Buying another Vintage Camper

ppine wrote:
Vintage trailers have a coolness factor. But they are like old cars. It is hard to get some parts and things fail. They are fun but not for everyone.

My solutions have mostly been workarounds.
Plan A
Plan B
Plan C

Anything you get to work beats camping in a tent...
Little things like Indoor Plumbing, water, 110 and 12 volt lights ect.
Every workaround makes camping a little easier.

Not to mention working on my RV gives me something to do.
Retirement is great, but it's also better if you keep yourself busy. :)

Vintage trailers have a coolness factor. But they are like old cars. It is hard to get some parts and things fail. They are fun but not for everyone.

OleManOleCan wrote:

OleManOleCan wrote:
Well... I've been busy. I cleaned out my Prowler. Removed a tore up awning someone had put on it. (Fabric rotted)
I've added several coat hooks, a clock, a new smoke/carbon dioxide detector.
I've sprayed the metal step with black liquid rubber. (No longer slick when wet).
I cleaned the stove and got all burners clean and burning. I got the oven cleaned and the pilot light lite. Stove works great.
I had an additional gas line someone had installed. I added a propane wall heater for boondocking.
I changed out the safety chains, and cleaned the hitch area.
I bought an additional 15', 30 amp extension cord and some additional connectors.
Today I started washing the trailer down outside.
Today I installed a Cable Vision plug on the outside of the Power hatch.
(We don't always Boondock)
I made a small platform to use instead of the 'Step'. I put a rubber tread surface to make it not too slick.
I've been pretty busy with the niggling little things.

TO DO LIST
I'm gonna put a new rubber roof on.
It is leaking where someone installed the awning.
I haven't tackled electrical and plumbing yet.
I'm gonna make stove and sink covers for extra work areas...
I need new rubber for the road, and I'm gonna repack the bearings.
The Tongue of the trailer, back bumper and the wheel rims will get a fresh coat of black paint.
I need a new trailer battery... Done.
I need a couple of up to date 20 pound Propane tanks.
I'll get the propane tanks at one of the many Estate Sales near here.
I don't mind paying $10-15 for an up to date tank.
AND...
I have my wife looking for some large vinyl letters, gonna put
'Ole Man Dan' on the hatch on the back of the camper.
(Got to keep her busy)

ADDITION....
I've worked on my electricals for the last two days.
I have 110 power to lights and plugs.
Someone at some time added 12 volt lights too.
I need to buy a new battery and check those circuits too.
Today I connected a garden hose to my camper.
water leaks all around the faucet connection. Gonna cut it out of the system and replace it. I did get enough water inside to see that my kitchen sink faucet works.
My old Prowler does not have a lock at the trailer ball, it has a shackle that goes down to secure the ball inside. My temporary fix was to put a long shank lock thru the shackle so it want close.
We are expecting 6" to 8" of rain in the next few days, guess I'll stay inside and leave the RV work for another day. More later.

....................................................................................................................................
It's been a while since I updated progress on my Fleetwood.
(FAMILY BUSINESS...)

Lately I completed working on my Black Water System. Thanks Lowes...
My Gray Water pipes had to be replaced. Done. Again thanks Lowes...
I finally trashed my plastic plumbing and replaced all water lines. Done.
No leaks. Lowes again...
We had a small mold issue and I took care off it.
I worked on my 12 volt system and it's working properly now.
Barbara made curtains. I put up new brackets.
When I checked the stabilizers... Only one worked.
Stabilizers are welded on. Next I'm buying stabilizers and taking it to the welding shop to cut off the old stabilizers and weld on the new.
I'm doing a little more cosmetic work inside...
I bought new cranks for my RV windows and installed them. Farm Town had some original hand cranks at original prices.
I'm almost to the point of buying new mattresses for the beds.
I'm finally getting close enough to see light at the end of the tunnel...

I don't profess to know anything about campers, but 'YouTube' does.
I need all the help I can get. I'm one of those guys who know a little about everything, and a lot about nothing...
But... I can do 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' type things.
I ain't done yet, but it's been a lot of fun working on the ole 75.

OleManOleCan wrote:

OleManOleCan wrote:
Well... I've been busy. I cleaned out my Prowler. Removed a tore up awning someone had put on it. (Fabric rotted)
I've added several coat hooks, a clock, a new smoke/carbon dioxide detector.
I've sprayed the metal step with black liquid rubber. (No longer slick when wet).
I cleaned the stove and got all burners clean and burning. I got the oven cleaned and the pilot light lite. Stove works great.
I had an additional gas line someone had installed. I added a propane wall heater for boondocking.
I changed out the safety chains, and cleaned the hitch area.
I bought an additional 15', 30 amp extension cord and some additional connectors.
Today I started washing the trailer down outside.
Today I installed a Cable Vision plug on the outside of the Power hatch.
(We don't always Boondock)
I made a small platform to use instead of the 'Step'. I put a rubber tread surface to make it not too slick.
I've been pretty busy with the niggling little things.

TO DO LIST
I'm gonna put a new rubber roof on.
It is leaking where someone installed the awning.
I haven't tackled electrical and plumbing yet.
I'm gonna make stove and sink covers for extra work areas...
I need new rubber for the road, and I'm gonna repack the bearings.
The Tongue of the trailer, back bumper and the wheel rims will get a fresh coat of black paint.
I need a new trailer battery... Done.
I need a couple of up to date 20 pound Propane tanks.
I'll get the propane tanks at one of the many Estate Sales near here.
I don't mind paying $10-15 for an up to date tank.
AND...
I have my wife looking for some large vinyl letters, gonna put
'Ole Man Dan' on the hatch on the back of the camper.
(Got to keep her busy)

ADDITION....
I've worked on my electricals for the last two days.
I have 110 power to lights and plugs.
Someone at some time added 12 volt lights too.
I need to buy a new battery and check those circuits too.
Today I connected a garden hose to my camper.
water leaks all around the faucet connection. Gonna cut it out of the system and replace it. I did get enough water inside to see that my kitchen sink faucet works.
My old Prowler does not have a lock at the trailer ball, it has a shackle that goes down to secure the ball inside. My temporary fix was to put a long shank lock thru the shackle so it want close.
We are expecting 6" to 8" of rain in the next few days, guess I'll stay inside and leave the RV work for another day. More later.

....................................................................................................................................
It's been a while since I updated progress on my Fleetwood.
(FAMILY BUSINESS...)

Lately I completed working on my Black Water System. Thanks Lowes...
My Gray Water pipes had to be replaced. Done. Again thanks Lowes...
I finally trashed my plastic plumbing and replaced all water lines. Done.
No leaks. Lowes again...
We had a small mold issue and I took care off it.
I worked on my 12 volt system and it's working properly now.
Barbara made curtains. I put up new brackets.
When I checked the stabilizers... Only one worked.
Stabilizers are welded on. Next I'm buying stabilizers and taking it to the welding shop to cut off the old stabilizers and weld on the new.
I'm doing a little more cosmetic work inside...
I bought new cranks for my RV windows and installed them. Farm Town had some original hand cranks at original prices.
I'm almost to the point of buying new mattresses for the beds.
I'm finally getting close enough to see light at the end of the tunnel...

I don't profess to know anything about campers, but 'YouTube' does.
I need all the help I can get. I'm one of those guys who know a little about everything, and a lot about nothing...
But... I can do 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' type things.
I ain't done yet, but it's been a lot of fun working on the ole 75.

UPDATE...
Replacing the RVs Sewer connector...
Of all things no local place seems to have the female sewer Termination Adapter.
(The Knobby piece a Slinky attaches too)
So...
I've gone on line and ordered one $7.41 including shipping.
May get it next Wednesday. That's on hold.

I did visit what was formerly Camping World in Oxford. Al.
It is now Gander RV and Outdoors. Very nice place.
(It's still being set up, Stocking yesterday but open)

I may take a vacation from my Fixer Upper for a couple of days...

Sounds like your having as much fun fixing up the Ole Prowler as camping.

rbpru wrote:
Building or restoring your own camper is basically a labor of love. You get what you want, the way you want it.

As you can tell, old and beat up or restored and functional, the price is what the local market will bear.

Good Luck

When you said 'Old and beat up' it sounded kind of like me.

I enjoy working on the old Prowler.
I like the older simple campers. Make camping a little more challenging,
but it's more enjoyable, because we did it ourselves.

WE DON'T 'GLAMP', WE CAMP.

Weather was good today. 65°
I put a 2nd coat of Rubber Roof on this morning.
I have enough left, I may put on a 3rd coat about Tuesday or Wednesday.
(My old roof was in poor condition, so I'm going for overkill)
My wife is making curtains, and I'm gonna put up new brackets soon.

No RV work tomorrow. (Monday)
Alabama's warm, wet Winter means I have to cut grass tomorrow. :(

It rained 2.5 inches 2 days ago... No leaks. Yea.
I'm planning to put on a 2nd layer of rubber roof tomorrow, Sunday.
I'm working on it a little at a time.
More later.

Yesterday I taped around the roof of my '75' and applied a good coat of a Liquid Rubber Roof. Looks great. (Oh my aching bones)
I hope to apply a 2nd coat in the next couple of days. Probable weather delay.

Next up I tackle the plumbing... Crawling around on bad knees isn't my idea of fun.

I'm hoping to take it camping sometimes in late April, or early May.