How to Remodel an Older Travel Trailer

The idea of a family camping trip evokes a mixed bag of memories for people, depending on whom you ask. Restless nights sleeping in a cramped tent brought on dreams of owning your own travel trailer for that comforting home away from home feeling. Others remember childhood RV vacations and long to have them again. You can make vacationing in a travel trailer a reality, cheaply: You can buy an old RV travel trailer literally for just a couple hundred dollars and refurbish it. Doing most of the refurbishment work yourself you will save you money and give you an opportunity to add the personal conveniences that are expensive upgrades when buying new.

Instructions

Safety

1




Examine the tires and wheel to ensure that they are capable of carrying the load of both the trailer and any additional contents that you load for your trip. Replace tires and wheels with new ones if there are any signs of cracking on the tires, if the tread is worn, or if there is rust on the wheels.

2

Have the trailer brakes inspected and repaired by a professional. This will include mechanical components as well as the electrical controls used to connect the towing vehicle to the trailer.

3

Examine the wheel bearings and axles to ensure that they have not rusted together. Replace wheel bearings with new ones in conjunction with new wheel and tire assemblies.

4

Examine the trailer platform to ensure there are no large holes from rust or other damage. Holes in the platform can be repaired by welding in pieces cut to fit.

5

Repair brake lights and old wiring by purchasing simple brake light kits that come complete with all wiring harnesses, taillight lenses and light bulbs.

6

Examine the license plate mounting bracket to ensure it will properly hold the legal identification required along with a small light bulb above it for illumination.

Functionality

7

Clean out the water system by using full-strength bleach. Allow the bleach to stay in the water system for about an hour to ensure all the germs are eradicated. Rinse the system with clean water several times until the system is clear.

8

Replace any worn-out propane gas lines with new lines and fittings . Make sure that the propane tank brackets hold the tank securely. Use new nuts and bolts if necessary.

9

Add a new electric generator to your old travel trailer, along with solar chargers mounted to the roof for convenience.

Comfort

10

Tear out the old foam rubber seating and bedding surfaces and replace them with new padding and upholstery.

11

Cover the floor of the old travel trailer with new indoor/outdoor carpet in your choice of color and texture, or maybe just use linoleum that you can glue over the old surface.

12

Add curtains or mini blinds over the windows for privacy.

13

Sand and paint all of the interior wood surfaces with your choice of latex paint and primer, or just apply a coat of clear polyurethane to maintain the natural wood surfaces.

14

Add your choice of a new propane stove and small electric refrigerator for cooking and food storage.