Camp Trailer Build (1 Viewer)

[chap79]

I’ve been thinking about getting a popup camper for a while now, but I just couldn’t bring myself to spend the cash on a Jayco Baja or Coleman E1. I halfheartedly check Craigslist every now and again to keep myself interested in the idea. I couple of months back I was talking to @Cruiser Bauers about it and said that if I could find a decent trailer as a starting platform I’d be willing to build my own.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, Jeff called me to say that he knows a guy giving away his popup. A few text messages later and I have a 1990 Starcraft Meteor popup camper.

 

[chap79]

The plan is fairly straightforward, rebuild everything .

1. Remove the surface rust from the frame, apply a rust converter, and repaint.

2. Replace the suspension and wheels/tires to make it a little more fire road friendly. Strengthen the frame.

3. Paint and reseal the exterior.

4. Cleanup the interior, new upholstery, new flooring, paint.

5. Replace the canvas.

6. New electrical. Solar?

7. Whatever else the says it needs.

 

[chap79]

We spent the early afternoon today removing the surface rust; drills with wire brush heads made quick work of that. Wiped with acetone and began applying Corroseal to the frame. Corroseal is a rust converter with a primer. So once it fishing the chemical reaction it dries black and can be directly painted over.

 

[chap79]

I called Bear Creek Canvas this past week and placed an order for a complete canvas set, $925 including shipping. I did this now because they have a 10-12 week lead time. So hopefully by the time everything else is done with the restomod we’ll get the canvas. I choose the green color canvas as we are plannning to paint the trailer gray.

 

[Outsane]

Looks like a cool addition

 

[Phulcrum]

Can't wait to see it at camp!

 

[chap79]

Spent a couple hours dealing with the trailer again today. Finished cleaning the frame and applying Corroseal. Next removed all the old canvas, curtains, and pulled the beds out. Upon removal of the canvas we saw that the front and rear portions of the roof have some water damage from a leak at the seam. So I will need to pull the roof and replace the wood.

Also ordered tires this evening. Stepping up to a 205/75r15 from the old 5.70-8.

 

[custyota]

right on! looking forward to seeing the finished product

 

[elripster]

Looks like it has solid frame to work with, very cool.

Frank

 

[chap79]

Started pulling the old seal off the roof and removed the old ice box to get a look at the floor below. I’m going to have a lot of work ahead of me. At least I have a nice view while I work.

 

[Overlandeffex]

If you need a small table saw I have one plus and nailers you need.

 

[chap79]

Thanks for the offer. I have a table saw and nail gun. Though router with tung and grove bits would be great.

 

[1973Guppie]

interested to see what you come up with, I have a similar trailer that is getting old and wondering how it can be refurbished. The main problem I see is that the original build quality of alot of the boards, etc are very bad. Most of it is particle board and falling apart. I may remove it all and just rebuild with quality wood.

 

[Overlandeffex]

Thanks for the offer. I have a table saw and nail gun. Though router with tung and grove bits would be great.

I have the router... just bits are what I am missing...

 

[chap79]

interested to see what you come up with, I have a similar trailer that is getting old and wondering how it can be refurbished. The main problem I see is that the original build quality of alot of the boards, etc are very bad. Most of it is particle board and falling apart. I may remove it all and just rebuild with quality wood.

Noah, that’s pretty much my plan, rebuild it with quality wood, adhesives, and fasteners. I suppose if someone wanted to get really creative you could rebuild all the walls supports out of aluminum. But that could get very expensive.

 

[chap79]

Some more demolition today. Got the roof off and examined. Looks like it’s just the sides that have to be replaced and that the center portion is still good.

As for the rest of the trailer, it’s all going to be rebuilt.

 

[Overlandeffex]

Heck at this point you could completely reconfigure the inside to what you want the lay out to be! Like starting on a complete build!

 

[chap79]

Stripped it down to the frame today, removed the old axle, and applied more Corroseal to the new exposed frame areas.

 

[RET2]

I think you have the right approach to your build, do it once do it right. BTW I have a HD Riv-Nut tool if you need one.

 

[chap79]

Not a lot of headway during the week. Got the frame stripped down, electrical removed, and painted satin black. Also started peeling off the old aluminum siding that is adhesived to the plywood sides. Just slow going with a 1” putty knife to not warp the aluminum too much.

Ordered some more stuff from Amazon as well.

New 7 way trailer plug with cable and a distribution block.

7way trailer kit to wire into the truck

WFCO 30 amp power center

Led tail and marker lights

Led flood lights to use a reverse lights