you have the Door's playing LIGHT MY FIRE as you work on it!! Nice looking lil rig... I have a 65 Caravel.. Its a blast..Love it...It will give you so much fun as your reward.. I will keep looking for pictures of it as you go.. Best of Luck, Ralph...4201

Streamin 65 · 07-11-2006, 02:29 PM

I'd suggest gutting it methodically and keeping anything you can reuse later, even if it can only be reused as a template to create something new. It'll save much time if you can just duplicate a replacement part with new material instead of trying to build it from scratch. Nice trailer! --dave

1967Caravel · 10-03-2006, 09:15 AM

well i have got it almost compleatly finished and it looks 10 times better now then when i brought it home. i have pics of what it loks like now.

1967Caravel · 10-03-2006, 09:22 AM

so i took all the guts out of the heater cause it was in bad shape and it wasnt safe to use anymore so i cut out the insides and i gained an extra cabnet. then while working on it in 100 degree heat the air conditioner blew up and woud never work again so had to replace it. the oven didnt work but the stove did so i kept it and put it in the corner of the garage and i gained another cabnet and alot of counter space. i got all new cushions cause the old ones were mouse hotels. the tillights wernt bright enough for my liking so i got led lights from inland rv and they are now super bright. so if im not blinding someone durring the day from the sun on the side of the a/s i will blind them at night from the tail lights.

Mel · 10-03-2006, 09:22 AM

What a difference! So when's the first camping trip?

1967Caravel · 10-03-2006, 09:25 AM

this weekend.

Fyrzowt · 10-03-2006, 09:38 AM

I had not seen your first posting until today, WOW. Nice progress in a very short time, you must be proud. Very nice, now it's time to enjoy it - I'm sure you will.
Dave

AYRSTRM2 · 10-03-2006, 09:51 AM

Nice work, glad you kept it working original. You're probably going to want a stove, to fry up sausages! New and used working ones can be had at Colaws, which if you didn't already know, is somewhere near you. Nice work, you go to the head of the class!

pinkflamingoes · 10-03-2006, 02:59 PM

Hm. More than 10 times, beautiful work...I'm jealous...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1967Caravel

well i have got it almost compleatly finished and it looks 10 times better now then when i brought it home. i have pics of what it loks like now.

TIMEMACHINE · 10-03-2006, 03:07 PM

One word...SWEET!!!

sd90mac · 10-03-2006, 03:25 PM

Beautiful!!!!
you did a great job, Now enjoy it.

Marie

CaddyGrn · 10-03-2006, 09:12 PM

Most excellent! I like all you have done!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

enduroryda · 10-04-2006, 06:03 AM

That is a real beauty....I can't believe you did that all in 2 months!! Now what are you going to do with your time? What did you do with the floor? and do you have anything left to do? ....we need you to fill in the blanks...you went from fix-r-upper to done! Man it looks nice... Congrats

1967Caravel · 10-04-2006, 10:05 PM

well i took all the rotten wood off the floor, found a crack in the frame. So I hauled the whole thing up to a body shop to have the frame welded and new steel put in. Sectioned in new wood in the bad spots of the floor, then fiberglassed over the cracks between the sections. Then put two sheets of luan down over the whole floor with glue and screws. Next, I put vinyl flooring down and siliconed around the base of the floor, to keep out dust. Then I reinstalled the cabinets minus the stove/oven and heater. Put a new counter top on from the local hardware store. I replaced the water heater and air conditioner w/heat strip. Did alot of nick knack stuff and I ready for my first trip out.