Exterior Updates

I finally had decent enough weather to drag the trailer out and take the updated pictures.

You will see from the pictures that I have some more work to do. I need to get new propane tanks and hook that system up. Need to make and mount new wings. Also need to do the final wiring for the exterior lights.

Ultimately, I am happy with the overall look of the exterior. The new paint looks pretty decent but a bit flat in spots. I will probably buff or wax the whole thing at some point. New decals look pretty good too.

No more rambling talk. More pictures. We will go with the old standby of before and afters...

Curbside window...

AC unit removed and replaced with a Airflyte window...

Bathroom Closet window...

Kitchen window...

Street side dinette window...

Front window. I added the decal above the window. The trailer didn't originally have one but I like how it looks so I went with it...

Entrance door. Biggest change is removing the hasp and added the deadbolt...

Interior of the entrance door and screen door...

Replaced that crusty latch with a new one...

Repainted step. I used skateboard grip tape that I had left over from another project. Cut it into Mid Century style stars to make it a bit more interesting to look at.

Taillights with new lenses from VTS.

Bargman Trail Light with new lens from VTS. Also has a new plate holder...

New marker lights...

Metal badge...

Reproduction green factory badge that I pushed VTS to produce...

Repainted MHMA badge...

Water fill...

I'm not sure I am digging the Mercury caps I found. They are ok. They don't fit all that well because they are well used. I'm still looking for another set that won't cost a fortune.

I think that is about it for now. I'm not sure if there will be much more progress before the crappy weather comes and stops progress all together...but stay tuned.

Reproduction Shasta Plate Available For PreOrder...

I contacted Steve from Vintage Trailer Supply a little while ago to see if he would be interested in reproducing the green factory nameplates that Shasta put on their trailers. The nameplates indicated which factory the trailer was assembled at and the address of that factory. I sent Steve my original name plate and he was able to get it in the reproduction process. I got to hand it to him. The plate artwork looks spot on...

The plates are not in stock yet. They are still being produced. Steve said they would be a few weeks out. However you can sign up to be notified when they are done. Go to the link below and click "Email Me When In Stock". You will receive the email when they are available. The current price is $12.99.

At this time VTS is just doing the Goshen, IN plant because that is the plate I sent him. If you have a plate from another factory and would like to have it reproduced. Get in contact with Steve and send him your plate.  He will most likely give you a reproduction plate for your troubles. He is interested in doing the other factory plates but needs a original example to get it accurate.

Follow the link to the nameplate page...
VINTAGE TRAILER SUPPLY SHASTA NAMEPLATE- GOSHEN, IN

Nice and Shiny...

One thing I could get done is shine up the orginal script badge off of Louise. I think it sure looks better than it did before.

As you can see, it is pitted quite a bit. If I stay on top of it and polish it often it should not get any worse.

I know this isn't much of a post but it is the little things that count. Right?

Baby Steps...

I have done a very small amount of work to the trailer so far. Here is the work to this point...

- Filled 12 trash bags full of crap out of the trailer. Very little was of any use so I pitched it all.

- Pulled that stupid AC unit out of what was once the back window. I actually put that on the curb and somebody took it. Glad I don't have to deal with throwing it away. Now I have to find a back window to fit the hole.

- I removed the Bargman license plate light/bracket. As you can see from this picture that the plate bracket is almost toast. I don't think there is any saving this bracket. I will use it as a template to make a new one. I should be able to fab one out of aluminum or something like that. I don't think I will buy one unless it is DIRT cheap. I don't like buying stuff like this. It is a piece of metal with some holes and some bends. Shouldn't be too big of a chore...

- I removed the Bargman tail lights also. The screws holding them in were almost gone so I figured I would save some trouble latter when they would be even harder to remove. The putty tape under the light was some what soft under the right light. I was kinda surprised. The left light was a bit more dried out...

This is the right light. It isn't in too bad of shape. I will de-rust it and paint it to fight off any more rust. The left light assembly was just a tad worse shape...

The offending screws. As you can see they are in pretty bad shape. One was completly rusted in half. I will replace these with stainless during reassembly...

It is looking pretty bare back there now. Just a lot of aluminum tape to keep out the moisture. Glad that AC is gone...

- I removed all of the badges also to restore them as best as I can. Hopefully they clean up nicely...

Here is the LP gas info plate. It is pretty faded. Does anyone reproduce these? I would love to put them back on. I think it adds to the trailer. Little things like that make a difference to me...

Electric info plate that was attached under the exterior outlet...

Here is the dealership badge. It was mostly covered up by the AC unit. I hope to get this back to life. I'm not sure how I will do it but I will get it done. It is kinda hard to read so here is what it says...

CENTRAL

TRAILER SALES

6511 State Street

EAST ST. LOUIS, ILL

EXpress 7-5907

Because I know this trailer was only owned by one family I know this is the orginal badge when they first bought it. I was misinformed though. The Dad said he bought it in St. Louis. He forgot to mention the EAST part. I thought he ment over the river in BIG city. Anyway. Doesn't matter. The name Louise still fits. I really like this badge. I like the old 5 digit phone number.

I found these old leveling jacks in the exterior baggage area. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. I won't be using them. I bought nice new stacking jacks. I will keep the old wheel though. It is HEAVY. This one has a metal wheel. Not rubber like the new ones. I think it is kinda cool. Don't ask me why.

-  I also pulled the propane tanks off of the rack and pitched the bolt on stabilizer brackets. I don't have that kind of stabilizer so I don't need them.

I hope to get around to pulling the wheels and starting to sort out the running gear before winter. Around here that could be next week for all I know.

Stay tuned for more...

Parts Round Up...

Some parts from Ebay that my help some Shasta owners out there...

Shasta Vintage Travel Trailer Aluminum EXCELLENT

Time left: 5 days 23 hours

Current bid: US $76.00

PAIR TAIL LIGHT LENS--BARGMAN TRAIL-LITE NO. 99

Time left: 6 days 22 hours

Starting bid: US $4.99

2 VINTAGE SETS THEO. BARGMAN PLASTIC LENS COVERS

Time left: 6 days 22 hours

Starting bid: US $1.99

Vintage Shasta Travel Trailer Outside Metal Logo Sign

Time left: 4 days 22 hours

Starting bid: US $0.99

Vtg BARGMAN Trail-Lite #5 # 5 License Plate tag Light

Time left: 24 days 15 hours

Price: US $140.00 Buy It Now

Bargman Trail Lite # 5 LICENSE PLATE TAG LIGHT BRACKET
Time left: 16 days 11 hours
Price: US $15.00 Buy It Now