1970 Caravanner Interior Renovation

[jenner 515]

Finally have some time to upload photos of the redo. So far we have taken out the old and failing sink, stove, tambour and 1970 cabinets and have now managed to get updated cabinets back in and secured earlier this week. We went with a Buy and Build cabinet, the lightest they carried and have custom cut all the interior shelving.

In the last picture we have the end to finish and we're waiting on the 1" cherry butcher block for the corner so that we can finish off the countertop construction and connect all the piping and gas lines. Right now everything is just set in so that I can imagine how it will finally be.

Any ideas on what to do with the overhead part of the trailer? I don't necessarily care for any cabinet which I will bang my head on, but I do need ideas for lighting and a stove vent.

Thanks for any thoughts. Oh, also, I do have spare parts from the old cabinets if anyone is interested.

VelRey

[HiHoAgRV]

That is a fine lookin' set of cabinets!

[65CV]

First -- what a difference in cabinets -- good stuff.

For the first two years after our renovation, we went with nothing over the galley area, including no fan. We used a Fantastic Fan for exhaust while cooking indoors. You may find you like the open feel. We just finished installing smaller than original cabinets and will try that next. We need more storage for long term runs down South during the winter.

We were also pleased with the overhead LED lighting, source: swego.com
They weren't cheap, but we managed as many as 12 days off the grid by using so much less power. We used their mini LED light for reading too.

Keep up the good work.

John

[Max Well]

Looks great! I am still interested in the old tambour and the spiral brackets!

[jenner 515]

Let me know what you need. You can see from the first photo what was there and we haven't thrown anything away. The front panel is there, just rolled up. I'm happy to part with it!!

[Max Well]

I need the taller pieces from the lower cabinets on both sides of the kitchen. Mine slides both pieces under the sink to the right, so that you can never have the entire cabinet open. Half is always covered. I see that yours parted in the center and rolled to the outsides of the cabinet. I think someone has modified my cabinets so I will have to try to mount the spirals and all if it will fit. Also on the street side of the trailer, the tall tambour is bad (warped) so it will not even open. Neither will the piece you would open from the front (bed) side of the cabinet on the street side. I guess I could use anything you have that isn't damaged. Let me know how we can make the exchange!

[jenner 515]

A rally might work best unless you want me to ship stuff. Let me get it organized and take some photos so you can see what we have. May be next week or so if the weather stays warm.

[mutcth]

Looking good! Please keep posting pictures as this renovation continues. Early 70s Caravanners have a really funky floorplan - all kitchen and living room - that's unique.

Tom

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by jenner 515

A rally might work best unless you want me to ship stuff. Let me get it organized and take some photos so you can see what we have. May be next week or so if the weather stays warm.

Thanks, no pressure! I just didn't want to miss out! We are going into winter soon and it appears that you are already there. A rally is always fun. We did our first one last month. If that doesn't work out I would of course cover shipping, and I never even asked what you wanted for the stuff! PM me when you are ready and we will work it out.

Thanks so much!

Ken

[jenner 515]

Originally Posted by 65CV

First -- what a difference in cabinets -- good stuff.

For the first two years after our renovation, we went with nothing over the galley area, including no fan. We used a Fantastic Fan for exhaust while cooking indoors. You may find you like the open feel. We just finished installing smaller than original cabinets and will try that next. We need more storage for long term runs down South during the winter.

We were also pleased with the overhead LED lighting, source: swego.com
They weren't cheap, but we managed as many as 12 days off the grid by using so much less power. We used their mini LED light for reading too.

Keep up the good work.

John

John,

Do you have any photos of the smaller cabinets you installed? We're thinking of an overhead set up, and smaller is definite. Just not sure how small and the ultimate end use? The cabinets that were in there were generally never used for much and became a black hole for junk. Any thoughts or photos for ideas is appreciated. Thanks.

[jenner 515]

The butcher block arrived today, it's lovely. We trimmed it to size but are now waiting on oil to treat it before final attachment! The never ending wait as winter comes knocking on the door. I soooo want my trailer back in working order so we can take a test trip somewhere. Will post another pic when we hit the next stage.

[jenner 515]

The butcher block came as raw wood and the oil came today. Can't wait to finish the end of the cabinet, set the plumbing and hook up all the propane. Ready for one wall of completion!

[mutcth]

jenner515 and Max Well, you two seem like (maybe) the only owners of early 70s Caravanners on this site - there isn't even a dedicated subforum.

So I'll ask this here - how does this floor plan work for you when camping? Do you leave the beds down when camping, or put them up each time? I love all of the windows and how they are arranged. Also really like the huge kitchen area (although I'm not sure I'd actually keep all of the streetside credenza/bar/countertop in a renovation...)

Thanks!
Tom

[moparjohn]

Do you still have the stove/oven? I might be interested in the cooktop cover and burner surround. oven door? MPJ

[Max Well]

Mutcth,
Our Caravanner has had the street side bed converted to a full futon, so it really stretches out into the cabin. We fold up the beds each time to give more floorspace. And we really enjoy cooking, so the counterspace is great! The PO took out the stove/oven and installed a two burner cooktop and microwave. We are considering changing back to a range/oven to make cooking more versatile.

We love the Caravanner design, it really works for us.

Ken

[jenner 515]

Originally Posted by moparjohn

Do you still have the stove/oven? I might be interested in the cooktop cover and burner surround. oven door? MPJ

Yes, we still have the oven. I don't want anything for it other than help in getting it picked up or shipped. Hoping it can be repurposed. Jenner

[jenner 515]

Originally Posted by mutcth

jenner515 and Max Well, you two seem like (maybe) the only owners of early 70s Caravanners on this site - there isn't even a dedicated subforum.

So I'll ask this here - how does this floor plan work for you when camping? Do you leave the beds down when camping, or put them up each time? I love all of the windows and how they are arranged. Also really like the huge kitchen area (although I'm not sure I'd actually keep all of the streetside credenza/bar/countertop in a renovation...)

Thanks!
Tom

We love the floor plan as well, it keeps the interior open and spacious. I do plan to shorten the bar area so that we can move the side gaucho down and have full use of the bed space. The way they are now it is one full bed and one twin. The modification will enable the forward gaucho to pen all the way and we'll have two full beds.

[mutcth]

Thanks both for that info. I like the idea of replacing the side gaucho with a futon that could make a queen-sized bed. So many of the modern trailers have tiny little galleys, so it's nice to see all of the countertop.

Tom

[jenner 515]

We finally have finished up the bulk of the curbside renovation. We decided to replace the far wall as well and I'm really glad that we did. now all the dark brown laminate is gone and we were able to remedy a knee catcher portion of the wall by the tub.

The sink, range, countertop and cutting board are permanently mounted and are and travel ready. No leaks in the new water system or propane lines, now we just need to plan a trip.

I still need to put on a front edge to the counter, but that's a 1/2 hour job.

Yeah!!!

Still not sure what to do about the lights, but that can wait, I'm tired of this project for the moment, ready to just live for a bit.

[Ganglin]

That looks so go it almost makes me want to give up on staying vintage. Maybe two Airstream - one vintage and one not.

Anyway - nice looking work...