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Old 12-07-2013, 08:26 AM   #1
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1973 27' Overlander
Fonthill , Ontario
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And so it begins.......

As the title states, so it begins. Got my '73 Overlander towed 3 hrs to be near home. Took long enough to get clear title and registration, all cleared up and it now all mine nice and legal. At some point in time I'm going to have to tell my wife about it! Have to get it cleaned and usable first. So many decisions. What to fix first. The first thing that was thrown out was the front Gaucho mattress. Smelled of wet dog. Otherwise not in bad shape (until I pull the poorly installed laminate flooring and find out just how much floor I'm going to have to replace) Just have to wait and see.
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Old 12-07-2013, 09:25 AM   #2
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1972 31' Sovereign
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Welcome and good luck! Nice looking on the outside. Got any interior pics yet? Better let the spouse know soon or she'll wonder who the "mistress" is.....

Kay
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Old 12-07-2013, 09:33 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unka Jack View Post
The first thing that was thrown out was the front Gaucho mattress. Smelled of wet dog.
You say that as if that's a bad thing....?????
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Old 12-08-2013, 01:48 AM   #4
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1973 27' Overlander
Fonthill , Ontario
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I don't have a problem with a wet dog as LNG as it's mine. He knows to stay off the bed 'til he's dry
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Old 12-08-2013, 04:58 AM   #5
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1985 31' Limited
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She's a beauty! Wanna see some before interior pictures please!
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Old 12-08-2013, 05:40 AM   #6
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1973 27' Overlander
1955 26' Cruiser Overlander
Longview , Texas
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Welcome Unka Jak,

My husband and I are just about to finish our 1973 Overlander (errr well, you never actually finish). We bought ours for $500 so you can imagine what kind of shape it was in - I say it sleeps 27 because I pulled out 25 mummified rodents and snake skins!

We completely gutted the interior and have stored most of the original parts. If you are missing anything for your trailer let me know. The parts of free for the taking.

Good luck and take lots of pictures.
Susan
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Old 12-08-2013, 09:15 PM   #7
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1973 27' Overlander
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As requested, here are some interior pics.

After pulling the mattress and gaucho back, looks like I have a lot of sealing to do. After restoring 3 sailboats, I've got lots of practice. Ya just have to love it when there's moss and lichens growing on the seams and caulking....
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Old 12-10-2013, 05:28 PM   #8
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Interior looks very nice! Not like our disaster when we got her...

Kay
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Old 01-11-2014, 03:46 PM   #9
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1973 27' Overlander
Fonthill , Ontario
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Well it's been a cold few weeks here. Managed to get the furnace out. Looks like it's not the original, but still quite old. I'll get it checked out ASAP. Also told my wife about it and took her out to see it for the first time. Luckily I'm still alive with all my body parts intact. And I'm still married and living at home. I think she's starting to wen up to the idea. The purchase price had a lot to do with it.
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Old 01-16-2014, 09:54 PM   #10
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1972 27' Overlander
Sandpoint , Idaho
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Welcome to the forums Unka Jack! Yours looks a lot better shape than ours! I have found that every time we start on one project, it turns into something new. Good luck and take lots of pictures. It makes the journey worth it.
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Old 06-26-2014, 11:15 AM   #11
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Well, it's been a few months. The rear bath is gutted, and only minimal floor rot present. Have learned lots as the project continues. Biggest lesson, when jacking up the trailer to replace axles. Remember you will have to jack it high enough not just to get the tires and old axles out, but high enough when the new axles with even more down angle are on, to get the tires back on! Oh well if it were that easy, everybody would be doing it. Wait a minute, most people on the forums are or have been doing it. Many thanks to all those out there for their posts. It makes it easier to keep going.
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Old 06-26-2014, 12:49 PM   #12
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How did your axle replacement experience go otherwise?
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Old 06-27-2014, 09:21 AM   #13
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1973 27' Overlander
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I'll have to let you know after they go back up. I have no help and work alone. Lots of pre thinking to do large stuff safely and with the least amount of effort. That being said there is a plan, combo of come-alongs and floor jacks with axle stands. Now if only I could get the time. I feel like one of Napoleons generals when he told them "Ask me for anything but time"...
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Old 06-28-2014, 07:58 PM   #14
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Axles are in! Learned more lessons. Don't pick a day where the Humidex is over 98F. Got through it okay. Drank lots of water, took lots of breaks. Otherwise went better than I expected.
Here are the original axles dropped.
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Old 06-28-2014, 08:00 PM   #15
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When you work alone a come-along makes short work of pulling the axles out
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Old 06-28-2014, 08:04 PM   #16
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1973 27' Overlander
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Here are the new axles ready to go with the shocks already attached.
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Old 06-28-2014, 08:13 PM   #17
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1973 27' Overlander
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The new axles were pulled through again using the come-along and a moving dolly. Once under the trailer, I hooked the shocks onto the frame studs and used a floor-jack to lift and pointy pry bars to guide them into place. My thanks to Colin Hyde for a perfect fit first time.
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Old 06-28-2014, 08:25 PM   #18
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1973 27' Overlander
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Back on its own feet. Total time to reinstall including pulling old axles out 7Hrs. approx. 2.5 times longer than anticipated, mostly due to working in high heat & humidity issues. As you can see in the second pic, almost no down angle on the trailing arm.
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Old 06-28-2014, 08:26 PM   #19
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Definitely needed replacement.
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Old 03-20-2015, 09:40 PM   #20
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Fonthill , Ontario
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Hello again. Its been a while, I thought I should give an update. After getting the new axles installed, brought the TT home from my friends farm. Now its no longer a 20 min. drive each way. Got the belly pan off before the snow flew and was pleased by the general condition of the frame.

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The outriggers on the other hand were not as good.


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All told, I will be replacing 15 of them.
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