Hard at work this week

Hard At Work This WEEK!

Well at least Kevin has been hard at work. I have been redesigning shasta and researching toilets/showers and materials.

Due to the architecture of the Shasta we decided to use a more water resistant product other than wood in the dry rot prone areas; corners and wheel wells. We found the Azek Trim product at our local Dunn Lumber. The product is a little pricey but we think it will be well worth it, cuts differently than wood products because it is not wood it is a composite resin.

Shasta Redesign and Theme

Still deciding on the color scheme. 

I think Little Eva comics will drive our decision. If you are having the same dilemma on what to call your shasta check out this site; mycomicshop.com which has awesome older vintage comic books for sale, after we decide I will need to purchase one and frame it in our shasta.

Here is the new layout, we plan on using as much as we can so that the shasta maintains vintage appeal. The cabinets and the wardrobe's facing and maybe the wardrobe door for the bathroom. Who knows. We want it to still look vintage.

The only drawback to this design is that we have cut out a lot of storage but with a travel trailer, unlike a class A, B or C --- there is always a vehicle that tows it and you can load miscellaneous items into. But having a toilet/shower will be worth it!

Vintage or not! Our Shasta needs a potty!

Combo Shower and Holding Tank Addition

Redesigned the floor layout to accommodate a toilet and shower in the back left corner.

Got the idea from online. Combo bath/toilet/shower are common in the Sportsmobiles and they sure know how to use space efficiently.  Sportsmobile.com gave us great ideas for our Shasta (photo below), combo units are available in 24"width x 35" 36" or 39" length, so the size of our bath will be 26W" x 36L"  This layout is ideal for our situation.

The only place we found the Combo- Shower and Holding Tank at Rvsurplus.net.

A black water holding tank is located under the marine toilet, termination will be just under the left side.

Marine or Rv Toilets 
Can be found at reasonable prices anywhere on the net or your local dealer. Tweetys.com has a large selection.  Prices depend on whether you want a hand or foot lever and or spray nozzle. Small corner lavatory single sinks, as shown below, can also be found there. We are limited on base size so we are even looking at marine toilets, ones with smaller bases to fit our combo tank.

What about the bath/wall surround? 
A lot of stuff can be found at your local Lowes. We are using 0.090 white FRP wall panel for the entire room, we will be adhering it to the bendable birch. This is a great product used commercially and comes at a good price. FRP wall paneling is scored and then snapped, not cut. We needed to find something that was thin and long so that we could limit seems to prevent water damage. Sheets come in white or almond, 4' W x 8' L; 3 or 4 panels should do the trick with leftovers.

Worked all weekend

Wow, we worked all weekend and found way more dry rot then we would like. Hubby was exhausted afterwards and may not help any more, not sure if he is seeking a divorce so soon. We will have an awesome shasta afterwards. The envy of the neighborhood.

Up and early Sunny Sunday

Back to work on the Shasta taking off all the skin today, let's see what is really under there. I have my trusted companion "Franz" to help. The weather is finally good here in Washington state now must get all I can done in such little time.

Over my head?

Today we found more dry rot and it is very disappointing, do I total it? Not ready to yet, I sure wish I had a pattern to go by, have put some emails out to ask for help. Here are some pictures.

The misadventure begins again. . .

I stated this project in 2008, gutted her and then put her on hold, found another 1967 Shasta that I could tow with my jeep and I have been out camping ever since. At one point I even tried to give the 1959 Shasta away even with all the goodies, new vinyl flooring, new decals, new tires, new wedding cake tail lights, new baby moons, bendable birch for remodel. But no takers. Well, my daughter, age 18 started harassing me about the darn thing and how I would never finish it. The challenge is on!

Today we cut out the dry rot on the front floor and put new wood in. We will work on framing this weekend. Thanks to my husband Kevin, without him I don't think I would be starting this project back up.