Sometimes set backs, can be blessings.

One of our main concerns when purchasing and choosing to repair an older trailer was safety.  How could we insure that everything was working properly, and that we weren't going to be exposed to anything potentially hazardous.  This trailer is over 45 years old, so is the plumming, gas lines, insulation etc.  So finding a bit of water damage could be a blessing in disguise. 

Our task for day 3 of our trailer adventure was completely gutting the interior down to floor and studs.  Being sure to document where certain wires, that may confuse us later, run.

We also paid close attention to make sure we noted how the previous owners had set up their electrical system.

When finally we got the entire wiring, plumbing and kitchen out of the trailer.. we began tearing down the dinette walls, where our girls will be sleeping.  Well what do we find?  Our worst fear for a small living space like this, ROT and MOLD!

We also found some creative structural choices, nothing worse than the holes drilled for electrical cables to run through, they completely destroyed all integrity in the board, drilling 3 - 1/2" holes through a 3/4" piece of wood.  It likely wouldn't shock you that we found this in the area of the wall that was bowed out.

Now, we are done and gutted, ready to study how to rebuild the walls of the trailer so we don't run into the same issues when we take her to travel.

I swear, we've fixed all the water damage.

So the adventure, and the agony begins.  As most people find when they begin the dis-assembly process of these 40-50 year old trailers, there are bound to be places where water has found its way in.  When we purchased the trailer, we had seen how much work had already been done to remedy what the "experts" believed was the extent of the damage. After looking further into the paneling, and seeing the excess damage on the exterior, we had a feeling the extent of the damage was further into the trailer.. so dis-assembly began.

So what do we find?
Well, there's some staining, from a previous leak.  The previous owners treated this against wood rot, and the wood is still in pretty good condition, despite the appearance.

We found some nice bark shavings, likely where the rear drivers side came in contact with a tree, likely during the collision that caused the rear quarter damage.

We found that the bulge in the wall, stemming from the above damage, may have adjusted the level nature of our coutertops (about 3/4" over 12 inches)

 ..and the same damage affected our uppers about 1 1/2" over an 8" run.

 But on the bright side, the trailer comes with free honey!

Here is the rear quarter damage that we referred to earlier, those trees can be tricky though.. maybe they got hit?

 Nice bulge down the drivers side.. from this angle you should be able to see the front side of the trailer.

..anyway, back to the water damage... while a lot of the damage had been replaced, lights should have went off when there was staining in the lower corners of trailer.. water runs downhill.  Here's what we found in the corner.

Well, she just now because a walls-off-the-frame restoration!  Stay tuned!

We've got her, but.. she's gonna take some work.

After searching around all around the greater Seattle area and north, having multiple Craigslist sellers bait and switch us, and multiple trailers sold out from underneath us, we've found our project.  A 1969 15' Kit Companion travel trailer.

We were able to take this project over from a great older couple from Federal Way, who no longer had the desire to continue the work to bring her back to her glory.  They were nice enough to work with us to get the project within our budget and get us on the road with all the accessories and parts they had for towing and fixing her up.

We're so excited to share this adventure with our girls, and all of you.  Stay tuned for progress and we move forward (slowly).