Buying another Vintage Camper

[OleManOleCan]

I decided I wanted to build another weekender type camper.
We mostly prefer to camp a couple of days at a time.
Since we are retired our camping will be during the week.
Think no crowds...

I located three old campers.
I kept after an old guy (Younger than me) down the road and tonight
we came to terms.
Tomorrow I'm buying his 20' 1985 Fleetwood Prowler.
I guess I'm gonna start tinkering tomorrow...

This old camper is in better condition than the other two I have looked at.

I have a lot of things I will modify to fit my wife and I.
Over the years we have noted the things we like in a camper,
and the things we don't care for.

I can almost hear Desoto State Park calling me now...
It's 35 miles up the road from our house, nestled in the mountains.

[OleManOleCan]

Well... We finally camped at Desoto State Park.
Happy to report everything went smoothly.

I saw a number of smaller campers and quite a few with no slides.
These were offset by a lot of 40' or better behemoths.
Didn't seem to be much middle ground.

I did talk to one of the guys who stopped to ask about our Fleetwood Prowler.
He was in a big camper and was fussing because his camper barely fit his space.
Go figure. State parks have more smaller spaces than big landing strips.

[GrandpaKip]

Enjoy!

[OleManOleCan]

OleManOleCan wrote:
Well, It's been almost 3 months working on my Old Fleetwood Prowler.
I'm not fast, I worked on it when I had no obligations for the day.
Not saying I'm finished, but the bigger job is complete.

NOW...
Tomorrow I start to clean out all the tools, stains, and saw dust.
Then I'm gonna mount a tiny 19" TV, and buy new bedding.
Lastly I'm gonna hang the curtains Barbara made.
(I already put up new brackets and rods...)

Bout time to go to the Mountain. I can hardly wait.

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN A BLAST. 🙂

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally completed work on the 75 Fleetwood Prowler today.
It took me longer to do the work than I had thought.
Persistance and Youtube kept me going.
And I found and ordered parts on the Internet.

I think I have stocked everything but food.
Maybe next week we take it out.
I planed to call it 'The Daniel's' or 'The Blue Line',
but my wife prevailed. It's 'Ole Man Dan'.
I used that when I shot in the Single Action Shooting Society.
I also used Ole Man Dan on this forum a couple of years ago...
I couldn't get back on with it, so I made a fresh start.
That's all for now.

[colliehauler]

Time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

[OleManOleCan]

Well, It's been almost 3 months working on my Old Fleetwood Prowler.
I'm not fast, I worked on it when I had no obligations for the day.
Not saying I'm finished, but the bigger job is complete.

NOW...
Tomorrow I start to clean out all the tools, stains, and saw dust.
Then I'm gonna mount a tiny 19" TV, and buy new bedding.
Lastly I'm gonna hang the curtains Barbara made.
(I already put up new brackets and rods...)

Bout time to go to the Mountain. I can hardly wait.

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN A BLAST. 🙂

[OleManOleCan]

I've been off the Internet for a couple of days.
(Yes there is life without the Internet)

The last work I did on my old Prowler was to frame up an old unusable shower
into a Pantry. We needed the space more than the shower.
I love the 20' length, but storage needed some help.
I completed the pantry and put in a couple of large shelves for large items.
I left a little room in the front of the pantry for our tent and a couple of bag chairs.
Two eye bolts and a Bunji Cord hold them upright.
(We generally shower in the Bath Houses of the campgrounds we frequent.
Early risers.
In my expierence the showere are cleanest from 0500 to 0700, and we hit em early.)

More later...
While I have the water working, I'm going to change some of that and try a different approach... Time will tell if I'm spinning my wheels.
The joys of retirement is having time to play around with different ideas.
Tinkering with an old camper is stimilating.

[Sumonezdad]

Sounds like a fun, but large project. I just picked up a 1980 Itasca Suncruiser to restore and enjoy with the family. I look forward to seeing your progress and I’ll be asking many questions to the members of the forum.

[OleManOleCan]

OleManOleCan wrote:

OleManOleCan wrote:
Continuing saga...

I've worked on my 75 Fleetwood Prowler now off and on for a couple of months.
Probably the hardest things to do were plumbing related.
I don't speak plumber, so that made it more difficult.
I finally completed all my plumbing work.

NOW...

Next project. Someone built a shower stall but failed to include little things like water. Who knows what they were thinking.
Yesterday I used my Sawzall and gutted it. I need the space more than I need a shower. ( I generally camp near a bath house in my favorite campgrounds, so I prefer to use their shower. Two of my favorite campgrounds have super clean bath houses)

Since my camper is about 20 foot long, space is at a premium.
I'm going to build a large pantry and storage area where the shower was.
It will have it's own entrance.
A wall in the bathroom will separate my toilet from my pantry.

BTW: I cleared it with the boss, and she prefers to use the bathhouse too...
Out came the sawzall...
More later.

Today 4/15
I got new stabilizers and installed them.
That old can is steady as a rock. I'm impressed.
I bought materials to make a case opening for my Pantry.
Tonight I ordered a Twin size Futon mattress from Amazon.
It will go on the Futon couch over the cushions.
Tomorrow my mom has an appointment at Vision America...
Not gonna get much accomplished until Tuesday.

I still need to frame up the pantry, and cut some shelving...
I'm getting closer to finishing my project. I'm planning to take
the Prowler camping in a couple of weeks.
I decided to scrap the ancient TV and it's mount and put a wall mount in and buy a small TV.

Today I framed out my Pantry. and threw out the old TV that was mounted on a makeshift swing out shelf.
Tomorrow I buy paneling or White Board to cover the insides of the pantry.
I'm also buying stuff to make the pantry entry have a Case Opening.
I'm also gonna check out Walmart for small flat screen TV's.
It's supposed to storm tomorrow night, so I'll have a short day...
More later.

[OleManOleCan]

OleManOleCan wrote:
Continuing saga...

I've worked on my 75 Fleetwood Prowler now off and on for a couple of months.
Probably the hardest things to do were plumbing related.
I don't speak plumber, so that made it more difficult.
I finally completed all my plumbing work.

NOW...

Next project. Someone built a shower stall but failed to include little things like water. Who knows what they were thinking.
Yesterday I used my Sawzall and gutted it. I need the space more than I need a shower. ( I generally camp near a bath house in my favorite campgrounds, so I prefer to use their shower. Two of my favorite campgrounds have super clean bath houses)

Since my camper is about 20 foot long, space is at a premium.
I'm going to build a large pantry and storage area where the shower was.
It will have it's own entrance.
A wall in the bathroom will separate my toilet from my pantry.

BTW: I cleared it with the boss, and she prefers to use the bathhouse too...
Out came the sawzall...
More later.

Today 4/15
I got new stabilizers and installed them.
That old can is steady as a rock. I'm impressed.
I bought materials to make a case opening for my Pantry.
Tonight I ordered a Twin size Futon mattress from Amazon.
It will go on the Futon couch over the cushions.
Tomorrow my mom has an appointment at Vision America...
Not gonna get much accomplished until Tuesday.

I still need to frame up the pantry, and cut some shelving...
I'm getting closer to finishing my project. I'm planning to take
the Prowler camping in a couple of weeks.
I decided to scrap the ancient TV and it's mount and put a wall mount in and buy a small TV.

[OleManOleCan]

Continuing saga...

I've worked on my 75 Fleetwood Prowler now off and on for a couple of months.
Probably the hardest things to do were plumbing related.
I don't speak plumber, so that made it more difficult.
I finally completed all my plumbing work.

NOW...

Next project. Someone built a shower stall but failed to include little things like water. Who knows what they were thinking.
Yesterday I used my Sawzall and gutted it. I need the space more than I need a shower. ( I generally camp near a bath house in my favorite campgrounds, so I prefer to use their shower. Two of my favorite campgrounds have super clean bath houses)

Since my camper is about 20 foot long, space is at a premium.
I'm going to build a large pantry and storage area where the shower was.
It will have it's own entrance.
A wall in the bathroom will separate my toilet from my pantry.

BTW: I cleared it with the boss, and she prefers to use the bathhouse too...
Out came the sawzall...
More later.

[OleManOleCan]

ppine wrote:
Vintage trailers have a coolness factor. But they are like old cars. It is hard to get some parts and things fail. They are fun but not for everyone.

My solutions have mostly been workarounds.
Plan A
Plan B
Plan C

Anything you get to work beats camping in a tent...
Little things like Indoor Plumbing, water, 110 and 12 volt lights ect.
Every workaround makes camping a little easier.

Not to mention working on my RV gives me something to do.
Retirement is great, but it's also better if you keep yourself busy. 🙂

[ppine]

Vintage trailers have a coolness factor. But they are like old cars. It is hard to get some parts and things fail. They are fun but not for everyone.

[OleManOleCan]

OleManOleCan wrote:

OleManOleCan wrote:
Well... I've been busy. I cleaned out my Prowler. Removed a tore up awning someone had put on it. (Fabric rotted)
I've added several coat hooks, a clock, a new smoke/carbon dioxide detector.
I've sprayed the metal step with black liquid rubber. (No longer slick when wet).
I cleaned the stove and got all burners clean and burning. I got the oven cleaned and the pilot light lite. Stove works great.
I had an additional gas line someone had installed. I added a propane wall heater for boondocking.
I changed out the safety chains, and cleaned the hitch area.
I bought an additional 15', 30 amp extension cord and some additional connectors.
Today I started washing the trailer down outside.
Today I installed a Cable Vision plug on the outside of the Power hatch.
(We don't always Boondock)
I made a small platform to use instead of the 'Step'. I put a rubber tread surface to make it not too slick.
I've been pretty busy with the niggling little things.

TO DO LIST
I'm gonna put a new rubber roof on.
It is leaking where someone installed the awning.
I haven't tackled electrical and plumbing yet.
I'm gonna make stove and sink covers for extra work areas...
I need new rubber for the road, and I'm gonna repack the bearings.
The Tongue of the trailer, back bumper and the wheel rims will get a fresh coat of black paint.
I need a new trailer battery... Done.
I need a couple of up to date 20 pound Propane tanks.
I'll get the propane tanks at one of the many Estate Sales near here.
I don't mind paying $10-15 for an up to date tank.
AND...
I have my wife looking for some large vinyl letters, gonna put
'Ole Man Dan' on the hatch on the back of the camper.
(Got to keep her busy)

ADDITION....
I've worked on my electricals for the last two days.
I have 110 power to lights and plugs.
Someone at some time added 12 volt lights too.
I need to buy a new battery and check those circuits too.
Today I connected a garden hose to my camper.
water leaks all around the faucet connection. Gonna cut it out of the system and replace it. I did get enough water inside to see that my kitchen sink faucet works.
My old Prowler does not have a lock at the trailer ball, it has a shackle that goes down to secure the ball inside. My temporary fix was to put a long shank lock thru the shackle so it want close.
We are expecting 6" to 8" of rain in the next few days, guess I'll stay inside and leave the RV work for another day. More later.

....................................................................................................................................
It's been a while since I updated progress on my Fleetwood.
(FAMILY BUSINESS...)

Lately I completed working on my Black Water System. Thanks Lowes...
My Gray Water pipes had to be replaced. Done. Again thanks Lowes...
I finally trashed my plastic plumbing and replaced all water lines. Done.
No leaks. Lowes again...
We had a small mold issue and I took care off it.
I worked on my 12 volt system and it's working properly now.
Barbara made curtains. I put up new brackets.
When I checked the stabilizers... Only one worked.
Stabilizers are welded on. Next I'm buying stabilizers and taking it to the welding shop to cut off the old stabilizers and weld on the new.
I'm doing a little more cosmetic work inside...
I bought new cranks for my RV windows and installed them. Farm Town had some original hand cranks at original prices.
I'm almost to the point of buying new mattresses for the beds.
I'm finally getting close enough to see light at the end of the tunnel...

I don't profess to know anything about campers, but 'YouTube' does.
I need all the help I can get. I'm one of those guys who know a little about everything, and a lot about nothing...
But... I can do 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' type things.
I ain't done yet, but it's been a lot of fun working on the ole 75.

[OleManOleCan]

OleManOleCan wrote:

OleManOleCan wrote:
Well... I've been busy. I cleaned out my Prowler. Removed a tore up awning someone had put on it. (Fabric rotted)
I've added several coat hooks, a clock, a new smoke/carbon dioxide detector.
I've sprayed the metal step with black liquid rubber. (No longer slick when wet).
I cleaned the stove and got all burners clean and burning. I got the oven cleaned and the pilot light lite. Stove works great.
I had an additional gas line someone had installed. I added a propane wall heater for boondocking.
I changed out the safety chains, and cleaned the hitch area.
I bought an additional 15', 30 amp extension cord and some additional connectors.
Today I started washing the trailer down outside.
Today I installed a Cable Vision plug on the outside of the Power hatch.
(We don't always Boondock)
I made a small platform to use instead of the 'Step'. I put a rubber tread surface to make it not too slick.
I've been pretty busy with the niggling little things.

TO DO LIST
I'm gonna put a new rubber roof on.
It is leaking where someone installed the awning.
I haven't tackled electrical and plumbing yet.
I'm gonna make stove and sink covers for extra work areas...
I need new rubber for the road, and I'm gonna repack the bearings.
The Tongue of the trailer, back bumper and the wheel rims will get a fresh coat of black paint.
I need a new trailer battery... Done.
I need a couple of up to date 20 pound Propane tanks.
I'll get the propane tanks at one of the many Estate Sales near here.
I don't mind paying $10-15 for an up to date tank.
AND...
I have my wife looking for some large vinyl letters, gonna put
'Ole Man Dan' on the hatch on the back of the camper.
(Got to keep her busy)

ADDITION....
I've worked on my electricals for the last two days.
I have 110 power to lights and plugs.
Someone at some time added 12 volt lights too.
I need to buy a new battery and check those circuits too.
Today I connected a garden hose to my camper.
water leaks all around the faucet connection. Gonna cut it out of the system and replace it. I did get enough water inside to see that my kitchen sink faucet works.
My old Prowler does not have a lock at the trailer ball, it has a shackle that goes down to secure the ball inside. My temporary fix was to put a long shank lock thru the shackle so it want close.
We are expecting 6" to 8" of rain in the next few days, guess I'll stay inside and leave the RV work for another day. More later.

....................................................................................................................................
It's been a while since I updated progress on my Fleetwood.
(FAMILY BUSINESS...)

Lately I completed working on my Black Water System. Thanks Lowes...
My Gray Water pipes had to be replaced. Done. Again thanks Lowes...
I finally trashed my plastic plumbing and replaced all water lines. Done.
No leaks. Lowes again...
We had a small mold issue and I took care off it.
I worked on my 12 volt system and it's working properly now.
Barbara made curtains. I put up new brackets.
When I checked the stabilizers... Only one worked.
Stabilizers are welded on. Next I'm buying stabilizers and taking it to the welding shop to cut off the old stabilizers and weld on the new.
I'm doing a little more cosmetic work inside...
I bought new cranks for my RV windows and installed them. Farm Town had some original hand cranks at original prices.
I'm almost to the point of buying new mattresses for the beds.
I'm finally getting close enough to see light at the end of the tunnel...

I don't profess to know anything about campers, but 'YouTube' does.
I need all the help I can get. I'm one of those guys who know a little about everything, and a lot about nothing...
But... I can do 'Monkey See, Monkey Do' type things.
I ain't done yet, but it's been a lot of fun working on the ole 75.