How to Restore a Casita Trailer
Casita trailers deliver great fuel economy through a highly aerodynamic shape and light weight. Their relatively small size makes them suitable for most tow vehicles, and they are easier to store and work on than larger units. All these factors make them popular with restorers, particularly pre-1990s models that had such pronounced curvature in the doors and windows that they earned the nickname "egg." Any restoration project must involve considerable preparation, inspection and planning before any physical activity is undertaken.
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Things You'll Need
- Angle grinder
- Fiberglass repair kit
- Cleaning goods
- Plumbing materials
- Electrical materials
- Silicone sealant
- Pressure washer
- Rust converter
- Truck bed liner
- Timber paneling
- Soft furnishings
- Window screens
Instructions
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Lock the Casita up tightly for a few days, with all the windows and vents sealed, then go in and smell for any trace of dampness. Casitas are heavily insulated, so any water leaking into the walls often stays there. If you notice a smell of dampness, carefully inspect all the interior --- including inside cabinets and behind fixtures --- for traces of degraded wall paneling or stains. Match the interior damage with an exterior moisture source and fix the leak before resolving the problems it caused.
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2
Inspect the two-piece exterior fiberglass shell for signs of separation, delamination or impact damage. Small areas can be rescued by the competent amateur, but larger issues should be referred to specialists. Use an angle grinder to cut out small damaged sections, then rebuild the surface using a fiberglass kit sold in auto parts stores; follow the manufacturer's directions precisely.
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3
Restore the private shower/toilet combination unit by cleaning it thoroughly using regular household bathroom products, then upgrading the fixtures. All Casitas use standard 1/2-inch PEX pipe for the plumbing, so new tap assemblies and shower hardware can be sourced at home improvement warehouses and department stores. Reseal any seams with a silicone-based product designed for kitchens and bathrooms.
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4
Use a pressure washer to clean the underbody, then look for signs of road damage. Casitas are built on a steel frame that is fully enclosed in a one-piece underbody pan, so interior chassis problems and deformation are extremely unlikely. Stone chips in the pan can be patched with a fiberglass kit. Damage to the coating on the tongue can be recovered by stripping away any surface rust, then treating the area with rust converter before applying a non-textured truck bed liner.
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5
Check the wooden floor inside for signs of moisture damage --- a soft feeling underfoot --- and replace any suspect areas with new pressure-treated ply, not particleboard.
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Inspect the space-age fiberglass interior furniture for signs of accidental damage; the materials used are resistant to wear and tear, so unless something has fallen against them, they should simply need to be cleaned. Fabric may need to be replaced. If so, specialist suppliers can be contacted through owners' clubs and websites that have material resources that closely match the original patterns.
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Replace window screens that appear to be aging and are becoming fragile. All Casitas are supplied with fully screened windows, and this is a convenience that should not be overlooked in the restoration project. Take digital photographs and notes throughout the stripping-down of the window components so that the installation of replacement screens is a simple reversal of the removal process.
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Check all plumbing, including the storage tanks, and the coach and chassis electrical systems for signs of failure. Upgrade exterior lights to LED fittings and replace the interior fuse-board with a circuit breaker board.
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Tips & Warnings
The independent rubber torsion bar suspension used on Casitas is maintenance-free; without considerable expertise and specialist tools, any problems with these components should be referred to a recreational vehicle dealership for diagnosis and service.
