Remodeling a 1970 Aristocrat Lo-Liner

[BushyTrailerTales]

2 weeks ago on my 21st birthday I decided that I want to live in a camper and travel around the US. I am able to do this because I work remotely and I can also do a semester of college online. So this is one of the few chances I'll have in my life to do this. So without much though, I hopped onto Facebook marketplace and found a nice vintage camper to buy (I am a sucker for vintage), and dumped all my savings to but it. I knew it would be some work to get in live in worthy (as I am usually tougher on things), but I was ready-is for the task.
At purchase I could see some water damage from the outside was showing on the interior paneling, so I knew I would be repairing that. I had heard it is best to start camper repairs by taking of the exterior metal and working inwards so that's how I started. After taking off the first wall I noticed that the two passenger side corners of the camper are almost completely rotted out. I decided it would be best to just take off all 4 walls so I can repair any of the frame that is rotting (especially the 4 corners).
I just finished getting off all 4 walls today and now I have some questions that I will post below the pictures.

Above are all the pictures of how it was when I purchased it.

The pictures above are of the water damage that was visible when I bought it. There was also some water damage in that front corner behind those curtains that you can't see.

This is the back now. Both back corners are in serious need of repair.

Above is the passenger side. The horizontal wood below the big window is cracked in half, and the vertical wood that is the right side of the door is cracked.

The picture above is of the front driver side.
I have a whole lot of questions on how to reframe so if you need more pictures just ask.
I am wondering what type of wood is best, I still want it light but more resistant against water. Is it possible to just replace the wood that is damaged and leave the rest, or do I have to replace the whole thing?
A lot of the aluminum siding has cracks on it and I'm wondering what the best material is to fix it, or if its best to replace it?
What is the best way to adhere the new wood to the wood already in there (wood glue, pocket screws, wooden dowels inside, etc.)?

 

[Kirk]

You will need to remove all of the rotted wood, or it will continue to get worse. All RVs that I have worked on used pine for all wooden parts of the framework. Bad siding will need to be replaced. Good luck as you have taken on quite a task.

 

[DeckArtist]

Congrats on the '70! I had one of those for my first resto project back in 2013. Love the styling of that particular model.

I did not remove the skin, but replaced a lot of framing from the inside. I used 2x2s that I cut from SPF 2x4 lumber [spruce/pine/fir] due to it's light weight. I used 3" deck screws to put it together with pocket holes. Then I added new 1/4" paneling inside. That I installed with a pin nailer gun after adding foam board insulation [2 layers with one being radiant barrier faced]. After the new framing, I added a few screws to the metal to lock it onto the framing, filled them with filler then painted the exterior.

Yours looks really good from what I see and doesn't look like a ton of work. The vertical door framing can be fixed with screws if the cracking isn't too bad. I would pre-drill the wood, then add the screws. I use Hillman Power Pro exterior grade 3" T-25 head screws.

Have fun with your project!

 

[PostcardTravelers]

Love it! I have your twin. With a diffrent arrangement. I bought a 1970 aristocrat land commander I have 2 questions (for now):

1 - I need ned tires, the ones on it are miss matched. One is a orgional with the hub cap 'aristocrat' on it. I have the other cap.

Trying to figure out the tire size. What are my options the bigger the better.

---No clue! Tire size!

What can I look for? I dont know the side of the orgional, so old there is no tire size. And its really low riding, I need it lifed up.

The other side is 175/80/13

If I can get a 14 or 15 that will give me a extra inch or so, Can I do that. I'm looking for 2 new rims, 2 tires and hubcaps. No words. I need it as soon as possible. People ask if it a 'Chevy or ford rim???? I have no clue! Its a 5 lug.
What I would love, What you have black and moon covers or this white walls A link to what I need would be great.

2- Where do you put a porta pottie?
Taking off vinal
+100 more questions.
I really would love ganster white wall tires. But black like yours would be ok if I have chrome moon hub caps. Ps, I have the same flower seat covers.
Thank you, Happy Trails. Stacy - PostcardTravelers

2 weeks ago on my 21st birthday I decided that I want to live in a camper and travel around the US. I am able to do this because I work remotely and I can also do a semester of college online. So this is one of the few chances I'll have in my life to do this. So without much though, I hopped onto Facebook marketplace and found a nice vintage camper to buy (I am a sucker for vintage), and dumped all my savings to but it. I knew it would be some work to get in live in worthy (as I am usually tougher on things), but I was ready-is for the task.
At purchase I could see some water damage from the outside was showing on the interior paneling, so I knew I would be repairing that. I had heard it is best to start camper repairs by taking of the exterior metal and working inwards so that's how I started. After taking off the first wall I noticed that the two passenger side corners of the camper are almost completely rotted out. I decided it would be best to just take off all 4 walls so I can repair any of the frame that is rotting (especially the 4 corners).
I just finished getting off all 4 walls today and now I have some questions that I will post below the pictures.

View attachment 1054463View attachment 1054464View attachment 1054465View attachment 1054466
Above are all the pictures of how it was when I purchased it.

View attachment 1054467View attachment 1054468

The pictures above are of the water damage that was visible when I bought it. There was also some water damage in that front corner behind those curtains that you can't see.

View attachment 1054469

This is the back now. Both back corners are in serious need of repair.

View attachment 1054470
Above is the passenger side. The horizontal wood below the big window is cracked in half, and the vertical wood that is the right side of the door is cracked.
View attachment 1054471
The picture above is of the front driver side.
I have a whole lot of questions on how to reframe so if you need more pictures just ask.
I am wondering what type of wood is best, I still want it light but more resistant against water. Is it possible to just replace the wood that is damaged and leave the rest, or do I have to replace the whole thing?
A lot of the aluminum siding has cracks on it and I'm wondering what the best material is to fix it, or if its best to replace it?
What is the best way to adhere the new wood to the wood already in there (wood glue, pocket screws, wooden dowels inside, etc.)?

2 weeks ago on my 21st birthday I decided that I want to live in a camper and travel around the US. I am able to do this because I work remotely and I can also do a semester of college online. So this is one of the few chances I'll have in my life to do this. So without much though, I hopped onto Facebook marketplace and found a nice vintage camper to buy (I am a sucker for vintage), and dumped all my savings to but it. I knew it would be some work to get in live in worthy (as I am usually tougher on things), but I was ready-is for the task.
At purchase I could see some water damage from the outside was showing on the interior paneling, so I knew I would be repairing that. I had heard it is best to start camper repairs by taking of the exterior metal and working inwards so that's how I started. After taking off the first wall I noticed that the two passenger side corners of the camper are almost completely rotted out. I decided it would be best to just take off all 4 walls so I can repair any of the frame that is rotting (especially the 4 corners).
I just finished getting off all 4 walls today and now I have some questions that I will post below the pictures.

View attachment 1054463View attachment 1054464View attachment 1054465View attachment 1054466
Above are all the pictures of how it was when I purchased it.

View attachment 1054467View attachment 1054468

The pictures above are of the water damage that was visible when I bought it. There was also some water damage in that front corner behind those curtains that you can't see.

View attachment 1054469

This is the back now. Both back corners are in serious need of repair.

View attachment 1054470
Above is the passenger side. The horizontal wood below the big window is cracked in half, and the vertical wood that is the right side of the door is cracked.
View attachment 1054471
The picture above is of the front driver side.
I have a whole lot of questions on how to reframe so if you need more pictures just ask.
I am wondering what type of wood is best, I still want it light but more resistant against water. Is it possible to just replace the wood that is damaged and leave the rest, or do I have to replace the whole thing?
A lot of the aluminum siding has cracks on it and I'm wondering what the best material is to fix it, or if its best to replace it?
What is the best way to adhere the new wood to the wood already in there (wood glue, pocket screws, wooden dowels inside, etc.)?

I Just bought a 1970 aristocrat land commander I have 2 major questions.

tire and rim 5 lug

 

[woof-n]

BTT
You are going to have great campfire stories. Enjoy the adventure. Good luck.

 

[Kirk]

First off, BushyTrailerTales was last seen,Dec 18, 2023 so he isn't likely to answer. The 1970 Aristocrat Land Commander was an 18-foot travel trailer built by the Aristocrat brand. They weighed between 2,050 to 2,250# with a 225# hitch weight, it featured a wood frame, aluminum skin, and typically includes a propane oven, stove, fridge, and enclosed toilet area. The factory original 1970 Aristocrat Land Commander was on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels with 5-lug on 4.5” bolt pattern. Check the federal tag on your trailer to verify your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Common modern radials used on these single-axle rigs include ST175/80R13 or ST205/75R14.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

Good luck on our project.

I lived in a similar unit in upstate NY on the Hudson river for a couple of years. Perfect for a young man starting out.

Good job on the insulation but I might give you some advice. Get yourself some good sliding thermopane windows for the rig, even if you have to buy used ones. You will be shocked how much difference it makes when you heat it.

Also you will need a 100 pound propane tank. It will last much longer and can be transported in a pickup truck to the cheapest place to buy propane, which you will buy lots of.