'71 Starcraft Wanderstar- "The Hilton"

JiminDenver wrote:
West
You have done one heck of a job with the Hilton. I have always thought of doing the same but after seeing what you have gone through, I now know there is just no way I would. Anyone even thinking of doing it should read this thread to know what they are getting into.

Thanks Jim, it definitely is a labor of love and I'll never see any ROI, if I choose to sell it. If someone should inherit a TT from family or run acosss a vintage TT that needs major work, I hope this thread will give them some inspiration to know that it can be done and show one man's way of tackling things.

IME, the project has attained it's major goals: providing a home on wheels that is comfortable (beyond what I could buy), impoving upon the livability by increasing the R-value of walls, ceiling, and floor, improving the efficiency of the mechanical systems, and allows for all of that at a greatly decreased price from anything in it's size available (not factoring in labor).

I can't really convey how tight and secure this trailer feels while inside. The absence of outside noise, the structure's ability to moderate temperature, and just the overall feel are incredible, better than some very well built RV's. I can lay most of that off to the tight insulation and the double pane windows. Some of the credit has to go to Starcraft for being able to build a sturdy TT that has lasted 40 years. The steel bed framing,choice of axles, and the integrity of the wooden frames bespeak that. I have no doubt that if Starcraft had modern insulation and sealants when the Hilton was built, this project wouldn't have been necesary and I could be lounging in the essence of Avacado green, lol.