Still new, still starting

[Bullit]

Joined AF last year some time thinking about starting a restoration of 71 Cara Elle that my family has not used in 20-30 years. May actually have to move it this week. I believe it will take a flat bed or low boy to trailer it the 200-300 miles to my current location. Will try to post should I take the dive...

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[NJtoNC]

Wow, cool that its been in your family for so long. Why do you need to flat bed it? Where is it now? Do u have other pics? Would love to see inside.

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by Bullit

Joined AF last year some time thinking about starting a restoration of 71 Cara Elle that my family has not used in 20-30 years. May actually have to move it this week. I believe it will take a flat bed or low boy to trailer it the 200-300 miles to my current location. Will try to post should I take the dive...

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Just repack the bearings, put new tires on, temp lights, check the coupler & safety chains & tow it. You'll be fine.
Colin

[Bullit]

Last time I was in there, the interior was good. I have been motivated to move the trailer because an area entrepreneur decided to supplement his income be mining precious metal from the vast amount of copper under the cabinetry. Sorta feel like he helped get the initial demolition started.

As for towing this gem, the wheels were about half hurried in the ground and the axle may have had some contact with the associated moisture. Thinking it is probably worth flat bedding breather then risk the inconvenience of a catastrophic towing incident.

Have included some illustrative pictures of both. Interior is through the window as I did not have key last time I was there to dig out the wheels for replacement.

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[Bullit]

Pics

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[Foiled Again]

That low to the ground the axles and frame could be bad - so flatbedding is probably a good choice.

I've seen two bad stories about hiring "pro's" to do the trip. In one, they put strapping over the top of the Airstream and the bouncing of the trip put permanent dents in the aluminum - pretty much ruined the trailer. In the other the driver towed it at about 70 mph, and the strapping through the axles and frame got loose or broke through the rust, I'm not sure. At any rate the trailer was saved only because they got the driver to slow down, stop and pull over.

So consider renting a low-boy utility trailer and bringing it home slow and safe.

Looks like you do have a nice shell for a beautiful "dinky-twinky" though. I wish you a successful low-stress rescue trip.


Paula

[Foiled Again]

I don't envy you the job of digging out those wheels! I'm feeling the ants and spiders crawling up my arms just thinking about it. Bug bomb the whole area the day before you start digging!

Paula

[RM66caravel]

Door looked as if someone had used a pry key on it! I am with Colin replace the tires repack the bearings (reverse order) then slow and east tow it home you can check the axle when you dig it out. Jack under the frame point (scissors jack) not the axle. When you raise it put the jack stand under frame on the other side of the wheel. Loosen the lugs first but then you already knew that.
Cliff

[Bullit]

Well I have made the leap... or at least I have dug out loaded up and am currently heading south with the Caravel.

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[Bullit]

Pictures to collow

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[RM66caravel]

Looking forward to seeing the pictures!
Cliff

[Bullit]

Total time spent digging loading strapping hauling unloading etc... "Many". The evening I decided to begin this exercise it snowed in eastern PA. Worked through it and got the trailer on a flat bed despite it being about four in he's too wide. Improvised a sorta bed widening extension and headed out the next day. 8 hours of 45 mile an hour driving on back roads andwe made it home.

Really working on pics....

[Bullit]

Pics

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[Bullit]

Finally figured this out.... again.
Will get some of the inside next time

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[Laurie Count]

Wow think how much that little gem is liking sitting in the sunshine after being hidden in

the shrubbish for so long!!!!! What a neat little trailer....good luck with your

restoration!

[Stefrobrts]

What a cute little guy! Definitely worth the trouble to fix up. good luck, and come back whenever you have questions. Lots of folks have already been down the road you are starting out on, and will be able to advise you if you get stuck!

My first bit of advice - if you have the space, don't throw anything away. You can use the old cabinetry for patterns, and particularly any fiberglass inserts (like the bathroom) can be repaired and reused, and are almost impossible to find.

[Bullit]

Made a clean spot. Skin looks to be in pretty good shape under the black slime. Found some rust. Sorta expected it, but its pretty bad. Completely rusted under the storage compartment in rear bumper...

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[RM66caravel]

Ouch but it's all good if you like to work with metal you can get or have made the rusted parts and it is not all that expensive!
Cliff

[Bullit]

Appreciate the encouragement. I am trying to remember that I expected the rust and it's just not that big'o problem. Mostly because it's not a big trailer. Thanks agaian

[Bullit]

Cleaned up the shell today and started removing "stuff" from the inside. Found lots of critter nests and related byproducts. Can't imagine there is any insulation left behind the inner skins? Removed the carpeting and discovered more floor rot and... black ants. Sprayed the area with a insecticide and am letting it soak. Most of the exposed floor looks pretty good.

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