last weekend's progress

parked the trailer and removed all the duct tape. i still have a few bits to take off, but it's good for now







then i installed a new, temporarily-permanent latch. much better than what was on there before





then i started wit the sealing tape. this stuff is strong, flexible, and is aluminum-backed







and how i left it on sunday



this weekend i'll try to finish up the exterior (aside from vents and lights). the goal is to be able to tow it without having to store it with a tarp or ratchet strap

 

more progress yesterday and today



bought 3m vhb tape for the edges. works like a charm, but it doesn't reach full strength for 3 days, so i'll have to wait til next weekend to finish the roof





got the edges nice and flat



then i replaced the latches, sealing them along the way



(old)



front edge was pretty warped, so the clamps are staying on for a while



side



front corner



i had to remove a few rivets for the latch catch on the roof. here's my grandfather's awesome cordless drill i used...



and then i started on the rubber coating. the area you see there is from a single quart. i need to pick up some more (forgot that i was going to be doing 2 coats... d'oh), but i can get the top finished tomorrow



this stuff is easy to work with. i'm using a 4" paint brush, and it's going on very easy

 

What kind of rubber coating are you using for the roof? I haven't ever heard of anything like that. Is it UV resistant?

 

it's called heng's rubber roof coating, and it's specifically designed for rv roofs

https://www.google.com/search?q=huan...w=1024&bih=511

 

Oh man! Bookmarked. Thanks. Good work on your roof. With the coating will you still get the cool rain on aluminum roof sound?

 

Ian, that thing is looking great. Where u taking it first this spring? Gonna be water tight and comfy, that's for sure.

 

probably, but with less resonance. the insulation i want to add should help keep the noise down (ya know, for sleeping perhaps?)
thanks mark! uuuum, don't know where i'll take it just yet. good question. but i'm also trying to save up for a week at the beach this summer, so i don't know how many trips i'll be taking before then. (and yes, i'll be camping at the beach in this thing)

 

Well, a week at the beach sounds fantastic to me! And, .... if only you could make that week at Pismo.... Then all us YotateCalians could check it out.

Almost bought one again a few weeks ago. Just needed too much work. 400$.... ALL the upholstery needed redoing, +++.. ya know? No time for that.

Did find a 27 Footer Pop up for 3400$.... Not bad, seemed to be in really good condition for the money. Just don't have 3400$ lol. He wouldn't budge.... I don't blame him. Lil big for a solo camper, anyhow, most likely. hahaa.

Can't tell you how impressed I am with all the detail you've put into this thing... Just great to see. Those things ROCK!

 

not much of an update, but i got another 2 coats of paint on. once everything dries, it'll be fine for outdoor storage and use. i might add a top layer of regular spray paint... not sure yet

 

Looks good Ian... don't know about a whole layer of reg. paint... maybe a pair of (truck) red racing stripes?

 

just trying to get it camp-ready right now. if i had my way, i would start another camper project using all i learned from building this one. while i like this p'up, and would buy another in a hearbeat, it's just not clean enough.

but anyway, here's today's progress. i'm gonna wait a week to let it all set up, then finish out the wiring, fix the hitch, and add the latches. then it's back to the bay-front



everything gone over in gloss white. there's no marker, tape, or rivet color showing through





it's gonna make the rest of the trailer look that much dirtier

 

Sooo... just get busy with the sander and then paint the rest of it white too... or red to match the truck... though white would be better for resale value...

 

I thought I was subscribed to this...maybe not, but I am now. Nice work!

 

Man, what a difference! White is always the best choice for roof top colors... much cooler! Great job, it looks really nice, Ian ... that is gonna make for some CUSH Camping! Haha.. I'd be very proud to own that after the work you've done

 

pics incoming soon. i had to get a new photobucket account (old one was full), and the camera is at home.

heading out last night, i realized that this was only the second time pulling the trailer without a big strap holding the roof down

 

first up: i wired the trailer for either standard lights (red lenses only) or separate turn signals. right now, i have the truck wired up for separate signals. after chasing some gremlins, this is the result (hazards on, separate signals work as well)


(if i could get that one license plate bulb out without cracking the plastic, i would replace that bulb)

 

pics. pretty self-explanatory













and from my phone

 

Ian, that thing is a great example of how taking the time to "do it right" is so worth it! It looks great. Its funny how just switching out rusty for shiny-new goodies can make such a difference... And so true that MOST walking by or even into it wont ever know how reinforced/modified/upgraded/restored it has been. So many "hidden" or non-obvious 'fixes'.

Great work, and congrats, you have a FINE and very practical piece of classic equipment there, sir!

 

Ps> No way to safely swap that light out? Thats gotta be frustrating >.<

 

yeah. it's even more frustrating when you go to take it out and >crack!< goes the corner

oh well. live and learn... my next trailer will be better