The exhilarating journey of breathing new life into our 1946 Spartan Manor travel trailer, affectionately known as Ruby’s Revival, continues! While Kyle dedicated his efforts to the meticulous task of exterior polishing, I found myself immersed in a whirlwind of dust and debris this past weekend, embarking on the crucial first phase of interior demolition. This monumental step marks a significant turning point in our vintage camper renovation project, taking us closer to our dream of restoring this classic beauty to its former glory.
For those new to our adventure, my boyfriend, Kyle, and I are fully committed to the extensive remodel of this historic 1946 Spartan Manor travel trailer. This project runs concurrently with my ongoing home renovation updates, creating a dynamic and engaging series of DIY challenges. We truly hope you’ll join us as we navigate the complexities and triumphs of Ruby’s Revival!
Hello, fellow DIY enthusiasts and friends! It feels like an eternity since I last shared a dedicated “mini” update on Ruby’s progress, and I’m thrilled to dive into the latest developments. My initial vision for this vintage camper renovation was to structure it as a cohesive series of longer posts and video combinations, offering comprehensive tutorials and detailed insights. However, I quickly realized the inherent difficulty in consistently producing these extensive updates, particularly when smaller, yet equally significant, progress points emerged. There was a nagging feeling that these “lesser” updates might not provide sufficient value until a major milestone was reached or a full instructional lesson could be offered.
This year, I am committed to finding a more harmonious balance between our in-depth tutorials and these smaller, more frequent progress reports. This shift in approach is deeply rooted in my desire to foster a stronger connection with all of you who enjoy witnessing the incremental steps of a massive project unfold. These brief glimpses into our progress, even if they don’t delve into every minute detail, often resonate more deeply and help maintain momentum. Of course, if you prefer to wait for our more substantial content, that’s perfectly fine! You can anticipate what I’ll refer to as our “episode” updates, which will be neatly structured and highly detailed, covering major project milestones. Expect to see topics such as:
- Episode 5: Mastering the Replacement of the Trailer Tongue Jack
- Episode 6: The Definitive Guide to Our First Full Exterior Polish
- Episode 7(?): A Comprehensive Look at the Complete Interior Demolition
- & many more exciting chapters to come in our Spartan Manor restoration!
Just last weekend, Kyle and I made our way back to Ruby, now comfortably situated in her new home at our rented storage lot. If you happened to miss the suspenseful “first road trip” episode detailing the nail-biting process of moving her, I highly recommend you check out that adventure here! It was quite the ordeal, but getting her to a safe and accessible location was a critical step in our vintage camper renovation timeline.
This particular month has been a bit of a creative “funk” for me. While it’s somewhat typical for me to experience a dip in energy during January, it’s undoubtedly exacerbated by the flurry of holiday projects in December and the inherent need to fully recharge my batteries. Even seasoned DIYers need a break, and the sheer scale of a travel trailer renovation can be mentally taxing.
Despite having a multitude of exciting home projects on my eager-to-start list – including one kicking off this very weekend in the primary bedroom! – Ruby’s interior demolition firmly held the top spot on my project priorities. I had been content to postpone this messy task for quite some time, but the idea firmly planted itself in my mind this month and simply refused to be ignored! I’ve come to view this as a positive development; prolonged idleness simply isn’t my style, especially when a historic camper restoration awaits. So, when Kyle suggested we head out to Ruby to tackle more exterior polishing, I proposed a strategic division of labor. We would endeavor to film both the ongoing exterior progress and, more importantly, the inaugural phase of interior demolition as I began the removal of one side of the vintage cabinets.
These cabinets are undeniably original to the 1946 Spartan Manor, steeped in history and character. However, time has taken its toll. Layers upon layers of paint obscure their original finish, severe splintering is evident throughout, and significant water damage and rot have compromised their structural integrity. Regrettably, there is very little worth salvaging from these pieces, save for a few deeply sentimental elements – a specific handwritten spot Kyle wishes to preserve, for instance. Now that we’ve had the opportunity to relocate much of the camper’s original contents (a collection of items Kyle’s parents left for him to keep or discard), I was able to capture new photographs of some of the truly “cringey” areas, highlighting the extent of the damage and justifying the full interior demolition that is now underway in this ambitious RV remodel.
I managed to capture some footage that will eventually become part of our comprehensive demolition video for Ruby’s Revival. If you’re keen to see the action firsthand, the video is available below. One significant lesson I quickly learned: maintaining a steady camera in the cramped confines of a vintage camper while simultaneously undertaking strenuous demolition work – all while the exterior is being jostled by polishing efforts – presents a considerable challenge! Consequently, I found myself repositioning the camera quite frequently. You will, however, get a brief glimpse of me comically hanging from an upper cabinet, attempting (unsuccessfully, I might add) to use my entire body weight to pull them down. Such is the reality of a hands-on vintage camper renovation! 😉
My initial approach to the cabinet removal was a more cautious, “gingerly” one, involving an attempt to meticulously unscrew sections and disassemble them piece by piece. However, much of the original wood had deteriorated to such an extent that the screws lacked sufficient purchase to be extracted. It became clear that a more direct method was required. The introduction of the mallet significantly expedited the job, transforming a painstaking process into a much quicker endeavor. Reflecting on the experience, I do wish I had possessed a reciprocating saw at that moment – a tool I will certainly have on hand for the next phase of this camper interior demolition.
The demolition hit a snag on the very last piece of the cabinet assembly, which proved to be attached in an entirely unexpected manner. It wasn’t until I carefully peeled back some of the surrounding wall paneling that the revelation occurred: there was a substantial stud concealed behind the paneling (unlike everything else, which was merely surface-mounted), and this piece was robustly bolted directly into the metal framing of the Spartan Manor! Kyle and I rocked it back and forth with all our might for a considerable period, but it proved stubbornly resistant. We’ve decided to regroup and tackle this formidable obstacle again when we return this Sunday for more progress, weather permitting. Such are the unforeseen challenges and discoveries inherent in any extensive vintage trailer renovation project.
The sheer satisfaction of loading a massive pile of this project’s debris into the truck and ultimately disposing of it was immense. It felt like a tangible victory in our camper interior demolition. We made the conscious decision to retain some of the unique curved pieces from the original structure. Our reasoning is simple: these pieces could serve as invaluable templates should we need to replicate their unique forms in the future. It’s always better to have them and not need them, than to face the reverse scenario in the midst of a complex Spartan Manor restoration!
Oh, and that striking red vehicle in the background? That, my friends, is our NEW (to us!) TRUCK! I had every intention of dedicating an entire blog post to its grand introduction this winter. However, 2019 was a challenging year, marked by a frustrating series of car problems (beginning in June with the unfortunate transmission failure of my beloved Jeep). It’s honestly one of those topics that feels exhausting to even recount. Nevertheless, this truck is an absolute powerhouse and possesses all the essential features we require to safely and efficiently haul Ruby around for her vintage camper renovation. The fact that it’s red feels serendipitous, doesn’t it? I am absolutely thrilled that it has joined the Ugly Duckling House family. While it hasn’t yet earned a name, it boasts a backup camera, integrated trailer hookups, and all the other specifications we meticulously sought to eliminate the need for continuous rentals. A delightful bonus: it features a rear window perfectly positioned for Charlie, our furry companion, to poke her head out and enjoy the breeze. I’ll admit, that particular feature was a significant selling point for me! She is undeniably overjoyed with her new ride, making our travel trailer renovation journeys much more comfortable for everyone.
Looking ahead to this coming weekend, our ambitious plans include continuing both the exterior polishing and the interior demolition. Kyle is keen to apply a second coat of polish to the side he’s been meticulously working on. You can already observe how the back panel we completed during our initial test run gleams with a noticeably shinier finish in the photo below, a testament to the effectiveness of two polishing sessions versus just one. My focus will be on the demolition of the cabinets located on the right side of the camper. A valuable suggestion we received, and wholeheartedly endorse, is to carefully salvage the original handles and hardware if feasible. Even if we ultimately decide not to reuse them ourselves in the Spartan Manor restoration, they could prove invaluable to someone else undertaking a similar vintage trailer renovation project, preserving a piece of its history. So, that’s precisely what we intend to do!
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this smaller, yet significant, update on Ruby’s Revival, and that you’re all having a fantastic start to the new year! I have an exciting new tutorial and detailed plans scheduled for release on Monday. In the interim, I also hope to share a post focusing on the various tools and strategies I’m implementing this year to achieve better organization across all my projects, including this expansive DIY RV remodel. Additionally, we recently experienced a rather crazy disaster in our front yard, alongside a few other compelling stories I’m eager to publish as soon as possible. So, anticipate a wealth of engaging content coming your way very soon!
P.S. As a friendly word of caution: balancing precariously on a shifting pile of unstable debris purely for the sake of a photograph is definitely not a recommended practice. Safety first, even in the most exciting of vintage camper renovation moments! 😅
More Ruby’s Revival
SEE ALL EPISODES
We’re dedicated to restoring a 1946 vintage camper known as a Spartan Manor. This beloved trailer, once belonging to Kyle’s grandfather, has spent over 30 years untouched in the woods. Our mission is to breathe new life into her. Join our journey and check out the video series to witness the transformation for yourself!
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Ruby’s Revival E01: Meet Ruby!
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Ruby’s Revival E02: The Vintage Camper Gets a Wash!
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Ruby’s Revival E03: First Road Trip!
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Ruby’s Revival E04: How to Pressure Wash a Vintage Trailer