Inspiration and continued reconnoitering...!

Two weeks to retirement, and, readying for the serious "tear-down phase" of the Scotty project.  Yesterday, Susan I traveled to Petaluma, CA, to wander the trailers at the Tin Can Tourists vintage trailer rally; lots of great examples of fine 1950, 1960 and 1970s trailers, some near perfect, others in between, some pretty rough.  Found only one Scotty, an early 70s Hilander, a bit rough and musty, but owner quite proud of her.  I'll post some of the better examples on a following blog.

Today, with weather finally cooled, sitting in our little Scotty, finishing the inventory and "close inspection" of our trailer.  The dry rot in right rear, noted earlier, is extensive, and, likely similar at bottom of rear of trailer where light spills through (that shouldn't).  Also, lesser dry rot above door (under the other roof seam), and along some of the Scotty's outside, bottom edges.  It would appear I won't know extent of additional rot or structural needs until I pull off the aluminum skin, which will start in two weeks.  Here are pictures of the dry rot, both right rear (what's left of the 1/2" plywood pulls apart by hand, revealing the blue exterior aluminum skin, result of years of water leakage), and less-extensive rot above door:

I have also realized, touring those vintage trailers, that our Scotty is blessed with fairly decent original interior, including appliances, cabinets and fixtures.  Here's exterior and interior of the ice box (below), which I am kind of happy to have.  There may come a time when we want to replace it with a refrigerator, but for now we'll clean it up and see just how long a block of ice will work inside!  Looks to me like a bit of paint and a new gasket, and it's good to go!  I also am keeping my eyes open for a vintage interior gas lamp, a Humpries, that this trailer once had.

Now about to order three rolls of butyl tape, for the future seam repairs, and, discovered that Vintage Trailer Supply also sells the missing table hinge-apparatus, that allows the Scotty table to hinge down to make the front bed.  Will probably also purchase a new roof vent - with 12V fan - which several Tin Can Tourist rally owners told us yesterday is a huge asset (the fan).   Also need to soon plot out my interior lighting schematic, and purchase new LED lights (I just received 10 new teardrop exterior running lights, half in red, half in amber, for use on roof and sides of the Scotty).  Hence, hoping to have most of the immediate materials needed to get a good start on my first day of real retirement, Monday, Oct. 22!