1983 T-1550 Parts?

[Mancave]

Hello Everyone. Im new to this, but thought Id come to the community and see if someone here may be able to help me a little. I recently "sort" of inherited a 1983 T-1550. I (and my son) love it, but it needs some work. The work part I'm sure we can handle, but the getting items for it seems like it may pose some problems. Is there anyone on here that has ever tried to get parts for a camper this old?....and if so, where might be a good place to start?
Any help I could get would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[Poppy & Nana]

Mancave....what kind of parts are you looking for? Appliances can always be swaped out, interior cabinets can be rebuilt.....so give us an idea of what you might be looking for.....

[Steve Collins]

It's likely that a little searching will turn up identical replacements for 90% or better of what you are looking to repair.

Start with the Go-RV.net catalog. It is used by nearly all of the RV parts and service departments in North America.

Secondly, don't use the word "Sunline" when trying to find parts at an RV shop. Their eyes glaze over, and they can't think beyond "out of business." If you need parts for an old Atwood water heater, that's what you tell them.

[Mancave]

Thank you for the help. For right now, Im really looking for a door. It looks as though the existing one had a hard shell outside (that at some point was removed) and a screen door. The screen door is still attached, but has no real lock. In searching for "Sunline" parts, there really is nothing found. Thank you for the information about not trying the search that way. Id like to also get an A/C unit for it at some point. It says it's wired for one on the vent in the main cabin, and Im very handy with the electrical items, so I'd love to be able to have the air conditioned. (mainly for my wife....she's looking at the camper and thinking Im crazy for trying to fix it up, but I look at things like this a lot differently than she does) We've slept in it for a few nights of HEAVY rain, and there were absolutely no leaks, so I think it will be great if I can take the winter in my garage and work on it.
Thanks again for all help with this as like I said, I really have no idea where to look for info on it.

[Steve Collins]

In particular, the A/C units have never been model or manufacturer specific. Dometic, Coleman, and a couple of others have built units in a couple of different BTU sizes, but they all are designed to fit on top of a standard 14x14 RV vent opening, and the wiring is pretty much standard too.

I have seen some variations in the wiring for the thermostats, but the 110vac wiring is all the same.

The door may well be a standard RV size and type door. Check the GO-RV catalog as they list lots of stuff for older units.

There are also a number of RV salvage operations across the country that could most likely supply what you need.

[OPIE]

Hi Mike - I have the same 1983 T-1550, so if you have any specific questions, I can maybe help. I have rewired just about everything in her and replaced all the clearance lights with LEDs, replaced the range hood, replaced the faucet and all the old plumbing with new PEX, added a radio and a 12v master power switch, and did a mickey mouse floor repair where the water heater exploded....so ask away!

[Mancave]

Thank you Opie. Have you ever replaced the doors? It looks as though the main (handled) door was removed on mine. The screen door is still there, but Id love to replace the main. This way id also have a key lock as the screen door doesn't have one. I believe I'll have to do some work to get the lights to all work on mine as well. Where did you get yours? The main thing for me now is getting it home. The previous owner passed away and left the title to the owner of the campground he'd kept it at. She's a friend of the family, but I have a feeling Im going to have to do some work just to get the title transferred. What do you tow yours with? The literature Ive read says the tounge weight is 165 lbs? Can you move yours by hand? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have a million, and unfortunately I dont have it home yet to answer any of them. From the little research Ive done, there doesn't seem to be that many people with this same camper.

Thank you for all your help. Mike

[OPIE]

Never did a door, sorry. It is a standard camper door, so measure it well, and fire up the Google, you should be able to locate one.

I got the lights at superbrightled.com

LED Truck Lights ? Super Bright LEDs

You can get ones that match the originals, but I went with 2" rounds (they were cheaper). I tow with a 6cyl Chevy Trailblazer, no issues at all.

I cannot move it by hand, too heavy.

Good luck, and ask away, I am glad to help where I can.

[Mancave]

Thank you. I'm sure I'll change the lights to something similar to what you have. I have a 6 cyl Nissan Frontier. From what Ive read, people say to get a weight distributing hitch, but if it's as light as the information says it is, and you have no problems with your Trailblazer, I think I'll be fine. I just cant wait to get the thing home.
Thanks for all your help.