1956 Stewart Double Decker
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 4:32 pm
OK, so I've been here a while, but haven't posted in a while.
So I met this guy recently, and I happen to mention I'm into things like vintage campers and trailers, and he says "oh, really, I've got a 1956 Stewart". And of course, I knew instantly what he meant, but I'd never heard of one on the east coast, never mind Upstate NY so I kinda called BS. Next thing I know, he's sent a picture of it in his yard.
As you can imagine, I nearly fell in love right then and there. (with the trailer anyhow)
But, then I got to go check it out, and inside? It's even better.
So, there's good news and bad news with this place, and I've since had a chance to look it over a bit more (but didn't take pictures, I'll do that later)
But before I go on to that, this is what a Stuart in great condition looks like. http://flytecamp.com/vintage-trailers-f ... ecker.html
Alright, on to the pictures. Now, this place sat in a low area on the property for years apparently, until last year, then when the area began to get swampy,the owner yanked the trailer out and put it near the house on higher ground.
This is the front door, looking in towards the stairs, I'm 5'6 and the owner is nearly 6', and you have plenty of head clearance, I'd say upstairs I have as much as 6", possibly more.
You go up the stairs, and to the left is the smaller bedroom, with a half bath which, is supposed to be behind that curtained area, but I have no idea of the condition at this time. (you'll hear that a lot for a minute, I'm sure I'll have better pictures as things go)
Owner said that the half bath was not in there (I think anyhow), but until I get in there, I can't tell what's in there besides a lot of junk.
To the right, is the master bedroom. I have to say, all three bedrooms are in excellent shape, there are some weak points in floors, but compared to my 1989, they're actually vastly better.
Storage all over the place, I didn't even get pictures of the front hall where there are cabinets above the front door.
This is the downstairs bedroom, if you look to the left near the stairs, it is under the master bedroom, there are two sort of ship cabin beds that will hold single mattresses.
Again, the room was so full of stuff, I couldn't even get real close to the door.
The bathroom, the walls look good of what I can see, but again, so filled with "stuff" I have no idea what fixtures are in there, if any.
Looking back towards the front door.
Now the bad news.
This is the kitchen/living area, it's 100% gutted. Luckily, there are no leaks, and any missing windows are covered. There was a structural issue, but apparently when him and a buddy lifted this part of the roof to fix some supports, all the rivets popped back into place. I went around it a couple of times and didn't see any sign of water damage inside, it's just gutted.
The only things structurally that have been done that made me sorta twitch, was that he removed the back door because it was so rough, and popped in a window instead, and a front window has been removed from the jalousie style to a modern window. I've convinced him that if I can find some jalousie windows and fix the missing pieces from the other windows, to keep the jalousie windows.
It's actually not as bad as I was figuring on, the bedrooms and hall really just need cleaning, and some touching up of things like the railings, and seeing just how bad the floors actually are, if they need total replacing or can just have some sections replaced.
The front room is obviously hosed. Good news is, the original stove is actually there, the fridge wasn't, but that stove being there is actually a big deal.
So, lots of work ahead of the owner, but I told him I'd happily give him a hand, (who wouldn't) and I'm hoping this will be a constructive summer project and can't wait to start on it.
But, I figured if anyone could appreciate this place, it'd be you guys, and yes, I'll keep updating as I can.
So I met this guy recently, and I happen to mention I'm into things like vintage campers and trailers, and he says "oh, really, I've got a 1956 Stewart". And of course, I knew instantly what he meant, but I'd never heard of one on the east coast, never mind Upstate NY so I kinda called BS. Next thing I know, he's sent a picture of it in his yard.
As you can imagine, I nearly fell in love right then and there. (with the trailer anyhow)
But, then I got to go check it out, and inside? It's even better.
So, there's good news and bad news with this place, and I've since had a chance to look it over a bit more (but didn't take pictures, I'll do that later)
But before I go on to that, this is what a Stuart in great condition looks like. http://flytecamp.com/vintage-trailers-f ... ecker.html
Alright, on to the pictures. Now, this place sat in a low area on the property for years apparently, until last year, then when the area began to get swampy,the owner yanked the trailer out and put it near the house on higher ground.
This is the front door, looking in towards the stairs, I'm 5'6 and the owner is nearly 6', and you have plenty of head clearance, I'd say upstairs I have as much as 6", possibly more.
You go up the stairs, and to the left is the smaller bedroom, with a half bath which, is supposed to be behind that curtained area, but I have no idea of the condition at this time. (you'll hear that a lot for a minute, I'm sure I'll have better pictures as things go)
Owner said that the half bath was not in there (I think anyhow), but until I get in there, I can't tell what's in there besides a lot of junk.
To the right, is the master bedroom. I have to say, all three bedrooms are in excellent shape, there are some weak points in floors, but compared to my 1989, they're actually vastly better.
Storage all over the place, I didn't even get pictures of the front hall where there are cabinets above the front door.
This is the downstairs bedroom, if you look to the left near the stairs, it is under the master bedroom, there are two sort of ship cabin beds that will hold single mattresses.
Again, the room was so full of stuff, I couldn't even get real close to the door.
The bathroom, the walls look good of what I can see, but again, so filled with "stuff" I have no idea what fixtures are in there, if any.
Looking back towards the front door.
Now the bad news.
This is the kitchen/living area, it's 100% gutted. Luckily, there are no leaks, and any missing windows are covered. There was a structural issue, but apparently when him and a buddy lifted this part of the roof to fix some supports, all the rivets popped back into place. I went around it a couple of times and didn't see any sign of water damage inside, it's just gutted.
The only things structurally that have been done that made me sorta twitch, was that he removed the back door because it was so rough, and popped in a window instead, and a front window has been removed from the jalousie style to a modern window. I've convinced him that if I can find some jalousie windows and fix the missing pieces from the other windows, to keep the jalousie windows.
It's actually not as bad as I was figuring on, the bedrooms and hall really just need cleaning, and some touching up of things like the railings, and seeing just how bad the floors actually are, if they need total replacing or can just have some sections replaced.
The front room is obviously hosed. Good news is, the original stove is actually there, the fridge wasn't, but that stove being there is actually a big deal.
So, lots of work ahead of the owner, but I told him I'd happily give him a hand, (who wouldn't) and I'm hoping this will be a constructive summer project and can't wait to start on it.
But, I figured if anyone could appreciate this place, it'd be you guys, and yes, I'll keep updating as I can.