1970s Great Divide - Ta-Ton-Ka Sal-Va-Gion
Can I do this here? It's not a Travel Trailer. Of course, I suppose any of these vintage bumper-pull campers don't REALLY fit the definition of TT. Isn't a TT something that travels, not camps? Many o...
Forum Discussion
Uhhh yeah, I'll get back to you all on that extra cash thing for building materials. Seriously - truly a kind thought that is. :)
Today: Up Close and Personal with a Bronze Princess (Range).
We now have three - currently unused - gas ranges: the white floor-standing apartment-size model Preway for Fairweather June, the 1995 Wedgewood out of the Skamper Camper (kind of planned for use in DS's special kind of build - if we go that way, instead of another small canned ham as another possible route), and the "Bronze Princess" brought to the dance by Ta-Ton-Ka.
It seems to me, Ta-Ton-Ka's previous owner (PO), had a tomato-soup red range fail on him, and he put in this extra range he had on hand. Or, he preferred this older range to the newer model style (Ta-Ton-Ka is a 70's) and swapped it, simply because of preference. Whatever the reason, it was there, and it was a good install, relatively speaking (filled gap in the rear due to less depth).
This bronze range...
Here's how this range compares to the 1995 Wedgewood, one that's more specific to the standards of recent decades.
Princess:
Weight - 58 lbs
19.5" W by 21.5" (rear) or 19.5" (stovetop) H by 19" D.
Install Depth 17".
Wedgewood:
Weight - 53 lbs
21" W by 17.5" H by 21.5" D
Install Depth 19" and Width 20.25".
And HERE'S some cool points! This Bronze Princess MIGHT have even been OURS many moons ago! Okay, you ask, "How do I figure?"
Well, we had our first canned ham - a white and black 1954 something or other that I painted all white in my buddy's aircraft hangar - early in our married life. It only had a stove top, as DW recalls - I don't have a memory on it.
When the kids got old enough to each carry a small day-pack, we sold it and used the proceeds for back-packing gear. Soon thereafter, we recognized how serious a mistake it is to do such a stupid thing, and got back into looking for a camper of some kind.
I had a 1972 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4; DW drove the '71 Blazer. We found a 70's 8' TC for cheap, and never got it put on the truck because my Dad had just bought a huge used Pace Arrow Class A MH, and gave us their 1972 11.5' TC, a Monaco - I think.
We used it for a couple of trips (that whole Boot Hill experience in Deadwood!), but it was huge, and heavy, and rotted, and creaky, and scary!
Then we located our second canned ham, a 1960 something or other, two-tone brown (it was sharp looking), and I removed the old "less desirable" appliances: range, ice-box. In their place, I put the gifted TC's range - an Avocado Green Holiday - just like in Lil' Queeny, and a faux wood paneled Hadco 410 Fridge - just like in Lil' Queeny. The fridge stuck out in the room. I had to frame it in with 1x4's on edge, so a 3.5" jut out to accommodate the new depth of that cabinet.
I don't recall what happened to the spare icebox, but I had a co-worker/sometimes hunting partner, who needed a range for his camp trailer - and we gave him that spare range from the 1960. He - like we are - was a vocal proponent of having an oven along. We're going to make a post, after our upcoming trip this week, that sings the praises of the camp oven, and why one shouldn't fall for the marketing of NOT having an oven.
The only thing I can remember about the range we gave ol' Ron, was that it was bronze/brown (just like this little Princess), and it had an obvious older look/feel to it (just like this little Princess), including a back-splash thing - whatever that rear rise is correctly called.
Now we bought Ta-Ton-Ka from a fella in Buffalo, WY, which is at the base of the Big Horn Mountains, where Ron and I used to hunt elk. Ron frequented this area of Wyoming - in fact these days he lives in a small town on the other side of the mountain. It is NOT unreasonable to believe his camper eventually gave up the bronze Princess range, to someone else in the area, who put it in Ta-Ton-ka.
The philosophical way of looking at this is, "What goes around, comes around".
So as far as I'm concerned, it's quite justifiable for DW and me to view our little Bronze Princess, as a Prodigal Princess - and in celebration of her return, we will to slaughter the fatted Buffalo - Ta-Ton-Ka! And in the spirit of - and respect for - our native brothers, try and use every part! Except of course, that portion which we'll return to the earth (landfill). And we hope to keep that minimal, since Ta-Ton-Ka isn't as organic as we'd like.
So you can see, this range needs a special home - and a special theme. We'll simply have to keep our eyes open. But I'm already liking the "Bronze Princess" idea. ;)
Now early on, before Tow-Mater made apparent his nature, we were discussing names. Westend suggested Princess. Maybe westend simply had a premonition! The truth is stranger than fiction folks.
I pulled off the parts and set them aside.
Then I started into cleaning and began shooting photos again.
Looks like a little damage to the baked enamel at the left corner of the stove top. Hadn't noticed that until just now, so I think the picture is worse than actual, but maybe not.
Note the oven door handle is chrome, but the emblem is plastic, with a little faux chrome plate peel going on. We may try and do some fix to the blue paint, but we won't do much to the emblem - just keep it clean, I think.
Now in the oven.
Here's the oven's gas valve orifice bottom right, that the oven burner tube slides over.
Of course, above it is the heat diffuser, placed between the burner, and the removable oven floor, which in turn sits below the adjustable wire shelf.
One of the problems with salvaged appliances like this can be the loss of certain parts - like stove grates. The 1995 Wedgewood for instance, is missing its grates. But the Princess has hers.
AND the knobs - sans damage!
Now check those out close. The metal band (aluminum) folds over at the ends and bends into position, holding fast in the two slots provided at the knob. Can you say "quality"? Attention to detail, pride in workmanship?
Of course these days you might say, "too expensive, let me see what I can get from China on Amazon", and you'd fit right in with the main social masses. I'm not preaching here - I'm one of them! I suppose the lesson for me is to try and think more deeply. It's become VERY easy these days to just go along with the crowd, all while whining about one issue or another, designed to keep us at each other's throats. I think one good solution to THAT dilemma is for us to try and exercise our thinking capability. Issues are deeper than propaganda.
Check out this gas valve manifold. Too simple! I love simple.
Here you have three valves for the stove top burners, and the one with the tube connected already is for the oven. And of course in the foreground, the gas supply connection.
And from the front.
Here's another part that can get lost easy - the grate clips.
Our local RV joint didn't have grate retainer clips like these. We needed some for Lil' Queeny. Instead they had a set of the wire type. I bought those and we used them in Tow-Mater...
Tow-Mater had in a drawer, an original set of these band types, still in their plastic bag, in brand-new condition! We took them for Lil' Queeny.
But the Princess retainers were kind of rusty. So I ran a small wire brush around on them, and then put 'em that WD40 bath above. Then while those relaxed for a minute of private soak time, I got the stove burners on.
Then lowered the stove cover and added grates, placed clips. I had to re-shape a couple of the clips a bit, but now they're nice and snug - that outta hold them.
Alright, let's move on to the oven.
First on, the burner tube slid over the orifice and fastened to the diffuser plate with two screws. Wire brush, WD40.
Then the removable over floor and adjustable wire shelf.
And after a leak check, time for the smoke test. BTW, if I ever disappear from here? Probably just a failed smoke test.
Note the one spot of orange flame. It was dancing all around and the camera KIND of captured it. Here's another.
Eventually I'll let the tiny particles of dust and stuff clear out, and then maybe come back in and adjust the air baffle down there on the burner tube. But this is just a check for operation, not fine tuning. And really, the blue flame looks real healthy, so probably no air-baffle adjustment is needed - just dust burn out.
Here's the lowest setting before the whole flame started to flicker. So this is low setting.
Similar situation on the stove burners.
And with that, our little Bronze Princess took her place on a high shelf and awaits her final destiny.
Today: Up Close and Personal with a Bronze Princess (Range).
We now have three - currently unused - gas ranges: the white floor-standing apartment-size model Preway for Fairweather June, the 1995 Wedgewood out of the Skamper Camper (kind of planned for use in DS's special kind of build - if we go that way, instead of another small canned ham as another possible route), and the "Bronze Princess" brought to the dance by Ta-Ton-Ka.
It seems to me, Ta-Ton-Ka's previous owner (PO), had a tomato-soup red range fail on him, and he put in this extra range he had on hand. Or, he preferred this older range to the newer model style (Ta-Ton-Ka is a 70's) and swapped it, simply because of preference. Whatever the reason, it was there, and it was a good install, relatively speaking (filled gap in the rear due to less depth).
This bronze range...
Here's how this range compares to the 1995 Wedgewood, one that's more specific to the standards of recent decades.
Princess:
Weight - 58 lbs
19.5" W by 21.5" (rear) or 19.5" (stovetop) H by 19" D.
Install Depth 17".
Wedgewood:
Weight - 53 lbs
21" W by 17.5" H by 21.5" D
Install Depth 19" and Width 20.25".
And HERE'S some cool points! This Bronze Princess MIGHT have even been OURS many moons ago! Okay, you ask, "How do I figure?"
Well, we had our first canned ham - a white and black 1954 something or other that I painted all white in my buddy's aircraft hangar - early in our married life. It only had a stove top, as DW recalls - I don't have a memory on it.
When the kids got old enough to each carry a small day-pack, we sold it and used the proceeds for back-packing gear. Soon thereafter, we recognized how serious a mistake it is to do such a stupid thing, and got back into looking for a camper of some kind.
I had a 1972 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4; DW drove the '71 Blazer. We found a 70's 8' TC for cheap, and never got it put on the truck because my Dad had just bought a huge used Pace Arrow Class A MH, and gave us their 1972 11.5' TC, a Monaco - I think.
We used it for a couple of trips (that whole Boot Hill experience in Deadwood!), but it was huge, and heavy, and rotted, and creaky, and scary!
Then we located our second canned ham, a 1960 something or other, two-tone brown (it was sharp looking), and I removed the old "less desirable" appliances: range, ice-box. In their place, I put the gifted TC's range - an Avocado Green Holiday - just like in Lil' Queeny, and a faux wood paneled Hadco 410 Fridge - just like in Lil' Queeny. The fridge stuck out in the room. I had to frame it in with 1x4's on edge, so a 3.5" jut out to accommodate the new depth of that cabinet.
I don't recall what happened to the spare icebox, but I had a co-worker/sometimes hunting partner, who needed a range for his camp trailer - and we gave him that spare range from the 1960. He - like we are - was a vocal proponent of having an oven along. We're going to make a post, after our upcoming trip this week, that sings the praises of the camp oven, and why one shouldn't fall for the marketing of NOT having an oven.
The only thing I can remember about the range we gave ol' Ron, was that it was bronze/brown (just like this little Princess), and it had an obvious older look/feel to it (just like this little Princess), including a back-splash thing - whatever that rear rise is correctly called.
Now we bought Ta-Ton-Ka from a fella in Buffalo, WY, which is at the base of the Big Horn Mountains, where Ron and I used to hunt elk. Ron frequented this area of Wyoming - in fact these days he lives in a small town on the other side of the mountain. It is NOT unreasonable to believe his camper eventually gave up the bronze Princess range, to someone else in the area, who put it in Ta-Ton-ka.
The philosophical way of looking at this is, "What goes around, comes around".
So as far as I'm concerned, it's quite justifiable for DW and me to view our little Bronze Princess, as a Prodigal Princess - and in celebration of her return, we will to slaughter the fatted Buffalo - Ta-Ton-Ka! And in the spirit of - and respect for - our native brothers, try and use every part! Except of course, that portion which we'll return to the earth (landfill). And we hope to keep that minimal, since Ta-Ton-Ka isn't as organic as we'd like.
So you can see, this range needs a special home - and a special theme. We'll simply have to keep our eyes open. But I'm already liking the "Bronze Princess" idea. ;)
Now early on, before Tow-Mater made apparent his nature, we were discussing names. Westend suggested Princess. Maybe westend simply had a premonition! The truth is stranger than fiction folks.
I pulled off the parts and set them aside.
Then I started into cleaning and began shooting photos again.
Looks like a little damage to the baked enamel at the left corner of the stove top. Hadn't noticed that until just now, so I think the picture is worse than actual, but maybe not.
Note the oven door handle is chrome, but the emblem is plastic, with a little faux chrome plate peel going on. We may try and do some fix to the blue paint, but we won't do much to the emblem - just keep it clean, I think.
Now in the oven.
Here's the oven's gas valve orifice bottom right, that the oven burner tube slides over.
Of course, above it is the heat diffuser, placed between the burner, and the removable oven floor, which in turn sits below the adjustable wire shelf.
One of the problems with salvaged appliances like this can be the loss of certain parts - like stove grates. The 1995 Wedgewood for instance, is missing its grates. But the Princess has hers.
AND the knobs - sans damage!
Now check those out close. The metal band (aluminum) folds over at the ends and bends into position, holding fast in the two slots provided at the knob. Can you say "quality"? Attention to detail, pride in workmanship?
Of course these days you might say, "too expensive, let me see what I can get from China on Amazon", and you'd fit right in with the main social masses. I'm not preaching here - I'm one of them! I suppose the lesson for me is to try and think more deeply. It's become VERY easy these days to just go along with the crowd, all while whining about one issue or another, designed to keep us at each other's throats. I think one good solution to THAT dilemma is for us to try and exercise our thinking capability. Issues are deeper than propaganda.
Check out this gas valve manifold. Too simple! I love simple.
Here you have three valves for the stove top burners, and the one with the tube connected already is for the oven. And of course in the foreground, the gas supply connection.
And from the front.
Here's another part that can get lost easy - the grate clips.
Our local RV joint didn't have grate retainer clips like these. We needed some for Lil' Queeny. Instead they had a set of the wire type. I bought those and we used them in Tow-Mater...
Tow-Mater had in a drawer, an original set of these band types, still in their plastic bag, in brand-new condition! We took them for Lil' Queeny.
But the Princess retainers were kind of rusty. So I ran a small wire brush around on them, and then put 'em that WD40 bath above. Then while those relaxed for a minute of private soak time, I got the stove burners on.
Then lowered the stove cover and added grates, placed clips. I had to re-shape a couple of the clips a bit, but now they're nice and snug - that outta hold them.
Alright, let's move on to the oven.
First on, the burner tube slid over the orifice and fastened to the diffuser plate with two screws. Wire brush, WD40.
Then the removable over floor and adjustable wire shelf.
And after a leak check, time for the smoke test. BTW, if I ever disappear from here? Probably just a failed smoke test.
Note the one spot of orange flame. It was dancing all around and the camera KIND of captured it. Here's another.
Eventually I'll let the tiny particles of dust and stuff clear out, and then maybe come back in and adjust the air baffle down there on the burner tube. But this is just a check for operation, not fine tuning. And really, the blue flame looks real healthy, so probably no air-baffle adjustment is needed - just dust burn out.
Here's the lowest setting before the whole flame started to flicker. So this is low setting.
Similar situation on the stove burners.
And with that, our little Bronze Princess took her place on a high shelf and awaits her final destiny.
