Frame Members
Coupler
Stabilizer Jacks and Bumper Mod
Propane Tank and Spare Tire Mount
Finish Application
Material Choices
Plywood Template
How to Salvage Damaged Wood
Subfloor Install
Marmoleum Floor
Belly Pan
Aluminum Bodywork
Hidden Components
Vents
Body Reinstallation
Panel Patching
Panel Replacement
Locker Restoration
Main Door Disassembly
Main Door Reassembly
Baggage Door Restoration
Window Restoration
Rubber Gasket Replacement
Screen Replacement
Volts and Circuits
Battery Choices
Distribution Block
Solar Panels
Chassis Wiring
Trailer Taillights
Fiberglass
Foil-Backed Bubble Pack
Spray Foam
Panel Sanding
Endcaps
Panel Painting
Interior Panel Repair
Wood Finishes
Woodworking Procedures
Aluminum Trim
Tables and Bed Lifts
Overhead Lights and Lockers
Metal Plating
Upholstery
Heater
Stove
Ice Chest
Gas Lamp
Chapter 12: Plumbing and Liquid Propane
Plumbing
Propane
Chapter 13: Polishing and Brightwork
Polishing Tools
Small-Scale Polishing
Large-Scale Polishing
Preserving Your Work
Chapter 14: Traveling with Your Trailer
Empty the Tanks
Towing Preparation
Hitching Up
Choose a Destination
Accessorizing
DEDICATION
To the memory of Judy’s dog, Charles … high fives and biscuits forever, little buddy.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Like restoring or building a camper, producing a book on the methods and concepts involved with a travel trailer is no small achievement. And, even though I work on these things every day, I can’t pretend to know everything about the subject matter.
With that said, this book contains a mass of information from the tradesmen and professionals at Camper Reparadise. Camper Reparadise is a restoration shop in Salt Lake City, Utah, that began as a small family business and has since grown large enough to occupy a 10,000-square-foot facility, employ around 12 professionals, and produce more than 20 restorations a year. Among those specialists, a special thanks needs to be given to Bryan Rowe and Chad Nielson for their contributions in the woodworking and polishing sections.
Likewise, Brandon Zinninger, aka the-best-boss-ever, needs a hearty thank you for allowing the time and resources this book appropriated from the needs of a quickly growing business. From photo taking to long hours at the computer screen, the following pages required much of my attention and devotion over the past year, while other significant responsibilities sat on the back burner.
Additional thanks go to Steve and Melanie Zinninger for providing the stepping stone that Camper Reparadise needed to get off the ground. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today and there would be no avenue to professionally restore campers. Similarly, a special thanks go to the clients who trusted in the