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Some of you may be looking for some quick information... Well, these are probably the most asked questions we know of. |
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One of the first questions most people ask is "What model do I have?" or "What year is my Shasta?" Second question is usually "Where can I find my VIN on the trailer?" "Where can I get the material to rebuild my Shasta and how much does it cost?" "What kind of tires do I need on my Shasta?" "What is the best way to paint my Shasta?" "My Shasta is missing the wings on the back. Do you know where I can get some new ones?" "How does an electric heating element or a gas flame for that matter keep my food cold?" "My door handle doesn't work/lock anymore. Where can I get a replacement?" "I've got what looks like an tire air-valve on my water inlet. What's that for?"
Do you have a question that you think should be on this page? Contact me and I'll see about putting it here for the benefit of others as well. |
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What model do I have?" or "What year is my Shasta?" Getting reliable information on the models and years of trailers that are 30-50 years old is sometimes impossible. What you can do is...check out the Shasta Gallery page and look at other trailers to narrow down your search. You will find pictures of Shasta trailers as well as brochures and model information there. And as more information becomes available to us, we will certainly post as much of it as possible in this section.
"Where can I find my VIN on the trailer?" The Vehicle Identification Number is usually found stamped into the metal tongue somewhere (If the tongue has been repainted or is rusty, it might be hard to find). Or it can be found stamped into a metal tag attached to the tongue or sometimes attached inside the door frame.
Go back to the top of the page "Where can I get the material to rebuild my Shasta and how much does it cost?" Most of the materials needed to repair or remodel your Shasta can be found at local Home Improvement stores. Some other sources would be local RV supply stores, Specialty lumber stores, or even the internet for some of the smaller and hard to find items. Of course, there's always eBay too! As for cost, that varies so much these days, it would be impossible to predict. Contact your local suppliers or contact others who might have already been down that road before.
"What kind of tires do I need on my Shasta?" Be sure to get tires that are specifically rated as trailer tires, they usually have an "ST" rating on them. They are made with stronger and stiffer sidewalls to help support the weight of the trailer and reduce "trailer sway". These tires are not usually that much more expensive and are well worth it!
Go back to the top of the page "What is the best way to paint my Shasta?" Use Automotive paint and primers specifically made for aluminum if at all possible. You'll be much happier with the results and you will not have to spend more money in the long run. Tractor paints or XO brand (Ace Hardware stores) paints have been used by some folks with good results, but as with all painting, the prep work makes all the difference! Please don't use any type of latex house paint on the aluminum trailer, the next owner will thank you.
"My Shasta is missing the wings on the back. Do you know where I can get some new ones?" Those "wings" are something that sets the Shasta apart from most other Vintage Travel Trailers (there were other brands that had wings too, but not as prolific as Shastas). You can find them around for sale, but they bring top dollar these days for both original and reproductions. Check the Resources page for the file that you can download to make your own, if you are so inclined. Go back to the top of the page "How does an electric heating element or a gas flame for that matter keep my food cold?" Gas/electric refrigerators operate on the absorption principle. This is a relatively simple method of cooling which uses no moving parts. The cooling unit, which is the maze of tubing you see at the rear of your refrigerator, is where the work is done. The cooling unit is charged with ammonia, hydrogen, water, and sodium chromate. In a short simple description of the cooling process, the ammonia is liquefied and flows into the hydrogen gas in the evaporator (freezer) where it evaporates rapidly, this is what causes the cooling.
"My door handle doesn't work/lock anymore. Where can I get a replacement?" Most "Vintage" trailers used the same lockset on the exterior door so this is an easy question. The Bargman L-66 RV door lock is the one you'll want to find. These locks are still readily available from several online resources and even some older local RV parts places. In the Resources section we have several of them listed with links on the Doorlocks page. Here is a picture for reference:
Go back to the top of the page "I've got what looks like an tire air-valve on my water inlet. What's that for?" Most of the original "Vintage" Shastas and other trailers and campers had what's called "pressurized" water systems. These systems consist of a water inlet where you connect the water hose from the source, a heavy galvanized steel holding tank, and a single water faucet located at the sink. The air-valve is on the water inlet to allow air to be pumped into the holding tank. This air stays above the water inside of the tank, and the pressure allows the water to be forced out the bottom of the tank when the faucet is opened.
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