For years, Nicole and I have thought it would be fun to own a camper trailer. The thing that kept us from going through with it was the worry that we would invest a lot of money and then end up not using the trailer. After all, camping is something we merely enjoy--we're not passionate about it.
Some neighbors of ours recently bought a new fifth-wheel camper to replace an older popup style trailer. We asked them if they would be interested in selling us their old camper. They mentioned that they wanted to do a few things to get in shape to sell, but that they would contact us once it was ready. Nine months later, probably after realizing it would be hard to find the time to do this, they contacted us and offered the trailer. For free.
Of course we took it.
So now it is our job to get the trailer into shape. Overall, the trailer is in remarkable shape, considering it is 40 years old. The first thing I did was repair the timing on the mechanism that raises and lowers the roof. Because it was out of time one end of the roof couldn't close all the way. The worst problem is that the trailer is incredibly dusty, due in part, I think, to being stored without a cover for the last several years. We spend the first evening of possession with brooms, rags, etc., trying to spruce it up a bit. The foam mattresses will be a chore. I think they just need to spend some quality time with a good vacuum.
But I can explain all of that later. The purpose of this page will be to track the progress we make as we restore the trailer. Below is a list of things we need to do. As things are completed I will make a note by marking the date the task is completed. Of course, new tasks are likely to be added as we get deeper into the project.