1954 Aloha camp trailer

[Corts60]

Hi everyone! I figure it's time I post a little about my Aloha camper that I've had for so many years. Actually, my wife has now posited that it is a family heirloom and can never leave, haha.

I picked this old thing up back in 2009 for $500. It was pretty rotten and needed a full rebuild. Back then I kind of just made some half-a*sed repairs, re-wired it, and used the hell out of it for about 10 years. Then while we were moving from Oregon to Illinois, I kept seeing that old camper sway in the rear view more than normal. Every time I hit a bump, the frame and body would go two different directions! So I decided it was time to tear it apart and give it a proper rebuild.

But FIRST! Here are all the trucks I've towed it with over the years:

[Corts60]

More

[Corts60]

Now for the star of this thread:

I don't have many pictures left of when I first got it, so I'll have to start with what she looked like for the last 10 years or so before the recent restoration.

[Corts60]

So, I just started tearing it apart one wall at a time. I didn't have the space to completely take it all apart. I just did one wall, then the other wall, then the front, back, and roof frames. You can see some of my patch work from when I first got it...man that is some terrible work!

I made jig based off the sheetmetal pattern. Then I laminated new frames for the wall to built with.

[Corts60]

I used Okoume marine 1/4" plywood to laminate with. Then built the main frame sections out of #2 pine. All of this was coated in west systems epoxy after the frame was installed to help prevent water intrusion/rot. I don't want to ever do this again!

[Corts60]

Time for the other wall.

[Clyde65]

Sweet lil canned ham!

I have a Lo Liner and have done a lot of work on it.

[mongocanfly]

Man..that thing is cool..!!!...great job on the rebuild

[Getter-Done]

That is very nice work.
Man you have had a lot of different vehicles



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[Clyde65]

Very nice work

[Corts60]

Thanks everyone! I'll be posting more on it this winter.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Thanks everyone! I'll be posting more on it this winter.

Will you be bringing this to The C-10 Nationals in Nashville?




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[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Will you be bringing this to The C-10 Nationals in Nashville?




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Yep! Already prepping everything for the trip!

[Getter-Done]

Great

I will be looking for it.



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[61_FL_Apache]

Awesome build! I love those canned ham trailers!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Love it. I know nothing about vintage trailers but I think the laminated bender board trailer side frames is brilliant.

What did you use for glue? EDIT: Nevermind. I went back and looked at the photos and saw a gallon bottle of what appears to be ordinary wood glue.

Are the pine main frames attached to the laminated "hoops" (for lack of a better term) using a biscuit joiner? Then the flat plywood sheets fastened to the frames with what? screws, dowels or just glued and clamped?

Also, what is the finish - if any - on the interior wood?

[Corts60]

Hi Dan!

The pine framing inside the laminated outer frame was cut precisely to match whatever angle was needed where it attached at the outer frame. Then I used wood glue and pilot drilled for 3” deck screws through the outer frame into the pine frame. I’m no construction expert, but I know originally this frame was put together with just small galvanized nails, so I figured the screws would be plenty and the glue would do most of the work anyways.

As for attaching the paneling, I laid the frame on the floor and laid glue on the face of every frame member and then stapled the paneling to it using 1” pneumatic staples. Again relying on the glue making the strongest connection. I then routed out the windows and outside shape after the glue cured. I coated the entire frame in west systems epoxy before insulating and laying the outer skin on.

The interior stain I can’t remember, but I’m pretty sure it was varathane classic oak. Two coats.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Wow, great job on the build! That's a lot of trucks for only 12 years

Since 2009 I've bought... 3.... and sold 2

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Wow, great job on the build! That's a lot of trucks for only 12 years

Since 2009 I've bought... 3.... and sold 2

Haha, I know. I have a problem...I'm already thinking of selling the brown suburban and getting back into a 60-66. I can't help it.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Haha, I know. I have a problem...I'm already thinking of selling the brown suburban and getting back into a 60-66. I can't help it.

If you're going to go older why not go all the way back to era correct? Your then-new 1954 trailer would have been towed by a then all new 1955 Chevy Task Force truck, right?!

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

If you're going to go older why not go all the way back to era correct? Your then-new 1954 trailer would have been towed by a then all new 1955 Chevy Task Force truck, right?!

You know, for some reason I’ve just never really been into the pre-1960 trucks. But perhaps it’s time I ventured that way….

[Dan in Pasadena]

Corts - Thanks so much for the thorough response. I think you did a great job on this.

Did you have input from Youtube videos or discussions with other vintage trailer owners to know how to approach this job? Or did you just think it through and figure it out on the fly? I am truly impressed and I think this thing with outlast you if you can seal the other skin against further water. HUGE congrats on such a nice job - Dan

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Corts - Thanks so much for the thorough response. I think you did a great job on this.

Did you have input from Youtube videos or discussions with other vintage trailer owners to know how to approach this job? Or did you just think it through and figure it out on the fly? I am truly impressed and I think this thing with outlast you if you can seal the other skin against further water. HUGE congrats on such a nice job - Dan

Thanks so much Dan! It’s not quite finished, but I guess it never will be. Ha.

No YouTube or forums on this one. I used my experience building cabinets as a teenager and building guitars with my friend along with studying the original frame as I took it apart. I basically just replicated the original frame only with better materials in my opinion. If i would’ve “truly” built it right, I would’ve taken the roof skin all the way off and laid the roof paneling over the top of the walls to attach, instead of attaching from the inside. But it’s still incredibly strong regardless.