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54Cruiser · 03-12-2011, 08:24 PM

Hi Doug,

I'll be starting my Crusier in June..full rehab. I like your thread, great guide. Also like the new wheels...I need to do the same. Post lots of pics!! Thanks.

cruiser54 · 03-12-2011, 08:35 PM

Doug
Our Cruiser have very sloping outer walls in the rear. In the upper part of the built-in wardrobes beside the bed is almost no more depth.
Werner

tinman54 · 03-13-2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTRPRZ

Hi Doug,

I'll be starting my Crusier in June..full rehab. I like your thread, great guide. Also like the new wheels...I need to do the same. Post lots of pics!! Thanks.

Hi Don,
It looks like you have a very nice trailer to start out with! The interior seams to be in very good condition. Good luck and I will look forward to your project.
Doug

TooMuchTin · 03-13-2011, 04:20 PM

Hi Doug, I wrote last October that I was going to get back to my '53. Well, that didn't happen, but maybe now. I never saw an answere to your question whether the front and back curves were the same. You were missing the back, I am missing the front. What was the answere? Thanks.

tinman54 · 03-13-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TooMuchTin

Hi Doug, I wrote last October that I was going to get back to my '53. Well, that didn't happen, but maybe now. I never saw an answere to your question whether the front and back curves were the same. You were missing the back, I am missing the front. What was the answere? Thanks.

TwoMuchTin, I had nothing left in the back to go by and just enough in the front to make a cardboard template which I used to re-cut the front and left the back hang out. Then I put the shell on and traced the back for a good fit in the back. In your case make a pattern of the back? I think they are real close to the same.
Hope this helps
Doug

tinman54 · 03-13-2011, 07:42 PM

Went into work today and bent up all the storage hatch doors. Earlier I had located aluminum piano hinge at Fastenal and suit case latches. Just have to rivet things in place now. Hope to install on the Cruiser tomorrow.

tinman54 · 03-14-2011, 07:41 PM

Installed the storage compartment doors today.

pbearsailor · 03-14-2011, 08:43 PM

Those look really good, Doug! Sure is nice storage to have.

cheers,
steve

55-ArtStream · 03-19-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinman54

Installed the storage compartment doors today.

Hey Doug, these look great. The 50's models are short on small outer storage compartments and this is a good solution. When I get to this point with mine, I’m going to copy your example. Thanks for sharing.
Spike

tinman54 · 03-19-2011, 07:35 PM

Thanks Steve and Spike, it will be nice to have, they were pretty tedious to make though.

I got a good day in today, started by sealing all of the window frames inside then got a good start on all of the 12 volt wiring.

Found out that I need to rewire or replace the four side marker lights. When I went to wire them the wire just crumbled in my hands. Will have to see if I can find new sockets for them.

Hoping to get most of the wiring done tomorrow.
Doug

Frank's Trailer Works · 03-20-2011, 04:18 AM

Doug, why are there those lines in the hatch? Is this some kind of very heavy gauge aluminum that needs a brake to bend? I am always curious and wanting to learn "How it's Made". I have remade a few of these doors for early 60's trailers and I use .040 2042 T6 when I do them. I have found that a 6" diameter then a 4" PVC pipe makes a good form to get the curve. If first you fold over the hinge and latch sides the thing tends to want to stay curved. These belly pan hatches are very cleaver and useful. Originally they housed the electric cord. I put one in the belly of a 1961 Tradewind just to hide the valves that drop down through the floor. You will need to be careful about the weight you put in there though. I do not think the belly can take too much in that horizontal position.

tinman54 · 03-20-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Doug, why are there those lines in the hatch? Is this some kind of very heavy gauge aluminum that needs a brake to bend? I am always curious and wanting to learn "How it's Made". I have remade a few of these doors for early 60's trailers and I use .040 2042 T6 when I do them. I have found that a 6" diameter then a 4" PVC pipe makes a good form to get the curve. If first you fold over the hinge and latch sides the thing tends to want to stay curved. These belly pan hatches are very cleaver and useful. Originally they housed the electric cord. I put one in the belly of a 1961 Tradewind just to hide the valves that drop down through the floor. You will need to be careful about the weight you put in there though. I do not think the belly can take too much in that horizontal position.

Good morning frank,
The aluminum I had was to stiff to roll by hand for the bigger pieces of the belly pan, so I did use a brake for those and continued that with the hatches. it does polish up nice with the sides and really doesn't show. The aluminum was a.032. The plan is to put the electric and water in a couple and misc. outside stuff in the rest(rope, tent stakes, marshmallow sticks, maybe a special drink mix). I like the idea of putting the drain valves in there I had not thought of that.
Doug

Frank's Trailer Works · 03-20-2011, 10:48 AM

it really looks good Doug. enjoying reading your blog for sure...

tinman54 · 03-20-2011, 07:21 PM

Thanks Frank, It has been fun getting back into our project! We are hoping to get her on the road this summer to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, a silver trailer for a silver anniversary

. I started making use of the storage hatches today. I installed the city water inlet in one, the main power cord in another and 110volt outlets in two others.

I also installed 95% of the wiring for the trailer running lights, 18-110volt outlets and all of the 12volt wiring for the lighting.

Our SOB that we are using now has 4 outlets and none of them are in a good spot. For what the new campers cost you would think they would be designed better.

I wish I had a couple more days off, It is hard concentrating at work when I have all this fun waiting at home!

pbearsailor · 03-20-2011, 07:48 PM

Darn, Doug, that is so tempting. Sure like the city water fill there.

-steve

tinman54 · 03-21-2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbearsailor

Darn, Doug, that is so tempting. Sure like the city water fill there.

-steve

My thought was to get a quick coupler for the water then it should be pretty simple to hook-up at the campground. I also want to find some soft rubber to make a seal with and cut a hole in the hatch doors so they can be closed after hook-up.
Doug

BradS · 03-21-2011, 05:09 AM

I like where your water hook up is Doug. There you go making me think some more.

Tim got home this weekend, asked about our visits. Would you be interested in having visitors for a couple of hours maybe next weekend?

tinman54 · 03-21-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradS

I like where your water hook up is Doug. There you go making me think some more.

Tim got home this weekend, asked about our visits. Would you be interested in having visitors for a couple of hours maybe next weekend?

Sounds great! Always good to bounce a few more ideas around.
Sunday afternoon might work the best.
Doug

BradS · 03-21-2011, 03:12 PM

Sunday would work best for me as well. Ill chat with Tim and get back to you

TooMuchTin · 03-21-2011, 09:34 PM

I am sure any day your great work will get me motivated.

Did you consider putting the hinges up and the latches down? What are the drawbackd of that? The latch is pratical, lockable, and readly available, but did you see any others that would work?
I too really like the water supply/hose storage, and the quick couplier will be great.
Bruce