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Home › Blog › Our Newest Trailer Project: 1970’s Coachmen Cadet

Our Newest Trailer Project: 1970’s Coachmen Cadet

Sarah Lemp smiling with coffeeSarah Lempon May 31, 2019(updated July 19, 2022)576
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Today I’m sharing a sneak peek at our latest trailer renovation
project we found on Facebook Marketplace!

Outside Before Pictures

Here is our latest trailer renovation project! We will be updating this 1977 Coachmen Cadet. The fest pictures I’m sharing make it look way better than it really is. The cute orange stripe and retro decals are fun! I almost might consider keeping them.

We purchased this trailer on Facebook Marketplace for $500! I’ve shared tips before on finding a great fixer-upper project like this at a great price. The #1 tips is to be the first in line! We were actually 2nd in line for this trailer, but luckily, the 1st person backed out. We swept in and secured this purchase at 10PM and pulled it into the backyard at midnight! I never saw the inside, my husband did all the inspecting on his own.

The Inside

The outside is pretty cute, right? Ready to see the inside?!

Hold tight, there’s a little bit of work that needs to be done.
Here’s the general order of things I like to tackle:

  • Seal up the outside so no more water gets in
  • Paint the exterior so it looks cuter siting in the yard
  • Pull away water damaged areas on the inside, determine how far reaching the damage is
  • Reinforce and rebuild areas that are damaged
  • Test all lights, appliances and plumbing
  • Strip out all the gross curtains and cushions, random junk, things on the walls, etc.
  • Paint EVERYTHING
  • Clean and sanitize sinks and shower
  • Clean out fridge and repaint if needed
  • Lay new flooring or paint floor
  • Clean cushions and recover or replace
  • Inspect tires and consider replacing
  • Inspect tongue and repair if needed

Follow Along!

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Find the rest of my trailer renovation posts here: Camper Renovations

Category: RV Renovating, Tours
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Sarah Lemp smiling with coffee

About Sarah Lemp

Sarah is a second generation homeschooling mom. She lives in Metro Detroit with her husband Jay, 5 kids and dog, Edison. They love staying active as a family and going on trips in their renovated RV’s. Sarah loves to sing, make pretty things and eat pizza.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar photoShaun May

    November 30, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    We have recently purchased a 16′ okanagan Tandem axle trailer. I am very interested in how you have decided to repair the water Damage. My wife Maureen is of the same ilk and has the ability to Make the mundane very pretty and usable. We are trying to put this trailer together for my daughter and her partner as they soon they soon will be starting a family.

    Reply
  2. Avatar photoFred stuertz

    August 16, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    How do I find black water tank

    Reply
  3. Avatar photoMatt K

    April 21, 2021 at 11:28 pm

    Would love to see progression pictures also looking at a 1970 coachman cadet similar to this.

    Reply
  4. Avatar photoLisa Heitzmann

    April 18, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    We are thinking about getting this exact camper to renovate!! Do you have pictures of what you did to redo this one? Would love to see it.

    Reply
  5. Avatar photoAdel H Gardner

    August 14, 2020 at 8:46 am

    HI Sarah! I am so excited! I recently bought a 1974 Coachmen Cadet and I am off and running with it. I’ve never done anything related to a camper before. (It was definitely impulsive.) I am so thankful that you are here sharing to inspire me, and others. I now I see that you have just bought another of these cuties. I just yesterday covered the top with some temporary plastic and started disassembling one part of the interior to see just how bad the water damage is…..

    I look forward to seeing your path and mine in process! THANK YOU! (I would have backed out after I bought it when I really contemplated what I was getting myself into but your posts inspired me.)

    Reply
  6. Avatar photoLori

    February 9, 2020 at 11:32 pm

    Love your work! :) we are looking to jump into the rving scene but want the cute renoed trailer…not the ones off the lot. We are definitely capable of doing the cosmetic changes and fun stuff…not sure about tackling something like this lol! We would also be so happy to buy one already done :) Any projects ready to sell?? Any sites you would suggest to look for ready to sell renos??

    Reply
    • Sarah Lemp smiling with coffeeSarah Lemp

      February 11, 2020 at 11:50 am

      Hi Lori! I don’t have any projects that are ready yet. I have a small vintage trailer that will be ready this Spring, so stay tuned! I would search Facebook Marketplace for “renovated RV” or “remodeled RV” there are more and more people out there doing this same thing and selling their renovated RV’s on Marketplace!

      Reply
  7. Avatar photoKerri Roush

    December 3, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    Hi, Sarah! I love your blog and work! What color and brand of white paint did you use? I am going to try to do what you did and update our new really ugly RV. Thank goodness I found you. I do have a problem, tho. It has really ugly couch print cushions that are not removable. They are hooked to the frame of a fold-down bed. Have you had to deal with that problem? If so, how did you redo the couch cushions? Thanks in advance for your advice! Kerri

    Reply
    • Sarah Lemp smiling with coffeeSarah Lemp

      December 4, 2019 at 9:48 am

      Hi Kerri! I have used Behr Marquee paint which covers really nice without an added primer, I also used cheaper paint over a really good primer like Stix or Gripper. I haven’t really noticed much of a difference between the different types of paint! Prepping the surface is what’s most important and using latex paint, not oil. Did you see this post? https://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/painting-the-exterior-of-an-rv-or-trailer/ I HAVE had a couch that was built weird like that – but I think I chose to remove the whole thing!! LOL you could always try a slip cover… or just replace the entire thing with a new jackknife sofa :) We have found several on Facebook Marketplace as well as at RV surplus stores.

      Reply
  8. Avatar photoKate

    July 16, 2019 at 3:39 pm

    Do you sell them after completing the renovation? Looking to purchase an already renovated RV and I love the exterior and the bones of this one!

    Reply
    • Sarah Lemp smiling with coffeeSarah Lemp

      July 16, 2019 at 9:00 pm

      Hi Kate! We will definitely be selling this one when it is done. Keep checking back for updates!

      Reply

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copyright & disclosure

All content on this site is copyright Sarah Lemp. Many of my posts contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and buy something, I may receive a small commission. Read more on my disclosure page.

Sarah Lemp smiling with coffee

MORE ABOUT SARAH

Sarah is a second generation homeschooling mom. She lives in Metro Detroit with her husband Jay and 5 kids. They love staying active as a family and going on trips in their renovated camper. Sarah loves to sing, make pretty things and eat pizza.

COPYRIGHT & DISCLOSURE

All content on this site is copyright Sarah Lemp. Many of my posts contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and buy something, I may receive a small commission. Read more on my DISCLOSURE PAGE.

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