Restoring 1965 Skyline Layton
Hello, I've heard some great things about the community so I thought I would start here and check it out. My name is Ray and I recently purchased a 1965 Skyline Layton 12ft trailer. My first attempt...
Forum Discussion
Hi there future trailer restorer! That's a sweet little rig! I restored a travel trailer that is a little bigger, a Starcraft. You can check out my efforts in the Cowboy/Hilton thread im my signature line, below.
Your building schedule sounds like a lot of work and I think you have a few things to ponder.
First, I think you'll find that aluminum box channel in the dimensions needed to replicate the frame, as it is, will be more than 10+ times the cost of wood. Steel will not be as much but there is little reason to use either as you won't need to replace entire walls or other. Also, the wood frame is adequate if all is sealed and maintained. The reason you see rotten framing is because the trailer has developed leaks and that has spread to the extent you see. What remains has lasted 48 years and, if replaced, will last just as long. We have better sealing methods, now, that will provide for that.
A solar panel, or solar panels covering the entire roof, will not provide enough power to run an AC or a water heater. TV, yes. Lights, yes. Water pumps, fans, and charging devices, yes. The AC and water heater draw too much power to make solar feasible for that use.
Here is a downloadable Calculator to estimate power use and how much battery and solar are necessary.
If you replace the fiberglass batt insulation with either sprayed foam or extruded foam board, your heating and cooling needs will be drastically reduced.
I would plan to replace the wiring and think of how and where you want to use the electrical system. Today, we rely on more powered devices for comfort and trying to do such with a 1965 system won't work.
Polyethylene tanks are available for water and waste. That would be my choice.
The best thing you can do from the start is to draw plans and think of how you will implement them in a time-line. It can save a lot of effort when you build and mean not tearing out your new work because you forgot something precedes what you've done.
The cap on the water tank is probably rusted onto the fill neck. You can try some judicious heat to free it. Spraying the thread area with penetrant may prove useful, too.
Your Layton is certainly a worthy candidate for a project like this. The smaller single axle trailers are growing in demand. Good luck with the restoration and don't be afraid to ask questions. There is a lot of experience and wisdom on the Forum.
Your building schedule sounds like a lot of work and I think you have a few things to ponder.
First, I think you'll find that aluminum box channel in the dimensions needed to replicate the frame, as it is, will be more than 10+ times the cost of wood. Steel will not be as much but there is little reason to use either as you won't need to replace entire walls or other. Also, the wood frame is adequate if all is sealed and maintained. The reason you see rotten framing is because the trailer has developed leaks and that has spread to the extent you see. What remains has lasted 48 years and, if replaced, will last just as long. We have better sealing methods, now, that will provide for that.
A solar panel, or solar panels covering the entire roof, will not provide enough power to run an AC or a water heater. TV, yes. Lights, yes. Water pumps, fans, and charging devices, yes. The AC and water heater draw too much power to make solar feasible for that use.
Here is a downloadable Calculator to estimate power use and how much battery and solar are necessary.
If you replace the fiberglass batt insulation with either sprayed foam or extruded foam board, your heating and cooling needs will be drastically reduced.
I would plan to replace the wiring and think of how and where you want to use the electrical system. Today, we rely on more powered devices for comfort and trying to do such with a 1965 system won't work.
Polyethylene tanks are available for water and waste. That would be my choice.
The best thing you can do from the start is to draw plans and think of how you will implement them in a time-line. It can save a lot of effort when you build and mean not tearing out your new work because you forgot something precedes what you've done.
The cap on the water tank is probably rusted onto the fill neck. You can try some judicious heat to free it. Spraying the thread area with penetrant may prove useful, too.
Your Layton is certainly a worthy candidate for a project like this. The smaller single axle trailers are growing in demand. Good luck with the restoration and don't be afraid to ask questions. There is a lot of experience and wisdom on the Forum.
