1963 Shasta Camper
Developed
November 28th, 2006
through April 15th, 2007
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"Mobile Command I" was a 1987 Yellowstone motor home. Modified slightly to meet the rough excursions I would take it on, like stainless steel bottom panels etc.. The trouble with "Mobile I" is gas. The higher gas gets, the less I want to use it. It also has other drawbacks. Many sites we visit require four wheel drive to access. I would have to park the motor home nearby and either hike in to an area or hitch a ride. If the site was fairly close by, within a mile or two like Walker Creek, no big deal, but when you have to start hiking five miles to a remote location, it can be a pain. I decided to go with a tent for a while, then I tried sleeping in the back of my truck. I quickly found out that I do not fit in the back of my truck! Fall of last year I decided to look for a small camper that I could pull with my truck. Small enough that it would fit in most wooded areas, I could then use the 4WD to get around. At the end of November, I was passing through Hendersonville, N.C. when I spotted an old Shasta camper sitting in a yard. I pulled in to take a look. The lady who owned it told me she had bought the camper to restore, but that she would sell it to me. I bought it and began the restoration. |
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The
first thing I did was gut the insides. I took out the stove, old ice
box, sink, cabinets, etc. I refinished the 44 year old birch wood
interior, rebuilt the stove with new paint and gas lines and replaced
the icebox with a 110 electric refrigerator/freezer. Then I rewired all the
electric adding new outlets, lights, etc. all new plumbing and sink
hardware, new carpet, trim, curtains and more. |
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My
neighbor carves things out of wood. I thought this bear head would
be a good addition and will scare away intruders! |
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This is the original gas powered lamp. I took it apart and cleaned and polished it and put it back in place. I have unhooked the gas line to the lamp, not a safe lighting idea. Next I went to work on the outside. Susan (the previous owner) had already replaced the front section of the camper with new diamond plate aluminum. The wheel wells were rotted out as was the metal at the rear 0f the camper. I replaced all the bottom metal with 1/8" aluminum and customized the wheel wells. I plan to replace these wheels with old time moon cap rims. |
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Next
I jacked the trailer four feet off the ground. I replaced all the bad wood
and metal at the bottom and undercoated the entire bottom frame. I stripped
the roof and resealed it and reworked the roof vent. I removed all
the windows, cleaned and resealed them, new screens, new screen door
frame and metal. New door frame and metal, rewired the lights. I built
a custom rear bumper with a diamond plate toolbox for my goodies.
I also installed a small window air conditioner. It only sticks out
5" from the side which don't look bad. Every screw in the outside
metal was replaced with new (about 800 screws). |
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Next
I installed a new gas tank and gas lines. Then I painted the trailer
two tone red and white and reinstalled the retro wings on the back. |
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The
trailer box is 11 Feet long, which makes it ideal to fit into small
camping areas. Plus it still gives me good gas mileage. |
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1963 Shasta Camper For
under $1,300 including purchase price, I have created the new |