1985 FWC Fleet Refurbish

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Dang this this was sweet to being with now it just got even better. Sub'd

Thanks USCG!

Some progress updates:

Picked up some aluminum plate and fab'd up some filler brackets to fill a small gap between the sides of the camper and the trailer. Got everything laid out and definitely measured twice.

I'll clean them up today and hit them with some primer and flat black to match the top rails of the trailer, then I'll lay out some butyl tape between filler plates and trailer to create a water tight seal.

Then it's time for the platform, stay tuned for more pics hopefully today and tomorrow

RG


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Projects has been held up waiting for parts to arrive and some have, but still waiting on my new batteries.

New parts for camper/trailer:

- 15gal water tank (going to be mounted inside the trailer, and no longer in my camper)
- Surflo 12v pump (also mounted inside trailer)
- Surflo Faucet (replace old existing hand pump)
- Surflo filter
- Power Bright 2300 watt inverter (mounted inside trailer with leads for inside camper use and exterior use as well)
- Water intake (mounted in wall of trailer)
- 12v socket (mounted to wall of trailer for plugging in my Zodi shower)
- LED backup lights for the trailer
- Butyl Tape (for under my filler plates and under my rubber EPDM seal)
- EPDM Rubber seal (for between camper/trailer at front of trailer as well as between camper and aluminum filler plates)
- 1/2" and 3/4" Pressure treated plywood (liquid nailed and screw together to give me 1 1/4" to fill in under camper between trailer, also going to drill a bunch of 4" holes throughout the ply to lighten it up a bit)
- Military 12pin to civilian 4pin trailer connector

Now I'm just waiting on my new dual Exide MC-31 Megacycle AGM batteries to show up, and some time away from work and other projects, hopefully this weekend, and it will be time to plumb all my water, wire up all the electrical, run some propane lines (running a line to the front of the trailer for my Zodi shower, and one to the rear for my lantern.

Some pics of new parts and my finished filler plates, of yeah and I got her all licensed: Plated, VIN'ed, and Titled for $60 bucks at DMV.

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Finally got the Fleet mounted to the trailer, gotta finish some wiring, plumbing and bolt her down and she'll be ready for her maiden voyage next weekend! Also thinking about re painting the camper to match the trailer!?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[craig333]

Looking good.

 

[ripperj]

I'd paint the trailer to match the camper if it were mine

 

[colierar]

+1 Just read the whole thread. Awesome resto. The color of the camper is great, match the trailer to it! Great thread.

 

[hayduke]

Sweet camper... love the fleet, great size.... does your bed slide out over the counter? my old fleet bed slid over the counter and extended the bed for two better... Looks like you like the cold weather camping..... nice insulation kits.. another suggestion is to use velcro and put the soft side around the window and make a 2nd pane with shower curtain.... works sweet and reduces the condensation

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Thanks guys!

It's coming along, finally had a chance to get it out a couple weekends ago and hit the trails for a little snow wheeling. Trailer pulled excellent, got about a foot of snow overnight and stayed nice and warm inside with the thermostat set at 60*.

Got stuck on the way out and ran into the only guy in the area that could get us out and he happened to have a Tucker Terra 2000 Snowcat, which pulled my tacoma, camper/trailer and my buddies ford ranger hooked to my trailer like a train and got us out to where we could get traction.

Hopefully gonna get it back up to the mountains in the next couple weeks, and by now the snow is most likely all melted off.

Some pics from the trip

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[NorCalBronco]

Camper + trailer came out great! Love the pics, looks like a good time.

 

[bill harr]

I assume you raised the top before the snow. Looks like you lowered it after. Did you clear any before you lowered it? I had 2" on mine in Baltimore and wow what a difference in weight that made.

Bill

 

[SLO_F-250]

X2!! Camper/Trailer turned out great! Well done! :ylsmoke:

 

[Gussie]

Wow, what a great report. Spent the morning reading it from the beginning. Beautiful job on the Fleet resto, and converting to trailer-pulled - not to mention the write-up! :bowdown:

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

I really love have the camper mounted on the trailer and have had it out quite frequently but just haven't had time to get to posting on the portal.

Since my last post I sold the Tacoma and purchased a 2013 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4x4 lifted with fab fours bumpers, warn 16.5, toyo m/t's 33x12.50x20 on Fuel wheels, protech racks, weather guard box. Love this truck best decision Ive ever made! Don't even know the campers behind me. Wont be able to wheel it like my tacoma but now that I've got more room (8' bed) I can take my dirt bike with me and really escape. As for the camper theres a few things still needing to be done and hopefully Ill have more pics to post soon.

RG

 

[Darkrider]

Great build thread, Just finished reading it from start to finish and will def be subscribing for updates.

 

[SpudMcKenzie]

Can you share some more info on how you mounted the slide-in to the trailer? I've got a trailer like this and looking for a camper to put in it. Im concerned the camper would be damaged by rocking back and forth in the trailer on rough roads.