Gutting Our Vintage Travel Trailer... (Part 2)
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2023
- When we bought this 1980's Bigfoot Trailer we had plans to use it as is and then do some remodelling once winter came but now the gutting has begun and woah did this thing need it! 😳
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My dad would love this stuff. He was always hunting craigslist for cheap campers. We rarely got more than a couple seasons use out of them and he never put in the time and energy needed to rebuild and fix them up. They were all several decades old and definitely had issues with leaks etc. but it got us travelling to different campgrounds all around BC. Seeing you guys go through the motions of figuring out what does and doesn’t work is honestly really therapeutic. I hope you learn something from this experience even if the trailer doesn’t live up to your expectations. I’m really glad to see you have a large community of support for this adventure.
Yeah this is the perspective we’re trying to cultivate! It’s about the journey and all the things we’re going to learn along the way. Let’s hope that things work out for us! 🙏🏼❤️
Quick tip from Quebec, land of the temporary shelter/garage during snow season… Always install either both doors at both ends OR install none of them. Wind catches easily in those and makes quite a bit of damage when it lifts the shelter up. So either keep both doors closed or open at once, don’t just leave one closed.
Great tip!!!
Ok that makes sense! We had a few parachute like moments and that is probably why!
My brother, Levi.
I am filled with joy to see you here every week. You're a critical and creative genius!
Take care 🙂
Thank you! Cheers! 🥰
I admire your tenacity.I feel for you guys more and more every week. You must have such patience or insanity to take a project this big on at a time like this for you both. I'd have been inclined to scrap the trailer as being sold a dud a long time ago.. I really hope it goes well for you in the end and that it doesn't end up costing you more than a brand new one x
Hey! It's all a part of the journey right!?
Looking good! Your camper has so much potential! You can definitely fix the sagging ceiling with some trusses. When you rebuild your walls you can add some framing to support the trusses. Look up fiberglass tabbing if you want to make the trusses really strong and possibly not need the supports at the walls. Essetially you would cut a curved piece of wood to match the ceiling brace them up with temporary 2x4s and attach (tab) them in place with fiberglass.
Ok that’s great! Tabbing is what we’ll be googling now!
A reciprocating saw with a "destruction" blade will cut through almost ANYTHING! I was disassembling an old recliner and cut right through the wood I wanted to cut AND the thick steel recliner mechanism without slowing down. Totally sold me on both the saw and the blade!
Alright that’s my next buy then! Thanks for the suggestion!
Yuma is in Arizona. “Get a sense of Yuma” is something we’d say when we drove through there. 😂
Don't forget that with a fibreglass trailer, the bulk of rigidity comes from the stuff inside. Cabinets and whatnot all contribute to the structural strength of the shell. Progress is being made - keep up the hard work!
You make a great point….. when gutting the cabinets…. Put in a couple of temporary struts made of stud wall material just to preserve where the shape of the trailer SHOULD be
Yep, it is just a shell…
GREAT point! My dad warned us about that and we've taken some precautions that you'll see in next week's episode!
When does this go from a gut rehab to just a ground up trailer build?
I think we’re on our way there haha
@@LeahandLevi wishing you two (and a half) the best. Either way, I’m sure it will be good content.
Rockstars all of you!!!
Also, better you than me, lol. While I am rooting for you and suspect this will be a really nice reno/new build, it is worth noting that you now have a very practical, multi-purpose vehicle in that Toyo Tundra Crew Cab pick-up. The possibilities for that unit are near limitless.
SMALL camperette or topper with a tent-top (untold models of wedge-campers, small fiberglass or aluminium camperettes etc), plus you could tow a small tent trailer or teardrop or utility trailer behind as well. Have the best of all worlds -- a quick google search will reveal untold numbers of potential ideas. Just food for thought. Hoping the Bigfoot turns into a Beauty & the Beast kind of story!
Cheers!...from North Vancouver
Thank you! We're feeling overwhelmed but also hopeful for these next few (big) chapters!
If you're having a rave in the giant tent then I'll DJ. I have experience. Sure, it was in the 90s but it's like riding a bicycle, right?
I think that's how it works yeah haha
Just here cheering you guys on! Glad that you’ve decided to build up from the bones and excited to see how the process unfolds ❤
Wow! Super impressed ... a lot of times you have to tear the fridge apart to get it out!!! A lot of vintage trailers were built "around" the fridge and the fridges don't fit out the door!
You DO know it's a terrible idea to pull an "empty" trailer, right? The cabinetry and walls give it stability and you run the risk of damaging the "shell" ---- if someone could come to YOU and inspect the fiberglass it would be better.....
That's good to know! Now that it's basically gutted we're hoping to give it some stability with poles and some roof braces before any more serious moving happens.
Be careful with bare skin and fiberglass insulation. You might be okay with it now, but exposure over time can cause problems. Way back when I worked in college radio our Chief engineer had to put on a full body protective suit to climb up in the ceiling crawl space (to pull audio and studio control cables, there was no other way due to the building’s construction). Otherwise the allergic reaction he would get from the insulation up there was horrible.
Yes! We are being extra careful with it. It will be nice when the demo phase is done 😳
Impotant! Check framing where it attaches to trailer base for wood rot. Don't ask how I know!
Love watching you guys learning! You got this! ❤
Thanks so much! We're trying our best! 😬😂
Each of my adult kids came home at one point or another and I loved every minute of it while they were there. And remember they have a grandchild arriving soon. How cool us that!😊
I feel like they just should have gone with a sprinter. Just keep seeing the costs go up
Hahaha have you looked into the price of Sprinter vans? 😂
Just curious, has the dude you bought the trailer from been watching these and comment/contact you? I'd be curious his thought on all this (the shot where you found those keys made me think of him).
Robert and I have chatted on the phone but he doesn't have a smart phone or access to the internet so he has literally no idea what's going on here haha
It’s great to see the trailer project moving along ,Im sure it will be a good base to build upon, that tent was a bargain and I’m sure you’ll be able to sell it to a circus for shows when your done with it.😊
Haha yeah it’s hilariously big. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Ohh My, I’m nervous about next episode. However I’m also very very excited about all the progress.
Basically after all the demolishing you guys have a clean sheet to design your perfect interior and that’s even more exciting cause you can created something very cool.
Yeah we’re pretty excited about that process!
Buena suerte! Rooting for y’all.
Awww baby bump ❤
I’m thinking you should take the trailer to the dump and buy a new one. 😂
well that's a vote of confidence 😂
Hey! Just wanted to say hi from Yuma, AZ! My jaw literally dropped when you pulled up the Yuma Shopper! We get a lot of Canadian snowbirds down here so it makes sense!
Hahaha ok that makes sense because we were confused 😅
I think you have a new camping tent! We are learning from your stuff. LOL. TY
That tent might be a challenge with snow this winter.
We don't usually get much snow here in the winter time but you're not wrong! Something to think about for sure!
I think for a couple all about sustainability , your spending more in tools and now a shed ? Your best bet would have have left it on the mainland with all its problems and bought a nicer newer unit . This is just a waste of resources trying to renew it. More wood more chemicals more STUFF. Your just going to have a retro shell to rebuild , you could have bought a fiberglass shell from a company in California and had it custom designed for a lot less . I think Leah when you see the cost of redoing the roof , you will realize you bought a hunk of junk, cut your losses now .
Buying tools is not sustainable? How are we supposed to do the work? By hand? Buying a new unit is more sustainable? How does that make any sense? haha 😂
Congratulations on continuing the project, that is a massive accomplishment! One note for fiberglass patches (if they are a part of the picture down the line) when using epoxy, don't try to reuse cups or stir sticks other than your spreaders. The exothermic reaction of epoxy curing causes plastic cups to distort. Chucking each cup does create more waste, but in my experience (I helped my dad build a wood and fiberglass boat in our garage) I don't think there is a reusable alternative for small scale batches. Check your ratios for every batch, keep the trailer out of the sun while it's curing, and solo cups are your friend. On the plus side, epoxy projects will heat up the garage. Dad and I stripped to T-shirts in an unheated garage in Chicago's winters.
Good luck and I hope the inspection comes up roses!
This is great to know! Thanks for sharing! 🙏🏼👍🏼
Great pop up. Now look for industrial heaters so you can work in there in the winter.
We're planning to build up a little system for sure!
I hope you install an induction hob and an electric stove. It'll make the air quality so much better inside the trailer!
That's the plan!
You should be ok to brace the roof, we are in process of doing that to our roof. Hang in there guys you got this! Aww look at leahs baby bump glad your resting and listening to your body. Much love to you both :)
Oh that's interesting! We're a little intimidated by the roof raise job but I think we'll make it happen!
Looks like the hive tool is getting some use, lol!
Are you starting to wish you’d bought a flat bed trailer and built the camper from scratch? No judgement! Genuine question on whether you do it different with the 20/20 of hindsight
As of right now we're kind of not able to tell right? If the fiberglass shell is good and we have the value there still then this is a pretty solid investment. If the shell is trash... definitely was a mistake.
when building it again, keep weight and weigh distribution in mind btw. also highley recommend 'shoes/feet' for the legs of the caravan. it has more grip and helps with leveling and distribution. bonus points if the legs can be lowered by adding the tool onto your dril. you'd be suprised how much time it saves haha. (if unclear please let me know)
Yeah that sounds like a good plan, right now the jacks we have are pretty janky haha
I'm wondering if Mum and Dad feel a bit like their house has been taken over, or if they're embracing the chaos. 🙂 I hope the fibreglass inspection went well. Looking forward to next week's video. Take care, dears. ♥
They are normally the ones bringing the chaos so they’re pretty used to it 😅
The fact that you can say that about your In-laws means you have a great relationship with them and it's great to see! Multi family housing is so much better for our planet and should be more normalized. I know a lot of people that would feel bad about themselves moving with family temporarily but there's no shame!
@@LeahandLevi 😁
Grounded to the truck… Levi needs IKEA instructions
You bought a junk. But, live and learn :)
Wishing you both the best
Hope you get good news from the fiberglass guy. Looking forward to next weeks video
I had an issue with the lights on a 1970s era aluminum boat and trailer …. I finally punted and got a set of lights that tow truck operators use when towing vehicles….
Awesome videos sorry I’m soo late
No problem 😊
Leah, Yuma is in Arizona and the only way i know is because I watch a booktuber who has a small indie bookshop there
haha ok thanks for this info! I love that there's a booktuber in Yuma 🥰
How did they go from a nice condo to this?
Right, wonder if they wish they had just spent an extra $5-10k on a usable camper. Would have probably ended up cheaper but I guess they will get a lot of content from rebuilding this one.
Yeah a "usable" camper is harder to find than you think and rarely 5-10K and we wanted something that was a project so we could learn some stuff along the way (and make more content about it of course)
I wish them luck but these two are as handy as a bowl of rocks. Chances are this thing will end up being sold as a shell but I hope they prove me wrong.
Imagine if they read this and responded in the third person?
I think your shelter might be a Quonset hut! My neighbors have a permanent one with a corrugated metal roof. They used to park a schoolbus in there when they drove one.
Haha yeah it’s a bit of an eye sore but at least is hasn’t fallen apart or anything
Just spent 30 min watching a guy disassemble a trailer and erect a shelter to a Neo rocky soundtrack… my fave being the bubble hip hop track. I’ll never get that time back yet I feel strangely satisfied.
I can't remember. Have you guys watched The Endless Adventure here on YT? They also gutted and remodeled a vintage RV.
Yes they did! We have watched their stuff for a couple years now and they are SUPER talented!
🙏🏿
I love how you were wearing a "Live simply" shirt and you continued working like a devil :)
6:58 is not a bad thing, you need to clean the old stuff off, put some fresh butyl tape on and reseal it anyhow. that old stuff looked like a possible leak =)
Pregnancy women as told to avoid reach up high. One of the reasons why thag i know of it that a stretch like that which is not a normal movement for mommy might effect the attachment of her placenta.
the way i scremed when neither of you were wearing coverals when you ripped the ceilng
Made me so happy to see this pop up, you guys are doing great all things considered 😅😉 Don’t know whether I would’ve dared to do such a huge project, and that’s coming from a quite okay and experienced DIY-er 🫢 Hats off to you!
Hey! Sometimes not knowing makes it happen you know!? 😅
Who needs a stove or fridge? Lol
Leah’s parents are saints.
Literally. A special breed. 🥰🙏🏻🙏🏻
Not a bad place for keys…. I remember having a key safe UNDER the propane tank
Ok I like that too!
Sorry guys I think you bought a boat anchor
A cute boat anchor tho 🥹
Yuma is in Arizona. My mother-in-law lives there. It’s hot…really really hot there.
You have so many followers, and probably many of them have skills. Why not put out an SOS asking for help doing this rebuild?
after a cursory and noob look at your trailer, i think she's still got some good bones on her. just needs some good ol' restoration on it. but you'll be able to use it
There's no shame in asking for help.😊
12:54 Your baby really only does sink baths for the first few months until they’re big enough to sit in a bathtub
Yeah that's what we figured, and traveling on the road for the first little while all we really need is a place to get them clean(er) you know?
Were making a house for our trailer so we dont need a house
Been meeting a lot of people doing the same thing honestly
for washing the baby in the sink, im sure you already know but please sanitize it before and after. you dont want food on the baby or baby on the food
Congratulations on the baby👶, but just wait until you see how much garbage is generated during the delivery😬
Cool name Levi! My name is Levi Calvin Bright 😎 when I walk in you better have on sunscreen and sunshades. I have activated Christ consciousness this is the ultimate goal. This is the ticket to Heaven. It is when you activate the holy Spirit! 😇💪🔥💜
Hahaha wait what? 😅
Also may I say for a couple of adults your kind of impeding on your parents life and privacy . They already raised their family & now they have you guys “playing “ and taking up their space, not very fair. Also one big wind storm and your “cover” ends up in the neighbours yard .😮
That's a heck of a judgment to make after watching a twenty-minute CZcams video. If Leah's parents had a problem with this, I'm sure they can communicate that to their daughter.
@@4theLoveofCurls Nice Canadians don't have conversations like that. We let resentment simmer for a long time then it explodes eventually years later.
Harbinger thoughts of the decline in multigenerational households and collaborative communities.
Can’t wait to hear the fibreglass specialist verdict… no judgment here. Expert opinion is needed and a cost analysis to determine the outcome.
Leah’s parents have amazing tolerance and patience.
I raised my kids to be adults, not big kids and I wouldn’t tolerate my senior years being dominated by returning “children”.
I understand where you’re coming from but each family is different. Maybe Leah’s parents are OK and enjoy the extended family lifestyle. I wouldn’t judge another’s circumstances based on my own values. I would draw the line at the ugly caravan shelter on my front forecourt but I am sure the “kids” cleared it with the parents first. They seem a happy functional family. That’s all that matters.
ngl the caravan storyline is hella boring
I mean no one is forcing you to watch lmao 🤷🏻♀️