After all that we've been through with our first trailer. We were willing to do it again......But only once more.
Our theme would be a car on The Orient Express Train with touches from The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. This would be a tall order and I wasn't sure we would be able to pull it off. Although we had funds to do the project, they weren't unlimited. The sale of our Shasta would supplement the budget. We would have to be creative, something we're good at.
We had narrowed our choices down to a few shops for the restoration of our 1954 Boles Aero Montecito.
This was not an easy process. I would have gone back to John and Dennis, who did our Shasta Compact, in a second but this was a larger trailer and would not fit in their building.
If only....
The shop we interviewed first was far away but had a great reputation, we had seen their work in person, and followed them for some time. It took a plane flight and a road trip dodging forest fires to see them in person. We were impressed. There were trailers for sale, in progress, but the waiting list was long. It was now July and we would be "penciled in" for the following June.
Hmmmmmmm.
We discussed at length what our design for the trailer would be as I had brought extensive drawings. One person got our concept and another said, "We have a certain aesthetic here and we don't want to do anything too cute." CUTE ... the four letter word of decorating! This was going to be anything but CUTE.
That put me off.
Well, that and the ballpark cost, which was near six figures. We would end up paying almost that but, at the time, it was sobering. Also, there was the distance, waiting period, and non participation in person factor.
I'm very hands on. We would look elsewhere.
I would later regret this decision.
We spent the better part of the summer getting acquainted with our Boles Aero. On our knees, we measured every inch of the trailer, and devised a floor plan to meet our needs. A bathroom was top priority along with the build back to be as authentic as possible even though it was a total redo. We needed a bed that was always a bed. Everything modern would be hidden and the materials were to be unusual for a camper. Onyx cabinet tops, ceramic tile kitchen counter and back splash, etched glass, stained glass, antique mirrors, vintage light fixtures, reproduction switches, and Sorrento inlaid wooden panels.
I knew the trailer well by the end of summer. Precisely, as I had measured and remeasured everything. This familiarity would come in handy when dealing with the renovation. There would be many discussions and downright arguing over where items would be placed. I knew precisely what would fit and where, well in advance of these Badminton Matches. I assure you, they did not have the bigger Shuttlecock 🏸
We have been in situations with two houses where the money got ahead of the work, despite our efforts to prevent it. There is no worse place to be as a customer. Add bad quality of work and misinterpretation of design for one stinky stew. You have no leverage and it usually ends badly.
Let us pause here for a nine month prayer....
During this time my husband nearly died, this time for real.
Dave had emergency gallbladder surgery and was hospitalized a week for what is normally outpatient surgery. I didn't give thought to the trailer and it's unending problems and stress. I had more important things to do.
Time would pass before we would have control of our trailer and when work began again, it was in earnest.
This was now August of 2016 and I had in the back of my mind a goal, to show at Modernism Week in Palm Springs, February of 2017. It's an invitational event and was five months away.
We are certainly not professionals at this but I do have a way of getting things done.
Anyone who knows me understands that I have grit and determination to spare and nothing or no one will get the best of me. It's pretty much been the story of my life.
We started with the undercarriage and good people I could trust. So, I called Liberty Trailer and talked to Buddy again, this time with a different camper. "Bring it on out, we'll see what we can do." he said in his easy going way.
And so we did.
I told Buddy when we dropped it off, "We have really been through it on this one." "Well, we'll get you squared away." And, I knew he would. He called me later and said, "It's a real shame, the axle is really great, straight as it can be, BUT we can't use it." Our Boles originally had hydraulic brakes that hooked into your car.... back in 1954!
We drove a 2011 Frontier at the time with a tow package for electric brakes. The axle could not be used because the wheel hubs would have to be retrofitted for electric brakes and there was no good way to do it. It could be done but it would not be a standard modern part if we were caught on the road with an issue. So, a new axle it was with new electric brakes. We put scissor jacks on the trailer, new steps, and had them rustproof underneath beginning the first part of the undercarriage work.
An Internet search found us a flooring installation company ( Dominquez Flooring, Clarksville, Ark.) who actually came to our driveway and installed our bordered flooring in my custom design the first time and to absolute perfection. The green part was one continuous piece throughout the entire trailer with the black bordering it with sharp corners just exactly the way I wanted it. We were extremely pleased 😁
Our previous flooring of the same design (new materials) were wasted by a supposed "professional shop" who subbed it out and due to improper cutting and lack of supervision led to our parting ways. One thousand dollars down the drain. Not to mention the destruction of a panel of etched glass that truly and completely burned my butter. More money gone. Fortunately, I had purchased an identical pair so, I had a back up but the lack of respect for our materials was obvious.
Dave had been making calls around our local area. We had an incredibly incomplete trailer and would need someone willing to take it on.
There wasn't a lot to choose from but we had heard good things about a family owned RV dealership that had been in business over 40 years. We made an appointment and towed the trailer to the shop. The initial once over was thorough and they agreed to do the work.
We were relieved, for a while anyway.
It would seem that trouble followed this project from the beginning and achieving anything had been an uphill battle but I was not giving up. Our first trailer was so easy to do thanks to John and Dennis. But this trailer was a problem from the purchase forward. I was the same person with the same expectations with both trailers and I kept questioning, "Why is this so difficult to accomplish ?"
Our trailer would need a full propane system as we already had a combination propane and electric water heater installed but not hooked up. We also wanted a propane furnace installed. The trailer would need holding tanks for waste and for fresh water with all the various plumbing parts and the 12v system with a 3000w inverter, charger, and battery bank. None of which had yet been installed.
Boring, I know, but very important. It's wonderful to have a great vintage trailer but you don't need to die in it. Your systems have to be installed correctly as in right side up. When renovating, it's important to block the trailer properly or you could have a dangerous tipping problem with people inside. Don't forget a smoke and CO2 detector, it was on our list!
We went back the next week to check the progress on our trailer. Something looked odd to me. The propane line was installed on the outside of the tongue. Was that how it's supposed to be? I questioned immediately and was told that was regulation and how it had to be done. Period. It could not be moved. I had a feeling it was wrong when I was suddenly distracted by the lead technician telling me I couldn't have a holding tank for the toilet.
Now, you do not tell a prissy glamper she cannot have the proper facilities to be dainty in.
He was not expecting what happened next. I got down underneath the trailer and pointed out to him how it would be done. Red faced and very much looking like a cartoon character with steam coming out his ears, he with his jaw clenched said, "Ma'am! I'm telling you it can't be done!" To which I replied, "We'll see about that." 😠
*When would this ever end?*
I had just met this man a week prior and I had already insulted him by not taking his word for it. I had the absolute effrontery to look for myself. I had it up to here with a certain type of Southern Man, Cracker, Redneck, Whatever, that is offended by a woman who knows her own mind. I had tried to work with people before, be nice, be patient, bake muffins, trying to get a better job but as I've gotten older and particularly on this project, I'm tired of people's crap.
So, I ignored him. Flat turned my back.
The dealership had arranged for us to meet a painter who had a fleet division painting larger vehicles and motor homes. The rep was a very nice young man whom we discussed paint colors with and it was understood we would receive a sample board the following Friday.
We left the shop boiling at the thought of not having a holding tank for the toilet quite desperately searching for a solution not to mention the prospect of the propane system not being safe.
One highly motivated Internet search revealed that indeed the propane system was installed incorrectly and I found a holding tank for the toilet that would prove beneficial.
I was incensed.
He we were again, throwing our hard earned money at people who were jerking us around. I will let you know, we pay our bills and do not mind shelling out for quality work. Work completed to our standards and specifications, that is.
Monday morning, I left work and drove to the RV shop to confront the Service Manager in person after a message I had left was not returned. Before going in the office, I walked the lot. Not a single one, not one trailer for sale had a propane line installed on the outside of the tongue. Just as I had found online, it would not be safe to make a hard turn or jack knife and rupture a gas line! I must have been simmering in a way that only another woman could sense because the receptionist was wide eyed when I asked to see the General Manager.
We were only two weeks into this part of the project and I wasn't yet familiar with all the players. I only knew the lead technician and the service manager. There was a great deal of running around, opening and closing of doors, etc. Then, after about 20 minutes of watching this Bubba Ballet the service manager walked up to me and asked, "How can I help you?" I locked eyes with the man and I detected the slightest flare in them when I stated, "You know why I'm here." "Oh. The propane system is being moved as we speak", he added quickly. "Why is that?" I asked. "Because that's what you wanted", he said. "That's not the reason", I stated flatly. "I just came in from walking your lot and there is not a single unit for sale that has the propane line installed on the outside of the tongue. This tells me our propane line was improperly installed." "It's being moved now", he parroted. "Fine. Will it be ready by Friday and will we see the welder and painter at that time?" "That's the plan", he murmured with a blank stare.
I left.
That Friday I came bearing gifts.
One black water holding tank and a can of pink spray paint ( yes, I chose pink on purpose). I met with the welder first. We discussed the spare tire rack that I was later to find out was called a "stinger mount" who knew?
Then came the moment of truth. I got the lead technician, the welder, and myself under the trailer. I whipped out my can of pink spray paint and began marking the metal framing underneath the toilet.
Pssssst. Pssssst. Pissssst. Pissssst.....
We had arrived with the bathroom partially built and had a sewer connection through the floor. Lying there knowing I had these two men's wrapped attention, I asked the welder, "If you make cuts here, here, and here. Then, join here and here, it will make room for this holding tank, as I lifted it into place. The welder looked and said, "Yep. That'll work." All the while the lead technician had not a word to say.
Although I was right, right can be exhausting.
The painter showed up and had a sample board for us to see, it was excellent! He also had worked out a novel idea to some.... a timeline. Imagine that. The welder would work during the week as he fabricated the tire mount and made room for the holding tank for the toilet.
It can't be done..... My Aunt Fannie!
Now before you think I'm some priss pot, who never gets her hands dirty, here's a picture of me installing the kitchen tile. Ceramic tile. In a trailer. Something I had been warned would not work. Huh. I designed a counter and back splash base that would "float" inside the trailer and not be subjected to the stresses of the shifting walls. I also had cross supports put in the walls and ceiling under the paneling to reduce shifting. Crossing the continental U.S. would show I had not so much as a crack in the grout. We hit some substantial bumps and holes along the way and everything has stayed just the way I put it.
I'm very proud of this tile not only for the outcome but that I persevered through trying conditions.
I also learned how to rivet out of necessity as I couldn't find anyone who could do it. Well, why not give it a try, it couldn't be worse than it was. I bought all the stuff and watched a Youtube video. Seemed pretty straight forward. Along with Buddy at Liberty Trailer I had also gotten to know Dana, at Harper Sheet Metal. He had precut the aluminum for me to use on the trailer and told me how to countersink and drill out the holes. I suddenly had a flashback to middle school shop class and the garden trowel I had made! I was familiar with this.... So, I went after it. I was amazed at how easy it was. If they find out, every monkey in the zoo will be in line at Boeing looking for a job!
The next week would show an installed black water tank (precisely where it was supposed to be) and a discussion regarding drain pipes.
What had been impossible had been done.
You cannot listen to people who tell you no. There is always a different way. What is no in their mind is their limitation, not yours.
Needless to say, the RV dealership service department did not have anyone who could rivet and I had an idea. I wanted 'C' channel to receive awnings that would be coming. I wanted the "brows" above the windows to be moved up and then the old holes to be used for the rivets for the "C" channel. The only choice was to do it ourselves. Dave helped remove all the "brows" with their attending 60+ year old putty which we took home and cleaned with fingernail polish remover while watching the remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Dammit Janet!
We came back to the shop the next week and reputtied all the "brows" and I got to riveting. As I worked, wearing a seasonally appropriate Halloween Scarf, one by one the workers casually dropped by to see what I was doing. One said, "Looks like you've got it under control!" Another said, "So many people come in here and don't even know where to hook up the water.....
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