dragonflyinthesky's '61 Shasta Conversion

dragonflyinthesky · Jun 19, 2011

Have finally started repairing Little Sanitee, my 1961 Shasta Astrodome travel trailer.  I don't plan on doing a complete as new vintage restoration. Some of these owners take everything out from the floors and cabinets to the walls. Mine is in decent enough shape. I don't know what it is with me, someday I may envy after a nice new state of the art camper but I am just pulled by the character of these oldies but goodies. I have also started my blog with our progress. <A href="http://littlesanitee.blogspot.com/" target=_blank target=_blank>http://littlesanitee.blogspot.com/</A>

Guest · Jun 19, 2011

Nice little trailer Diane....Have fun on the resto. Having done a 1955 trailer and many motorcycles, many vans and a couple buses, as well as a few houses, I know that as you dig in you will find more to do as things are uncovered. Only you can decide when enough is enough. My experience is that if you go as deep as you possibly can, you will end up with a much higher quality and longer lasting unit. Whatever you decide to do will be fine though and the main thing is that you are happy with it.... I love the look and quality of the older rigs too.... Bri

Butternut · Jun 19, 2011

I was actually looking at a Shasta the other day! Very cool, I'll keep checking back, I really want to see how you like it. -Ash

dragonflyinthesky · Jun 19, 2011

Butternut, I have been a tent and pop up camper for more years than you are old <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif">.  So far the thought of stepping into this little old travel trailer instead of setting up a tent or pop up, I just will think I'm rich.  I would have loved to have something like this when the kids were little and my family traveled. One of the factors into getting a small tt that I could pay cash for, (admittedly, it is not ready to just go without some more outlay of money) is that I was able to put more money into a better tow vehicle.  I have towed horse trailers and pop ups since I was a teenager.  I learned a lot from my father and other kind older men who taught me how to back, corner, engine sizes and needs.  I would rather have more power than I need than be underpowered.  I also like to unhook and go into town. I need room for my art and writing and small enough to get into out of the way areas.

rvwandering · Jun 19, 2011

Looks like a fun project! Take many pictures of everything as you do the restoration.

dragonflyinthesky · Jun 22, 2011

Am I sorry yet? No, I tend to be positive to the very end <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif">.  After pulling out 3 layers of linolium and cheap glued down tile I found the floor to be in good shape with the exception of an area in front of the door. I can guess someone may have left the door open to the elements for some time soaking the two layers of carpet I forgot to mention. More pics on the blog.

cyndi · Jun 22, 2011

Oh! I'm so excited for you and looking forward to your progress!   What are you towing with?

dragonflyinthesky · Jul 30, 2011

Finally finished the roof on Little Sanitee. I used an product called kool Seal, an elastomeric polyomer(whatever that means). It is white and has reflective properties, a dull matt finish.  It was not difficult to work with. The weather has been very hot and humid. It doesn't take going over dew or moisture so I have had to wait until about 10 or 11 in the morning to start. It took 2 days, about 6 hours total. I took lots of breaks from the heat and humidity or it would have taken less time.  I used about 2 gallons for a roof that is about 7'X12' and applied several coats. I used a paint roller with the thick nap as well as a pole on the roller assembly.  I did note that on the drippings on the paint bucket, once it was dry (but not cured) it was hard to dig my thumbnail into.  I have a picture of the roof finish I used on my blog.  Yesterday was 95 degrees. I placed my hand on the finish and it was hot, I placed my hand on the unfinished area and it burned, I couldn't keep my hand on it for long at all.  I have not been able to ck the inside temps yet for comparison. To sum it up, it was easy to do.

stude53 · Jul 30, 2011

Diane, I have tried and failed to post this comment on your blog using my Google account. So I'm posting it here, but I see you have already gotten past the blues, and are moving forward. Good for you! "Buck up, Diane ... Everyone has bad days, so just think back on your excitement when you decided to join the travelin' crew. Ask for help on your floor problem and coating your roof. Then do just one more productive thing to Little Sanitee and you will smile. Bob (Aka stude53)"

dragonflyinthesky · Jul 31, 2011

Thanks, a word of encouragement and an atta girl and I'm reved up again.

dragonflyinthesky · Aug 6, 2011

I was going to keep a better log of whats going on with more updates but you folks will find most of what needs done as boring as I do. I have been selling lots of bigger items as well as dishware and so forth at my sister's yard sale.  It feels good getting rid of stuff but I am not going real fast about it. I have been depressed the past few days (I'm not prone to little feel bad moments very often thank goodness) my best girlfriend asked point blank why I was depressed. I just blurted out, something like "its just the change, something new".(no, not the change of life, that's done &nbsp<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">  I then realized what my problem was. It is probably human nature to be afraid to do something new, no matter how exciting and wonderful the outcome might be.  Well, enough psycobabble bs. I might start taking myself seriouly if I'm not careful  <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif"> Anyway, after my lightbulb moment I was able to accomplish more mundane but necessary tasks in Little Sanitee and put more things in my truck for the yard sale.

dragonflyinthesky · Aug 7, 2011

What I do when I'm not doing something else.  These are tee shirts (designs) that I do for a friend who is heavy into jeep rock crawls and such.  She also passes out free little coloring books and crayons-with the web site and ordering info<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/sneaky.gif">.  She and I have the story line for the Hedgehog Kids but have not had time to work on it much.

dragonflyinthesky · Aug 21, 2011

My goodness, it hasn't rained for over a week. As soon as I have a coat of paint on Little Sanitee a full blown thunderstorm came up. Exaggerating a little, about 15 minutes of drying time occurred so I may be okay, it is oil based paint. <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif">WhoooHooo we sure need the rain.

dragonflyinthesky · Aug 27, 2011

I'm excited. Later this morning a small group of friends and my son are helping me move from the big house to the little studio. Other young friends are moving into the big House and paying taxes and ins. and keeping up the property, mowing, weeds and so forth. I have 2 of my closest women friends who are totally behind what I am doing and are at the same age as me, we are just too emotionally drained to keep up our properties. We all have farms from 2 acres up to 26 acres. One friend still has teenagers at home, the other saddled with grand kids, 7 and 10. One child is mentally ill and already very bipolar. She is 60 and trapped for years. I will be moving my daughter 3 hours away to go to a new college next week, Hocking College. I am fortunate, my kids ask or need very little. It may be the upbringing and all the responsibilities ex and I put on the 2 of them from an early age. Just putting this out to remind us/me how fragile and short life can be. Little Sanitee renovation is on hold for a few weeks.

butterfly · Aug 29, 2011

Congrats on the move from the Big House!!!  I'm excited to know you are progressing toward your goals!  as my new sig. line says "inch by inch, anything's a cinch".  Atta Girl, D'fly!!!

dragonflyinthesky · Sep 3, 2011

Butterfly, when I saw your new sig line I thought I am going to go a little different way on the artwork on Little Sanitee. I think I want it to journal my life and travels. I have a pic in mind to represent you. What a wonderful canvas, Little Sanitee is!  This is a picture I painted a few days ago, my first of many stories painted and written to celebrate my life. It says "The heart that loves is forever young". I also updated my blog a bit this morning.

WanderingRonin · Sep 10, 2011

So far the thought of stepping into this little old travel trailer instead of setting up a tent or pop up, I just will think I'm rich.

<div> </div><div>I hear ya. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I like the thought of having my own little home as well --free and clear of any debt (which is always my goal). When I move into my van in 3 weeks, it will be my very first fully paid up home. </div>

wishingriver · Sep 11, 2011

I would kill to have some land even if its some back corner see if any of them are willing to sell I dont have alot of money but I can give what I can and give them labor in return. the green backs aint the only way of trading and I aint afraid of coming home dirty lol thank you so much

dragonflyinthesky · Sep 11, 2011

WanderingRonin said:


So far the thought of stepping into this little old travel trailer instead of setting up a tent or pop up, I just will think I'm rich.

Click to expand...

<DIV> </DIV><DIV>I hear ya. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I like the thought of having my own little home as well --free and clear of any debt (which is always my goal). When I move into my van in 3 weeks, it will be my very first fully paid up home. </DIV>

Yes, owning land ain't what it used to be.  Don't American Indians have some saying or no concept about the land belonging to individuals? In your home, you won't have property taxes, you can move if you don't like the neighbors (or they don't like you), no mowing. What you will have in 3 weeks sounds perfect to me. Dragonfly

dragonflyinthesky · Sep 12, 2011

"Tree scam artist" Wow, my tree trimmers that grossly overcharged me then left mid way thru the job have been indited by US Marshals.  I will be standing in line with the rest of the "elderly" that they bilked.  I'm not elderly, just dumb. <A href="http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/reported-tree-scam-leader-arrested-1250659.html" target=_blank>http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/reported-tree-scam-leader-arrested-1250659.html</A> Dragonfly

dragonflyinthesky's '61 Shasta Conversion

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