FOUND!! Wally Byam's '55 Cruiser - 1956 European Caravan trailer

[TouringDan]

Then please remove my post also, #597. Sorry.

Dan

[1900market]

Congratulations on an amazing restoration. I am about to start a restoration of a '53 Cruiser. I am researching the subfloor replacement and was trying to understand whether the entire body sits on the wood subfloor or just the front and rear sections. From your thread it appears that the middle, non-curved floor sections do not go under the body but that the front and rear curved sections do. Can you shed some light on that for me? thank you for your help.

[goransons]

1900market, thank you for the kind words. The frame is covered entirely with plywood, they bolted it down, then bolted the c channel (essentially the baseplate of the wall) through the plywood into the frame outriggers. Then they flipped the frame over, did the belly pan then back right side up and built the shell on these. Sooo all the wood goes under the walls. It’s critical that they span the width of the trailer to help support the outriggers. There are tons of good threads for Shell on rebuilds. Since my belly pan was totally off I jacked up the shell in halves just enough and slid full sheets under then lowered the body back down. There are other ways to do it as well. Read up. It’s dirty work but not that complicated. I highly recommend marine plywood. Do you have a thread of your own started? I’d love to watch it come together.

[1900market]

Thank you, that is helpful. I'm mainly doing planning and research right now but once I begin the rebuild I'll start a thread. Thanks again!

[goransons]

I’m back it. We are putting in the last few days of systems and detail work. Yesterday and today between meetings I finished up the water system (minus the water pump that’s on a UPS truck) and I’m on to gas lines. I then have wheel wells to paint, edge trim to put on, a few pieces of window weatherstrip that just arrived on the Jalousies and a few cabinet shelves to install. Megan is finishing up the last two sets of curtains and the front couch. The end is in sight!

Sorry, not a very exciting picture but here’s some water lines going in. I’ve since finished up the tank connections.

[bweybright]

You have been absent, but not missed. I truly hope you have been able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Please post a picture of you on your travels in your most favorite location in your most favored shots/ shorts (meaning pants...or what ever you feel happy in..sorry Slowmover). I would love to see you and your family in the enjoying the trailer in that environment.
My best and respect to you.

[goransons]

Well I have gas, there I admitted it. Gas lines are run and leak tested and have fired things up. I hope these gas appliances only get used a few times because I really hope to see this end up in doors on display. I learned with International it’s nerve wracking towing this through traffic and worrying about crazy drivers.

I’ll be getting back to the cabinet shelves, backsplash in the kitchen and closet rods in the bathroom. Megan’s sewing away on cushions and drapes too. It is nice to be nearly done.

[goransons]

Originally Posted by bweybright

You have been absent, but not missed. I truly hope you have been able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Please post a picture of you on your travels in your most favorite location in your most favored shots/ shorts (meaning pants...or what ever you feel happy in..sorry Slowmover). I would love to see you and your family in the enjoying the trailer in that environment.

My best and respect to you.

Thanks! After Disneyland, we spent a week with my wife's family at Cannon Beach Oregon. I didn't take any pictures though! We also just got back from the VAC northwest rally on the Oregon Coast as well. We actually put on warm clothes there, I think we hit a high of 61 degrees for the weekend. Blue skies, great sea breezes, it was outstanding. It was also great to catch up with a lot of folks we hadn't seen in a few years.

[bweybright]

If you are ever back in the Cannon Beach region and decide you want to visit Portland (I live in Forest Grove, just west of Portland) I would happily offer you parking space so you can go into Portland. I have a 30 amp connection, can dump into my septic cleanout, and have 1 inch water line to the shop. My house is a 20 minute drive from the MAX line so you could be styling if you so chose.
My offering so I get to maybe someday see the amazing work you have done.


Oh, and I have a smoker and grill if you decided you wanted to do a bit of a bbq....more bait to see your work.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by goransons

We actually put on warm clothes there, I think we hit a high of 61 degrees for the weekend.

Ha, that's still shorts and flip-flops weather for me. Bring on the first cool front (of course, look where I live).


.

[goransons]

In today’s mail! We were surprised to get anything on this. We knew it wasn’t done and there were so many cool trailers.

[bweybright]

Well deserved. Given the attention to detail, thoroughness of matching images of contents, and quality of work!!!! And willingness to let others personally visit your blood, sweat, tears, and money.
Congratulations, may many more awards come your way.

[NWRVR]

Congratulations! Well deserved, so impressed with your organizational skills, craftsmanship and dedication to the history of the unit.

[goransons]

We recently picked up a beagle puppy who’s had respiratory issues so that’s been our focus. She’s cute and starting to turn around thankfully.



I did sneak out today for a few hours and worked on finishing up the closets. Stella’s closet was complete minus one closet rod holder, but it was painted. That is stripped sanded and Poly’d and reinstalled, complete with what I suspect are original hooks.



The black wires hanging will get hooked up next, that’s the 12 volt for the bathroom accessory outlet and water pump switch.

Wally’s side had no shelf left but both closet rod supports were still there so I built a new shelf and front support.



The bottom of this closet also has the outside access door. I installed all the framing for the shelf and skirt to provide that storage cabinet but need to hit the fastener store on my lunch break for more nails for my pin nailer and glue them up.

A few more hours and I’ll be able to completely check the back half of the trailer off the to do list.

[OilnH2o]

Scott, Megan and the kids!

Congratulations on your new addition to the family!

Jeri and I had a beagle for 10 years - just a wonderful dog. He was a nose on 4 legs! We never let him loose if we could help it!. Next time we're together, ask Jeri to tell you about the time he got loose at Tally Lake CG in Montana - his name was "Grizzly" - and she was trying to find him. You'll love your new pup.

Hi to all!

Dave and Jeri

[Camano20]

Congratulations on the award. I happened to drive by your house on the way to visit family near Apple Tree. Hard not to notice the beautiful trailer sitting in the yard. Great work

Jerry

[goransons]

Jerry, you should have stopped by!

Today I started on kitchen backsplash. It was tricky and took three times longer than I’d like to admit but the hardest piece is in. One more along the wood partition wall and the sink side is done. Then there is a very small piece on the curb side between the stove and front window. None of those require trimming to the curve so I HOPE they go faster.





Way back in the thread I showed the slow process of bleaching the discoloring out of the original shower surround.

I decided to pull the painted slider doors out of the bedroom, strip them and try to do the same. Today I finished stripping the last few , wet sanded to 220 and now they have the bleach gel and plastic. Now it’s a wait and see for a few days.

[goransons]

Progress has been slow but the back splashes are in.




I also gave her a bath today and installed the sink cabinet shelf which we set up to hold a small portable microwave when we take it out.



Shower curtain is in too, forgot that picture.

[Camano20]

I will be back in your area (Apple Tree) in mid October (12 -14). We are doing a weekend wine event at Airfield Estates. If you are home I would love to stop by if possible to view your excellent restoration.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by goransons

I also gave her a bath today and installed the sink cabinet shelf which we set up to hold a small portable microwave when we take it out.
Attachment 323344

Love the broadside picture of your "clean machine".