I looked at your pictures and in one one shot there is a skid that hangs down from the axle. I'm guessing that it is protection for a blowout or loss of the wheel. I,ve never seen anything like that before.
That was not uncommon on single axle 1960's era trailers. Keeps from destroying the underside, bumper, etc.
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Terry
We don't have the skid plates...but are thinking of adding them when we change out our axle this year. I think they are a good idea for single axle trailers ~
I would definately keep them on the Caravel, especially if you still have the original axle...original '65 Caravel axles are kinda known for having lightweight spindles and occasionally (more often than any other model) snapping off. Thet would be one of the first things on my list of things to do...change your axle. Once that is done...no more worries! Great trailer ~
We were following our friends Caravel when it's spindle decided to give out...not a pretty picture!
You may want to search the forums for more info on this...
Shari
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Sheri, nice website you guys have and nice to have the door open the right way. Don't get me wrong, I am delighted even if the frame turns outto be rotted out. I just hope there is a good radio that only plays the '60s.
Sheri, nice website you guys have and nice to have the door open the right way. Don't get me wrong, I am delighted even if the frame turns outto be rotted out. I just hope there is a good radio that only plays the '60s.
Barry
Thanks for the kudos on the website...I really need to spend some time updating it, it's been awhile. I have tons of pics from the last year or so...and will we are getting into our spring restoration season this year too.
I like our door swing direction too - especially not having to worry about the door swinging open in-transit! The only time it was a challenge was when trying to figure out how to get an awning that would still allow the door to open all the way. Most awnings, if they have arms that attach to the trailer prevent the door from opening flat to the body. No biggie, we wanted a vintage-style tent-pole & stake style anyway.
I have that 60's music thing all figured out...we have an old box radio (aqua, of course!) and then set my iPod up with the "Best of (my favorites) the 60's" on it. Fun during an Open House!
Good luck with your "new" trailer...I hope you enjoy it as much as we have ours!
Shari
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It looks to me like someone has replaced the skinny little stanchion that I have seen in other Caravels with a 6x6. Is that stanchion structural? I just don't see anything supporting cabinets elsewhere.
Barry
you could put a piece of tree limb there and add dowel rods for a one of a kind rustic coffee cup holder..... (All joking aside I kinda like the idea)
If I have to have this hauled out of FL to PA removal of this vent housing might be imnportant. Is this original? Looks to me like 4 nuts is all that holds it in place. Could be replaced with a window made of heavy plastic and duct tape.
If I have to have this hauled out of FL to PA removal of this vent housing might be imnportant. Is this original? Looks to me like 4 nuts is all that holds it in place. Could be replaced with a window made of heavy plastic and duct tape.
No that is not original. I would take it off for the trip and use 100mph tape and a sheet of aluminum over the hole.
Aaron
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Would it be better to secure the trailer to the haul trailer by the tongue and the rear bumper/frame or by the tongue and the wheels? The inspector says the axle is in good shape. The latter would let the rubber absorb some of the shock of the ride so I think that is better. Right?
1971 21' Globetrotter
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I would tie it down in five places. The tongue, two on the axle where it connects to the frame, and in the back but with blocks under the frame to prevent bowing the frame downward in the back.
I am in contact with the Hot Shot trucker who will be bringing it up along with a vintage tractor on 4/14. He is going to tarp it and I will give him the tie-down plan. I spoke with a neighbor of his in upstate NY and she says he is a good guy and she is well spoken. So I think my new baby will be in good hands.
...the Hot Shot trucker.... is going to tarp it.....
I don't know what your plan is, if you are going to polish your finish right away or keep it as is for a while but depending how your baby is tarped you could cause some abrasion damage on the trip home. I'm not too familiar with the issue except I know that many people warn against tarping in winter and your one way trip home is about a whole winters worth of wind whipping against the trailer. It may be safer to forget the tarp unless it's a big heavy canvas one wrapped and tied tightly against the skin.
Anybody else have an opinion on that?
Best wishes,
Steve
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There are a couple of matters that indicate tarping. The forum member who look the trailer over said the plastic shroud over the roof vent is cracked and the rock guard frame needs to be secured. I have plenty of time but so far have been unable to find anyone to take care of these coule of things so I figured tarping by the trucker would solve both of them. He probably does not carry a ladder and I would be afraid he would dent the skin. The floor is reportedly solid so I hate to see the trailer run through hours of driving rain. Does it look like most of the water that would make it through the shroud would be diverted by the plastic lid? The trucker seems pretty cooperative so I can ask him to wire the front stone guard down to solve that one.
Jim, the driver of the rig bringing my Carvel up from central Florida, had sense enought to hold up a day waiting for the nor'easter and its associated high winds to subside. I helped him unload her last night and took a little bit of time today to check her out. I am happy to report that the frame has only surface rust, the red patches of fuzz on the belly pan are not fibreglass coming through holes but little red insect nests, no suprises in the skin, sound floor, no broken glass, some unexplored torn out pop rivets in the inner shell over the door, couple of days of just cleaning to be done and the keys to the door work. From where we unloaded her in a parking lot, I towed her 6 miles to my vacant property and no problem. Guess I will go right for the worst thing and start scraping/cleaning. I will remove that vent cover and replace with something to keep any rain out while I decide between an AC or vent. I don't see anything to keep the shower water from coming out onto the wood/carpeted floor. I am telling people this is my 2,000 pound ticket to sunny Florida next Winter.
I did a lot of cleaningadn got the carpeting out and down to what seem to be the original tiled floor. It is decision time as the 3/4 deck is rotten at most of the perimeter under the shell although the rest has only problems at one seam and right inside the door.
I got almost everything out of the interior except the toilet, gray and black water tanks that I will do tomorrow and the fibreglass bathroom will stay with the shell. One Cameleon and lots of red ants but no water moccasin so far. It was so warm here in PA today if there were baby alligators in the belly pan they would have come out today. My .128" drill is ready to drop the pan in a few days.
Should I move to the frame/shell replacement section?
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Don't get me wrong, I am delighted even if the frame turns outto be rotted out. I just hope there is a good radio that only plays the '60s. 
The only time it was a challenge was when trying to figure out how to get an awning that would still allow the door to open all the way. Most awnings, if they have arms that attach to the trailer prevent the door from opening flat to the body. No biggie, we wanted a vintage-style tent-pole & stake style anyway.
(All joking aside I kinda like the idea)
Tarped and weathered...
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