The journey to a new home

Business is what took me to Vernal in the first place where I found my trailer, and business is what made it possible to travel back to Vernal to pick up my new trailer.....that and the help of a very good and patient friend (Thanks, Rick!).

It was a little snowbound....

...and a little frozen over....

...but a little digging revealed...

...the Scotty Glacier!

The Lewis' say goodbye - I promise to take good care of Grandpa's Scotty

And away we go.....to remove some accumulated precipitation!

I needed space to clear off the snow that was frozen to the roof as well as maneuvering room to wrap the trailer and apply the tiedowns.  Pallet wrap was used to prevent any undesired siding incidents from occurring at 65 MPH and the tiedowns ensured the the cabin would stay secure to the frame while minimizing the chance of a blow out underneath the rear window (the aluminum had seam had been tucked back into place but why tempt fate?).  A nearby Church parking lot gave us all the space we needed to prepare the trailer for the long trip home.

All cleaned up and ready for a new life

Street clothes simply won't do but just add some plastic wrap....

.....and tiedowns and we're ready to go!

Rick contemplates my sanity....and lunch at Wimpy's in Maeser!

Stretching legs and checking things over in Duchesne

Fuel stop in Heber

"Someday, I will be a beautiful butterfly, and then everything will be better."

The trip took about five hours and involved a few stops along the way to re-secure the pallet wrap that seemed to find away to come loose no matter what I did.  One roll of duct tape later it  calmed down a bit.  The Scotty trailed along nicely with no surprises or bad manners; I'll have to see how well it does behind my Mercury!  It is now safely reposing at my friend Dave's trailer shop, South Valley RV Repair, where the metamorphosis will begin.

You gotta make the journey out and in.....

Now for a look at the outside from photos taken last summer (thanks to Linda Atkin)....

Curbside

From it's initial presentation the trailer seems to sit square and flat (a little high in the front due to the blocks of wood under the tongue jack).  There is a hook above the cargo door (probably to hold it open), and the holes used to mount the lock hasp to secure the cabin door shut.  I'm not sure but I'm guessing the little fittings along the trim line fore and aft above the level of the window and above the door were for some sort of sun shade or awning at one time. All these "features" will have to be dealt with in one way or another along with the dings that are hear and there.

Streetside 1/4 oblique view

Here is an example of one of the many features that makes this trailer ripe for rebuilding:  open seams!  All four corners are loose and will need to be secured before we move this off site.  The journey home will take about 5 hours (taking our time and planning for periodic inspections), and since I don't want to employ a chase car to chase down any parts that might come loose (funny co-workers), the trailer will be mummified with palleting wrap and tie downs running from  the leading lower edge over the top and down to the trailing lower edge. Note the city water connection in the middle of the side wall!  Various small holes abound all along the lower edge and a few others in other places....they seem to go with the territory.

 

Rear view from the curb

Here is another reason for securing the siding with pallet wrap before transport and the tie downs - the seam under the rear window has completely opened up!  Not really wanting a blowout at road speed (or a need for that chase car) this "air scoop" will also be secured prior to the 250 mile trip.  The risk of a blowout is a very real concern as I discovered and can barely be seen in the photo below:

 Note the gaposis along the lower left edge of the body and frame

The lower leading edge doesn't look all that bad (or great) but from the inside, sunlight can be seen all along the seam which has opened up about an 1/2-inch all the way across.  It might make for excellent cabin ventilation (goes with the "air scoop" in the back) but I'm guessing that wasn't part of the original design.  I'm hoping when I rebuild the tongue and hitch, I can recover the original VIN from under what I'm guessing was a LP tank bracket of sorts.

Some work needed here and we might find the original S/N!

History 101

When I built my little homebrew trailer, I was hoping to make it a little more "trailer-ish" looking but instead it ended up a little more doghouse-like in appearance.  This was ok but it kind of lacked some of the classic curbside appeal I find so......well, appealing in older trailers.  So when I "discovered" the Scotty, I liked the looks and appreciated it's minimalist leanings.  The camping I enjoy does not involve satellite dishes, RV garages, pop-out bedrooms, or microwave ovens.  My homebrew trailer met those restrictions and with it's diminutive size makes it easy to fit into places where the "Titanic" cannot (and perhaps, should not) go!  

I've posted some photos taken last fall of the trailer demonstrating it's present condition and what makes this the perfect starting point for my journey....

Not too bad......not too good, either.  That's what makes it PERFECT!

We can learn a lot about water filtration in here.....

Note the city water faucet!

It might have been a bit damp back here once or twice.

...and here.

Seating for two......

...or sleeping for one.

Here is why it is "perfect" (and how I describe it to others):  After a careful inventory of what is and is not there, this trailer is, in essence, one complete set of spare parts on wheels.  The windows are all original, the screens, the cranks, the interior window trim is all there.  The torsion springs on the axle appear to be in good shape (no cracks or breaks).  The frame needs the rust removed but it looks straight and solid. The exterior skin is in fair shape - no tears or major dings, a few extra screw holes but not surprising given it's age and the level of care over the years.  In short, it is a perfect candidate for a full frame-up restoration.  The wood is the easily obtainable component to deal with in replacing.  Strip it down, patterning all the wood parts as I go.  Once I'm down to a pile of parts the fun begins:  Polish the parts skin panels and replace the wood.  Clean, refurbish, and paint the frame. Rebuild the floor, the walls and the cabinetry one stick at a time.  Re-skin the exterior.  This won't be easy or cheap but then again, nothing worthwhile is.  The challenge will be to do this as inexpensively as possible.  I'm planning on keeping my hands and feet inside the car for the duration of the ride!

You gotta do the homework....

1967 Aermacchi / Harley-Davidson Sprint after winning Best of Show and People's Choice,
Cache Valley Cruise-In, 2010

I like to build things.  Interesting things. Useful things.  Not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill things.  It took 26 years but I guess I must have a few good ideas.....my restored 1967 Harley Sprint wins awards.  But you gotta do the homework.  My friends know better than to ask.....! 

Homebuilt Camping Trailer

It isn't teardrop-shaped but it is in concept - forward sleeping quarters for two and an outside aft galley.  Total cost over a three-year construction period was about $1,500.  Reward factor:  priceless

Trailer Galley

When the radio bug bit.....well, lets just say there is no cure known to man.  A vow of poverty, you ask?

1620 KVWJ Studios

It's only 100mW but I have fun; it's equipped just like any other radio station.....circa 1979!  This building started out as a 124'-long pedestrian walkway in front of a job site.  I knew the contractor and obtained salvage rights.  I spent the next nine months planning how to disassemble, modify and build my backyard station.  I cried the day the walls went up, a dream was happening.  It's now ten years old, my neighbors enjoy the oldies, and I'm working towards a LPFM license.  Who says business and pleasure can't mix? 

 So after spying the Scotty last summer, I did my research.  Lots of it.  Hours of it.  And a plan came into being......

In the beginning....

1961 Serro Scotty Sportsman

I spotted this trailer in the pre-dawn darkness when on a morning jog while away on business.  That afternoon when on my way out of town I stopped by again and this time inquired about it.  This was a bad move on my part as I knew what must happen next......