I like the look of the new dinette. Where did you get it, or is it a custom built unit?
Regards,
Reganzo
Someone else asked about the table and here's what I told him...
Our first plan was to do the dinette, but then I suggested that "we" (hah!) do the floor while everything was ripped out. My husband, Mark, designed and built the dinette/table which folds down into a bed. I made the cushions which hide the new storage units beneath. It's made of maple and Baltic birch plywood.
The leg folds backwards and up ( when in the lower position) and in the upright position there is a small wedge of wood that sits right behind the leg ( on the floor) so that no one can accidentally kicks it in or out. Simple solution, because the hinge that they sell for the table is very visible and we wanted to keep it hidden. I love his design on the table leg. He's a finish carpenter/contractor, so I feel really lucky that he had time to do this project. Small consolation for the crappy economy, huh?
So far it has been on two trips in one month and has been fantastic. Very stable and lots of room!
Heh... I knew we'd somehow get you to post pictures of your TW upgrades. Now, would it be possible to convince you to just start a whole thread about the renovation of this trailer...?
HA! I don't have time to document my madness! That's a career in itself! hehe I'll give you the cliff notes....
Here's a couple of pics of how it was when I bought it.....
And here's THIS weekend's madness... Here's a short list of the new stuff I tackled...
Removed the NON-original fridge vent, and patched both sides (interior and exterior)
Removed the horribly water damaged kitchen cabinet
Removed the rust-bucket furnace, and patched both sides
Repaired 2 soft spots in the floor with new wood
Removed gaucho
Removed old laminate floor
THEN...
Painted the interior with a nicer pale creme (looks more vintage)
Painted all the window frames silver
Put down new laminate floor
Built a new fridge cabinet (for my new Frigidaire!)
Started rebuilding the kitchen cabinet
If i stopped every 30 minutes to photograph all that, the list would be half as long!
Now here's the plan... I'm loosing the wall between the bedroom and the rest of the trailer to open it up. Then I plan on making a locker up top that runs the entire length of the trailer, with a new vent hood over the stove. The front couch area will be redone as a dinette that converts to a U shaped couch, a bed, AND (parents will dig this) a floor crib for the little one. More on that as I get it together.
I like a productive weekend! When I started this little project, I wanted to see if I could get it done in 50 hours or less (of LABOR). Right now, I'm at 24. I think I might just pull it off!
Looks great JP, nice work as always. I like the idea of keeping the bedroom more open to the galley and front lounge-- when I finally get an Airstream of my own, I'll probably do something like that. The trick is to make it look natural and fit in with the rest of the camper. I've seen some renovations that opened it up and looked great, and others that just looked incomplete and out-of-place. Do you have any plans yet on hiding or integrating that sink vent pipe?
You've accomplished a ton in just 24 hours of labor, it's really impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing your dinette solution in the front. I know that window placement on some of the Tradewinds and Overlanders makes this tricky. Since I'm contemplating a dinette for a 60s Overlander, I'd be facing the same challenges as you. I was thinking about using a temporary backrest made of very rigid foam cushions rather than a hard-backed booth back. Or alternatively, something that slides down and out of the way when not in use, although that could eat into the under-booth storage. I'm looking forward to seeing how you approach it.
One other thing, I notice that you placed the new laminate floor length-wise, which I think is by far the most visually appealing orientation. But I've seen some people on these Forums suggest that laying it cross-wise is better for its structural integrity, and that laying it lengthwise could result in future problems with buckling or other issues. Did you do anything special to address that, or in your experience is it just not an issue? I know you've installed plank-type flooring (real wood though) in another trailer, but I don't know if you've pulled that one extensively yet or not. Just looking for your opinion on it.
One other thing, I notice that you placed the new laminate floor length-wise, which I think is by far the most visually appealing orientation. But I've seen some people on these Forums suggest that laying it cross-wise is better for its structural integrity, and that laying it lengthwise could result in future problems with buckling or other issues. Did you do anything special to address that, or in your experience is it just not an issue? I know you've installed plank-type flooring (real wood though) in another trailer, but I don't know if you've pulled that one extensively yet or not. Just looking for your opinion on it.
It had laminate in it lengthwise when I got it. No problems. On the little trailer, it's got real wood, and it's nailed down. No, I haven't towed it much, (well, at all, really!) but I don't anticipate any problems with it. This stuff is pretty strong when you get it in there. It goes in FAST, too.
As for the vent pipe, I'll address that once I get the top locker built. That will let me get a better pic of what's visible. No sense dolling up what you can't see!
As for the vent pipe, I'll address that once I get the top locker built. That will let me get a better pic of what's visible. No sense dolling up what you can't see!
JP
Keep it exposed, paint it silver and say it's your Festivus pole!
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
Lots of great ideas. I too need to replace my carpet. I do know I won't reinstall more carpet. I have not decided if I will use a laminate or a high grade vinyl. My carpet is so dusty/dirty from sitting for far too long I will just throw it out with the dust and dirt.
Well we discussed it, and we're definitely getting rid of the front gaucho and going with a dinette instead....I actually would like to get rid of the second gaucho as well, but we do need the extra sleeping room it provides. Which leads me to ask - has anyone else seen this floor plan - with the second gaucho in the rear as opposed to 2 twin beds?
my trade wind actually had that setup. We left the gaucho open as a bed all the time. We're planning on getting rid of all the gaucho parts and building it as a permanent bed during this rehab, trimming 4 inches of the width to give us more aisle room when we walk by. I can't imagine ever sitting on a couch in the back of an airstream staring at a wall of cabinets. What WERE they thinking?
Well we discussed it, and we're definitely getting rid of the front gaucho and going with a dinette instead....I actually would like to get rid of the second gaucho as well, but we do need the extra sleeping room it provides. Which leads me to ask - has anyone else seen this floor plan - with the second gaucho in the rear as opposed to 2 twin beds?
Geez, what's all this talk about removing the gaucho? My Safari is called a Safari Double with two double beds that fold out from couches (gauchos)
In a 22' trailer the gauchos are up and out of the way while travelling and when camping the middle bed can be left open and pulled out 3/4 length during the day.
Maybe it's a guy thing, but I like a long couch to stretch out on in the middle of the day or evening. We have a fold out table that sets up in front of the couch when eating inside if the weather is iffy.
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