Open for ideas

[Jimroll]

I am soon to take delivery of a 1962 Safari and am wondering about several things. The interior needs to be completely rebuilt.

1. Should I remove the inside skins? I would prefer not to but what I don't know is how many mice have lived and died behind the walls. The floor seems to be good except for one small area in front where the water fill is for the non existent tank .

2. Bath or no bath? Our current mode of camping involves using the facilities at campgrounds and We have no problem continuing with that. We started out backpacking and moved up to pop-ups, a Teardrop, and a somewhat larger trailer built with no bathrooms. My biggest concern with no bathroom is how badly this may hurt us if and when we sell somewhere down the road. It would be less work, less cost, and less weight without a bathroom.

I am open to any and all thoughts or suggestions. This will be a new learning experience for me.
Thanks
Jim

[Bubba L]

In my mind, having the opportunity to remove the inside skin is a good thing. You may have mice mummies and wiring that need to be addressed. It would also give you a chance to clean/sanitize the inside and replace with new insulation. You could add additional wiring for TV, AC, etc. The 62s had the bathtub on the rear street side, sink in the middle and toilet on the curb side from what I remember. Doesn't seem like an impossible task. As far as not currently using a shower in a camper, I would rather have all the facilities and not need them than not have them and wish I had installed. As far as resale, I would think it would help the bottom line if the Safari were complete and functional. Hope this helps and good luck.

[TheGreatleys]

1. You'll know whether you need to remove the interior skins as you get going on the renovation. If you have a persistent smell, you'll want to replace the insulation. If you want to make changes to the wiring, that's all inside the walls. If you end up having to replace lots of subfloor, the bolts are inside the walls. If you need to completely remove the interior anyway, it'll never be easier to get inside the walls.

2. I personally like having my own shower and toilet facilities. But this is your Airstream, and you should build it to suit your needs. Resale value is overrated. If you don't want a bathroom, don't build one.

[HowieE]

As you get older you will you will come to know the advantage of a bathroom. We all started out with Night Rules when younger.

If you remove everything inside and decide o retain the bathroom move the toilet to the street side if the dump valve is on that side. Failure to have both on the same side you will soon learn about Brown Mounds.

[Greg1410]

I debated removing the skins or not. I ended up doing it and am glad I did. The smell that came out from behind the walls was pretty bad. I ended replacing the whole subfloor as well, which required the interior skins to be out. You'll be glad you did should you decide to remove the skins.

In terms of having a bath or not - the right decision is what you want and how you will use the trailer.
Greg

[Jimroll]

Originally Posted by HowieE

As you get older you will you will come to know the advantage of a bathroom. We all started out with Night Rules when younger.

If you remove everything inside and decide o retain the bathroom move the toilet to the street side if the dump valve is on that side. Failure to have both on the same side you will soon learn about Brown Mounds.

At 67 i am already old and currently use a urinal at night. Yes the toilet and tank are on the curb side as is the dump valve and electric hook up. Things must have been different back in 62. I don't know if the bath can be reversed for two reasons. One is the tank vent, I don't want to make new holes in the roof if it can be avoided. The other is I don't know if the sink and shower are reversible till I can investigate more. If I keep the bath I intend to modernize the plumbing.

[Jimroll]

Yes once I get into it I'll know more but I will more than likely rewire so I will need to at least partially remove the skins. Good thoughts on not worrying about resale value and building for wht we want. Right now I'm thinking decisions will come together as I disassemble and see what I am up against.

Thanks all for your input.