Ruby’s Revival’s First Road Trip

Embarking on a dream project, my boyfriend and I have begun the ambitious restoration of a 1946 Spartan Manor vintage travel trailer, affectionately named Ruby. This isn’t just a simple renovation; it’s a deep dive into history, engineering, and pure elbow grease. Our journey kicked off with a critical first step: relocating Ruby from her long-term resting place at a family home, where she had been dormant since 1987! This extensive post will chronicle the intricate process of freeing Ruby from her decades-long slumber, including the surprising challenges of tire removal, the crucial discoveries we made along the way, the nail-biting extraction of the camper from a densely wooded lot, her very first road trip in over 30 years, and finally, her safe arrival at a new, more accessible spot closer to our home.

Following Ruby’s initial thorough cleaning, I promised an update on getting her tires operational. However, a bustling summer filled with various home DIY projects meant a significant delay in sitting down to pen this chapter and edit the accompanying footage. Yet, the overwhelming enthusiasm and constant inquiries from many of you compelled us to deliver more than initially planned. What was originally slated as two separate episodes, ‘Ruby’s Revival’ Episode 3 and 4, has now evolved into a singular, comprehensive account. Prepare yourselves, because this adventure-packed post is quite expansive!

Ruby’s Revival, Episode 3: The Grand Relocation and First Road Trip!

Condensing the footage for this particular episode proved to be an immense undertaking. For that reason alone, I urge you to watch the accompanying video, if only to appreciate the sheer effort involved in its creation! However, the true value for you, our dedicated readers, lies in how the video uniquely captures the most suspenseful and ultimately satisfying moments of this relocation. Many of the nail-biting challenges and triumphant breakthroughs are best experienced visually. You can view the full video on YouTube by clicking here.

Ruby Gets Relocated: Our Action Plan

• Unexpectedly Accelerated Timeline
• The Tire and Rim Replacement Odyssey
• Strategically Moving the Camper Out of the Woods
• The Roof Scrub: Uncovering Hidden Clues
• The Quest for Ruby’s Original VIN
• Ruby’s First Road Trip in Decades
• Ruby’s New Home: A More Accessible Lot

With much more progress on the horizon, including exciting collaborations with new sponsors who will help propel this significant, budget-intensive project forward, it was imperative to finalize this chapter. We’re eager to share all the upcoming developments as Ruby’s restoration gains momentum.

An Unexpected Shift in Our Restoration Schedule

For those just joining Ruby’s restoration journey, or as a quick refresher, our beloved 1946 Spartan Manor travel trailer has been a cherished family heirloom for three generations. For most of its recent history, it served as a workshop, leaving it in a rather neglected state. You can witness its initial condition in the original tour here. Kyle’s father generously entrusted Ruby’s ownership to us, marking the beginning of this extensive renovation endeavor. Our ultimate vision is to transform Ruby into a comfortable living space for road adventures, but for over three decades, she sat with flat tires in a dense, wooded lot.

Miraculously, Ruby dodged catastrophe last year when a hurricane swept through Georgia, narrowly escaping several fallen trees that could have prematurely ended our project. We always knew Ruby needed to be moved to a more suitable location for restoration, ideally closer than four hours away from our main residence (the UDH). However, we were caught off guard by just how quickly this relocation had to happen!

The news arrived on the same weekend we gave Ruby her first wash: an offer had been accepted on Kyle’s childhood home, meaning his parents would soon be moving. Despite our exhaustion and numerous commitments back home, the urgency became clear – Ruby needed to be moved, and fast. We swiftly devised a plan to return within a few weeks, equipped with new tires and a rental truck robust enough to tow Ruby to her new storage location, which we also had to secure on short notice.

A Note on Logistics: The challenge of towing continues to impact our update schedule. Neither of our daily drivers possesses the necessary towing capacity for Ruby. This means every move requires borrowing a heavy-duty truck from family or friends, or renting one, which necessitates meticulous planning to maximize time and resources over an entire weekend. When I purchased my Jeep, towing a 1946 travel trailer wasn’t exactly a primary consideration (and ironically, my Jeep is currently in the shop after breaking down again this summer!). We are actively seeking a more permanent solution to this towing dilemma.

Thanks to Kyle’s diligent research, we secured an open lot for Ruby at a local RV/boat storage facility, costing approximately $70 per month. The best part? It’s a mere 15-minute drive from our home! Successfully moving Ruby the four hours back home and into this lot would eliminate the exhausting, multi-hour round-trip weekends and the constant worry of falling trees. This accessible location will significantly streamline the restoration process, allowing us to work on Ruby consistently. However, a formidable obstacle stood in our way: her tires.

The Tire Saga: Freeing Ruby from Decades of Stagnation

Ruby’s original tires had been stationary for over three decades, exposed to the elements and left to decay. Replacing them was non-negotiable. As observant viewers might recall from Episode 2, Kyle had already successfully removed both tires and rims while I was busy hand-washing the camper’s exterior. (For those wondering about the camper’s rocking motion during my scrubbing, that was Kyle expertly working the jack on each side!).

With considerable effort, Kyle managed to free the old tires in about an hour. This was a hugely positive sign: it indicated that the studs holding the tires were not rusted solid, and the rims weren’t fused to the axle. (I confess, I’m relaying Kyle’s good news here; the automotive aspects of this project are largely uncharted territory for me!). With the tires finally off, Kyle received his second piece of encouraging news: the axle was surprisingly well-greased, confirming that Ruby was indeed capable of movement! A monumental victory.

Unfortunately, this would be the last piece of good news we’d receive for a little while…

Ordering New Tires: An Unforeseen Complication

We transported the old tires back home and placed an order for a new set, expecting them to fit Ruby’s existing rims. An unusual detail emerged: the original tires used imperial measurements, while modern replacements were only available in metric. Kyle attempted to clean up the rims with an angle grinder before taking them to a tire shop for installation. What happened next was completely unexpected…

The tire shop successfully removed the old rubber, but to our dismay, they couldn’t install the new ones! The rims, they explained, were too severely rusted to create a proper seal, making it impossible to keep the new tires inflated. Kyle took the rims to a second shop for an independent assessment, which unfortunately confirmed the initial findings: we didn’t just need new tires; we also needed entirely new rims. This was an unforeseen and costly setback. Given our tight deadline to retrieve Ruby from the property, this “snafu” was incredibly disappointing. It meant we had to place a rush order for new rims, incurring additional costs, and hope they would be the correct fit.

To illustrate the challenge of this search, consider this: in an online warehouse boasting thousands of different rims, only two matched the specific bolt pattern required for Ruby! Furthermore, their modern aesthetic wasn’t quite what we envisioned for our vintage camper. Our goal is to preserve as much of Ruby’s original charm as possible, even with the inevitable gutting of much of the interior. Consequently, we anticipate reinvesting in new rims in the future that better complement her authentic character. But when time is of the essence, practicality often dictates the choice.

Mounting the New Tires: Ruby’s New Shoes

Armed with our unexpectedly expensive new rims and tires, we made the journey back to Americus, GA, on a Friday evening. This trip was twofold: to bid farewell to the family home and to equip Ruby with her much-needed new “slippers.”

Fortunately for me, I was able to observe this part of the process from a distance. The tire installation went smoothly while I was still enjoying a peaceful sleep, later waking to delicious pancakes prepared by Kyle’s mom. Kyle and his dad took charge, setting up the camera and getting to work. It’s a surprisingly difficult task to stay out of the camera’s frame when your focus is elsewhere, especially when you’re still new to filming every aspect of a project, and simultaneously ensuring your dad doesn’t accidentally wander into the shot. Thankfully, Kyle managed it all expertly.

Moving the Camper: The Nerve-Wracking Extraction

Now, we arrive at the most suspenseful part of our story: moving Ruby! As mentioned, the property had been sold, and our mission was to extract the camper without causing any damage. This proved to be an immense challenge, primarily due to Ruby’s prolonged stay in the same spot, allowing trees and vegetation to grow in around her. Over 30 years ago, this was a small Christmas tree farm, and Kyle’s dad simply drove the camper into place. Today, every access point but one was obstructed, and even that solitary path was perilously close to a stubborn tree stump.

To position our truck and maneuver the camper out, we needed to rotate the trailer a full 180 degrees. We also knew that dogs and armadillos had likely dug numerous holes beneath the camper over the decades, increasing the risk of hitting an uneven spot or falling into a cavity. The bottom of the camper is protected by an aluminum skirt, which conceals the frame. Simply dragging Ruby would inevitably rip off this skirt and severely damage the lower paneling. We needed a method to elevate the tongue – the heaviest part of the trailer – while ensuring the entire frame remained clear of the ground.

Are you feeling the tension yet? Believe me, we certainly were.

However, we had an invaluable asset on our team: Kyle’s ingenious father, who devised our unconventional, yet brilliant, plan:

A sturdy pair of 2×10 lumber planks. Two heavy-duty 3-ton jacks. And a robust pair of chains linked together.

The first jack was used to raise the trailer’s tongue, resting it on the 2×10 planks, which Kyle would then pull. Given that this was certainly not the intended use for the jack, it would occasionally slip. The second jack was then used to lift the tongue back into position, allowing for another incremental move. Inch by agonizing inch, the camper slowly began to emerge from its decades-old resting place. If this process sounds abstract, I highly recommend watching the video; it truly brings this incredible feat to life. I sped up the footage to spare your sanity, but the actual process was incredibly nerve-wracking for all four of us involved: myself, Kyle, and both of his parents.

The collective sigh of relief when the camper finally settled onto the truck hitch was immense! Once securely connected, Kyle cautiously drove Ruby into a nearby field to test her in forward and reverse, listening intently for any squealing or grinding that might indicate an axle problem, before venturing onto the road. Witnessing her move under her own power after so long was an incredibly satisfying moment.

As the camper began to turn, it dramatically revealed one of those hidden armadillo holes I mentioned earlier! A stark reminder of the wild environment she had called home for so long.

Quick Break: Originally, I had planned to conclude this post here. However, as this is a double episode, I encourage you to take a brief pause, perhaps grab a refreshing drink or visit the restroom, before diving into the remainder of our adventure!

The Roof Scrub: Uncovering Ruby’s Original Character

With Ruby successfully moved, our next tasks were to prepare her for road travel with proper signaling and to thoroughly clean her roof. Now that she was positioned closer to a water source, I could finally bring out the ladder and tackle the grime accumulated on her top surface. Kyle strategically repositioned the camper to a temporary parking spot, providing me with optimal access, before he and his dad retreated for a much-deserved nap.

It was remarkably therapeutic to meticulously remove the remaining layers of grime from Ruby’s roof. Since it was inaccessible before, I had no idea what treasures or challenges might lie beneath. As I scrubbed, I discovered significant amounts of old tar and what appeared to be patched-up areas. This led to an intriguing question: perhaps Ruby originally featured air vents, only to be converted into a workshop later? We had only ever known her in her workshop incarnation, so this was a fascinating surprise, potentially marking locations for future air vent installations.

Even more exciting, I found faint stripes of dark green paint along the drip rails (the distinctive ridges above the windows designed to divert water)! I strongly suspect this might be Ruby’s original accent color, a wonderful glimpse into her authentic aesthetic. How incredible is that?

Upon sharing my discovery with Kyle, he rather nonchalantly mentioned finding green paint inside the original wheels when he attempted to clean them – a detail he had previously dismissed, assuming it was a later addition. This corroboration reinforced our belief that we had indeed stumbled upon Ruby’s original color scheme.

New Number, Who Dis? The VIN Search

Before our journey, Kyle made a trip to the DMV to clarify the necessary short-term and long-term requirements for Ruby’s transport and eventual registration (temporary permits, bill of sale, new tags, etc.). Essentially, due to the camper’s age (and even the age of any prior tags, as there’s a cutoff point for trailer record requirements), our first priority was to locate the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and ensure we had the bill of sale on hand during the drive. Finding the VIN was crucial because, without it, we would face a more complex process of registering a new one, involving numerous forms, a verification visit from an official, and multiple trips back to the DMV. (Kyle elaborates more on this bureaucratic maze in the video; I defer to his expertise on the vehicle-related research!).

We scoured online resources for clues on typical VIN locations for Spartan Manors: handwritten under one of the original cabinet drawers, inside the front door frame, and along the front tongue. We were successful in two out of three spots: we found a standard 8-digit number (indicating length-year-production #), but the drawer only contained the last four digits, initially making us doubt its authenticity. We confirmed the full number by cross-referencing it with the number found inside the door frame. (We missed it during our first inspection but, armed with the drawer number, a more thorough search revealed it). Note: While my online research suggests minimal risk in sharing these numbers, I’ve chosen to blur them for privacy at this time.

Intriguingly, we also discovered a newly registered VIN identifying Ruby as a “homemade trailer” near the skirt at the back!

Next, we needed functional brake lights for road legality. Kyle ordered temporary magnetic lights, but given Ruby’s aluminum body, we had to attach them to the steel frame underneath the camper. This necessitated extremely careful driving, particularly to avoid steep bumps – a challenge we unfortunately encountered frequently until we reached the interstate!

But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Before embarking, we had to discuss numerous concerns: wiring the brakes to the rental truck, meticulously taping down all the excess wire, the constant worry about hitting bumps, and whether we should stick to back roads in case of an issue, or a million other anxieties.

Did I mention we were all utterly exhausted? And Kyle’s parents were simultaneously striving to move their final belongings out of the house that same weekend. It was an overwhelming time, tinged with a bittersweet sentiment for them. I salvaged several chunks of cedar from around the property, hoping to repurpose them into a future project (perhaps a carved wood art piece?). After all, with the rental truck at our disposal, it felt right to take a memento for Kyle to keep in our home, beyond just the trailer itself.

I silently acknowledged that this would be Ruby’s last moment on this property. Despite it being spring, the scene evoked a feeling of late autumn, a fitting backdrop for a nostalgic farewell.

It’s quite serendipitous that I’m sharing this post in September, now that we have these memorable photos to accompany the story!

Hitting the Road: Ruby’s First Official Journey

My nerves were absolutely on pins and needles as we finally pulled away from the Americus property. The following morning, bright and early, we set off. Although the primary objective was simply to move Ruby from one parking spot to another, four hours away, it felt incredibly momentous – her “first official” road trip in decades. To think, this trailer had occupied the same spot for nearly Kyle’s entire life; he had no recollection of it ever moving. He had always dreamed of taking a trip with Ruby. So, seeing her actually moving behind us, he was ecstatic, a mixture of intense excitement and palpable nervousness.

This isn’t to say the journey was without its literal bumps. We busted the temporary magnetic brake lights twice, necessitating an unscheduled stop at an auto parts store halfway through the trip, just as we were approaching the outskirts of metro Atlanta. The magnets simply couldn’t withstand the road vibrations, so we resorted to taping everything securely to the back. (Rest assured, a more permanent and reliable lighting solution is high on our future to-do list!).

Despite the minor setbacks, we had snacks, music, and the pups were cozy with their blankets. Kyle’s parents accompanied us until Atlanta before continuing their journey to their new home in Tennessee, making the initial leg of the trip a family affair.

Locating the general area of the new storage lot was straightforward, but finding Ruby’s designated spot within the sprawling yard proved a bit more challenging.

Nevertheless, with careful maneuvering, we got her safely into place. And that’s precisely where she has remained ever since!

We’ve been routinely checking in on her, but our next major task, scheduled for this upcoming weekend, involves renting another truck to pressure wash and deep clean Ruby’s aluminum exterior. (We’re still researching the best methods and products for polishing it to a brilliant shine.) Ruby hasn’t been our top priority this summer, but that’s about to change dramatically. With two new sponsors joining the project and such a consistently positive response from our audience, I find myself completely invigorated and eager to dive back in.

Heartfelt Thanks and Future Plans

On a personal note, I truly want to express my gratitude. The consistent outpouring of questions and interest in Ruby’s progress has meant the world to us. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this extended chapter of her revival and will join us again next month. With a firm deadline now in place for significant progress, we are fully committed to meeting it!

P.S. Kyle and I have been discussing at length his increased involvement in the video production process, particularly for voiceovers, intros, and outros. Given that 100% of Ruby’s rich backstory originates from his family, it feels only right that he shares those narratives from his unique perspective, ensuring the integrity of her story for future generations. We attempted this in the current episode, but only managed to record his intro/outro, and the middle felt incomplete without his accompanying voiceover. Consequently, we’ve decided to fully re-attempt this collaborative approach with the next major chapter. So, anticipate seeing and hearing Kyle prominently in future episodes as he introduces himself and shares his insights! In the meantime, you can find additional real-time updates by following the #RubysRevival hashtag on Instagram.

P.P.S. For those who are new to Ruby’s journey and haven’t had the chance to catch up on earlier episodes, I’ve compiled all the installments into a dedicated video series on YouTube, accessible HERE. Direct links to the preceding blog posts are conveniently listed below!