i bought an 80 coleman rebel tent trailer and some of the sections of canvas are missing. specifically the rear sleeper wing and the front door/passenger side section.
i thought maybe somebody might be parting one out or are getting rid of their old torn one because they bought new canvas.
we are using this for a volunteer search and resecue temp and overnight base for searchers, so anything will help until we can afford to buy new canvas someday.
if you have anything, know anybody that does, or know of where i can find them, please let me know.
thank you
Just a thought, and I don't know how far it'll take you, there are several companies who sell canvas for trailers. If you send them a letter looking for donation pieces specifically stating the reason you have the camper (SAR Folks), you might get lucky and get a hook up.
A couple places that come to mind are
Bear Creek Canvas - http://www.bearcreekcanvas.com/
Gregory Canvas - 1404 Imlay City Road Lapeer, MI 48446, (810) 664-3520
(Gregory Canvas used to sell Apache parts. I know the son who bought out the Apache side. I'll ask him for his dad's web addy, if there is one.)
Just a thought.
Best of luck for a worthy cause.
That is a great idea. The only thing is, I would also be using this to camp in myself. This is not a SAR (search and rescue) owned trailer, so i couldn't feel right asking for them to donate for my own gain. And they wouldn't be able to write off the donation under 501c3-charitable donation.
I am a searcher and thought i would let other searchers use it in the staging area, either before the mission starts or for when it goes overnight. Also, the other group I'm in does the emergency communications during the searches, so I have to sometimes travel to a remote area to setup a commucations radio repeater to stay all day.
I will write the companies though and maybe they can help me out with a discount of some sort. As of right now, I have very little funds left.
I just keep reading where other people bought new canvas for their trailers and figured they might have some of the sections still laying around.
Thank you for the advise.
When I heard you had a coleman rebel.....I have never heard of one. Post some pics if you can. Honestly, a different model of coleman from the same vintage may use the same canvas. It may just have a different floor plan.
The door section you may be able to just cut and attach your own piece of canvas. It may not be the best thing, but it should block some of the elements. As for the bunk......you may be able to put a straight piece down for the time being and use only one bunk.
Another thought is search craigslist for campers that have bad roofs. You can usually get them for next to nothing and see if you can cannibalize the canvas. Also check dealers. Usually they have a "back lot" with campers that just aren't worth the time to sell. If you give them your story they may give you canvas off of a dead camper.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
[img width=640 height=478]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/7919485220_d409aebac2_b.jpg[/img]
Coleman Rebel by kbrawlz, on Flickr
That sounds reasonable, but it needs to look somewhat professional as it will be used with the Sheriffs Dept and most likely filmed on local media. It will also hold almost a thousand dollars of radio communications equipment. So, I can't just jimmy-rig it together.
I have looked on craigslist and ebay. Besides, somebody that is replacing their torn canvas most likely wont waste their time selling that piece on the interned, they'll throw it away. I'm trying to find some person in that situation. Thanks for the ideas.
The Rebel has been made for many years. It is also listed in the manual with all the other models. It has a double in the front and single in the rear. It is a small/compact trailer. Very short.
Honestly, I think getting used canvas for the single bunk will be difficult. Most have at least doubles. I have heard of Coleman Redwoods from the 80's and those had single bunks. I bet it uses the same canvas. As for the side piece, I bet you can use a piece from a Coleman Columbia which was VERY popular model. Below is picture of my old Columbia. You can see the box and door position are the same (99% sure) so that side piece should be the same. If you do get some canvas from a columbia, maybe you can use a double bunk canvas on the single, just reposition the hoop bar farther back on the bunk.
Another idea I just had is to contact bear creek and tell them you are looking for old used canvas. If they don't have dimensions they ask for the customer to send the old canvas so they can size it right. I bet they have old canvas and if you pay for shipping a bit more they may send you the pieces you need.
Just some of my ideas.
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Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I emailed Bear Creek and they emailed back saying to give them a call. So I called back excited that they might be able to help. He pretty much just told me to buy a new set from them for $800 when they go on sale. No help to me at all.
So the request still stands. If you have any used canvas for a 1980 or older coleman tent trailer, let me know. Damaged or not. The back is a single, which was common for 80 and older on the short/small trailers.
Just had another idea that may look good. How about 2 pieces of plywood. Get some scrap cloth/canvas and velcro it to the top/side/bottom. It will keep the elements out. You will loose the bunk but it will look good for the time being.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I do not know if this helps you or not. It is in Pennsylvania. Craigslist under Lehigh valley
1997 Jayco Tent Trailer Canvas (FREE) Easton, PA - rvs - by owner 2012-09-23, 6:44PM EDT
I recently tore down a 1997 Jayco Tent Trailor. I believe the model is 27UUG. Although the camper was a mess,the canvas is fine. The inner canvas can use a cleaning,however overall it has no signs of wear or rips. The screens/windows are in perfect shape. I'd rather give it to a good home (YES...It's free!!!) instead of putting it in the land fill. Sent me an email if you have further questions.
I just tossed out - yesterday! Canvas from my 1979 Coleman Brandywine (replaced with a Replacement Canvas) - Was in okay condition but will not fit your rebel (double bunk ver single).
Yea a NEW one from Bear Creek or Replacement Canvas will not fit - Old one was metal zipper - new on is nylon zipper.
Best is to contact a local boat canvas dealer and get one made (specially since you already HAVE one). Total replacement For 800+ dollars - I would wait for a larger camper that is a bit better condition.
I got my 79 trailer for 300 dollars. I spent about 500 on new (older never used 2006 stock Replacement Canvas) I found on Craigslist. Sitting at under $2000 in total renos on my "cheap trailer".
What ever you do keep scowering Kijiji, Ebay and Craiglist for any listings. Most Camper wreckers don't keep ones that are over 20 years old.....
Good Luck!
samebutdifferent- thanks, i will look into it.
jfilz- that is the exact kind of thing i am looking for. i can still use the old coleman sections and at least get that side covered and mark them to modify and utilize the zippers and other stuff. the kind of stuff you threw away is just what i would be willing to take (even though it was from a double).
Besides, it would be easier for me to make a bolt on extenstion to create a "double" with extra support legs and hoop extensions, than to have a canvas custom made.
I am broke. Just graduated with my degree and no job that will take somebody without "real-world" experience. going on a few months with no job. Might be living in the trailer soon if I don't find something. But I still do my volunteer work and still pay out of pocket for everything. People reply to my post and say to go to Bear Creek or Canvas Replacements or boat/marine canvas maker...... I don't have those as an option at this point in my life. I just need to find a section of free canvas from somebody like you that is throwing it out and put some elbow grease on it to get me by until things pick up and I can blow $800. That is all I need. That is all I need.
update: due to the length of time, i finally opted to buy new canvas. i'm not exactly satisfied with it, but everything is covered.
i am willing to sell the old pieces if anybody is in need of a front double bunk section with front strip for screen door OR the large sink window on dr.side.
beats buying the replacement pieces for so much money.
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