Yes, the saga continues. It's been quiet on the blog front as I've been woodworking for the past months. Can't work on the Silver Bullet when it's -25C. With the warmer weather (only -5 this morning) I've returned to the trailer. With a vengeance.
From my reading of others' blogs who have journeyed this road before me, a common problem is rusted frame. Usually the outriggers are the first to go. Thankfully, only one of mine will need replacing. There is a lot of surface corrosion on the frame, but that can be easily removed before priming and rust painting the frame.
The hardest part was removing the 3/4 inch plywood from the channel that surrounds the frame. I had to drill, chisel, sawsall, circular saw, prod and pray until it finally came out. Oh, and cut about 100 rusted bolts and screws.
....that I accidentally cut through with the sawsall. First casualty of the trailer but I wouldn't have used the tire anyway. It's 45 years old. Some of the plywood, like the plywood underneath the rectangle (top right) is also frozen solid. "Any leaks?" I asked. "No, I don't think so," he said. I knew there were leaks—had to be—I just didn't know where. Turns out this is why the plywood is frozen solid in the channel. No worries. Once warmer weather hits, I'll chisel it out.
You'll notice the wheel well is removed (left side). Part of the renovation is how to seal all the water access points that developed over the 45 years. I'll be ordering aluminum sheeting, rivets, etc and fabricating patches and sealing spaces. Lots of Sikaflex 221 in my future.
The shoulder I injured in Austria skiing in 1979 (sounds exotic, right? Alas, I hit a piece of grass and it threw me on my shoulder) is telling me that I'm not as young as I used to be. But the great thing is, I'll never have to repeat this part of the renovation.
Next step is to start removing rust. Once all the weather warms up, I'll pressure wash the entire frame and then start the painting process. Then come new water lines, electrical, windows, insulation, fans, furniture.... I should be done next week.
Stay tuned.
You see, it came with floor rot. The previous owner lied about nearly everything about the trailer (caveat emptor...). I knew there would be issues and I was prepared for the worst. Well, the worst has yet to transpire.
I've pulled up all the floor. Been on my knees for two days. My very own pilgrimage of penance, but for what, I'm not sure. Maybe for starting this madness?
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| Frame exposed. "Did you drain the water tank?" I asked. "Oh yes," he replied. The tank is FROZEN SOLID. |
The hardest part was removing the 3/4 inch plywood from the channel that surrounds the frame. I had to drill, chisel, sawsall, circular saw, prod and pray until it finally came out. Oh, and cut about 100 rusted bolts and screws.
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| And under the left garbage bag, a spare tire... |
The shoulder I injured in Austria skiing in 1979 (sounds exotic, right? Alas, I hit a piece of grass and it threw me on my shoulder) is telling me that I'm not as young as I used to be. But the great thing is, I'll never have to repeat this part of the renovation.
Next step is to start removing rust. Once all the weather warms up, I'll pressure wash the entire frame and then start the painting process. Then come new water lines, electrical, windows, insulation, fans, furniture.... I should be done next week.
Stay tuned.
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