Vintage Restoration

[TGallagher]

I'm in the process of trying to buy a Vintage 1970 Yellowstone, 18ft. The water lines need to be replaced, but PEX tubing is easy. The gas lines are said by the current owner to leak, so I'll be using an electric skillet, crock pot, patio burner and toaster oven until I get the gas lines taken care of- no rush.

The question I have is the electric- this trailer wasn't built with an AC- a window unit is currently mounted in a back window, but I want to have a Coleman Polar Cub installed. I know it involves cutting a hole in the roof, bracing, etc. The interesting thing is that this trailer has probably one single electrical circuit, which won't support the A/C.

Anyone out there ever redo the electric and add a circuit panel in a vintage trailer? At 18ft, I figure no more than 2 or 3 circuits are needed (one dedicated for the A/C) should do it.

I'll be living in the trailer for a while to come- lost the house in a refinance scam and am renting a room from a friend. Don't cry for me- I've cried enough, now I can laugh. The scammer now owns a house that needs tens of thousands of dollars in construction work- new floor, roof, finishing the garage, new energy-efficient windows, both patio doors, and so on. The plumbing is all new (my work). The landscaping is near to what it was when I moved in- I sold my container garden and every plant I could dig up. He now has to pay over $2k a year in taxes (about the highest in the area), over $1,200 a year in insurance, and faces fines from the city because the front of the house needs work. Good luck! He claims to run an "investment company." He can invest in fixing it up, and praying that he gets back his costs- the housing market says that's not going to happen anytime soon.

Meanwhile, I'll own what I'm living in, free and clear, the insurance will be about $500/year, taxes/tags are about $30/year, and I don't have to cut grass. The RV park where I'll be living allows container gardens. Whoopie! Best of all, if anything happens, like bad neighbors, weather disaster, etc, I can hitch up and move without worrying about selling anything or finding a place to live in the new area.

As a kid, we lived for a while with my Grandfather and Great Uncle in their home-built truck camper. Moving around and small spaces are okay. Besides, here's a fact I learned watching the two of them: relatives don't want to move in with you in a camper or trailer. Hee hee. Even friends don't ask for a couch "until they get back on their feet."

Sorry for rambling. Anyone got any ideas about a circuit panel addition?

[avalen]

well, I think it could be done if you had the know-how, otherwise an electrician would be in order. Definately a dedicated
circuit for the ac. If you plan on putting in a microwave, I'd add a dedicated circuit for that too and then the rest could
be just lights, and just wall outlets. Sounds like a fun project to me.

[Bethers]

What Ava said.

Sounds like you have a great plan. Good luck. And no crying for you - you have a plan and it sounds like a good one. You are also right - since moving into my rv, no one tries to come stay. A couple have visited for very short periods of time. And when I visit, I bring my bedroom with me - which makes visiting (for me) so much better.

[Acadianmom]

Have you thought how you will heat in the winter. A heat strip can be added to the roof air conditioners and I think they are safer than a space heater.

I did a search for you trailer and found several internet sites that can probably help you. There is a Yahoo Group called Vintage Trailer Club and tincantourists.com. With the internet I think you can find almost anything.

Martha

[JanetA]

I am excited for you , girl! The money you are saving from getting out from under that house deal would be worth what you have to spend to get your new unit in tip top shape for you. you are gonna have so much fun and pride in ownership and accomplishment when you get finished! God bless you and all your endeavors. I would think in San Antonio there is someone somewhere thts capable to help you w/o too much cost to you,,, the parts are probably gonna be the most outlay.

Keep us posted and also post pics. We are all pulling for you!

all the best!

Janet A

[Nasoosie]

What an exciting adventure this has turned out to be for you! I hope you can send some pics of your plumbing work, as I, too, have a vintage Glenelle travel trailer (1986) with all split copper water lines, most of which I have already removed, and I have bought most of the pex stuff and fittings I think I will need to re-plumb it. My trailer has an electric pump, a small after-market-installed holding water tank, and even a hand pump to use it at the kitchen sink! I am anxious to find the time to do that this summer. It, too, has no AC, but has a great gas-fired furnace/heater, and a three way refrigerator which works great. The floor space is even better than this new trailer I have been living in. Will look forward to hearing about how hard (or easy) it is to replumb yours!