Starting Backwards

Well I thought the rear looked to have the most damage so I thought it was the logical place to start.  At some point someone has smack the right rear.  It was enough to bend the bumper out and allow water damage.

Someone tried to solve the problem using the spray insulation foam,  As you can tell...   it didn't work too well.

Sure enough the framing is iffy at best.  Peeled the skin back and re-framed 

Now... moving on to the sides and heading forward.  The right side is in pretty good shape...  the left.... well its gonna be a project..  It might also explain why the kitchen and stove counter has a pitch to it.  Was hoping I wouldn't have to pull the cabinets but I think Its gonna happen.

Before Photos

I've been dreaming about this for a couple of years now. I spent two years paying off my debt and finally started looking in earnest about January. Everyone was quicker to the draw than me. I was about to give up and buy a (choke) pop up. Low and behold Hubby came to the rescue. I have a 1967 Mobile Sout in my driveway.

And it couldn't be more perfect. Light weight, perfect layout and the stove, sink and famica are tourquoise. It needs some TLC and I know just the couple to give it to her. Where to start?

The before photos of course. She has a few bumbs and dings, but folks our age tend to. And there has been some misguided modifications and patch jobs. I'm talkin' trailer now, not me.

So first comes the adventure of fixin her up. Then we're off to see the world like turtle with our home in tow. Hopefully by this time next year we'll be posin' with her near a lake or stream. ;-)

Early Bird Special

THE DEAL !  ’67 MOBILE SCOUT (aka rambling wreck)

Fortunately, I was first to call…   so I got dibs. I called about 15 minutes after he posted it on Craig’s list.  Two hours later and his cell phone was into melt down with calls and text messages.  He is an honorable man and he will let me have it for the agreed price (discounted from what he posted). 

A neighbor is hovering near by while I inspect the trailer.  They are willing to pay more and have second dibs.  Either he needs to tee-tee or he’s dancing in anticipation as to my decision.   too bad…   I’ll take it.  Needs to be cleaned out and will be ready Sunday afternoon (when he gets back into town).  Neighbor begins wailing and gnashing teeth.  The trip was worth it just to watch this display.

Now, back to the reason he discounted it.  He actually planned to ask more then even the posting price but the curtains and cushion covers need to be replaced. They are….  how do you say……rotten.  He was planning on having his mom sew new curtains and seat cushion covers but she just went into the hospital… (also the reason he is leaving town for the week-end). He’s every bit as old as me so she has to be well into her seventies or older… 

Also, the walls below two windows have water damage.  Looks like I’ll just have to strip this puppy back to the bones.  New insulation and paneling are in order.  On the bright side, appears everything else was kept in pretty good shape.  Has a new fridge.  Stove and sink are good.  A/C is a year old and will put icicles on your ear lobes.  The exterior is pretty clean with very few dings.

The Chalet du Melinda will be the envy of the camp ground by the time we are finished with her restoration.

Rambling Wreck

RAMBLING about the RAMBLING WRECK

Well, since this is my first attempt to ‘blog’ everyone will just have to bear with me while I learn the ropes.  I will not suffer those that point out run on sentences, misspellings, dangling participles etc etc etc.

I am hoping this will chronicle the acquisition, restoration and enjoyment of a travel trailer.   Why a travel trailer?  Well, Melinda has decided we are too old to be sleeping on the ground when we go camping.  She actively started looking at them about the 1^st of the year.  As her birthday rolled around in March, I was pretty sure what I wanted to get her….   I mean how do you top presents like a keg-a-rator… smart fone….. . 

Only problem with vintage travel trailers is they are few and far between and go fast when they come up for sale.   Have missed several opportunities and was lucky enough to have said no to several others….  Last week I caught a Craigs list special.  Had only been up for 15 minutes when I called.  He agreed to let me see it at 3:30 after I got off work and basically told me what he would let it go for  (more on why later).

The bones are good….  Needs work… its been sitting on a deer lease for the last 7 years….  Its perfect.

He has now had a ton of calls….   A neighbor wants it….   people have offered to top my agreed upon price….  Hes a man of his word, Its mine if I want it……   HELL YEA.

Now I’ve had to keep it secret until I can sneak it into the drive.  I had to go with Melinda to look at one last week and another tonight.  Will have to come up with reasons to veto the purchase without letting the cat out of the bag.

I pick up the RamblinWreck tomorrow.  Hope to have our daughter trick Melinda into being away from the house for a short time while I sneak it into the drive. Will post pictures of Mom and baby at that time.