Ziggy Progress

I spent a good part of the day yesterday working on Ziggy. I took a couple steps back and realized I was getting a little ahead of myself. I was thinking I was going to build the furniture before I installed the paneling so I could see where my frame work was, but how would that look? One answer...like crap. Chris has been concerned from the get-go regarding the stability of the framework and suggested I use some small metal bracket to hold the joints more tight and give Ziggy added strength. We found some small flat metal pieces that have several screw hole options and that I can either use flat or bend into any angle I may need. I braced the back wall to the floor, I went right over the new flooring because it's going to be hidden by the back gaucho. Then I braced most of the supports across the back and side walls. It's amazing the stability 8 small brackets added to the structure.

I am very happy with the progress. It feels super slow sometimes and I wonder, especially now that I sold the tent trailer, if I'll have Ziggy ready for Memorial Day up at Mom's. That is my goal and I have 7 months I really believe I can do it. I would really like to have the rebuild done and just work on the cushions and curtains over the winter. Then in the Spring I can paint and get her ready for her Maiden voyage!! It's funny, we've done so much on her but yet have so much yet to do.

Back rear corner with new brackets

Flooring!!

    Ziggy has a new floor! It was a bit harder than I thought it'd be getting the seams tight but I'm so happy with the finished product!
    I'm super excited things are really coming together. I also picked up the diamond plate for the rock guard. Next weekend I'll be working on rebuilding the dinette and gaucho.

Work Session- Who knows...

Lots of little things happening in and about Ziggy! I purchased new LED tail, marker and clearance lights for her. Decided on interior fabrics and color scheme. I have fabric for the seat cushions on the way. I have a curtain fabric and paint color (khaki) picked out.



Curtains

Seat cushions

I patched the plywood floor so I can lay the vinyl tiles, I've cut and placed most of the new insulation and I have the front corners put back together. I will be replacing the rock guard with a piece of diamond plate so I left the bottom few inches loose so I can insert it. I removed every inch of the welt trim so I can replace it with cove moulding. Pictures of progress to follow soon!


Work Session- 12

I got back outside to work on Ziggy last night. I removed the rest of the windows then started back on the flooring. I got the middle section of old flooring removed! Now I just have to work on the front section and the part I'm least looking forward to, the bottom cupboards and the front bench storage areas. The original flooring was laid prior to any interior structures being installed. Since I'm not removing all of those structures I have to remove from inside and around them, it's not going to be fun.

Work Session- 10 & 11

Some major work is happening on Ziggy!!

We've recently hit a record-breaking stretch of 90+ degree days. So over the weekend hubby and I got up early and spent 4-5 hours working on Ziggy each day before the temps got too high.

I bought a couple rolls of seam sealing putty tape to reseal the corners, trim and anywhere water could potentially get in. We were able to finish the framework and got the back end put back together. I wasn't sure if 2 rolls of the sealing tape would be enough but seeing how that stuff stretches we should have plenty to do everywhere we've planned for it. I am leaving the window out so to keep the air moving throughout the trailer while I work on it. I will also be repainting the outside and leaving the windows out will make that step a bit easier.

 

 We've decided that the floor needs more scraping than what the kiddo has done. The paper-like backing on the old tiles is not coming up very easily. I have an oscillating multi-tool that is helping with the process. I spent Sunday morning working on the floor while Chris worked on the front-end demolition. He removed the old water tank, the front window, rock guard and outer metal. The water tank literally crumbled as Chris tried removing it. I knew early on that it would be replaced so it was kind of comical that it came out so easily.While I continued scraping he was able to rebuild most of the front-end framework. Later on Sunday evening when the temps had gone back down we sprayed the front area with CPES.

I was able to finish scraping the entire back section of flooring...boy is it a very slow process but it has to be done to get the floor as clean and smooth as possible for the new flooring.

We also rigged a battery to the system to check the tail, marker and clearance lights. They all work!! Now just to keep the lines protected so they continue to work!

 

Work Session- 9

Last night was a great night!! Hubby and I had tried several different control settings on the furnace when we were trying to light it over the weekend. Last night I tried a couple more combinations. I think over the weekend we hadn't held the control knob in long enough to get any air or old propane out of the system. I took my time and gave the lines plenty of time to fill with propane. I figured out that the dials don't go to the top setting but the pin-like thing between the 2 knobs is the indicator. It was pretty hot in the trailer with it being in the garage and the outside temperatures in the mid-nineties so I didn't think I would be able to get the furnace to kick on so I was happy just getting the pilot light lit. Just for shits and giggles though, I turned the knob to 9 (the highest setting), gave it a few seconds and voila! the damn thing kicked on!! Then it was on to the oven. I could see where the pilot light was so I knew where to aim the lighter but I couldn't figure out how to get the gas to turn on.... I has a feeling it was more than just turning the oven on because if you turned the oven off the pilot light would also go out...I looked around for about 5 minutes and noticed that in front of the vent at the back of the range there was a hinge. I pulled a little on the vent hoping there may be something under the vent cover...nope... but I knew that hinge wasn't there for not, so I reached my fingers into the hole for one of burners and gave a firm tug and up it came. I looked around in 20 years of dust and gunk and there it was! In the front corner was a small lever on the gas line coming out of the oven control know. I moved the lever, and turned on the oven and I could hear the quiet hiss of the gas coming on in the oven. I reached in with the lighter and lit the pilot light, then I turned on the oven and it fired right up!!! One of the coolest things about this project is finding things that work. For free, I had very little expectations for things to still work. remember this trailer sat unused for 20 years. Lots of rust and rot so when something works it gives you a renewed energy about the whole project. I love my Ziggy!!

I also worked on rebuilding the framework. The first part of this trailer that I knew needed replaced was taken care of last night. The far back upright! It was pretty cool to see what I had pictured it would look like come to reality. Again, I used liquid nails for added strength to the joints. This weekend I will make a trip to home depot to get the insulation, a few more pieces of lumber for the front-end framework and some plywood for added strength to the corners and rebuilding the interior "furniture". I was hot and tired so no new pictures yet.

Work Session- 8

Hubby helped me test the propane. We lit the stove, all 3 burners work!! The gas lantern works as well!! We weren't able to get the oven or furnace to work but I also didn't have the instructions for either with me while we were testing so I will read up on those before we try again. The stove working though tells us that the lines are good at least!!

I also started the rebuild!! The foundation of the back wall as well as the side walls near the back were completely rotted to dust, they have now been replaced. They were all originally 1x2s but the back is now a 1x6 to give the back wall the additional support. I couldn't make the sides any bigger than a 1x2 because of the small access door frame size. I used liquid nails, screws and staples it is super stout now.

Work Session- 7

Ziggy is getting stronger!

I doused the back end of the trailer in CPES*, the floors and all framework were soaked. I used a weed sprayer to get thorough coverage. That stuff is AMAZING. I used a lacquer thinner to clean the weed sprayer and hope it was enough to keep it from clogging...otherwise I'll be headed back to Harbor Freight for another weed sprayer for the front of the trailer when I get to that part. I let the trailer sit for almost a week to be sure the CPES cured completely. It is rock solid!!

*I purchased the CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) from The Rot Doctor. It is typically used on old boats but can be used for anything. I had done quite a bit of research and decided that this product was exactly what I was looking for. It gives me confidence that the floor will hold it's strength even though it had been wet in the past.

Work Session- 6

I got to do some work on Ziggy this weekend. I pulled the back outside metal off! This exposes the back corner needing replaced and adds confidence that the flooring is still pretty solid even in the back. I will definitely be soaking the crap out of it with CPES to restore the strength since most of the back wall will be supported at least in part by the subfloor. It is much less overwhelming to think about taking on the rebuild now that the part I feared most (taking off the exterior metal) is started. Of course I 'll have to do the same on the front (once the back is rebuilt) but I am so much more confident about it now that I've started on the back. The window removal went super easy and makes me much less nervous about putting it back in. I'll also be replacing the frame around the small outside access door. It apparently was not sealed very well, but that should be a pretty minor fix.

I have also removed all of the outside trailer lights and will be replacing them. The original lenses although very cool and original are almost opaque from age. I will be looking for something similar and hope to find something round rather than plain rectangular lenses.

Be sure to check out the pictures of the back metal gone!! Pretty exciting!

Work Session- 5

Wow, It's been a very busy Fall. Hubby and I spent a significant amount of time hunting. I ended the season with 4 grouse, a rabbit and a doe. Hubby got 4 turkeys, several grouse and a little buck. With a full freezer we moved right into the youngest's basketball season and the holidays. We had a very enjoyable holiday season. I took the week leading up to Christmas off and fully intended on spending at least a day working on Ziggy. I don't think I even stepped foot in the garage my whole vacation. Time got away from me and before I knew it, the week was over and I was back at work. Basketball season ended with a record of 8-0 and the league championship!!

This weekend I did spend a couple hours working on Ziggy. The youngest worked on getting more of the old flooring up. She did a great job. I worked on pulling out more paneling, the front this time... Oh lord, the far front corner is BAD it is more rotten than the far back corner.
I had a bit of concern and a little loss in confidence of the whole project but after a great encouraging conversation with hubby I am ready to charge on! It may not be the beginning of the summer but if I can have it ready for Mom and Me weekend with the youngest I will be so happy.