1964 Northwest Coach - Lil Dipper ...any info???

[Doug Duncan]

Hi everybody,

I just bought a 1965 Little Dipper. The title says the make is "LDPR", model is "11 FT" and vehicle body is "TT".

I bought it sight unseen and still have not seen it, but my friend who picked it up for me shot the following video. He apologizes for the washed out exterior pictures but it was his smart phone and a first attempt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmHxDhKpCbU

The previous two owners redid the interior and didn't quite finish it, but it looks quite serviceable. Bearings were repacked and other systems upgraded or redone. The roof sealant is in good shape and caulking around the windows is good. My friend has towed it close to 100 miles already and it tows as described by others on this thread, beautifully, and you can see through the trailer with your rear view mirror.

I have a question that I am hoping someone can answer. It rides on 12" wheels, which seem a little undersized to me. I would like to be able to tow at 65 mph or so. The spare is on a 14" rim and the extra wheels and tires are 15", I think in anticipation of a spring-over axle conversion. The wheel wells show minor signs of tire rubbing, apparently from an experiment with larger tires. So my question is whether any of you have tried to install larger tires/wheels, and if so, what worked? Has anyone done a spring-over conversion? Clearance is not an issue for me as this will not be an off-road trailer. I am thinking that an upgrade to 13" tires/wheels may be all I need.

Thanks for any thoughts or advice.

Doug

[Avion C-11]

Originally Posted by patis

Finally got around to taking some shots.

Here she is at Refugio State Beach in Goleta, CA. Enjoy!




"

Cool trailer! Almost looks chopped and lowered! Very neat find!

[patis]

Originally Posted by Avion C-11

Cool trailer! Almost looks chopped and lowered! Very neat find!

Thanks...it does sit low. Haven't had any clearance issues so far. I've logged 2000 miles on it since I bought it. Finally decided to re-schellac the interior....should have done it long ago because the wood looks so warm and new. Bought a new Paulin/Humphrey lamp that I am going to have installed.

Next plan is to reupholster and add black out curtains.

My friend Andrew has the same trailer and his sits 6" higher than mine. It's nice to meet up and compare notes. Will post a pic of our trailers soon. Anyone else in SoCal have one?

regards,
Mel

[jcoole74]

hi,Patis, good to read you post. i am just going to start on my Little Dipper in anouther month.finished a shasta and got it sold, so on to this next one. i always get the coment from everyone who sees it "" it sure is low!!'' i wonder how andrew raised his? ive had one person look and he said it couldnt be done. so aparently he was wrong. do you have a toilet in yours? i have never had one like this one with a built in holding tank. but it looks like a portapoty, couldnt hold much and you pull a lever inside and it draines out a pipe outside. a sewer hose can be hooked up. interesting! you'r is so cute. Joyce

[patis]

Originally Posted by joyce cooley

hi,Patis, good to read you post. i am just going to start on my Little Dipper in anouther month.finished a shasta and got it sold, so on to this next one. i always get the coment from everyone who sees it "" it sure is low!!'' i wonder how andrew raised his? ive had one person look and he said it couldnt be done. so aparently he was wrong. do you have a toilet in yours? i have never had one like this one with a built in holding tank. but it looks like a portapoty, couldnt hold much and you pull a lever inside and it draines out a pipe outside. a sewer hose can be hooked up. interesting! you'r is so cute. Joyce

Joyce,

Please post pics of your project....i'd love to see it. Andrew had to modify the frame by adding a "C" channel. Originally, the axle sits above the frame. It's a simple welding job but I am happy with the height of mine so far....it's not broke so why fix it? He is going to paint the exterior next.

I do not have a toilet in mine. Portapotty only. Just refinished the majority of the original interior with amber shellac and it is looking great. Cleaned up and painted all of the original hardware, added a 50mile ClearStream HDTV antenna inside the closet and added a 12v fan and Humphrey 4T gas lamp for lighting when off the grid. Solar panel added to trickle charge the Yellow Top. I also added a AC-DC converter so I can run the 12 volt system when I am plugged in. Bought a 70's Honda ER400 generator for back-up. Refinished the table top but can't find the 1/2" trim inserts for the metal trim. Anybody know where I can find this?

Hope to see pics of your rig. Thanks.

Regards,
Mel

[jcoole74]

]





thanks, that sounds like more work than i want to do, ill use it as is . im probably fixing it up to sell in the end anyway, as i have a 1955 canned ham ive done for myself. i only have pictures of the exterior. i notice that your wheel wells are different. the rest inside looks the same. i have turquoise appliances. i had been using it to store parts from my Shasta i restored so just got it cleaned out. will send pictures of ext. and one of my canned ham.. Joyce

[jcoole74]

1955 staff 006.jpg Views: 266 Size: 256.7 KB ID: 152169" style="margin: 2px" />

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well i forgot to insert pictures of my 1955 STAFF, canned ham so heres 4 pictures of it. ive had alot of fun where ever ive gone. Joyce

[Pam White]

Hi All

I just (Sat.) acquired a 1967 Northwest Coach Lil Dipper - it's in fairly good shape, needs some "spit and polish" plus a few repairs... I am going to try and post some pics, hope it works!
Main things I'm trying to find is new decals for the front and back; front one is completely faded and back is getting there. I also need a cover for my 12V light over sink and new formica for counters and table ;o( not looking forward to that job!

Originally Posted by joyce cooley

]

Attachment 152166

Attachment 152167

Attachment 152168thanks, that sounds like more work than i want to do, ill use it as is . im probably fixing it up to sell in the end anyway, as i have a 1955 canned ham ive done for myself. i only have pictures of the exterior. i notice that your wheel wells are different. the rest inside looks the same. i have turquoise appliances. i had been using it to store parts from my Shasta i restored so just got it cleaned out. will send pictures of ext. and one of my canned ham.. Joyce

[SCWilliams]

Hi! We bought a 1964 and I would LOVE to see any more pics ya'll have! We are in the process of fixing ours up best we can (she's seen a few hard years) and we are finding it impossible to get any info on these babies! I'm trying to keep my husband from pulling it apart and re-doing it fresh, anyone try that? If anyone knows where to get the dirt on these, let me know?
Thanks!

[65dipper]

Just purchased our Little Dipper and we couldn't be happier

Loving our Little Dipper

[patis]

Love the yellow fade. Roger did a great job restoring it. Have fun...hopefully we can get our rigs together for a mini meet.

Have any interior pics?

[patis]

Alas, "Chloe" is going to another happy family of four in Sherman Oaks. They are the third owners.

Mike and Amanda and their two children plan to join the Vintage TT circuit and use it around the LA area. Chloe will be missed but at least their new owners will cherish her as much as I did. So many memories... why did I sell it?

Thanks airforum crew for all the great info. Happy trails!

[jcoole74]

my 1964 little dipper i do notice that our wheel wells are different , i wonder if someone cut mine out. ?

[mb123702]

Awesome looking NW Coach! I'm having the same problem as you! I just pruchased a 1969 19 foot NW Coach and can't seem to find out any info for my year model. Judging by what I've found online I think mine might be a Deluxe Edition model. The only reason I say it's a 69 is because that's what the guy said it was when I bought it. I found what I think is the VIN 8X6SCS292 on the tongue. Can you tell me anything from this VIN? Please help!! Thanks, Mark

[mb123702]

I forgot to mention that mine is 19 ft usable length but 24 ft including the tongue with a single axle. I need to post pics but don't have a flikr or photobucket account. It has 2 30 lb LP tanks, shower and toilet in bathroom with a small closet in the bathroom as well. I haven't seen one like mine at all online. Has anyone else?

[TopherFun]

Hi There! Hoping to bring this thread back to life as it's the best/most in-depth resource I've found about the Northwest Coach Little Dipper around. My husband and I just bought a 1965 and we're fixing him up. Was in pretty bad shape, but has the original propane light, wheels, appliances, etc. We're now looking for the metal emblem (or a remake), a step, and a new door. Any help would be appreciated!

[rugjenkins]

Cool little camper. Love where the frig is on these and the wheel well design is neat also.

[TopherFun]

Thanks rugjenkins! We're having a lot of fun with it... only a few meltdowns so far from reupholstering cushions

[ktcamera]

My turn to revive this thread. It's hard to find much about the Little Dipper. I just bought one. It needs a lot of work. It has 2 holes in the roof that let a lot of water in. Here are some pics of the "before" condition.

[Rodneyhegler]

I’ve got a 68 northwest coach dipper or Saturn model in restorable shape I’d like to sell to someone to restore!
I would love to find someone near SC that’s interested…someone make me an offer if you’re interested,you won’t offend me at all …all I can say is no !