Buying old camping trailer, what to expect electrically?
06-14-2018, 07:43 AM
#21
Here are a few pics of the beast. I have to have the suspension switched back to original. Angle is wrong and its siting way to high. The previous owner was camping on an acreage on farm land. Party trailer its what it was, although in very good shape inside. The truck doesn't really squat much. 5600 lbs empty. Will bring it to the RV repair shop tomorrow and cover everything safety. I can probably get them to mesure tongue weight. Right now, there is no batteries or propane tanks up front, so tongue is weight is not representative...
Last edited by Delavan; 06-14-2018 at 07:46 AM.
06-15-2018, 01:39 PM
#22
That ain't bad at all for the age of it! Bit of TLC and paint can always make an old trailer look nice. Just make sure to check for roof leaks. Better to prevent than repair. I resealed my entire roof with eternabond tape and dicor lap sealant in every crack and groove and around every vent and seam I could find. Keep the water out and you'll have no problems!
Did you add that box on the back or was it the previous owner? I've thought of doing that myself for extra storage, but I also want to weld a hitch receiver to the bumper so I can put my hitch-mount bike rack on the back of the trailer... We've been putting the bikes inside the camper while traveling but I'd prefer them to be mounted and out of the way, and the truck bed usually has too much stuff in it for them.
Did you add that box on the back or was it the previous owner? I've thought of doing that myself for extra storage, but I also want to weld a hitch receiver to the bumper so I can put my hitch-mount bike rack on the back of the trailer... We've been putting the bikes inside the camper while traveling but I'd prefer them to be mounted and out of the way, and the truck bed usually has too much stuff in it for them.
06-17-2018, 02:54 AM
#23
That ain't bad at all for the age of it! Bit of TLC and paint can always make an old trailer look nice. Just make sure to check for roof leaks. Better to prevent than repair. I resealed my entire roof with eternabond tape and dicor lap sealant in every crack and groove and around every vent and seam I could find. Keep the water out and you'll have no problems!
Did you add that box on the back or was it the previous owner? I've thought of doing that myself for extra storage, but I also want to weld a hitch receiver to the bumper so I can put my hitch-mount bike rack on the back of the trailer... We've been putting the bikes inside the camper while traveling but I'd prefer them to be mounted and out of the way, and the truck bed usually has too much stuff in it for them.
Did you add that box on the back or was it the previous owner? I've thought of doing that myself for extra storage, but I also want to weld a hitch receiver to the bumper so I can put my hitch-mount bike rack on the back of the trailer... We've been putting the bikes inside the camper while traveling but I'd prefer them to be mounted and out of the way, and the truck bed usually has too much stuff in it for them.
now, I got the stove and the oven running. The hot water tank is by-passed. I did light up the fridge pilot, but couldn't get it to work. same for the furnace. I will get there...
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BlackBoost (06-18-2018)
06-18-2018, 10:43 AM
#24
Nice! Good call on the hot water tank. I've never ever used one in my life and probably never will. I've considered removing mine and turning the space into a storage box accessible from the outside.
So the fridge pilot does light but it never gets cold? The pilot light is all it needs to get cold since that's what warms up the system. Mine usually takes half a day and it's chilled a bit. I light it up 36 hours before I plan on leaving to go camping and it's cold enough to make ice in the freezer. It could be that the coils leaked and there's nothing left in there to make it cold. It happens with the old fridges. You can buy a complete new set of pipes to replace the whole system and it's not that hard. The new ones are also thicker walls so they should last decades. Watch yourself when you open the fridge if it's running just in case there's ammonia in there from a leak. Take little whiffs, if it's leaking you'll definitely smell it (if there's anything left). Don't take a big inhale, it'll burn your sinuses and lungs!!
When I first got the camper, I could hear the clicking from the fridge trying to light. I checked the igniter and it was barely sparking. Took the whole thing out and gave it all a good cleaning, brushed up the metal parts of the igniter where it's supposed to spark, and cleaned up the nozzle where the LPG comes out. When I put it back together it lit up right away. One thing I do have to do though it let the air out of the gas lines if I haven't used it for a while by lighting the stove and letting it burn for a bit to make sure all the gas lines are full of gas.
So the fridge pilot does light but it never gets cold? The pilot light is all it needs to get cold since that's what warms up the system. Mine usually takes half a day and it's chilled a bit. I light it up 36 hours before I plan on leaving to go camping and it's cold enough to make ice in the freezer. It could be that the coils leaked and there's nothing left in there to make it cold. It happens with the old fridges. You can buy a complete new set of pipes to replace the whole system and it's not that hard. The new ones are also thicker walls so they should last decades. Watch yourself when you open the fridge if it's running just in case there's ammonia in there from a leak. Take little whiffs, if it's leaking you'll definitely smell it (if there's anything left). Don't take a big inhale, it'll burn your sinuses and lungs!!
When I first got the camper, I could hear the clicking from the fridge trying to light. I checked the igniter and it was barely sparking. Took the whole thing out and gave it all a good cleaning, brushed up the metal parts of the igniter where it's supposed to spark, and cleaned up the nozzle where the LPG comes out. When I put it back together it lit up right away. One thing I do have to do though it let the air out of the gas lines if I haven't used it for a while by lighting the stove and letting it burn for a bit to make sure all the gas lines are full of gas.
06-18-2018, 10:57 AM
#25
Nice! Good call on the hot water tank. I've never ever used one in my life and probably never will. I've considered removing mine and turning the space into a storage box accessible from the outside.
So the fridge pilot does light but it never gets cold? The pilot light is all it needs to get cold since that's what warms up the system. Mine usually takes half a day and it's chilled a bit. I light it up 36 hours before I plan on leaving to go camping and it's cold enough to make ice in the freezer. It could be that the coils leaked and there's nothing left in there to make it cold. It happens with the old fridges. You can buy a complete new set of pipes to replace the whole system and it's not that hard. The new ones are also thicker walls so they should last decades. Watch yourself when you open the fridge if it's running just in case there's ammonia in there from a leak. Take little whiffs, if it's leaking you'll definitely smell it (if there's anything left). Don't take a big inhale, it'll burn your sinuses and lungs!!
When I first got the camper, I could hear the clicking from the fridge trying to light. I checked the igniter and it was barely sparking. Took the whole thing out and gave it all a good cleaning, brushed up the metal parts of the igniter where it's supposed to spark, and cleaned up the nozzle where the LPG comes out. When I put it back together it lit up right away. One thing I do have to do though it let the air out of the gas lines if I haven't used it for a while by lighting the stove and letting it burn for a bit to make sure all the gas lines are full of gas.
So the fridge pilot does light but it never gets cold? The pilot light is all it needs to get cold since that's what warms up the system. Mine usually takes half a day and it's chilled a bit. I light it up 36 hours before I plan on leaving to go camping and it's cold enough to make ice in the freezer. It could be that the coils leaked and there's nothing left in there to make it cold. It happens with the old fridges. You can buy a complete new set of pipes to replace the whole system and it's not that hard. The new ones are also thicker walls so they should last decades. Watch yourself when you open the fridge if it's running just in case there's ammonia in there from a leak. Take little whiffs, if it's leaking you'll definitely smell it (if there's anything left). Don't take a big inhale, it'll burn your sinuses and lungs!!
When I first got the camper, I could hear the clicking from the fridge trying to light. I checked the igniter and it was barely sparking. Took the whole thing out and gave it all a good cleaning, brushed up the metal parts of the igniter where it's supposed to spark, and cleaned up the nozzle where the LPG comes out. When I put it back together it lit up right away. One thing I do have to do though it let the air out of the gas lines if I haven't used it for a while by lighting the stove and letting it burn for a bit to make sure all the gas lines are full of gas.
I seen a video about maintenance to the fridge, and I will have to look at the flue, to see if there is any rust in there. But thanks for the heads up, it takes a while to get this cold?
06-18-2018, 12:42 PM
#26
Not a problem. I've been hit with a fridge full of ammonia before when I was smelling inside to see if it needed to be wiped out with some cleaner. Didn't take a full snort but it definitely made my eyes water and burned my nose a bit... Now when I check I open it up and wave my hand a bit towards my face to see if I get a bit of the smell. Much safer this way.
I can pretty much guarantee that there will be some rust in the flu, so be careful when banging on it and bring a shopvac out with you haha A lot of stuff will drop out of it and around it since the flu is also wrapped with insulation.
If you can brush it out and have a look inside with a flashlight you should look for holes in it. Sometimes easier to get up on a ladder next to the camper and take the top of the vent off so you can look down inside it instead of trying to look up (also keeps you from getting crap in your eyes). If there's holes in it, you might get some fumes going into the walls, which is bad. Also, since it's a 70's model, there's a small chance than asbestos was used around that flu, and possibly even in the flooring and around the power box. Something you might want to research. Asbestos was phased out in the late 70's/early 80's so it's not impossible. NOT trying to freak you out, just be aware of it that's all.
Yes they can take a bit to get cold. I'd say after 3-4 hours you should be able to touch the inside of the freezer box or the back wall of the fridge and it should feel noticeably cool, but it takes quite a bit longer to get very cold. Like I said, if I'm leaving Friday after work, I'll light the fridge Thursday morning and it's very cold come Friday. I've even accidentally frozen some fruits and veggies in the crisper which ruined them because at the time I wasn't used to the temperature control ****. Now I know to keep in on 3, and no higher lol
I can pretty much guarantee that there will be some rust in the flu, so be careful when banging on it and bring a shopvac out with you haha A lot of stuff will drop out of it and around it since the flu is also wrapped with insulation.
If you can brush it out and have a look inside with a flashlight you should look for holes in it. Sometimes easier to get up on a ladder next to the camper and take the top of the vent off so you can look down inside it instead of trying to look up (also keeps you from getting crap in your eyes). If there's holes in it, you might get some fumes going into the walls, which is bad. Also, since it's a 70's model, there's a small chance than asbestos was used around that flu, and possibly even in the flooring and around the power box. Something you might want to research. Asbestos was phased out in the late 70's/early 80's so it's not impossible. NOT trying to freak you out, just be aware of it that's all.
Yes they can take a bit to get cold. I'd say after 3-4 hours you should be able to touch the inside of the freezer box or the back wall of the fridge and it should feel noticeably cool, but it takes quite a bit longer to get very cold. Like I said, if I'm leaving Friday after work, I'll light the fridge Thursday morning and it's very cold come Friday. I've even accidentally frozen some fruits and veggies in the crisper which ruined them because at the time I wasn't used to the temperature control ****. Now I know to keep in on 3, and no higher lol
06-19-2018, 12:10 AM
#27
Not a problem. I've been hit with a fridge full of ammonia before when I was smelling inside to see if it needed to be wiped out with some cleaner. Didn't take a full snort but it definitely made my eyes water and burned my nose a bit... Now when I check I open it up and wave my hand a bit towards my face to see if I get a bit of the smell. Much safer this way.
I can pretty much guarantee that there will be some rust in the flu, so be careful when banging on it and bring a shopvac out with you haha A lot of stuff will drop out of it and around it since the flu is also wrapped with insulation.
If you can brush it out and have a look inside with a flashlight you should look for holes in it. Sometimes easier to get up on a ladder next to the camper and take the top of the vent off so you can look down inside it instead of trying to look up (also keeps you from getting crap in your eyes). If there's holes in it, you might get some fumes going into the walls, which is bad. Also, since it's a 70's model, there's a small chance than asbestos was used around that flu, and possibly even in the flooring and around the power box. Something you might want to research. Asbestos was phased out in the late 70's/early 80's so it's not impossible. NOT trying to freak you out, just be aware of it that's all.
Yes they can take a bit to get cold. I'd say after 3-4 hours you should be able to touch the inside of the freezer box or the back wall of the fridge and it should feel noticeably cool, but it takes quite a bit longer to get very cold. Like I said, if I'm leaving Friday after work, I'll light the fridge Thursday morning and it's very cold come Friday. I've even accidentally frozen some fruits and veggies in the crisper which ruined them because at the time I wasn't used to the temperature control ****. Now I know to keep in on 3, and no higher lol
I can pretty much guarantee that there will be some rust in the flu, so be careful when banging on it and bring a shopvac out with you haha A lot of stuff will drop out of it and around it since the flu is also wrapped with insulation.
If you can brush it out and have a look inside with a flashlight you should look for holes in it. Sometimes easier to get up on a ladder next to the camper and take the top of the vent off so you can look down inside it instead of trying to look up (also keeps you from getting crap in your eyes). If there's holes in it, you might get some fumes going into the walls, which is bad. Also, since it's a 70's model, there's a small chance than asbestos was used around that flu, and possibly even in the flooring and around the power box. Something you might want to research. Asbestos was phased out in the late 70's/early 80's so it's not impossible. NOT trying to freak you out, just be aware of it that's all.
Yes they can take a bit to get cold. I'd say after 3-4 hours you should be able to touch the inside of the freezer box or the back wall of the fridge and it should feel noticeably cool, but it takes quite a bit longer to get very cold. Like I said, if I'm leaving Friday after work, I'll light the fridge Thursday morning and it's very cold come Friday. I've even accidentally frozen some fruits and veggies in the crisper which ruined them because at the time I wasn't used to the temperature control ****. Now I know to keep in on 3, and no higher lol
Last edited by Delavan; 06-19-2018 at 12:20 AM.
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BlackBoost (06-19-2018)