irab88's 1983 Coleman Sun Valley Build-Up Thread

[irab88]

(mods: feel free to move if not in the right section. i thought this one would be appropriate, but if it needs to be in "off-topic", that's fine) i want to turn my camper into something that looks good and works great. i got it for about $350 on craigslist i towed it home for a good while on the freeway, and it rides surprisingly nice. i knew it was back there, but i was able to pass, and had no fear of losing control. all turns were smooth and stops took only a little extra room to-do: -fix end caps (abs) -fix side panels -repair canvas and screen -repair roof -fix door -re-wire (truck and trailer) -clean -re/seal -waterproof canvas

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[Z's Confederate Toy]

Ian, it needs bigger tires!! Campers are always fun, definitly better than a tent.

[space-junk]

thats the way MY trailer started life! only mine was built in the 40's...
they tow real nice, but you cant run bugger tires on it even if you flip the springs... reason being is that the springs are still designed for low weight and they WILL compress... plus it will be much more topheavy and "wobble" more...

dunno what your plans are, but DEFINATELY pull the hubs and regrease the bearings or replace... most people dont do upkeep on trailers like they should...

http://www.yotatech.com/f172/trailer...-heavy-184295/

[iselloil]

look like the wheels that were sitting around my yard

[irab88]

Originally Posted by Z's Confederate Toy

Ian, it needs bigger tires!! Campers are always fun, definitly better than a tent.

nah... the only thing i'm going to do to get it up is move the axle to the other side of the leaf spring. i want to keep it small, but not have to worry about scraping it in a parking lot

Originally Posted by space-junk

thats the way MY trailer started life! only mine was built in the 40's...
they tow real nice, but you cant run bugger tires on it even if you flip the springs... reason being is that the springs are still designed for low weight and they WILL compress... plus it will be much more topheavy and "wobble" more...

dunno what your plans are, but DEFINATELY pull the hubs and regrease the bearings or replace... most people dont do upkeep on trailers like they should...

http://www.yotatech.com/f172/trailer...-heavy-184295/

no bigger tires for me. i think the guy said the hubs were already greased, but i'll pull them apart soon and pack them myself. what did you use to clean your bearings so well? those came out shiny!

Originally Posted by iselloil

look like the wheels that were sitting around my yard

not yet. soon though. now that the weather's nice, i can finally clean them and take a few rattle cans to them

[space-junk]

got a "Big Red Jacks" 5 gallon electric parts washer from Harbor freight a few years ago... then my dad put in some industrial cleaner that will literally melt your skin off if left in there for too long...

ill ask the old man what exactly it is...

[irab88]

i figure i could use brake cleaner? or not...

[space-junk]

Asked the pops... He said it's just a petroleum based parts washing solvent...

[irab88]

cool, thanks.

now i'm off to open it up... more later

[irab88]

popped it out:

[irab88]

after checking the tire pressure, i found out that i drove 70+ miles on tires that were 12 and 34 psi, with specs at 50

oops

[ChefYota4x4]

AWESOME TOY, looks to be in decent shape, too! Right on, Ian..... I was hoping after the "Volvo Incident" you'd get a nice cheapo or FREE find! Cheapo is good enough, eh? lol.

LOVED having the one we had, because we could leave it and wheel in deep to fishing spots, etc., .....come back, crash out and hit it the next day. Plus, was easy to move to the next spot.

Love it, Ian! Very much would like to find one myself.

[irab88]

ha, thanks mark...

the volvo incident (i like that term) now has me saving a lot more. i can afford an awesome craigslist deal when i see it, without draining the bank. heck, one more paycheck and i've more than made up my losses on the trailer

there are a few major purchases i want to make for it, like a dehumidifier, heater, tires, and a power converter. the work that needs to be done is also minor with a few major projects (fix some of the screen, clean/fix the canvas, body work, rewiring, repairing the roof). a few weekend projects, nothing i can't handle. at least i can't say i have nothing to do!

[mfwimg82]

nice find ian you will have a blast using it . I know in pa there are tons of state parks. ,fishing the Chesapeake??? etc. have fun They sell a water repellent for the canvas that can be sprayed on

[yotarob2005]

My family had a lot of fun with our old camper. We had it for 3 years and used it less and less up untill last year when I foolishly sold it. At least I got several years use out of it and still sold it for more than I had paid.

Good luck with the project Ian, it will be fun.

[irab88]

got it registered today! permanent trailer tags, customized. i'll show y'all when they get here. for now, i'm just happy that it's legal

[irab88]

for my reference

http://www.rvhobby.com/wp-content/up...parts_list.pdf

http://www.rvhobby.com/wp-content/up...ers_manual.pdf

[twistedyota]

trailer lloks good, u make me think of getting one

[irab88]

picked up a headlight restore kit, gonna try it out on the tail lights this week. something about the color pink just doesn't sit well with me...

[Nervo19]

Someone here used stained glass paint inside their tail light lenses. I picked some up at Michael's crafts and was going to try it on my old lenses but haven't yet. It was only a couple of dollars. I found an interesting forum last night while I was googling "paint job." It's http://www.PopUpPortal.com You might find a source for parts etc. You got a great deal. I have a friend who paid $400 for a 70's model. It has some great old decals on it of states it's been to.

[irab88]

ha, i already have an account over there. even have this same thread. great info over there.

for the tail lights, that seems like a pretty good idea! i like it. i'll see how the headlight restore kit works, and use the paint if it's still too pink. thanks!

[ChefYota4x4]

Yeah, I got that paint at AutoZone not 2 years ago, Ian..... worked GREAT, and had very good UV resistance. I spent a whole summer practically in the desert, near a lake.... 100+ Degrees for DAYZ! didn't fade that paint at all. It was just a spray can, it goes on very evenly, and is a sort of colored clear coat? I know, doesn't sound right, ....that's not the naming of it, lol.. but you get my meaning.
CAN'T WAIT to see you on a trip in this! I'm looking for one already, bud!

[irab88]

wait, what paint are you talking about mark? nervo suggested stained-glass paint from a craft store. if there's a rattle can meant for this application, i'm all ears

[Lumpy]

Nice score man!!!

[irab88]

thanks! as i go through the trailer, i'm realizing how few things are actually wrong with it. it was a nice score, indeed