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**Rocinante** · 05-02-2020, 10:03 AM

Just checking in on one of my favorite old threads. Whatever happened to that trailer you didn't rebuild? It would be fun to see some recent pictures. How's that trailer doing now that you've likely finished not rebuilding it?

HiHoAgRV · 05-02-2020, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Just checking in on one of my favorite old threads. Whatever happened to that trailer you didn't rebuild? It would be fun to see some recent pictures. How's that trailer doing now that you've likely finished not rebuilding it?

I still have it, we carried it over to my parents home last fall so we would have a guest house for our frequent visits.
Between some lower back issues and the recent lock down I haven’t been able to not-rebuild anything.

We were just wishing it was home so we could use it as a pool house.

HiHoAgRV · 08-27-2020, 04:30 PM

I’m still being successful in not-rebuilding-this-trailer. Everything is working and we have stayed in it a few times.
A couple of times in this thread I’ve posted about helping my buddy with his project, here is the current state.

The mini split arrived today.

Krek · 08-27-2020, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

The mini split arrived today.

Will the condenser survive on the tongue? Seems like a fantastic alternative to the roof units.

Great thread BTW!

**Rocinante** · 08-28-2020, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krek

Will the condenser survive on the tongue? Seems like a fantastic alternative to the roof units.

Great thread BTW!

Great idea, and good question. I expect the tongue would see less "shaking and baking" than the rear bumper, but there will certainly still be some.

HiHoAgRV · 08-30-2020, 06:53 PM

Since I'm not-rebuilding-this-trailer, I'm happy to report that the Mini Split install on my buddy's trailer is an amazing success.

Today we sweated out most of our body fluids but got the copper lines run, power hooked up and fired 'er up.

I am absolutely amazed. Absolutely silent. A patio fan was louder than the compressor unit and the interior was like a whisper. A quick test with a Honda 2000 and it never got far off of idle.

Within a few minutes the windows and exterior were completely covered with condensation, the interior was 68 degrees. Of course we were blessed with as typical southern USA thunder storm to assist with the test.

It might be a good thing to add to my trailer if I ever decide to rebuild it.

uncle_bob · 08-31-2020, 06:22 AM

Hi

If only there was something going on in the world that gave us more time at home to do things ....

Bob

VooDooLounge · 09-06-2020, 01:14 PM

VTS now carries curved diffuser in 3 foot pieces to cut to size. 2 types. One already sold out. I got mine. Been looking for 11 years. Was never happy with my prototyped

HiHoAgRV · 10-19-2020, 03:56 PM

Uggg.
This won’t be fun. The black tank was stiff and a good tug yielded this.
Good thing I’m not rebuilding this trailer, I’m spending all my time fixing stuff.

HiHoAgRV · 10-20-2020, 03:32 PM

Well that’s done and it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I was able to shove the handle back into the valve then remove the 2’ x 2’ access panel (seems exceptional large, but that’s ok ) and gently loosen the 4 bolts attaching the valve assembly to the bottom of the black tank. I attached my homemade sewer solution and ran the hose to a clean out port for the septic system. The valve easily opened and with very minimal drippige, emptied the black tank.
Whew.
When I completely removed the 4 bolts, the valve fell out in multiple pieces.
Whut?
Then I remembered.
The tank has a 2” hole and the valve is 3” so I made a reducer from 1/8” aluminum plate, painting it completely for corrosion resistance. The paint failed and as the aluminum plate corroded it expanded and broke the valve, jamming it closed. Evidence? A big pile of soggy aluminum oxide and a skin of paint the shape of my adapter. Photo of the ‘clean’ side of the valve...
Although I’m not rebuilding this trailer, I do seem to be rebuilding a bunch of parts.

HiHoAgRV · 10-22-2020, 09:31 AM

Here is a photo of the bottom of the black tank. These old units have a fiberglass tank with brass inserts for attaching the original brass dump valve. This version has a bolt pattern that is almost the same as a 3” Thetford blade valve and with a couple of minor tweaks to the valve, it will bolt right up. One problem...the tank hole is 2” so the valve doesn’t seal to the tank. I ‘solved’ that problem with an aluminum plate using the same bolt pattern and a 2” hole. The valve seals to one side and the tank to the other...until the aluminum rots away from the nasty stuff in the tank. This time the plate will be plastic. I found a scrap piece of 1/4” plexiglass and will try it when my new valve arrives tomorrow.

In the mean time...
The fridge quit cooling. It’s original and in good shape, I have a spare cooling assembly but first I’ll try burping it.

If I fix all the old stuff, is the trailer rebuilt? Uggg.

HiHoAgRV · 10-24-2020, 10:40 AM

Well the fridge is non-op so as soon as I can round up some help it’s coming out and I will try to revive it in the shop. Years ago I mounted a vintage door on a 110v fridge so I think I’ll stick it in for the time being.
Dump valve is installed and waiting for the sealant to dry. A small bead of silicone seals between the new plexiglass spacer and the black tank. The only mod to standard stuff is slotting the holes the the new valve. To accommodate a gray valve, the two gray pipes are combined and the rearmost goes directly into the small valve.
I’m still pretty sure I’m not rebuilding this trailer.

66Overlander · 10-24-2020, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

I was wandering thru Lowes and happened to stumble across some interesting light diffusers. Being a naturally curious guy, I tried to think of a good place to use them and BINGO!

The old '60's trailers have plastic light covers that crack and fall apart...and I just happen to own an example of such. So, being a good natured fellow, I decided to see if I could help out the Airstream community with a replacement for the non-available light covers. So there you go.

Strictly for the good of the community, of course, because I'm Not Rebuilding this Trailer.

Back to the beginning with this question. Did you heat and bend the diffuser so that it permanently took the curved shape, or it is just bent and under tension always trying it's hardest to straighten back out?

I am asking because I need a similar diffuser for my 1962 Safari.

HiHoAgRV · 10-24-2020, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Back to the beginning with this question. Did you heat and bend the diffuser so that it permanently took the curved shape, or it is just bent and under tension always trying it's hardest to straighten back out?

I am asking because I need a similar diffuser for my 1962 Safari.

I couldn’t get it to work by heating it so it’s just curved and stuck in there. I did add a small piece of angle aluminum across the bottom edge to keep the plastic from bowing downward. I heard (but haven’t looked) that Vintage Trailer Supply has them now.

HiHoAgRV · 10-24-2020, 01:47 PM

Fridge is out. It literally clears the door frame by 1/16”

That rascal is big time heavy.

HiHoAgRV · 11-03-2020, 10:47 AM

The day after I pulled out the gigantic old Dometic, my neighbor comes over and says a friend just gave him a Norcold take-out, do I want it?
Well heck yes.
It’s about 1/2 the weight, is dual mode and cools nicely.
Just retrofitting, not rebuilding.

HiHoAgRV · 11-11-2020, 07:00 PM

With some details to follow, my previous not-rebuilding-efforts missed a signature on the bottom of the fridge top. Interesting that the date is several months ahead of the delivery date of the trailer to the first owners. R.M. Signed it!

HiHoAgRV · 11-12-2020, 04:06 PM

Free-fridge is installed. Luckily I had a partial sheet of oak ply and some 1 1/4” oak sticks so I made a new surround. I’m afraid I will need to buy some more oak to replace the door inserts, those light colored ones just don’t look right. That will be cosmetic, not a rebuild since I’m not rebuilding this trailer.

PA BAMBI II · 01-11-2021, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Here is a photo of the bottom of the black tank. These old units have a fiberglass tank with brass inserts for attaching the original brass dump valve. This version has a bolt pattern that is almost the same as a 3” Thetford blade valve and with a couple of minor tweaks to the valve, it will bolt right up. One problem...the tank hole is 2” so the valve doesn’t seal to the tank. I ‘solved’ that problem with an aluminum plate using the same bolt pattern and a 2” hole. The valve seals to one side and the tank to the other...until the aluminum rots away from the nasty stuff in the tank. This time the plate will be plastic. I found a scrap piece of 1/4” plexiglass and will try it when my new valve arrives tomorrow.

I love your thread and have learned a lot from your adventures not rebuilding your trailer. I am in the throws of redoing a '61 TradeWind and was interested if you have ever had any trouble with clogging with the 2" Thetford outlet hole on your black tank? On my '64, the outlet hole is 3".

I got three of the four screws out of my brass plate and tapped the other one (after drilling out the old screw remnants and threads) for a 5/16" bolt. I have a plan to use a PVC shower drain base to convert from the Thetford plate to either 3" drain pipe or directly to a modern Valterra valve.

PA BAMBI II · 01-11-2021, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Fridge is out. It literally clears the door frame by 1/16”

That rascal is big time heavy.

Looking to remove my old Dometic for floor work (fridge will likely be replaced, eventually). I cannot figure out how to get the oak veneer plywood off of the side of the fridge that faces the sofa. I have all the perimeter screws out, but it seems it might still be attached with some hidden screws that hold the small magazine rack on?

Can you give me any pointers?