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.

[Corts60]

OK let's take the floor out. I used 3/4" marine grade doug fir. It added a lot of weight to the camper, but I'll be damned if that floor will ever rot!

Got the walls attached to the new floor and wheel wells in.

[Corts60]

Front, rear and roof frames going in. VCT tile installed.

[Corts60]

Skin going back on. Since all of the frame and floors and cabinets will be brand new, I felt I needed to keep the original sheet metal so this thing still has some of the history left from the last 66 years of existence. All the dents and dings from all the trips it has ever made.

The original door was just too beat up. It had a real hard life. So I had a customer door made by an Amish RV supplier in Indiana. Same for the baggage compartment. I did, however, rebuild and reuse all of the original Hehr windows.

[Corts60]

I realized I didn't take many pictures of the new wiring going in, but I installed a brand new trailer harness and routed all new marine grade Ancor 16awg wire to all of the tail and side lights.

Finished installing all the sheetmetal and windows and she sees the light of day again!

I also installed new leaf springs and replaced the 12 year old tires. The drop axle I had made and I installed it when I first "rebuilt" it 12 years ago. It's still in great shape.

[Corts60]

Now it's time to build out the interior. I kept all of the original dimensions and layout, but built everything brand new. I haven't made new drawers yet, but I think that will be my next winter project. The cabinets are all pine framing, but solid oak faces.

I decided to do away with the original ice box as it has lost its charm on me. I made the cabinet to fit a standard mini fridge.

[Corts60]

More cabinets and benches going in. Originally this camper had a booth in the front and the back that would both turn into beds. I didn't really see me ever needing the back booth, so I just framed it out to permanently be a bed with lots of storage underneath.

[Corts60]

More pics. I still need to reupholster the cushions with new material.

[Corts60]

That's all for now! I have to finish several things yet, but don't seem to have the time lately.

Since my career is centered around yacht repair, I found using marine grade components for all my electrical needs just perfect. I'm using a 30amp shore cord with a really nice stainless receptacle. I put in a Blue Seas breaker panel and I used Ancor wiring through out. All terminals are insulated and heat shrink types. I did install one group 27 battery and a 400w inverter just for charging phones or laptops and stuff when we are "roughing" it. Haha. I have several spare breakers left for a future stereo and any other 12v gadget I may want to add. I also have 3 120v outlets for when we are plugged into shore power. This camper is so small (only 12ft) so I'll never need more outlets than that.

I'll update more as I continue to tinker 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



......

[Clyde65]

Very nice work

[Corts60]

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

[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]

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