Blog Post 7: Over and Under Vents and One Panel Removal: Paisley Gets Her Groovy Back// 1963 Kenskill

By this point I’ve watched hours and hours of restoration YouTube videos and all of the ones by Mobiltec; I’ve poured over every topic and all comments in the repair thread in VintageTrailerTalk; and I’ve bought and have used for reference the “Vintage Trailer Repair Manual” by VK Lee that was defo worth the purchase price. These resources have been tremendous.

As I become more familiar with the “How To” of vintage trailer restoration I have identified the key existential crisis when it comes to Canned Ham type vintage trailers — Skin Removal. When contemplating aluminum siding removal… the struggle is VERY real.

I’ve seen time and again the question: “Do I have to take off the skin?” “Can’t I restore from inside out?” and always the trailer experts come back with “Outside in is the only option to fix structural wood rot.”

But, of course, the prospect of removing the J-rail and initiating skin removal is super scary - so I decided to get a peek at the bones by removing ONE panel - the rear curbside panel.

Simultaneously we also went in to get a look at the bones from the inside - when my Dad, Mike and I worked on removing the ceiling panel where the overhead vent is located.

So, what did we find!? Nothing scary at all! Hallelujah! A bit of rot around the wheel well and at the rear corner (this was the wall side corner that did not get any sun) and is a straightforward fix. Inside the trailer the rotten wood was contained in the immediate vent bracing only; the ceiling insulation and cross beams are mint! Yeah Baby!

Tune in for the next blog when I’ll go through some of the fun stuff — the cool features of a ‘63 Kenskill and my ideas for colors and materials I’m considering for when we someday, in the far off future, get to dress her up instead of all this stripping her down!