[Amc-list] mostly OT... my camp trailer!

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

Rambler content: this attaches to a Rambler, and looks like it belongs 
there!

Got my 1960's Sherwood (Los Angeles) camp trailer yesterday, and today 
set it up and did the first big massive cleanup. Very nice!

The seller said "1964" but it's probably 1969. It's got a black CA 
plate, so I can narrow it down a bit. There's a nomenclature plate 
painted over, I'll decode that later. No ZIP code on it (ZIP codes 
started reliably in 64).

The trailer portion is 8 x 6, about 500 - 600 lbs. It's sheet steel, a 
slight trapeziod shape, and riveted. Zero rust and no dents. Clean design.

The canvas really is all new. Small tear in one screen (from the sink 
faucet) and one small tear in a canvas cover (looks like kid stuff). 
Foam bads are fairly dead, but neatly intact, as is the grim slipcovers. 
(Why is camper upholstery so consistently AWFUL?)

THe floor had ug-lee patterned beige carpeting, exactly what you DO NOT 
WANT in a tent trailer. Pulled that up. Underneath was a spectatularly 
half-assed job of self-stick tiles. Those came up with a putty knife, 
leaving a nice coating of old adhesive goo. THAT came up with some 
mineral spirits with a bit of Marvel Mystery Oil in it (to slow 
evaporation) easily. Then a brush with dish soap and  Bon Ami. Revealing 
the original rollout type linoleum in pretty decent shape except for a 
couple rust stains I can live with if I can't get 'em up. Whew!

Shop vac'ed and washed and hosed down everything, very, very dirty, the 
last (N > 2) owners worth of paper, cups, food, dust, dirt, and general 
Krap. It's starting to look nice now. Chrome polish the table post, Bon 
Ami the aliminum trim, formica table. 10% bleach water on some of the 
rolled-up screen zips (looked like mildew) more hosing...

The stove and sink unit cantilevers out on a complicated contraption and 
at first looked like I'd have to pitch it. But I drilled some drain 
holes in the bottom of the unit and the stove, and it cleaned up 
surprisingly well. Very 1960's yellow colors, good enamel and all. Water 
pump works! Water tank probably OK but I'll replace it with  bigger one 
and an electric pump. Needs a sink. Stove works, missing one flame ring.

Wiring is crap, but it's what, 20 feet and 4 conductors.

Chassis is *excellent*. Clean, no rust, straight. Tires are terrifying, 
but somehow, they made it home. Will do the usual (demount, media blast, 
paint, check for true, replace all bearings).

Has no electrics, but I will add some LED lighting (I've got that stuff 
down pat), a small gel cell and small solar panel, and charge it off the 
trailer connector for good measure. Just needs lighting inside.

I paid $400!! Total deal!!! With new tires and fix one brake light it's 
useable now.

It has one design flaw: it has to be removed from the car to set up. If 
the hitch was one foot longer it could stay on the car. Eh.

No pictures yet as my Sony P.O.S. camera has partially disassembled 
itself, and plays a 'simon says' game every power-on. Time for a new 
(Canon) camera!
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