Off Grid's Coachmen Restoration Build

[OffGridCamper]

So... I'm new to the forum, but I acquired a Coachmen 1270 pop-up camper for $0. I knew it needed some work, but have wanted one for a while, but couldn't bring myself to spending close to $20K for an "off road" ready one. To date I still have not found a serial plate or any markings to call into a dealer for parts so I'm winging it a bit, I've given myself a $1K budget to get everything done. The very back panel is rotted (the very original owner did some work to it and did a complete hack job of it) out behind the aluminum skin so the the frame work and skin will be getting replaced, the canvas has a few tears here and there, but nothing major; I'll be repairing it because to get a new canvas will be over budget. I'm trying to configure some larger tires and probably raise it to make them fit along with bigger leveling jacks.

I can't get pics to upload right now so I'll get them up tonight after work.

 

[OffGridCamper]

Here's what I started with...

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This is the biggest rip in the canvas so I'm going to get some stuff to repair it/sew it.
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I don't understand why they put particle board down for under the mattresses, but it'll be replaced with 3/4" treated plywood.
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I'm unsure if I'm going to keep the potty/shower or turn it into something else.
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The door has been totally jacked, it's been fixed on numerous times so I'm thinking I'm going to retrofit a different model door in there.
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[OffGridCamper]

Bird nests of wiring drives me crazy so I'll be sprucing this up real nice.

Here's the back on the inside where all the rot is.

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[OffGridCamper]

Time to get into it!

Pulled all the canvas off and beds out to move more freely during repair.

Found that this aluminum skin has thin board, or whatever it is attached to it, not sure if it's that way from a manufacturer or if it's done by the camper manufacturer.

Got all the rotted back and framework out, the floor is still solid so I'm not going to cut it out.

Whoever did the repairs on this did a hack job (as I've already said), but the screwed some thin board to the original frame for support of the glide rail for the bed. It's no wonder I could barely get it out... it was just swaying back and forth and not mounted solid.

I had some 2x4 that I ripped for another project so I cut it down and tapped it in there and fastened with countersunk screws.

And then the rain was coming in so until next time...

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[rokrawlr]

That looks like quite an undertaking, good luck and I look forward to seeing your progress!

 

[DanCooper]

That looks like quite an undertaking, good luck and I look forward to seeing your progress!

I agree, you have a real project on your hands. I, too, wish you the best and hope you get some use out of it this summer.

 

[OffGridCamper]

I appreciate it, I'm not gonna lie; I found myself asking as I was digging in "what the hell did I get into", but alas, I'm in it and don't give up. I did finish a little more with new frame in back and the back end is super solid now, but the only real things that have me stumped are the canvas and door.

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[DonBeasley]

You are a brave soul!!!!!

It looks like fun and based on the extent of needed repairs you can modify to your hearts content.

You in TX (I noticed the plates)?

 

[OffGridCamper]

You are a brave soul!!!!!

It looks like fun and based on the extent of needed repairs you can modify to your hearts content.

You in TX (I noticed the plates)?

Yup, born and raised

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[AaronK]

Looks like quite a project. Interested I how it comes along.

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[OffGridCamper]

Looks like quite a project. Interested I how it comes along.

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It's definitely a job for sure...

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[AaronK]

It's definitely a job for sure...

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Seeing your pictures makes me terrified to dig too deep into the 1990 Starcraft Starflyer we recently picked up

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[OffGridCamper]

Don't let it get to you, if you have the will, you can get it done. As far as my situation goes the hardest part was tearing everything out (the canvas mainly), it'll be easy to go back together.

 

[OffGridCamper]

Made some progress over the weekend... sorry about all the clutter as I put everything I could back inside the last time to keep it from getting wet. This week I focused on getting the back end closed in and wanted to get the door stuff done as well. I've decided that I'm not going to throw as much money into it as I originally planned, but I will be getting rebuilt right, I've pretty much dedicated restoring this thing so it's 100% usable so I can take my son camping, won't be "like new" like I was going to do it. I work in the oil field and have been debating, but I think I'll be buying a TT here in a years time so I can be closer to work and have fully enclosed camper to go certain places.

Once I got the framework installed, I needed to beef up where the 2 sections meet so I ripped a triangular piece and glued it in there.

Started to rip my lower panel and this happened... We've had lots of rain here in South TX so this just added to the mess.

Once the rain died off I was able to get my panels screwed on and thus the back end is finished minus the skin and an aluminum cross-member that goes across the top of the back to solidify it (which I was informed last weekend that camper manufactures stop making/supplying parts for campers after 2 years so I'm SOL on getting "exact parts" for it).

Next time I'll be getting the door and entry floor replaced since the rain killed about 2 hours; there's about a 1/4" gap all the way around that the guy who "fixed" it the first time did a hack job and pumped the gaps full of silicone. I'll be pulling this out and cutting an exact fit piece to go in there and will be glued in place.

Had to clean up in the dark so until text time...

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[fastestz1000]

Man, you have your hands full on this one.