Scotty Hilander
The picture from craigslist. Lots of potential. Original awning.
Scotty Hilander
Another craigslist picture of the Hilander
Window Rock Guard
Most of the paint is off the fiberglass rock guard
Decals
Both front and back decals will be replaced
Emblem
This will get some new red paint
Roof AC
The AC unit was aded by a previous owner and it was too heavy for the roof. The whole area pooled water every time it rained.
Roof
Another shot showing the area on the roof that would hold water. No wonder it was leaking!
Roof
YUK! The roof had every type of coating imaginable. Even a layer of canvas with some kind of coating. I was not looking forward to getting all this off.
Roof Goop
Underneath the goop I found screws along one of the seams.
Roof Screws
This is what made me finally decide to replace the roof. There were about 30-40 of these screws that screwed into nothing. Many of them were rusted due to water leaking through the holes.
Roof
All edge trim screws were dug out of the goop and taken out. The AC unit was removed and the roof was taken off. I can get a new one without any seams for $14 per linear foot at a tractor trailer repair shop in town.
Inside
The upper bunk cabinets fold down to make a full size bunk bed. I'm not thrilled with the faux wood paneling. That will be replaced.
Kitchen Cabinets
The previous owner did some modifications to the inside where water damage had happened. Notice white mdf on cabinets.
Kitchen cabinet
Upper kitchen cabinets after i removed the door and laminate. Face frames will be rebuilt.
Inside Ceiling
There was ceiling damage on both sides that cooresponded with the roof seam with the rusted screws.
Dinette
Before demolision the dinette with original cushions and laminate table.
Water leak
The previous owner tried to fix the wall damage with mdf wall board but didn't fix the source of the leak. At the first sign of rain the mdf soaked up the water like a sponge.
Back side
Beginning to take the trim off.
Rot
Rot on the back corner. Apparently very common on Scotty trailers.
Rot
Back left corner
Rot
Back right corner
Rot
Both bottom back corners had rotted sidewall edges, floor and corner frames.
Rot
The back corner frame was completely soft and rotted.
New Wood
Replaced floor at both back corners as well as the frame along the back. Used untreated wood so it will be painted with Herculiner.
Corners
Used Gorilla Glue and Kreg jig to make pocket holes at the corners. Bolts hold the wood frame to the trailer. The hole is for the water tank drain.
Front
The front end didn't have near the rot that the back had. The slats will need to be replaced but the floor and frame were in good shape.
More Rot
Window frame rot will be replaced
Scotty Construction
This shot shows how the edges are constructed. The slats rest on top of the sidewall then wood is fitted between the slats and then a strip of wood ran over the top as well.
Sidewalls
The side walls had rot along the top and bottom edges.
Sidewall
Both sidewalls had some areas of good wood but the bad wood was located in crucial areas.
Seams
The sidewalls ar 1/2" plywood pieced together with corrugated fastners. Many fasteners were rusted through and this seam was completely loose.
Removed Sidewalls
I took the sidewalls off piece by piece since many of the fasteners were rusted through and I was working by myself.
Water Tank
This is what the water tank looked like. A manual hand pump will be replaced with a 12 Volt pump. This small one should work for my weekend trips.
Bed Frame
The original bed frame. I plan to raise this about 2" to accommodate an under bed air conditioner.
Staples
Look at these things! Just to hold one small piece of wood they had this many 2" staples.
Battery
The battery stored under the dinette had leaked acid which ate through the linoleum and floor.
Floor Fix
This is the reason a battery should never be stored in a closed inside compartment without being vented. The acid leaked on on the circular area and completely through the floor.
Floor Repair
I cut a hole at right angles. When cutting through old linoleum you have to be careful of asbestos. I used a respirator, throw away coveralls and eye protection here.
Floor Repair
I placed a 2x4 underneath this patch to serve as a brace then screwed the new patch to it. I will put foam sealant along the edges and paint it with Herculiner.
Threshold Repair
The metal brace under this area was broken and the floor was also rotted. I cut a piece to fit after having the frame spot welded by a friend.
Threshold Repair
This is how I supported the threshold. The wood braces was wide enough to cross each seam and I screwed both seam edges. It is very secure now. It will get a coat of Herculiner as well.
Floor
Armstrong product. Linoleum planks that basically float over the old floor. I didn't have to add a subfloor.
Floor
I used both scissors and a box cutter to install. It was very easy. The grey strip is sticky with adhesive.
Floor
The planks link together with the sticky tabs.
Finished Floor
This is what it looked like when it was finished. Each edge was left about 1/8" shorter for expansion purposes. Wheel wells have Tekfoil to prevent condensation.
Sidewall Construction
Three pieces of 1/2" plywood bound together with Gorilla Glue and biscuits. Held together with pipe clamps.
Cutting out Sidewalls
I carefully measured the circumference of the sidewall using the original as a template. I also used the skins to get the curves right where there was too much rot. If you are off on this part then the skins may leak in the end.
Beadboard
I wanted to add beadboard to the inside walls BUT I couldn't make the trailer wider than it was originally. I had to carefully measure up from the bottom so it would fit properly. Glued and stapled the board to the plywood.
Sidewall
One wall put together, beadboard on and primed.
Herculiner
Herculiner is painted on the bottom to protect it from water damage on the road.
Braces
A 2x4 brace screwed to the bottom allows the wall to rest so you can screw it more easily. I got all these little tips from reading posts on the web from experts. This is my first build and I spend HOURS reading and watching videos before tackling a section of the build so I can limit my mistakes and frustrations.
Braces
Before mounting the wall I double screwed braces under the frame. That is Herculiner on the frame to protect it from water damage.
Outside Wall
Another tip I learned from the experts on the web. Don't think the biscuits and Gorilla Glue will keep this sucker together when you move it. Braces were temporarily attached to outside wall perpendicular to seam. Had to make sure the screws didn't go all the way through the beadboard though!
Mounting the Walls
The bracing worked well. It gives you time to really make sure things are lined up correctly.
Mounted Wall
One sidewall mounted and braced. This takes a lot of muscle and bracing to get done right. I still won't know if it is perfect until the other one goes up and the skins go back on and fit.