My vintage camper remodel is moving along
Rick has been working every day, most days- all day on her. How lucky am I that he is not too busy with his 2 businesses to work on Beatrice!
Have You read my first post about bringing this old broken camper home
Anyway, my last update brought the installation of my lights. How exciting was that? That was a month ago and so much has happened since then.
The first thing we tackled after the light installation was building the front bench seats and shelf above. Just figuring out the right seating height was an ordeal. Most of the time, this area will be the place where I do most of my writing. It needs to be not only comfortable to spend hours sitting here plucking away on my laptop (cushy for the tushy), it needs to be the right height and the right width to fit in with the table. Plus we had to figure in the cushion size. Not an easy task (really, nothing has been an easy task!), and once that was all figured out (probably a few hours of measuring), the building began. It took a couple of days for Rick to get them built. They turned out fabulous!
Next came building the counter. I wanted to put the original sink back in but decided to not put the stove back in. This would give me an extra countertop space for other things. When I camp, I either cook over the campfire or have a hot plate that I use. Add to that a mini Weber grill that I take along and I pretty much have my cooking set up. No need for the stove to unnecessarily taking up precious counter space.
I had already purchased a mini-fridge, which was a must to keep all the wine chilled! So after another day or so of measuring, construction on the cupboard began. I decided to forgo a top set of cupboards figuring I would have plenty of storage space. Besides I had found a cool mirror that looks like a window a while back on clearance at Joann Fabrics and wanted to put that above the sink.
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It took a couple of days, but when it was finished both Rick and I were satisfied with how it turned out!
Then came the tall cabinet. At the time we were undecided about how we were going to go about installing an air con unit. The plan for heating was to just use a small ceramic heater which was plenty to keep Beatrice nice and toasty during this construction process. All the while thinking we would just buy an air conditioning unit and put it in the tall cabinet.
So construction began. I wanted open shelves on the left side of the cupboard so I had a place to display things when you walk in the door. I knew I would lose some inside space, but that was okay. The right side would need a ledge for the bed to rest on when it is pulled all the way out for sleeping.
The framing went well and a couple of days later I came home from work to see it finished except for a door. It turned out so nice and I LOVED the outside shelves! Building the doors (both the bottom and top) proved to be quite the challenge and neither would fit right. Rick found the bottom not to fit right because of a warp in one of the pieces of wood used for the frame. Taking that apart and replacing that board solved that problem.
Next, the top door needed to be tackled. It seemed to fit right, but once he glued the corners and let it dry, the door just would not close right.
In the end that didn’t matter…
While this was going on, we finally decided to solve the air/heating issue by buying an all-in-one unit. It was going to be a tall unit (taking up over 50% of my cupboard space), but at least I wouldn’t need 2 separate units. So I preceded to order it. While we waited for it to come, it was time to move onto the back seating area/bed.
All along the plan was to make this area just one size. Sort of like a day bed. I found a picture on Pinterest when this whole process began showing just a bench seat that pulls out to a twin-sized bed. I still had that in the back of my mind cause I wanted a place to just sit and chill if I had visitors. After showing Rick this picture, we decided he could do this. He began investigating how to go about constructing it.
While this was going on outside, I decided to tackle sewing the curtains. I had a couple of days off in a row, so I just decided to bite the bullet and get out the sewing machine and just start. Well, once I started, I could not stop. It took me an afternoon to cut, pin, sew, and press the curtains. I made it as easy as possible given my lack of sewing talents, but I did it and was pretty proud of how they turned out! I didn’t finish the front window that day because I thought I would order more of the printed fabric I used and make it double-sided with that so you could see the pattern from the outside. That was not meant to be because I had bought whatever was on the bolt at the store and after going on the website, I found that fabric was no longer available! Thank goodness I still had enough left to make the front window with just the plain white backing fabric.
After another couple of days, my bench/bed area was built! The talents this man has are numerous!! It turned out perfect and with the under-bench storage, I should have plenty of space to store my camping gear.
By this time the air conditioner/heater arrived only to find that because it needs to be vented outside and has filters that need to be removed, it was not going to fit right in the already build tall cupboard! Not to worry! Rick decided to tear it all apart and start from scratch to make it easy to vent out and to put it on a sliding shelf for easy access to the filter in the back. I said the one thing I had to have was those cute shelves on the outside.
So while I had a couple of days off from the Post Office, he rebuilt the tall cabinet. We decided to leave the bottom open where the unit would sit and put it on a slide out shelf so I can easily pull it out to change the filter and condensation pan. That left us with a nice sized storage cabinet on top which I haven’t decided if I want shelves or just open to hand things.
Next came some trim work and filling nail holes. So much was accomplished the last month! Hopefully, priming will begin this week. I can hardly wait and I’m ready to move in now! She will be the perfect retreat and writing space for me.
It’s also kind of funny cause lately I have been having visions of writing a set of children’s books centered around Beatrice and her adventures! I can’t get the idea out of my head. We’ll just have to see where that vision takes me.
So that is where Beatrice is at right now. Rick is enjoying it so much he bought 2 more vintage campers to renovate!
Thanks for stopping by!
Go explore! The world is waiting
Lori
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Hi there, love Beatrice – was my Grandmother’s name too! From what I can tell, you never removed the skin to replace the paneling. I was told the paneling is vital to the structural integrity and I could not just replace from inside but needing to remove the whole side frame. How did you guys do it, did you attach the walls to the floor or just the side framing?
Thanks!
Hi Laura, Sorry it took a bit for this reply. I have been out of town. Yes, so for Beatrice we did the rebuild opposite of what is usually suggested. The issue with Beatrice was that 90% of her actual framing was rotted so we basically started from just a floor. We left the skin on so we had some kind of support. When we rebuilt her, we worked from the inside out. We are currently renovating another vintage camper and this one we did it the “correct” way. Took the skins off and worked from the outside in. I hope that answers your question. We did attach the framing to the floor similar to a stick frame build. We did learn how to do it the right way with this 2nd rebuild, so I would go with that. Thank you. I’m so glad you like my Beatrice. She continues to give me so much joy and I love to show her off when I take her to book events to promote my children’s book about her renovation.- Lori
Wow! What a beautiful job you did. I’m inspired! My daughter and I just purchased a 1989 19’ to remodel (my hubby is thrilled lol). It doesn’t have AC and we have decided on a portable unit too. Question…did you cut a hole and vent yours out the side of the camper? We don’t have a window in an appropriate spot to vent through there. Any tips on the AC you can share would be super 😊
Hi Misty,
Thank you so much for the kind words! My Beatrice was quite the project! For the ac/heating unit we vent it out the side by the door. Originally this was where the furnace was vented so we just used the same hole. We are currently rebuilding another camper and we are using a ductless split ac/heater unit. It’s more expensive but will do a better job and is supposed to be quieter. It’s this unit that we bought off eBay. This is the right one https://www.ebay.com/itm/352657210272 The fan will get mounted on the hitch in front and the unit above the dinette above the front window. The unit I have in Beatrice is freestanding. A Black and Decker bought on Amazon. It does a good job and we just cut a small hole in the floor to drain the water. If you have anymore questions, you can always shoot me an email at lorihelke@gmail.com
I have a Trottwood 1956 that is laid out the same as yours, except I have a flush/concealed door at the foot of the bed. Trailer is 7 ft wide. I have gutted it. The struts are rotted/mildewed. Having to replace them all with new. The insulation and Masonite was all wet & worthless. The owner didn’t use sheet metal screws with gaskets. I’m jealous you have gotten so far. I do have original windows and glass.
It’s a process isn’t it Pam? It took ten months to totally gut and renovate Beatrice, but it is soooo worth it in the end. It’s so much easier to take it in little steps. We are currently renovating a 1968 Pathfinder. This one we are going to resell. Are you documenting your reno? I set up an instagram account just for Beatrice @beatricethelittlecamper You will have to email me some pictures when you are finished, or even in process. I just love to see what everyone does with them. If you ever have any questions, just shoot me an email at lorihelke@gmail.com
Love how your little camper is looking. We completely gutted our little “glamper” Daisy and turned her into a guest bunkie at our cottage. Daisy sleeps 3 and is the sweetest little guest home away from home. She comes complete with an ocean front view! Another reader asked about peel and stick tile. That is what we used and are very happy with the results. Daisy is unheated all winter long and the floor has held up perfectly. Perfect for wet/sandy toes for guests just back from a swim.
Cindy Phipps….make sure you have the right transmission and set up for your EDGE before you decide to pull something. I had an EDGE and loved it until I found I shouldn’t be pulling because I had the wrong transmission for it. Check with a transmission professional. Mine couldn’t even be modified. I was so disappointed. Good luck!
OMG! You are living my dream right now!! I am also in my 50’s and want to redo or decorate a vintage camper that I could pull with my Edge if I wanted to go. I would love to know what the other 2 vintage campers are that your husband has purchased! My daughter in law and her family are from Wisconsin too. I have also been to Paris & Italy and fell in love. My daughter took french in high school and the teacher planned a trip and allowed me to go along as a chaperone. It was like a dream come true! I will never forget it! I tried to figure out how I could stay over there and miss the flight home, but the kids were on to my plan! You are a lucky woman that your husband can and will do all this for you. I can’t even convince my husband to go for the idea yet. Everybody looks at me like I am crazy. It has not stopped my dreaming, joining camper 4 sale groups and starting a pinterest board!! I am thrilled to have discovered you and this journey to get Beatrice road worthy! Keep us posted!
Cindy
Wow!! I loved reading your story Cindy!! It sounds like we are two kindred spirits! I will have to ask my hubby what they both are. I do know that they are both a bit bigger than Beatrice. If you would have told me a year ago that he was going to be renovating a camper for me, I would have never believed it! It all started with my wish to have a she shed. Welcome aboard!! Thank you so much for sharing this with me!!
She looks amazing! I am always amazed how well you can utilize space in a camper. Enjoy!
You can get pretty creative. I do not need as much space as I would if I were using it solely for camping, but the couple times I take her, it should be fine.
Awesome job. I too have a vintage camper. I want to redo the tile……what are you using on the floor. We are in Michigan and store Tillie for the winter outside. Not sure if the peel and stick planks would work. Thanks for any info
Thanks Nancy! I am installing an interlocking laminate waterproof flooring. We thought about the peel and stick, but decided to go with this instead. After we paint the floor will get installed. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks. I will definitely be sharing when we get that far. Thank you your comment!
I’m not going to lie, I have SERIOUS camper envy! Beatrice is awesome!