SOLD

1987 Bigfoot B-17

action changes reality This was to be the beginning of a chapter for my renovation and cosmetic redo of this ‘ancient’ fibreglass Canuck travel trailer, originally manufactured in Chilliwack, BC, in 1987. All the decals and graphics were removed, as most were severely cracked and faded. The entirety of the tub was sanded in readiness for a 50s duo-tone marine polyurethane applied by rolling using the guide by Russell Brown available from Jeff.   My idea was to redo everything, beginning with the axle, brake shoes, drums, and backing pads. The light markers still worked; some were full of water, others were simply cracked and faded from years of exterior UV radiation. Connections were rusted; yet, I am astounded that 12V current still got through, supplying illumination, sufficient for the local MVI permit. There was obviously some under-the-table corruption abiding, n’est pas? hahaha All exterior vehicle lighting was converted to LED ‘cept the light by the door and the one over the LP cover, as they still functioned, addin’ a touch of authenticity to the creature…the Sasquatch! hahaha The original appliances all worked, so I saw no need to replace them at a personal cost of kilobucks. ‘Sides, it’s all ’bout as much authenticity as the critter will stand. I already have a custom-made spare tire cover made. Inadvertently, two were made (my faux pas, sigh!), so I used the spare one on the front window shade, fixing it with stainless steel nuts and bolts as well as some construction adhesive. All the doors and drawers were replaced, and a duo-tome theme of different colours was employed throughout the interior. After all the decals and lights had been removed. I have owned a 2005 Taylor coach Bobbie; so have 80,000 km of experience with what an old-timer LP fridge repair dude in northern CA referred to as: “Sonny, you have two things here that don’t really belong together; a set of wheels and your house.” I guess it’s the bouncing, not to mention the infamous ‘topes‘ [speed bumps] once you hit Mexico, en route to catch the winter hibernation home of our northern summertime monarch butterflies. btw, that ‘home’ is 10,000 ft above the current ocean level near Mexico City

I sold the Bigfoot in 2024 to a young lad who had owned one but lost it and his house in a Halifax wildfire. He has now sold it to someone else as his children were growing and he needed a larger unit. So here’s the story of the reno. She’s a very pretty Lady now that the complete reno has transformed her from the ugly duckling that was dropped off in the driveway early in 2023. There’s a great deal of modifications done to this ole girl, and she shows her pedigree very well. It’s easy to become stuck on the age of this trailer. This travel trailer has been transformed into essentially a new machine. The trailer has the potential to sleep 6 people. Two adults on the main bed, two older children on the sofa and two younger children above the sofa, in the storage area, fold down.

1) The tongue weight is 337 lbs. (153 kg) 2) The dry weight of this trailer is 2,783 lbs. (1,265 kg) 3) The total dollar cost to get to this point has been $38,453.18. Included in this amount is the original purchase price of $17,700, including the 15% NS HST. 4) Lest I forget, there are the man-hours that I calculate as close to 1,400 in 15 months of renovations. These weights were carried out at the Kings Cty Valley Waste Management disposal site. I took along my bathroom scales to determine the tongue weight. I pulled it easily with a 2012 Tacoma V6 4WD automatic tranny; it has the Toyota Tacoma tow package of up to 6,500 lbs. The trailer has only clocked 100 km since I’ve not taken it on a trip. I never wanted to sell this, what with all the TLC input by me, a detail cabinetmaker, with decades of experience. An ole adage, unattributed, comes to mind: “Life is what happens while we’re making other plans.”

Therefore, in point form with no particular order: EXTERIOR:

• • all exterior lights, both running and tail/brake/signal are now bright LED’s

• • new Road Rider ST IV 205/75R 14 6-ply tires on the running two

• • 6-Ply ST Goodyear spare tire

• larger mudflaps + 4 wheel chocks

• DoHonest backup cam mounted high for safety. A new owner will need to purchase another one from “Jeff” for an in-car tow vehicle screen monitor, since I use the one supplied in the Tacoma.

• • All 3 rims were sand-blasted and powder-coated white. They now sport a double-pin stripe

• • Baby Moon hubcaps with a discrete locking set screw

• • brake shoes were replaced

• brake drums were turned professionally

• • electric brakes are ready for a tow vehicle controller

• • all inner and outer bearings and races are new; preloaded at 50 psi before setting the lock nut

• Two tire covers with eyelets and bungee cords

• • the two-tone Maritime theme is Marine grade polyurethane (white and seafoam green)

• • 1/16″ aluminum checker plate is used extensively in front as an aid for stone-causing road rash

• • 2 new full LP tanks

• • modern LP regulator allows automatic switching between empty and full tank

• • spare full LP tank, making 3 full tanks

• • new 135ah battery

• • two fire extinguishers

• • new 7-point junction box (Trucks For Parts)

• • new gold safety chains with hooks

• • Safety-keyed latch and ball locks are employed as an anti-theft deterrent

• • custom front (stone guard mounted) and rear, tire covers

• • black tire sun protector covers with eyelets and bungee straps when parked for a long time

• • new tongue welded on with safety chains by Jerry’s RV in New Minas, NS

• • custom aluminum nameplates are all based upon original duplication

• • KNOX 3rd Gen Travel Trailer Cover, Anti-Tear 7-Layer APEX Fabric winter cover, new, never used

• • exceptionally bright LED lights on the bumper for nighttime parking placement

• • new awning

• • all floor underwires run in conduit

• • Stainless Steel Robertson drive fasteners (the Hot Rodder’s jewellery) used on all exterior fitments

• • custom curly birch fringing for exterior dry camping table

• • 6′ x 9′ poly carpet

• • new trailer tongue professionally welded onto the frame

• • Drawtite #750 weight distribution arms and new clips

Lots of extras not listed, with plenty of touch-up paint for the four colours used. INTERIOR:

• • new Fogatti HWH tankless water heater installed

• • the water holding tank was removed and purged with vinegar, then bleach

• • Herogo goose neck tall kitchen sink faucet

• • curly Nova Scotia yellow birch countertop with twin 4″ low-volume computer fans for fridge cooling

The image below was the original pinkish laminate countertop. Also, see the dark vinyl wallboard and dark brown window frames, representative of the entire interior, circa 1987. Remember the harvest gold and avocado appliances from the ’60s? hahaha

• • new stainless steel sink waste and plug

• • the washroom now has a single-speed powered ceiling fan

• • the lighting is both bright white and soft yellow LED with a dimming capability

• • the shower area has a hemlock wood lattice floor

• • table folds down to long bed

• • the main cabin has a 3-speed fan with reverse for hair drying; both are very quiet.

• • Oxygenics infused Fury shower head and hose

• • rare and expensive NS curly yellow birch was used throughout the project for its figure

• • all cabinet doors and drawers have curly birch knobs with iridescent abalone shell inserts

• • lathe turned wooden support leg for sofa and for the main table/bed support

• • tiled backsplash on kitchen and bathroom walls

• Venetian blind over sink and stove

• • 4-burner stove and oven

• propane / electric fridge with ice box

• • the sleeping loft above the sofa has been converted into a bedding storage area; it could still be a sleeping loft for children.

• • curtains are original with replacement 5/8′ maple rods

• • 4 custom corner cushions

• • waterproof toilet paper holder

• • replacement of the range hood fan with a more practical 750W microwave oven

• • new doors and drawer fronts are 5/8” MDF

• • all interior fasteners are brass for anti-rusting

• • Red Cross safety medical bag well-equipped

• touch-up paint for both interior and exterior colours + many other extras to list

Nova Scotia rare curly yellow birch table/main bed support

• • laminate flooring

• • sprinkled / movable LED dimmable area lights

• • Marine-grade grey paint was used on all 5/8″ MDF door and drawer fronts, with a white backing on doors and drawers

• original cushions and drapes were still in superb condition to keep the vintage appearance

This sale was not planned. I will be happy to show anyone all the invoices piled up over the long renovation when you come and show genuine interest in improvements using outside labour and professional help. After spending too much @ $ 17.7k CDN on the initial purchase price + an additional $21k CDN on the renovations; let’s not forget the approximately 15 months, or, at least 1,400 hours of personal labour, mostly by myself. Thanks so much for reading down this far. I AM John Gabriel Ötvös, aka jayöh.