Owning a vintage trailer can take you down a very addictive journey. This is the case with me. The latest acquisition, Winnie, took a lot of hard work and cold cash to bring her back to her former glory. Restoring these old beauties takes a huge amount of dedication and commitment. It seems like each step of the way throws up a different challenge than before. Embee and I pretty much gave up our summer to restore Winnie. We want to rename her “Summer” for a more fitting name.
The Acquisition
I really wasn’t in the market for another vintage trailer to fix up. But it seems that I can’t keep off Craigslist. I tend to search the Montana Craigslist for Shasta trailers just to see what comes up. Well, in the dead of winter I found one for sale down in Bozeman. So, on a snowy day in December we drove the four hour drive south through the Little Belt mountains to check out the trailer. She was a winner.
Day one! Winnie is found in Bozeman and brought home to her new home.
She needed some elbow grease to say the least. We prodded and poked her equal to a woman’s annual exam and decided she was a great candidate to restore.
This is how Winnie’s insides looked the day we found her.
Winnie’s back couch area–prior to restoration
Winnie’s galley kitchen area prior to restoration.
Stapled in the back of one of the cupboards we found this original flyer showing the layout of Winnie.
The Restoration
The actual restoration didn’t begin until May because of the long long Montana winters but we jumped in with both feet.
Embee inspecting the front frame of Winnie.
They say that pictures tell a thousand words so here are a few pictures showing the areas we found that needed reconstruction:
All rotten framing was removed and reconstructed with new wood.
New thermal bubblewrap insulation inserted into new framing
Reconstruction of door frame
Days of sanding the damaged birch paneling revealed gorgeous wood
All that sanding paid off. Three coats of Zinsser Bullseye Amber Shellac brings out the beauty of the 50 year old wood. Couch pulls open to a 75″ by 48″ bed.
Drawer fronts were sanded and refinished with amber shellac.
Cabinet fronts after sanding and shellac job.
New awning sewn to vintage specifications.
Door was removed, rebuilt, and refinished to match the interior.
Front couch area. This pulls down into a 75″ by 40″ bed.
Front couch area with two side tables folded down.
Kitchen with original stove/oven, sink, and vintage wall can opener.
Small room for a porta potty or large closet.
All painted, all new exterior lights, new wings (hidden by shrub).
You people are amazing!
By: Tj Wald on August 25, 2012
at 6:23 pm
We’re looking for a vintage, early 60′s Shasta to buy and restore. If you know of one, please call 406 442 7921. Thanks!! Love what you did with yours!
By: Cynthia on September 27, 2012
at 8:50 pm
I will be rehabbing a trailer soon, and am most interested in your paint job- what did you use for a primer? And what did you use to apply the paint? (spray, brush, roller) Awesome job!
By: Jen on October 23, 2012
at 6:45 pm
We used self-etching primer which is a real dull thuddy gray. It will take a few coats of the top coat paint to cover it up but it’s worth it. On this trailer we rolled on the paint using smooth rollers. You have to play around with it a bit so you don’t have bubbles and roller marks don’t show. What worked best was filling the rollers up with paint first, wrapping the rollers in saran wrap for 15 minutes, then rolling some more paint in the rollers. That way we didn’t have too bad a problem with bubbles. It is important to paint when the temp is around 73 degrees. And when the sun isn’t shining on the metal.
Good luck!
By: this montana life on November 9, 2012
at 8:34 pm
Great Job! I just bought a same model Shasta. I have two questions: 1: How did you paint it? 2. How did you rebuild the door. Our door is completely deconstructed. It Looks like the previous owner tried to put it back together, but did not do a great job. Maybe “Summer” and “Miss Belle” will meet one day
By: Meadow on October 30, 2012
at 4:48 pm
Congratulations! You will have so much fun.
Re: the painting. We sanded it and then wiped it down with a simple green or TSP. Don’t touch the metal after you have wiped it down as your finger oils can cause the paint not to stick. We then used Van Sickle Tractor Paint. We have rolled it on before. We have also bought the spray cans and sprayed it on. I think the rolled on paint is more durable. But you have to be really careful and to paint when the temp isn’t too hot so you don’t have roller marks.
Good luck!
By: this montana life on November 9, 2012
at 8:31 pm
Love it! Have you seen the new type of portapotty, that runs on propane? A little pricey, but no chemicals or difficult disposal..it burns everything, into ashes, and they drop into a little tray, that slides out…and only needs emptying about once a week, depending on how many are using it. Have a friend who has one on her houseboat…it is awesome!
By: Robin Chapman Tucker on February 16, 2013
at 10:29 am