Just Got A Vintage Jayco Camper!

[Jayhawk 29]

You will not get any grief or scorn from here. I have plenty of horror shows that i could share, that people still call me crazy. But they are floating and giving lots of fun for grandkids now after being passed down to them. Don't be afraid of sharing.

 

[JFlightRisk]

That's priceless experience for your kids. Carpentry, plumbing and electrical all in one place. I didn't learn a lot of that from my father, but I did from many years from a close friend. We did everything imaginable over the years before he passed. Kudos for teaching them what you know!

 

[Bugzilla46310]

There was another thread on here where someone rebuilt a vintage camper, I believe a few years older than yours but a tad smaller if I recall correctly. He actually didn’t restore it, he more or less built a completely new trailer that looked like the one he bought by the time he was done. Did a great job and I’m sure there would be a ton of good info in that thread you could use. Maybe someone can post that link if they remember where it was located. This sounds like a project your kids will remember for a lifetime especially after a few trips with it.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

Since we cannot post videos , let me provide some inspiration, hopefully this is allowed. We traveled with these folks for a brief time out west. they did close to 7000 miles as a family with this restoration that their entire family under took together.


Look up Ronnie’s Record Room on YT..
1958 Catolac DeVille | Restoration | Readers Digest Version


1958 Catolac DeVille - Skin Off | Mission Impossible | EP. #2

1958 Catolac DeVille - Initial tour | Mission Impossible | EP. #1

 

[norty1]

I recently painted my 2011's frame and all outside metal parts with POR-15. It looked so good, I also coated my patio chairs and tables.
Some of the best things I learned about rv repair were on an old class A Winnebago that was advertised in A-1 condition. First morning in it and I awoke to water dripping in my face. It was fixed up and used for a few years, The cost was a good investment for me in learning what to look for in buying used. I sold it and lost $2K but I still think it was a good investment.

por15 over rust - Yahoo Search Results

search.yahoo.com

 

[Glamper64]

Now that you explain it that way Chris, I get why you're taking on such a project
I followed in my Dads footsteps and eventually joined him in the reno business
It's gonna be one heck of a family project Chris You seem to understand what you're getting into
Anyway, the best of luck with the rebuild and thanks for the pics...looking forward to the next updates with pics of course

 

[dwaynebmsg]

I commend your example and determination! I grew up with a father who never bought any new farm equipment. He either repaired, rebuilt, or combined two into one. I am 73 and to this day, I would still rather do my own repairs or rebuilds. My son also does his own work.

 

[gypsmjim]

I wish you well. Been there done that and it was a fun adventure. We used the old girl for 35 more years and made so many memories.

However, in our case we bought the antique because we had just bought camping property and it was cheaper to buy a fixer upper than build a cabin. Also, no tax issues.

If we had intended to actually pull the thing on the highway I would have thought twice. Although it was a nice "cabin" for many years, I wasn't sure it was safely road worthy.

 

[ChrisK1911]

So, I hope everyone is doing well, here is an update as of today; tomorrow will most likely have a newer update so stay tuned:

Here is where I am as of the Monday after Easter. Work has been absolutely hectic and I can’t wait to dive into the trailer tomorrow. As many have previously stated, worry about the roof first before you make the inside look pretty. And as many videos as I’ve watched, start with the “shell” and work your way in.
I’ve gotten the camper down to just frame at this point. The only exposed floor is water damage. Some of the rotten wood has fallen completely out of where it should be in the ceiling when I took that down.

Now, the question I have for y’all is do I get some 2x4’s and use a jigsaw to make that “Jayco roof truss” or is there something I can purchase that will match what I currently have? My current thought is that I get some 2x4’s and cut them to the dimensions of the current trusses.

I am going through the necessary paperwork, steps, and policies in my state (Indiana) for getting the camper titled. I reached out to the guy that was selling the camper on Facebook for the couple I got it from that they had gotten it from someone 15 years ago and they had never titled it or got registration for it so it wasn’t in their name. I don’t know how it goes in most of your states but in Indiana, I have to get a VIN check from the local police department and then get a court order for the BMV/DMV to put the title in my name so that I can get it registered.

Tomorrow I am going to start the VIN check and then hopefully have a date that I can go to the courts to proceed with getting the title in my name. I am also going to tear out the remaining floor so that I am down to nothing but wires, frame, framing, and shell/siding. After I replace the bad wood, hopefully I can close up some of the seams of the siding to properly seal it. Does anyone have any suggestions or word of advice for this? I am not 100% sure how often someone has to deal with this with a “stick and tin” camper.

As I previously stated as soon as I was down to frame, I was going to spray some rust remover on the frame and paint it if nothing else seemed wrong. Other than that you’ll just have to wait for my new update.

 

[gypsmjim]

Just a word of caution re. your frame...

When we originally set ours up, naturally we put jacks on all 4 corners. Over the first Winter the tires went flat and come Spring we couldn't get the door open. Obviously, our frame was compromised, and after airing the tires we had to put jacks in the center of the trailer to keep the frame straight.

At that time the trailer was 24 years old. She stayed in service until she was 60 years old. We gave her to a friend and he completed the same work as you are doing. But he has it on a permanent sight as well.

So, look over that frame very carefully. Rustoleum Rust Reformer is a good product. I once salvaged an old boat trailer and got 23 more years out of it with no more rust.

 

[ChrisK1911]

Well, the only update that I have at this time is I am working on the getting the title, and as I mentioned that includes a VIN check by the police….
They have no record of it being stolen so that is great news and also I finally figured out what it really is. The only way that I had an educated guess at “ ‘74 jayco queen” was a TON of research.
What it really is — 1975 Jayco Raven

Finally figuring that out made my stress level go down a bit I went to the store and got all the lumber I am going to need for the walls and supports for the floor. I also picked up a new tool, an 18 gauge brad nailer/stapler as well as the brad nails.

I am also currently looking into new trailer lights. Something like an LED upgrade with that retro look and fit. So far my count is as follows:

1. 2 brake lights with turn signals and license plate light [rectangular]
2. 2 orange reflectors
3. 2 red reflectors
4. 3 white clearance lights
5. 5 red clearance lights
6. 6 orange clearance lights

I am also looking into a new 7 pin plug with a harness and a junction box as well as a break away system.

 

[JFlightRisk]

That's great you've identified your trailer. You must've found the VIN ok.

Here's an example of a new 7-pin cord with a weatherproof junction box. There are several available all over the web, but I like this one as it has double contacts in the plug. I didn't buy the whole thing but replace our leaky steel junction box with one similar. I was surprised at the wiring connections with household wire nuts, and even though I tried to seal the old one, our ground connection was starting to corrode. I don't have to worry about that anymore.

https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-He...ocphy=9005616&hvtargid=pla-2281435181418&th=1

 

[Glamper64]

Curious what your plans are for the roof and siding?
One thing I would suggest at this point is to add 2x4 blocks between the roof joists and wall studs.
I'm glad you feel good about obtaining the VIN
Time to bring this 1975 Raven back to life

 

[ChrisK1911]

Curious what your plans are for the roof and siding?
One thing I would suggest at this point is to add 2x4 blocks between the roof joists and wall studs.
I'm glad you feel good about obtaining the VIN
Time to bring this 1975 Raven back to life

Already got a truck load of 2x2’s and 2x4’s sitting in the camper. I’ve got a bit of sag going on at the front and rear on the siding. I’m wondering if that is because I have it jacked up while looking for places the VIN may have been, determining how rusty it was on the frame, and prepping the frame surface for rust removal and paint, or because the floor was so weak and all of the 2x2’s on floor and ceiling were rotted that it started to sag with as much as I removed. I was going to take the trailer off of the jacks and back on solid ground to see if that sag changes any. Then as of right now I was thinking about screwing a small piece of 2x4 into one of the walls, put a bottle jack under it and slightly lift up where the siding is sagging and see if that fixes it any. I’ve still got some floor work to do before I dive into that too deep. I just have to wait for the weekend to get here, I am currently on 10 hour day/ 4 day work week and as soon as my piece of equipment at work is up and running I can work up to a 16 hour day. I will definitely be taking pictures and updating soon but as of right now that is my strategy.

 

[Glamper64]

So you're saving the siding that has a bullet hole above the wood somebody screwed on above the tires, not to mention all the dents and bad trim pcs. but you're looking for new lights What about the roof membrane and the plywood under it which should be your first priority?
Curious what you're going to do with a new brad nailer and nails at this point, that's for finishing trim
The sagging is a major issue you can't fix Imo unless you remove the siding, straighten/beef floor and walls up and put sheets of 1/4" plywood on the exterior to hold things straight and yes, new siding. The roof should be all new as well...patching the roof and siding is just silly Imo
Not to discourage you but you're wasting your time and money. You probably could easily afford a monthly payment with all you're going to spend weekly/monthly on this project and unnecessary tools. You could've found a decent 10-15 year old trailer (not 50) for a few grand that needed minor work you could do with your boys and actually go camping this season
Each to their own of course but I think you're making a big mistake...besides that, haven't you got better things to do with your spare time Curious what your neighbors are thinking

 

[gypsmjim]

The sagging frame would be my biggest concern. As I said above, been there, done that.

Those frames are not very strong in the first place. Rust compromises the integrity. Even beefed up with 2x4's, remember that the axles are still attached to a rusty frame.

 

[Glamper64]

Yes, if the steel frame is sagging it's a goner unless you could turn it upside down
I wasn't talking about beefing up the steel frame with 2x4's...wooden members only allowed

 

[DaveT-JAY]

Good for you. Savor the journey.

 

[ChrisK1911]

So you're saving the siding that has a bullet hole above the wood somebody screwed on above the tires, not to mention all the dents and bad trim pcs. but you're looking for new lights What about the roof membrane and the plywood under it which should be your first priority?
Curious what you're going to do with a new brad nailer and nails at this point, that's for finishing trim
The sagging is a major issue you can't fix Imo unless you remove the siding, straighten/beef floor and walls up and put sheets of 1/4" plywood on the exterior to hold things straight and yes, new siding. The roof should be all new as well...patching the roof and siding is just silly Imo
Not to discourage you but you're wasting your time and money. You probably could easily afford a monthly payment with all you're going to spend weekly/monthly on this project and unnecessary tools. You could've found a decent 10-15 year old trailer (not 50) for a few grand that needed minor work you could do with your boys and actually go camping this season
Each to their own of course but I think you're making a big mistake...besides that, haven't you got better things to do with your spare time Curious what your neighbors are thinking

No holes caused by a bullet on this camper. There was a makeshift door holder there via 2 1/2” deck screw from previous owner and on the door there was a pivoting piece of tin on another screw and that’s how they held it open…
I’ve got an entire shopping list for all of the new things I am about to purchase, or rebuild kits for the things I am about to repurpose.
Trim is on my list to replace, there is/was no existing roof membrane, and all of the wood in the camper is going to be replaced.
The brad nailer is the only tool I didn’t have in my arsenal.
I know I could afford another monthly payment… lets go to Pete’s RV Center on Saturday and get me one, you Co-sign and I’ll whip out the Benjamins
You know having a travel trailer, 5th wheel or coach is absolutely heavenly to be able to park, plug in, has a bathroom and shower, and you can cook either in the kitchen or on the stowaway grill in back. I actually prefer to walk a trail, get lost, pitch a tent and cut up some wood from a fallen tree and start a fire, use some more wood and put my cast iron on those red hot embers and make some hotdogs, eggs, or bacon. Pack everything away and keep on going. No phones, no chargers, peace and quiet, peace of mind, piece of heaven, piece of nature.
Mistakes are how we learn from experience and move forward. What would you recommend I do in my spare time? I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing.
I live in a subdivision where the property managers try and control every aspect of what you do to your house including the style of front door.
The camper is being repaired in a location that is not here. I could imagine the look on their faces if I parked it in my driveway.
Also determined that it is not the frame that was sagged, bowed, rusted through, or anything of that likeness. When lifted in the air the frame has a slight upward bow to it. When set back down it straightens out, not downward. The only thing sagging at the moment is my flooring and walls, but that is all soon to be replaced.

 

[ChrisK1911]

The sagging frame would be my biggest concern. As I said above, been there, done that.

Those frames are not very strong in the first place. Rust compromises the integrity. Even beefed up with 2x4's, remember that the axles are still attached to a rusty frame.

It’s not the frame that is sagging. When jacked up and leveled the frame has an upward bow. When sat back down it’s almost level. The thinnest part of my frame is between 3/16” and 1/4”. Also there isn’t really a ton of rust there. If anything it’s more like a dusting of rust like when you leave a chain outside in the humidity but it never gets wet and you have that dry dust come off on your hands. Nothing on the frame inside outside on top or bottom looks like any rust has eaten away at anything.