Final stages, Paint & re-install windows and exterior trims.

Adding the blue

     When we get to this stage we can see the project getting closer to the finish. I think if I were ever to do this again I would have the entire skin cleaned better, perhaps with blasting with a fine grit or something. The old aluminum skin was difficult to clean entirely with stripper and soap and water.

Reinstalling windows

 We used the blue to match the truck the kids use for toeing the trailer.

     Max is busy installing mounting screws around the window flanges.

Max is great helper

Doug is wiring trailer lights.

Rob is wiring up the inverter.

 Doug and Rob are my tech support and completed the trailer wiring for me. Doug install the trailer lights  while Rob hooked up the batteries, inverter and Solar system for charging the batteries.

Back of control panel

Front of control center.

Duo Batteries and Solar Controls.

      Now with all the technical stuff complete, I can hook up the appliance. We installed a new stove because the old one was over 40 years old and repair parts are not available. The refrigerator was still working in both gas and electric modes. We installed a on demand water heater to provide hot showers at remote campsites.

Paint, Windows, Trim and Electrical!

 Final stages of paint, windows, trim and Electrical!

Adding the blue.

Paint complete

     The painting was easy but if I did it again I would have someone blast clean the aluminum siding. The old siding was a textured pattern and was hard to clean and some of the paint will be coming off eventually. So if you ever do this work, make sure the surface is clean.
   
  Once the painting is complete, we are ready to put the windows back. and Max was there to help.

Installing screws in window flange.

Max is a great helper.

Rob is hooking up inverter.

Doug and Rob are my professional Tech Support for the electrical requirements and installation.
    

Back of control panel.

Doug installing trailer wiring.

Doug is wiring the trailers running lights and Rob is setting up the inverter for the shore power and solar inputs to keep the batteries charged up.

front of control panel.

Stereo Installed with Outdoor Speakers

Duel battery bank. 

Solar input control

Solar panel installed.

Testing all systems.

Checking out the water system.

Heading out for maiden run. 

We don't have all the interior complete as yet but here are a couple of interior pictures to give you an idea of what we are doing.

In the nest Blog, I will show more of the interior and some picture of  some camping adventures in the wild country of California.

Putting it back together!

We are putting the Trailer back together!

We will start here with the rear wall framing. When the rear wall is complete, the shower inside is also closed up. We are now ready for trailer wiring and insulation.

 We are finally ready to put the roof back on. With the help of a few friends the job is a lot easier than expected.

I have already finished and painted the interior walls and cabinets. The ceiling is pre-painted out on the big bench so all we need to do is turn it over and slide it over the wall framing into place.






At the front of the trailer, the larger curve is preformed on the table with two layers of 1/8 inch panels glued together.
 
After the roof is secured we are now ready to install the curved section to the front wall and ceiling of the trailer.

After the forward section are secured to the side walls, we can start insulating and applying the weather striping to the corners to prevent water from getting to the wood framing.





I am replacing the old wheel wells with aluminum box  to keep the Bitumum "Protecto-wrap" in place. and help keep water from getting into the bottom of the trailer.

We are treating the trailer construction the same way I would treat a house, the same rules apply because if you don't water proof walls and windows, they will eventually root out.

I am using the Tyvek Home Wrap under the Aluminum siding because the joints are not water proof and the Tyvek will keep the framing and insulation dry.


I have used 1-1/2 inch rigged insulation on the side walls and ceiling and 1 inch on the front and back of the trailer.



The J-metal gutter strip holds the corners together and and channels some of the water coming off the roof.


Finally on March 26, we put the wheels back on and rolled the trailer out so we could do a complete shop cleaning  to get ready for the exterior painting.

Rebuilding the interior

My work has been slow this week. With the details of the cabinets inside the trailer, it has taken more time than expected. The kitchen is coming together and I have been able to add more drawer space by compacting the plumbing tight against the side wall. We increase the power of the water pump. As you can see from the picture the existing pump was nothing more than a cheep aquarium  pump. I used "Pex" plastic tubing for the water lines. The fittings are very easy to set up.

I boxed around the sink drain for more drawer space.  I added a cutting board under the  counter above the drawer to the right of the sink.

      I have been working on the forward bunk area this week. The fresh water tank is under the lower bunk and the demand pump is on the front left side next to the water heater.  Both the upper and lower bunks are about 42 inches deep. at the end of the lower bunk is a small storage  pocket for books and things.