Mid 70's Coleman Brandywine Rebuild...Project Brandynstein...

[NittanyL]

Well, it's been a while since we returned from that camping trip...been busy. But, we had a blast! Our camper stayed dry despite several days & nights when it rained. YAY! Also, my husband's sister & her hubby were very JEALOUS of our shelves above our galley that my DH made (saw the idea on these boards, of course). As soon as they got home, my  BIL made a set for their camper! The shelves kept so much stuff from being all over the camper. Can't wait to go again. We are planning on the second weekend of August, with a b0day party for my son, who's turning 8 on the 9th.  I'll try to get the pics up soon. Promise!

hope your remodeling adventure is going along well, so far.

[NadMat]

Well, it's been a while since we returned from that camping trip...been busy. But, we had a blast! Our camper stayed dry despite several days & nights when it rained. YAY! Also, my husband's sister & her hubby were very JEALOUS of our shelves above our galley that my DH made (saw the idea on these boards, of course). As soon as they got home, my  BIL made a set for their camper! The shelves kept so much stuff from being all over the camper. Can't wait to go again. We are planning on the second weekend of August, with a b0day party for my son, who's turning 8 on the 9th.  I'll try to get the pics up soon. Promise!

hope your remodeling adventure is going along well, so far.

Great to hear that your repaired camper stood the rain test, and that y'all had a wonderful time. My repairs are on hold, been busy finding new job, freedom of self employment lost out to wanting more money. Also, Hot as **** here in Texas now, plus 85-90% humidity, takes all the fun out of working on camper. So about all that has been done is some communication on replacing canvas. I want grey canvas with white vinyl over bunkends, which looks like I will need a 'custom' replacement, as the premade ones do not come in that flavor. Still looking to be camping next spring or summer sometime (I hope).

Thanks for the interest, and I look forward to seeing your pics

[thammon]

Great to hear that your repaired camper stood the rain test, and that y'all had a wonderful time. My repairs are on hold, been busy finding new job, freedom of self employment lost out to wanting more money. Also, Hot as **** here in Texas now, plus 85-90% humidity, takes all the fun out of working on camper. So about all that has been done is some communication on replacing canvas. I want grey canvas with white vinyl over bunkends, which looks like I will need a 'custom' replacement, as the premade ones do not come in that flavor. Still looking to be camping next spring or summer sometime (I hope).

Thanks for the interest, and I look forward to seeing your pics

Greeting Nadmat and NittyL:

Thought I would jump into your restore party conversation.  I picked up a 76 bradnywine this spring and after getting it home decided the canvas needed more attention than I really wanted to give it (sewing and patching holes)  So decided to order a new one from "bearcreekcanvas".  It came in a month earlier than they originally told me, but that's cool.  While waiting for it I decided to rip out everything inside and give it a new floor through out.  Started putting it back together about a month ago.  (Like Texas, Arizona really makes it hard to get the motivation to work on anything outside after 10 am.  It was 118 the other day and still looking for a few degrees higher)

Anyway, thought I would join in and listen to ideas, especially from some others with the brandywine.  Finally getting some interest out of the DW and think the camping bug has finally bitten her.  (Yeah)  Looking to make a trip up north to the Payson area mid August or early Sept.

We have the new canvas ready to go in.  All the cushions have been redone, kinda of a Mauve color.  The flooring is basically a white with multi-color dark speckels (beat the heck out of the brown brick pattern it came with).  Working are sealing the roof.  Using the stuff they use on mobile homes, the elasto seal.  After all the roof is just 1" styro foam with basically aluminum can material over it.  (at least that is what I saw when I replace the air vent with a crank style over the pull chain set up)

Whoa, look at the time and amount of space I used up.  Well, sure would like to keep reading about all your re-models and ideas.  I haven't decided on whether to reconnect the propane stove or not. (probably won't do the "rustic" boondoggin that Nadmat is looking for - Doubt the DW and the 12 and 2 yr old would go for that much adventure - If DW is up off the ground she'll be happy, let's not push it)  I do want to add a battery for lights.  I took the converter out since it didn't look healthy and it is what 30 yrs old - scary)  I'll just go regular 110 outlets and get a Radio Shack 12v converter and plug it in.  Ideas on the battery set up are welcome.

Better go before I bore you all to tears.  I'll try to upload some pics to our website and you can follow the process from there.

[Lori]

I saw that there are a few rebuilds/remodels on this thread - We have a 1987 Coleman Williamsburg as well.   I'm wondering if it is possible to replace the hard top roof and if so how do you go about it?   Ours is completly rotted out.   I've tried to pull places up that may sell them without any luck.

[Brantime]

Nadmat & NittyL...

Greetings again!

I have been out camping a couple of times recently so I haven't been back to the boards lately. It sounds as if your makeovers are going really well so far!

Our last trip (over the 4th of July) lasted 8 days and was great! The 1976 Coleman Gettysburg did superb on the trip! I pulled it, well, WE pulled it (DW, & DD) about 3,000 miles and I could not tell the PU went with us!

Like NadMat, I reside in Texas (East Texas for me) and we wanted to beat the heat, so we headed to the Mountains of Colorado! We stayed in the Glacier Basin Campground, in the Rocky Mountain National Park, and just hated to return to the triple digits of Texas summer! The temps there were between the upper 40's and mid 60's each day!

The three burner stove worked great on the trip, and the lines all look pretty good w/no leaks! I was concerned about the stove and the 8,900' elevation. At that elevation we could not see our flame, however, it cooked just fine, lol!

I had new rubber put on the PU and also had the shop to pack the bearings prior to our trip...cost me $17.00 for the greasing, lol!

I still have the dreaded oranges and golds from the 70's inside, and it is killing my 18 yo DD, lol...The floor is a little worn looking, but not bad.

I have already totally rebuilt the beds with 3/4" tongue and groove plywood (screwed into the metal tracking around the edges and down the center).

I need to think about replacing the ceiling inside as it is starting to flake (most old paneling does at some point).

I am not sure about the ceiling structure or the procedure to do this particular upgrade...

Oh, my new canvas should be completed by next week (week by Bearcreek...I can't wait to get it on the camper!

Then basically all I need to do is think about the outside colors and what to do with the tan that is on the camper!

You 70's guys...what have you guys done for the outside colors on your camper?    

Hey guys...sorry about the length of this post! I was planning on just saying that it sounds as if you guys are on the way to having a couple of great campers!

[Beerlifter]

I'm think I'm gonna keep the original tan color on my 83 columbia but the inside brown and gold has to go!!! I like the original look of the camper and it seems to turn some heads when I pass newer models I'm not sure if it's because they don't know what the heck it is or if they are admiring it. I have done some touch up to the outside as far as painting the rims and hitch and such. Put a good wax job on the body and I think it is looking pretty darn good for a 23 year old PU! I'm trying hard to salvage the old brown striped awning but this is gonna be it's third trip to the repair shop so I guess I'll just have to wait and see if the phone rings with the bad news. I am gonna go thru the insides....like replacing cabinets,bedding,seat cushions, and some outlets (110v and 12V) seeing how it only has one 110v. Grabbing some ideas from hear about hooking up a battery for dry camping just haven't got the courage to start on that yet. I've had a bad experience with electricity so I guess it's safe to say I'm a little gun shy! Don't want to jump into deep at first because I still enjoy camping every other wkend or so but as you all have said the temp makes it awful hard to get out there and do anything. Here in Oklahoma we have had the over 100 degree temperatures also. Anyways I will be following the adventures of the PU rebuilds also. Everybody have fun and I look forward to seeing some pictures as we all go along.

[NadMat]

Nice to see everyones posts, glad those who are able to camp their pups have been out and having good times.

Funny to see the comments on the color schemes, everytime I look at interior of Brandywine I ask myself 'what were they thinking' but then I remember the long multicolored orange shag we had in house that was built in '74 and say 'oh yeah, that was cool then'

But I am changing my color scheme inside and out, going with more neuteral colors inside and brighter colors (kinda) out. Part of outside color scheme is to match planned colors for my 4Runner redo (another never ending project) which will have it in blue with yellow accents and black bumpers and and other armor utilizing current white removable hard top and tan interior. So body of camper will be blue with lettering in yellow, the blueish grey canvas and white vinyl over bunkends and the white roof surface for reflectivity and frame and bumper painted basic black.

And its kinda funny that I care at all, I usually don't think of color coordination when dressing or buying things for house. I even had a beautiful RIB dive boat picked out to match 24' of yellow fiberglass hull with blue inflatable tubes, but $45K price tag has that way down on list of things to do unless I hit lotto sometime soon:D

I've got some more 'before' pics to post, and some which show the ceiling paneling coming off of roof and showing foam underneath. I will get these uploaded as soon as I can, about to start a real job again and busy getting ducks in row for that and winding up outstanding contracts with current clients, so have barely had time to work in yard (and with the previously mentioned heat, very little desire). Also, the heat has made me decide on a 15,000btu AC unit, rather than the standard 13500 common in PUPs, if I have power for it, and decide to use it, I want it to work GOOD

Will try to get together some of the equipment upgrades and replacements planned for comment and review before too much longer, but likely to be a busy month coming up with start of new full time job.

Also noticed my post getting long, funny how easy it is to pour out pages about camping, but hard to fill up a page when writing out a technical report or something else work related

Happy camping to all...
Matt

[NittanyL]

Here's a link to our pictures...only one of the outside so far.

Nittany

http://community.webshots.com/photo/2247697130031578073RwLzzm

[Beerlifter]

Another nice looking Coleman camper! It really seems like all of us admire and enjoy our older model colemans. My only regret is getting the Columbia (8ft box). Just not much room in it for 4 people and 2 dogs!! But for the $500 price tag it was grab and run.
   Was talking to a friend at work the other day and I sweet talkedher into making me a new awning bag. I have done a mod to the design but I think I will keep it to myself for the time being til I see if it is going to work out. If it does it will make it alot easier to replace the stitching where it slides into the C channel.
   I've really got the bug to get out and camp some more but the heat is just to intense. What is worse is it's me that doesn't want to get out in it. The DW doesn't mind at all. I work in a C.E.W (Controlled Enviroment Warehouse) where the temp is a constant 47 degrees which makes 110 degrees unbearable to me!!! Guess I'll just have to get a bigger ice chest and camp in it with all the cold ones...lol.
   Hope to see more pictures and comments on everyones colemans. Have fun and keep camping.

[NittanyL]

Have any of you noticed that currently our little 1970's camper thread has had over 1400 views?? the most on the first page of the Mr. Fix It area...wow! I guess a lot of people are really interested in seeing how we've transformed our OLD campers! I think it's great - it's really rewarding to remodel something 30 years old and have it work like new.  I have a few other pics of the inside of our camper, while we were camping, so my DH doesn't want them posted. They are not just pics of the mods/rebuilds...our messy stuff is in there! He's silly. I'll try to get them into the album on webshots...

Also, the latest project is just about completed. DH made a bike rack which attaches to the front of the trailer frame with the back wheels resting on the roof of the PUP.  He got the idea from other posts in here, of course. It turned out really great. Just has to trim some off so it sits lower, I think. I'll try to get some pics of that as well.  I painted it black to match the trailer frame...my big contribution.  Well, that's all for now. Little ones are awake and calling for mom.

Happy camping and remodeling to all of you!

Nittany

[NittanyL]

HI everyone! It's been a while since I posted. We've been camping several times since then and now my son is back in school. We're planning a last trip this weekend. It's gonna be cold here in Western PA - into the upper 30's at night. Hope we stay warm enough!!

Anyway, we camped for my son's birthday in August.  It was great! We had my parents and my sister & brother in law in tents with us, as well as my SIL & her family with the PUP and my inlaw's with their van camper. My hubby brought along a movie projector and we watched movies at night projected onto a white sheet strung between trees.  Everyone loved it! Although, sitting by the campfire and just talking/laughing is the best part of camping, we had to entertain those kids for a little while to get them settled down!

We had gotten an additional screen house/awning thing - we now have two.  One set up next to the camper for my camp kitchen - I should post a pic of that in action! It's my favorite thing!  The other awning was set up over the table.  We intended to use one awning for storing the Harley when we bring it and for bikes, or whatever. But, it works great as a kitchen shelter. There are solid sides, as well, if we want to keep it enclosed.

We camped just the four of us one weekend also. It was nice to just be me the kids and hubby.  That was before the August birthday bash.

We camped Labor Day weekend also. It rained from 3pm Friday (just before we arrived) until 3pm on Saturday - nonstop!!! We weren't sure about that weather, but decided that we could deal.  Well, we just set up, ate some hotdogs and went to bed on Friday nite. Saturday, after breakfast, the guys (we were with my SIL & family as usual) set up a tarp near the fire ring and made a nice fire, which we kept going all day.  Good thing we bring lots of wood!!  The fire was just outside the tarp and we were sitting under the tarp.  We set up the second awning across from that and put the solid sides on it.  The kids played in there with one side open, facing toward the fire, and put on a show & danced all day.  They were glad when it stopped raining and they could ride their bikes, though.  Next day, we gave them a scavenger hunt to do.  That was a hit.  Kept them all occupied until we were packing up to leave the next day.  They all won $5 for finding everything on the list.  

Anyway, I can't think of any new "mods" since the bike rack, which works well.  We used our Mr. Buddy Heater during the rainy trip - only for a little while before we went to bed and for a little while to take the chill/dampness out in the afternoon.  It gets nice and warm in there.

I'm getting ready to start assembling the stuff we need for this weekend. I need to find some warm jammies for all of us! Sweats are looking real good!  We're going to have electricity, so I've got to find our small ceramic heater. We don't want to run the Mr. Buddy while we're sleeping. A little scary...Will be bringing extra blankets, too. I'll talk to the hubby about putting tarps over the bunk ends for warmth, too.  If it's successful, we may have to order those popup gizmos for next year.  This should be our last trip of the year, since it's getting cold here in PA.  Maybe next year we'll go somewhere out of our own state!

Oh, I forgot to mention, I got a camp oven which sits on top of the coleman stove and a small microwave as birthday gifts from my inlaws.  We made lasagna in my SIL's oven in August. MMMMM that was yummy.  The microwave will be handy for heating stuff up - like leftovers (I always make too much), and water for hot chocolate. and making popcorn!!  We'll only use it on electric trips, though.  

Check out the new pics in our webshots album.  You can see some of the mods there.  Sorry this was sooooo long, it's been a while since my last post.

Happy Fall!

[Bluedog225]

Hi all.

New here.  Just brought home a 1974 Coleman Brandywine.  It appears to be all original and in need of TLC.  No major damage but a leak around the vent and a very flat roof (no curve).  No A.C.   This seemed like the right thread so I wanted to resurrect it even though it's 2 years old.  What ever happened to Nadmat?  He is in my part of Texas and looks like he was undertaking the same project.  (I was a little concerned that I may have ended up with his Coleman.)

I've already gotten lots of great info from this forum.  Thanks.

A couple of basic questions:

1.  If I want a white roof, Kool Seal seems like the way to go.  The roof is in ok shape.  Some damage around the vent which I can repair.  Pretty flat though.  I'll take off the vinyl and have  a closer look.  Should I go ahead and remove the edging and endcaps and replace the seal under those (even though it looks ok)?

2.  Replacement vent-the Fantastic Fan?

3.  The bottom side metal is dinged up.  Not sure bondo would hold to something that thin.  I was thinking of getting it roughly flat and putting something like Rhino Coat (this is a truck bedliner) on the bottom panels.  Has anyone done this?  The rough texture would hide imperfections and provide good protections for the thin metal.  Black would work for my color scheme.  Better ideas?  Some type of textured paint?  Epoxy?

4.  All the cabinetry needs to be redone.  I'm going to either rebuild or recover with laminate and T-track.  Does anyone sell new cabinets for a popup?  For example, I wouldn't mind buying the whole kitchen unit (cabinets, sink, stove, fridge, microwave, counter top, etc) as one unit instead of rebuilding what I have.

5.  Is 1974 foam worth saving or do I need to go ahead and replace it when I get new covers?

6.  Where can I get new little plastic parts (for the water inlet, plugs, etc).  All the little outside pieces.  I don't need strictly authentic, just functional and new.  The old ones are sun damaged and crumbly.

7.  Are new Coleman stickers available?

8.  Other than greasing the worm drive, cables, and pulleys, is there anything preventative to be done to prevent a cable break?

9.  I'm going to order new canvas from Bear Creek unless someone advises otherwise.

I know that's a lot, but any comments/help welcome.  This is my first camper.

Thanks again.

Tom
Austin, Texas

[Bluedog225]

Hi

Bumping my own post.  Hope that's not rude.  It didn't show up on the "New Posts" and I wanted to use it to say hello to the group.

Tom

[brainpause]

First of all, welcome to the group!

Hi all.

New here.  Just brought home a 1974 Coleman Brandywine.  It appears to be all original and in need of TLC.  No major damage but a leak around the vent and a very flat roof (no curve).  No A.C.   This seemed like the right thread so I wanted to resurrect it even though it's 2 years old.  What ever happened to Nadmat?  He is in my part of Texas and looks like he was undertaking the same project.  (I was a little concerned that I may have ended up with his Coleman.)

I've already gotten lots of great info from this forum.  Thanks.

A couple of basic questions:

1.  If I want a white roof, Kool Seal seems like the way to go.  The roof is in ok shape.  Some damage around the vent which I can repair.  Pretty flat though.  I'll take off the vinyl and have  a closer look.  Should I go ahead and remove the edging and endcaps and replace the seal under those (even though it looks ok)?

Probably depends on how much time you have to work on it. In my experience, if you start looking, you start finding. You'll likely find something that you will feel like you'll need to fix.

2.  Replacement vent-the Fantastic Fan?

If you can find the exact size, it would be a good thing to do. I was sent what was supposed to be the right size vent (not Fantastic Fan), and it turned out there was no replacement. I ran into a lot of work to make it fit.

3.  The bottom side metal is dinged up.  Not sure bondo would hold to something that thin.  I was thinking of getting it roughly flat and putting something like Rhino Coat (this is a truck bedliner) on the bottom panels.  Has anyone done this?  The rough texture would hide imperfections and provide good protections for the thin metal.  Black would work for my color scheme.  Better ideas?  Some type of textured paint?  Epoxy?

I highly recommend not doing this. As you may know, that stuff is heavy, and those cables don't need any extra weight on them. I realize you can put it on thin for less weight, but how much protection do you really need on the inside?

Or, maybe I'm misunderstanding, and you are talking about the outside metal of the popup box. It would still add weight to an axle that might be borderline size anyway.

4.  All the cabinetry needs to be redone.  I'm going to either rebuild or recover with laminate and T-track.  Does anyone sell new cabinets for a popup?  For example, I wouldn't mind buying the whole kitchen unit (cabinets, sink, stove, fridge, microwave, counter top, etc) as one unit instead of rebuilding what I have.

I am not aware of anyone selling whole new sets for a popup. When I rebuilt the one I just sold, we bought cabinets at the Habitat for Humanity store, and cut them to fit.

5.  Is 1974 foam worth saving or do I need to go ahead and replace it when I get new covers?

I've seen very old foam in pretty good shape. If your budget can stand it, replace it. It will smell better. I'd wait and do it last, because you can't use the cushions until you get all the other things you've listed done. Then, if your budget allows, replace them.

6.  Where can I get new little plastic parts (for the water inlet, plugs, etc).  All the little outside pieces.  I don't need strictly authentic, just functional and new.  The old ones are sun damaged and crumbly.

Most reputable RV dealers have these parts. They are fairly standard. If not in stock, they can order them. They aren't expensive.

7.  Are new Coleman stickers available?

Doubt it. If you'll look around on this board and google the Coleman camper name, you'll find that Coleman has been in multiple lawsuits with multiple companies. You might find a long-time Coleman dealer with some, but I doubt it. You may be able to get a vinyl sign company to make you some, if you have an idea or some old photos. I got a vinyl sign company to make decals for me:

http://www.larryandhollycrockett.com/ICUsticker.jpg

9.  I'm going to order new canvas from Bear Creek unless someone advises otherwise.

I have heard nothing but good about this company.

Larry

[Bluedog225]

Thanks for all the good info.  I was thinking about the Rhino coat on the bottom sides of the trailer but agree that the weight will be an issue.  I may be able to find something equally textured but not so heavy.  The axle is clearly marked (with an 1974 sticker) as 2000 pounds (not including the tires and springs).

There are serveral elastomeric roof products available besides Kool Seal.  The variations in Energy Star performance is surprising.  Is Kool Seal the prefered choice for a reason or would any of these do?

See:  http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/prod_lists/roofs_prod_list.pdf

Although Kool Seal is pretty darn good.

Tom