drbobdouglas
New Member
A bad day camping is better than a good day at work.
Posts: 10
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Post by drbobdouglas on May 22, 2013 11:10:15 GMT -5
Hi All,
Yes, We are really considering opening up the 1959 Airflyte by removing the curbside cabinetry. (Yes, I know what I'm proposing is sacrilege.) Sadly, I have a family member that suffers from claustrophobia, and opening things up will likely help. It would really break my heart to loose some of my camping crew.
I have enjoyed a open floor plan camper. We recently had a vintage Covered Wagon camper in which the all mid-ships cabinets were removed, and it really created a nice open airy living space. (kind of like the Shasta 1970's 1400)
So, here is my question. Does the floor to ceiling curbside cabinets provide a necessary structural support to the frame of the Shasta? If I remove them, will I run into trouble with the frame torqueing?
Many thanks for your help.
Bob
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Post by universalexports on May 22, 2013 11:16:53 GMT -5
I really dont know, I think the cabinet would for sure add some structural support, would it be ok with out it I dont know, I think if it were me I would remove the cabinetry, then add a support "T" or something, maybe a small 1 foot deep by 1 foot wide shelf from floor to ceiling to get back the additional support.
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Post by schweetcruisers on May 22, 2013 16:21:25 GMT -5
Knowing how the early trailers were built and how little thought Shasta put into the structure, I would have to say yes the cabinets are structural. When I pulled the closet cabinet out of mine the wall sunk about 1", and when I rebuilt mine I noticed the more cabinets I added the stronger the trailer became, as it anchors the walls to the ceiling and floor, IMHO! I am not a engineer, I just play one!
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mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
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Post by mobiltec on May 22, 2013 18:38:42 GMT -5
Knowing how the early trailers were built and how little thought Shasta put into the structure, I would have to say yes the cabinets are structural. When I pulled the closet cabinet out of mine the wall sunk about 1", and when I rebuilt mine I noticed the more cabinets I added the stronger the trailer became, as it anchors the walls to the ceiling and floor, IMHO! I am not a engineer, I just play one! DITTO! DITTO! DITTO! Only do that if you no longer plan on towing it anywhere. The cabinets in most vintage wood frame trailers are about the ONLY thing holding them together. The Unibody construction helps a lot in it's own way but then again Unibody means no structural frame. Between the fact that the paneling goes over the top, front and rear of the wall frames and the cabinets, there is only enough there to hold it all together and if you remove any of it at all you are weakening the structural integrity of the unit. Now if you were talking about a Boles or Silver Streak or dare I even mention them on this board,,,,, an Airstream, (shudder) with metal frames you can gut the heck out of them without much worry. Althgough you do need to leave the bulk heads in. My best thought for you would be to get a trailer with a lot of big windows like a F&S or a Kenskill. There are others. Look around. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2013 19:09:44 GMT -5
Once you pull the cabinets out of one of these trailers they're pretty flimsy. I agree, you wouldn't want to tow it.
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drbobdouglas
New Member
A bad day camping is better than a good day at work.
Posts: 10
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Post by drbobdouglas on May 23, 2013 6:28:58 GMT -5
Good replies!
Many thanks.
Alas, you have confirmed my fears that the Shasta's Box would become 'squishy' without those cabinets as a internal brace.
Hmmmm.
I wonder if there is any kind of open framework I could install that would serve to properly structurally preserve the camper's integrity, yet be able to visually free up the curbside of the camper?
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Post by persimmonpal on May 23, 2013 6:35:55 GMT -5
Bob, my wife is an architect and structural designer.. I will forward this email to her and maybe she can get some ideas from the others in her office. Just off the top of my head I have had a few ideas but I seem to tallk myself out of them quickly. How about removing the cabinets and modifying them so they are much more shallow? That would improve your sight lines, and still have a little bit of storage..
Maybe your need to get a nice Holiday house like the one on the cover of the most recent Vintage trailer magazine!! Either that or a nice old Spartan!
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Post by harleyshasta on May 23, 2013 8:10:50 GMT -5
Maybe A Visual Change Like Adding Plastic Mirrors To The Cabinet Faces, Or Painting A Lighter Color Might Help....Just Thinking OF Options. Good Luck!!!
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Post by bigbill on May 23, 2013 9:10:36 GMT -5
How about building a steel structure out of 1/2" x 1" or 2" steel tube with a an angle brace at each top corner could be disguised as a shelf bracket on curb side and placed at each end of cabinets on street side. they would have to be made in two pieces joined on ceiling cross brace in order to get the into trailer. They would also need to be fastened to floor at bottom.
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