1976 Sunline refurbish

[Robborn]

Hey there Sunline fanatics!! I recently purchased a 1976 Sunline trailer and I am in the process of refurbishing it to spend quality time with the family.
It is a 17 1/2 FD model.
If anyone has an electrical or plumbing diagram, I would love to see it.
Within 24 hours, I have already transformed it from having debris everywhere to an actually usable camper. I have a few things to repair and replace and this beautiful tiny home will be ready to travel!!
Initial pictures included. Updated pictures will follow.

 

[Robborn]

More pictures

1976 Sunline renovation/refurbishment progress.

 

[JohnGB]

Hi Robborn,

Wow, the outside is in good shape for a 76 camper and complete with the hubcaps! Amazing how well the decals on the older campers survive 100 times better then the new ones.

Have fun with your refurb and making all those new great memories with the family. Good times ahead!

On an electrical diagram or plumbing diagram, the only wiring diagram we have is one from a 2004 T-2499. It is in the files section if you are interested, however your camper being a 76, the power systems while some things are close in concept, the number of circuits and hardware is very different. This link should drop you into the files electrical area if you are logged in. The T2499 diag at the bottom. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/downloads.php?do=cat&id=14

Plumbing diagram, I have not one of them.

But, what do you need help with? The power systems on the older campers and the piping uses the same concepts as most of all the Sunlines. Just ask away if you run into issues you cannot figure out. The 12 volt DOT wiring for the brake lights etc. follows standard RV trailer wiring.

Hope this helps and thanks for sharing the pics.

John

 

[Robborn]

Thanks for the feedback!!
The one question that I have been looking for but have been unable to find is the gray water tank dimensions under the trailer. I believe it may be cracked and think I want to replace it when I update the lines.
Any ideas?

 

[JohnGB]

I can't help on the gray tank dimensions, if you do get them and still want to buy a new tank, we can help on some places that sell gray tanks. But, finding the exact tank you have is not an easy task. This company sells them and I have bought from them as they are a good place to buy from. While they may not have your tank size, it can give you a quick look at a new tank cost. https://www.icondirect.com/waste-holding-tanks/ There are other places too.

But, we can offer a solution on how to fix the tank you have. It will be permanent and a lot cheaper, it will just take you some time. Many have done this as the black and gray tanks are the black ABS plastic that can be easily repaired. That is, assuming no one changed your tank to some other odd plastic which is unlikely.

See these threads on how to repair ABS plastic as a starter. I know others have also used a ABS repair kit with a resin cloth for major size holes. And some have bought ABS sheet material and made a large patch. This all depends on how and where your tank is cracked. These posts should get you started.

https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f71/how-to-abs-tank-crack-repair-10514.html

Here is one of my post on ABS repair on door bezels and I have done camper fenders with it too. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f71/door-trim-bezel-repair-18665.html

A few more on tank repair. Here is one with links to other posts that have done the tank repair
https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f71/black-warter-tank-crack-11169.html

And another one with a big hole
https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f69/hole-in-gray-water-tank-of-1988-saturn-t1550-8896.html

Post some pics, we can help on how to help repair it.

Hope this helps

John

 

[Robborn]

Resealing the roof

 

[JohnGB]

It's looking good. Thanks for sharing.

Just an FYI in case you did not know. It looks like your fridge vent cap may be cracked. Roof plastic takes a real beating from sun damage. If you see a crack starting, keep a good eye on it. When they get sun baked brittle, they can shatter into many pieces almost like an explosion. If a tree branch brushes it going in or out of camp, a high wind storm etc can set off the explosion when they get bad enough. That comprised cover can create a big hole for water to get into the camper when it lets go.

The same thing can happen to the crank up roof vents. I can tell by the color shade, yours have been replaced not that long ago. They look to appear in better shape.

A UV treatment product called 303 Aerospace protectant goes a long way in helping all the plastic, rubber, caulking and vinyl last a lot longer when used regularly. You can easily double the life of the item and sometimes 3 to 4 times life. I have been using it now for the last 20 years and swear by it on outdoor plastic starting with the canoes then onto the camper.

John

 

[Robborn]

Thanks John!!! We have been assessing everything as we go and uncover the many different things we find. We noted the same thing you just addressed and really appreciate your recommendation. It looks like we will probably be replacing these items once we have verified that everything is in good working order.

**Last night I tracked down the original owners of the Camper and discovered that it was abandoned by them nearly 25 years ago due to the husbands declining health. He passed away last year and I talked with his wife for nearly 15 minutes. We found some patches that he had been presented for the Civil War reenactments he participated in and I will be making a shadow box in his memory that will remain with the camper. His wife was very emotional that we now have the camper and everything left behind and that we intend on carrying on the legacy of their family**

 

[JohnGB]

Hi Rob,

Wow, that is quite the history lesson you found with your camper. Very nice of you to reach out to them and such a nice story. A lot of good times and memories are made out camping that do last a lifetime. Once you get your Sunny all fixed up for travel, you can continue making news ones.

 

[jim44646]

Thanks for the feedback!!
The one question that I have been looking for but have been unable to find is the gray water tank dimensions under the trailer. I believe it may be cracked and think I want to replace it when I update the lines.
Any ideas?

 

[jim44646]

https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f71/black-tank-repair-14865.html

 

[jim44646]

Black tank repair

Last trip out I noticed a smell under trailer. Looking under I seen a drip drip. I dumped and flushed good at end of stay. Upon arriving home I found a surprise. The PO had hit the bottom of black tank and cracked it then patched with fiberglass and metal window screen and painted black. I was so busy checking roof seams and frame for rot I missed the tank patch. I cleaned fiberglass off and prepped area for Plasti-Mend patch , hope it works.

Cleaned and prepped area

Patched area 1st. coat and screen patch

Plasti-Mend Kit

Will add more later

 

[jim44646]

Whole url didn't post

 

[JohnGB]

Whole url didn't post

Hi Jim,

I fixed the broken pic links for you. They should show now.

For Jim's black tank repair post, see here https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f71/black-tank-repair-14865.html

Thanks for sharing. I had forgot you did your with the Plasti-mend kit. Another good option.

John

 

[Robborn]

Here is a little funny for the group: with all of the electrical working I thought now would be a good time to test the refrigerator. I set everything to cold and alas I got nothing. I was preparing to pull the refrigerator out and replace it with a new one and when I couldn’t get it to budge I pulled the outside panel off to see if the gas lines or additional screws were holding it in place when I just happened to notice a 110 outlet and the refrigerator plug not plugged in........
Now we wait!!!!

**Note to self, check the plug before you start doing something you might not have to do!!!!**

Updates to follow.

 

[JohnGB]

Hi Rob,

Just FYI, if your fridge is an actual RV fridge and not an aftermarket dorm type fridge, the RV gas absorption fridges take about 8 hrs to cool down. And when you open the door, you may not feel a lot of cold. They do not work like a home compressor fridge. They actually remove the heat in the fridge and freezer compartment and leave, cold.

Using a thermometer inside overnight is a good way to test, or put an open plastic cup of water in the freezer and in the fridge area that you can feel and test if it is getting cold.

Hope your fridge works

John

 

[Robborn]

Ran the operational test with a cup of water in the freezer. The water froze in3 hours and the fridge maintained a nice cool temperature.

Chalk up another win!!!

2 weeks and the restoration continues to be successful!!

 

[JohnGB]

Wow, you scored on the fridge! Is it by chance the original from Sunline?

 

[Robborn]

I believe it is the original. I have the owners manual for it as well. Came with the the trailers original paperwork.
I believe it’s a Dometic

 

[Kxracer704]

I believe it is the original. I have the owners manual for it as well. Came with the the trailers original paperwork.
I believe it’s a Dometic

Robborn, would you be able to post a photo of the fridge you have in your camper? I am going to attempt to fix my fridge from my 1977 camper and want to see if yours is similar. If it is similar, the original paperwork would be nice to reference.

Thanks!