The walls are replaced and the new light fixtures are in!

So we have gone from this:

To this:

We purchased pine paneling to install.  It was 5/16 wide, which was a little wider than the original paneling but much easier to install than full sheets of paneling.  It took 8 packs of paneling. 

The best purchase was a mini air compressor and nail gun:

 My dear sister came to recuperate after surgery and as part of her rehabilitation she helped install the paneling.  It went very smoothly and we did not make any errors - however we did have to make some 2nd and 3rd cuts!

So here are some additional looks:

 You can also get a peek of the new light fixtures.  The back ones swivel.  We purchased these at Menards.  These are on each side of the camper along with an electric plug. 

 We kept the original propane light over the dinette.

Installed a light on the kitchen side by the dinette, this is also from Menards and matches the bedroom lights.

 Under the shelf over the dinette we have small lightsand an electric plug.  These lights are from Ikea and just require a small hole to run the wire.  Mike rewired the lights to run on one string rather than the way they were originally packaged and then set them up to work on the switch rather than a toggle on the cord. 

So we will have a well lit camper!  It is great to have a husband that understands electricity!
Next up - cushions and sealing/painting

Insulation and Rewiring

My dear husband rewired the camper and updated the fuse box. 
Here is what we started with:

To the rear of the camper we added a few more lights along with a couple electrical outlets.  To the front we put lights under the shelf over the window, added an electrical outlet, added a light on the side of the kitchen and updated the outlet over the kitchen.  He also added an outside outlet and ran wire for an exterior light.  We kept the original propane light and rewired for the original ceiling light to run off a battery. 

The only original lights:

and the sideways one by the towel holder, forgot to get a good pic.

So we definitely needed at least better fixtures.

Once the wiring was completed it was time to insulate.  As you can see from the previous post the original insulation was only on the front and the rear and it was very thin.  So we are insulating just as you would a house.  However, since the studs on the Forester are just under 2" and insulation is over 3" thick we couldn't use manufactured insulation without some modification.  So I donned a mask and split a roll of insulation in half.  We (my wonderful sister came and helped) were then able to fit the insulation into the space between the studs.  Some of it had the paper back and other was fit in without paper.

Here is the final insulation job:

You can see Mike's electric wires hanging out.
Here is the new electric box.

Next post:  New walls!

In the Beginning

We purchased - or I should say traded - for our little vintage trailer. 
Joe, my son-in-law, had a boat motor and I had $100.

We got a 1965 16 foot Forester trailer and a generator with about 4 hours usage.

I think we got a good deal!

The previous owner used it as a hunting shack.  It was structurally solid but.....
the back window had been removed and boarded up.

At first glance, the rest was in good condition

 Until you look inside - then it got scary!

That's right - The entire inside was covered with shiny silver insulation. It was stapled on every few inches. And then it was taped with sticky silver tape. It was like you were in the mirror house at the county fair!

Even the door was insulated.

Contemplating keeping the curtains - mmm - not

And I love that brown and orange plaid
ahh - too bad it is 48 years old, otherwise I would have kept it.
They did have the original propane fixures - light, stove, heater.

So the first job was to remove the insulation.  That was quite a chore.  I am thinking maybe upwards of 500,000 staples! 

I was worried what it would look like once I got under the insulation but it wasn't too bad.  The paneling was damaged from condensation.  It was warped and in spots just disintegrated.  But - the structure was very solid.

Pictures with the interior paneling removed:

 Next up:  Insulation and electrical wiring