Starting w/ our 1971 Loflyte (NO PICS ANYMORE THOUGH)

[pathfinder3081]

Well, let me start here for lack of choking up other threads We took our new 71 out for her virgin voyage this weekend and I am happy to report that she did really well. My wife and are very blessed for the most part as I am in the belief that the main frame on our girl is still intact and holding up strong. I had to throw a new set of tires on her just to be on the safe side. She pulled straight and true, bounce and bit on the open road but never really pushed my V6 Dodge Ram in a bad or uncomon way.
I've been throwing some Rubbing Compound on and topping her with some Turtle wax to see what I can get out of the 40 year paint job and sad to say, not much. But she won't chalk you up anymore. Now.. Cosmetics and to tie up anything that might happen to her before we paint her this fall / or next spring.

[pathfinder3081]

Cleaning this girl was the step in the right direction of course. My wife has been playing house and detailing the windows. I dig how the little screens come out with clips and will be easy to replace if they ever become torn. Cleaner? Please give me some feed back on what works best for the amount of surface corrosion, oxidation and wear on the aluminum trim that I am trying to reflect in the pic. I found the "Nuvite" products on the Vintage Trailer site. How "course" of formula should the average 40 year old frame surface handle? And I was looking at the "3/4" Butyl Putty Tape" on their site as well. Good stuff? And I would love to put in the drip rubber in my windows as well and have seen alot of good threads on here about that. Jeepers thats alot for my plate this week.

[cowcharge]

I used some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound (I think that's what it's called) from the auto parts store on my '76 and it brought the dull paint back to virtually new-looking, without any wax. Might be worth a try...

[pathfinder3081]

Thanks there cowcharge,I'll sure give it a wirl!

[pathfinder3081]

Gittin' inside and underneath this weekend. Working on some dollys to get her in and out of the garage and posted it at the "jacking,leveling thread" if you wanta take a look. I wanted to post some interior picks so that other might see where we are starting.

[pathfinder3081]

Okay, I did a simple "restore" today that many here will find mondane, but when I search for some clues, I found none Well some window stuff but... Perhaps its because Im the idiot (lol) Anyhow the wife filled in for a girl at her work and I had a hour or two to kill and a bottle of wine.
The old came out and the new when in without any problem. The screws were new but the same size. I have read some notes and threads about going up to #8 from #6's. These pulled in tight and squeezed out the excess. As these were going into solid ply, another 1/4 of an inch would have been good.

The Puty tape; I did get the feeling that less is more as I tighten her down. I really don't know hows this stuff will shrink or expand, cure or dry out. It is just the stanadrd stuff on the shelf here at RV World in Colfax, NC.

[pathfinder3081]

And then I finished her up. I kept wanting to make sure that the low void in the skin would be filled. I really didn't pile it on. I think that the one layer is all that you need. It looked a lot fatter than the old mounts that are on her now and I tried to trim it down.
Brothers and Sisters, if I am way off let me know and I'll pull it again. It really wasn't that bad at all.

[vikx]

The final job looks Great! Did you take the paper off the putty? The way it is oozing, looks like you did. If not, it will still work. Just take the paper off next time. Beautiful result.

I very much appreciate that you used the original #6 screws. It's so much better to keep the holes small if possible. I spend hours toothpicking/gluing holes to do the same.

Congrats on the good work.

[pathfinder3081]

What a pain in the neck this was. First of all, I was planing on this taking about 2hours out, 2 hours in.. Right...
When I got this girl a few weeks ago and tried to throw a little water in the tank it bled through the bottom, right at the skins edge and the floor. Just like it's suppose to do if there is a busted tank. (another fellow had the same thing aweek or so ago). The elbow into the top of the tank was cracked. All in all the experience was not a bad one, just a long one.
When I got the tank out the barb that was in the tanks collar, fell into the tank. That took me about 45 minutes to "snip and cut, pull and twist"... royal pain (So watch for that) I washed the tank up, filled it up with a little bleach and rinsed it out good. No leaks, no problems.

[pathfinder3081]

Trying to get the Connection between the Gravity Port and the new elbow was the great pain in this project. There is no room for to push or pull the pipe onto the fittings. This is a none preasure hose and water path. I did not want stiff lines, pipe compounds or glues. The clear reinforced hose works best for me. I did most of this work alone and it would have went alot faster with two on the project. It took about 3-1/2 hours on Saturday, and about 3-1/2 hours Sunday. Mind you the wife did help me for about 20 minutes. You must have one in and one out when you pushed the hose onto the barbs for the final assembly.
You start outside with the hose on the Gravity port. The hose is all the way on the Gravity Port - seated. Get 1/2 inch of hose slid onto the tank elbow that your partner is holding and pushing through the hole. Do this from the outside. When you have enough on the barb to hold it good, connect the Port to the skin with the exterior screws. With the wife holding hard against the outside face, and you from the inside, push verticaly the barb into the water tank and its collar. Then, wiggle and push, wiggle and push horiz. onto the Gravity Port barb that your partner is holding firm against the skin until the barb and hose are seated. (little k-y helped) then tighten the only clamp I could reach. Which was on the elbow barb as you look down in this picture.
Good luck!

[pathfinder3081]

May 19, 2012 1:04:02 GMT -5 vikx said:

The final job looks Great! Did you take the paper off the putty? The way it is oozing, looks like you did. If not, it will still work. Just take the paper off next time. Beautiful result.

I very much appreciate that you used the original #6 screws. It's so much better to keep the holes small if possible. I spend hours toothpicking/gluing holes to do the same.

Congrats on the good work.

Thanks for the heads up there Chief.. Yeah I pulled the paper off ..both sides

[pathfinder3081]

Okay, on the last few trips to the field I have been a little cramped on the sleeping quarters and my wife a bit as well. The summer heat is a little sticky right now. It's not Bad, Bad as we have have slept on smaller racks in the past. The "full bed" in our Loflyte is a suite on a 37 footer at sea.
The wife wants me to chop back the rear window sill and make a little more elbow room there and that will happen in the fall when I do some updating on the seals and what not. But, I came up with this little fix / accessory if you will to let me move over a little and bring some air into the room.
Scenerio: If you sleep on your side all night you have no problem.. Right?. If you roll over to your back and you are at "Butt to the edge"... your left arm falls off.
Do you need some "Knee room" while on your side?
I came up with this and after two coats of old latex it's weight is at 18#

[pathfinder3081]

I cut half circles so the left and right carriers slide right under the pipe support. The street side back cushion from the dinnet set fit perfect. The area is about 14" X 40". I thought I would have to make some cushions but it fit perfect.

[pathfinder3081]

The main thing on this puppy was strength and mobility (in my mind anyway) I wanted it to break down for storage. I made some simple veritcal step joints for the weight coming down and did the old vertical slot so it would not get to sloppy racking from left to right.
If you look to the left of this shot you can see the "Half Moon". A important factor.

[pathfinder3081]

I used thump scews and marked the fittings. When one fit tight? It stayed there and I went to the next one. I still cannot believe how expensive common fasteners have become. The legs ride with a simple wedge peice of scrap here in this shot. I might do something else if it gives us a problem.

[pathfinder3081]

And it fit in our closet just fine! ;D The door closes, no rattles... Mmmm
The wife said "No worry" .. Just leave it out and let it be, but I have a thing about that.
A couple of more things and we are off to the HIGH LAND GAMES in the Western Carolina!

PS: I have the sketch and material list if you want.. Nothing fancy. It's 14" X 40" and 11-1/4 inch off the deck. Left and right carriers are 16" long with the 1" half moon at the end..

[boandsusan]

Awesome idea! I,m gonna show this to Bo when he get home this evening. I love stuff that can be tucked away

[pathfinder3081]

Thanks Susan,
It works well... Oh "News break" it's hot here in the Carolina!
I am soon to post my little "switch out" and fix the curb side water thingy... Share with others my new found prize in the "flex stainless steel" line for the water...
It works, it works good but the drain is busted as I discovered on my test run. I have not used the curb side hose and such since I bought her. The PO had and I might have a little thing going on... Some of the top ply is soft but is firm on the bottom side... Ports and holes thru the skin on the low side are not bad...
But? It's okay.. It's July, time to camp and she is not falling apart... Yet ;D
The winter will be a busy one and a fun one as well.

[boandsusan]

Talked to my daughter inlaw this afternoon and her and the boys where caught in a HAIL storm just outside Ft Bragg today. This weather is freaky!

[vikx]

Pathfinder, really like your water tank install! Very clean. Bed is great, too.

[pathfinder3081]

Jul 1, 2012 21:02:24 GMT -5 boandsusan said:

Talked to my daughter inlaw this afternoon and her and the boys where caught in a HAIL storm just outside Ft Bragg today. This weather is freaky!

Yeah it's a bit freaky here. In the Bama too I am certain. Sure is hot and with the heat we get brings on the "Summer thunderstorm fun."
I do not want my Shasta in the "Hails" of the Carolina sky... That puts me to thinking? A MASSIVE Portable umbrella.. and and.. I'll get back with this.

[pathfinder3081]

Jul 2, 2012 0:35:13 GMT -5 vikx said:

Pathfinder, really like your water tank install! Very clean. Bed is great, too.

AWhhh.. shucks.. Thank you for your compliment. There is alot of info here. I just kinda search and discover, if some find it helpful? Then I did a good post.

[vikx]

Yeah, me too. I love to help. Sometimes get a bit cranky and opinionated, tho....

[pathfinder3081]

Well, as I may or may not have said, I finally plugged the water up a couple of weeks ago and found the steady drip drip going on under the sink faucet. The city connection, the copper line looked like it had seen some better days and I found some sweet new stuff in the Airstream shop I thought I would swap it all out.
Not a bad endeavor really. I inserted a two peices of wood to stiffen the port hole, glue them in and got a screw or two in. This helped me have a bit more to fasten too. I like the stiffen port better as it will see alot of "plug up and plug out".

[pathfinder3081]

The flex stainless steel water line was a charm to work with. At first I was looking at the options, the elbows, the lines and then "BOOM" there was the stuff right behind me at Lowes' ;D
What a relief..I also replace that home made vent cover at the stove vent. No it's not original but it's clean and was easy to work with. Total cost of this fix includng the vent at $12.00 was a total of $30.00

[pathfinder3081]

OKAY! The line is hooked up "Honey turn on the water"
Oh man! I am starting to understand this Shasta stuff now.
You get something fix only to find another thing wrong. The drain was busted in this girl... To many all night gigs in the winter months without her heater I guess.. Tramp!
Anyhow, looks like it's been that way abit. Most of the water in the past from others seem to have made it out of the camper most of the time but I feel a little "Iffy Stuff" going on at the base board and a couple of inches up the wall.. Solid enough for now though. The bottom side of the floor decking it solid and so is the tire well. For this pic, I pulled apart to show the lines.. It was vertical and in alignment... Fairly snug but leaking

[pathfinder3081]

Well, new problems give the opportunity to learn new things I guess. I had never messed with this stuff much. I fixed some PVC lawn furniture in the past and I still had some glue.
Total fix on this was about $10.00. I was able to keep the threaded elbows that pass through the skin, and the one that connects to the sink and its' drain. Everything else came out. Camper thread / residential thread seems different. Camper thread is fine.. Lowes stuff is not.
Try to give your self some adjustments with a dry run to make sure everything fits. I got lucky with the final installation. The "tee" part in the vertical is a little off pitch but I got it in.
I made an assembly, measured it and made those notes on the lengths and what not..

[pathfinder3081]

And after a little frustration, lots of heat.. Man it has been a hot few days in the Carolina. It is complete!
The Water tank has been cleaned, hand pump works, gravity port works. The city port on the street side is new and works, no leaks there and the total drain from the sink has been replaced... Now what?
Lets go camping and think about those soft spots in the fall.

[Redwings]

Love love love your posts. Perfect to go with my morning coffee. Even when I laugh out loud and sputter coffee on the screen.

I like how you are taking the renovation one step at a time. Keep up the work and keep on enjoying your voyages.

[Hamlet]

Yup, soft spots will wait until fall, camp away!