Description
GENERAL
After 20 years of trailering, we have come to the decision to sell our beloved 47 Spartan Manor. Purchased in 2003, in virtually untouched condition, we took it apart and put it back together with strength and originality in mind. In 3 years, we took it on the road.
Made by the Spartan Aircraft Company after WWII as housing for young couples, it was originally 25’ from jack to tail lights. We have an expert appraisal for $58,780.
Fully furnished and equipped with all towing gear, you can load in your clothes and some food and go camping tomorrow.
RESTORATION OF HISTORIC SPARTAN TRAILER MATERIALS AND DESIGN
Woodwork, mostly re-finished, some replaced, with original moldings (observation lounge and bedroom walls are mahogany, kitchen and all ceilings birch )
Closets and cabinets, rebuilt and refinished, new mirrors matching original
Cabinet hardware, cleaned and re-chromed
Aluminum kitchen and lab counters and backsplash polished
Roof vents re-furbished to match originals and fitted with exhaust fans
Heater vent and kitchen fan vent re-furbished
Original screen doors refinished with new copper screening
Original locks in working order with original keys
All sliding windows refurbished with copper screening
Original dining table refinished
Original awning with new lightweight poles and lines, awning track repaired
Light fixtures re-wired and re-chromed, including ‘porch’ light
Three front aluminum panels, one side panel, same gauge as original, airplane riveted
Original marker lights replaced with duplicates
Original oil heater enclosure powder-coated with 120 v.electric heater installed inside
Railroad-style toilet added by prior owner, cleaned and installed in former fridge space
Light fixture shades, handmade with Japanese fabric or paper
Baby moon hub caps, stainless steel
Front windows replaced with polycarbonate and acrylic in new gaskets
Trailer was polished by us in 2006 and again professionally in 2016.
New Marmoleum floor in historic color and pattern
UPGRADES AND REFURBISHMENT FOR TRAVEL
Chassis skeleton reinforced, tongue lengthened and heavily reinforced
Total replacement of crumbling subfloor with ¾ inch marine ply with epoxy coating
28 Gallon fresh water tank with fill, 35 gallon gray water tank,15 gallon black water tank with standard trailer dumping valves and equipment
Blue Goose portable grey water hauler
New 5000 lb Dexter axle, electric trailer brakes, skid wheels
New battery powered breakaway system
Total renewal of electrical system- 12 v and 120 v
3 Gallon hot water tank
New 12 v. Water pump and water piping
Sound system with Bluetooth and CD player, 2 speakers in front, 2 in bedroom
Conduit (empty) to roof for sirius antenna
Additional supplemental marine grade lighting installed throughout
Four 75 watt solar panels on roof with Blue Sky solar controller plus remote
New marine 12 v circuit breaker panel and new 120 v. panel for shore power
Two aluminum propane gas tanks plumbed to cooktop in kitchen
Carbon monoxide monitor/gas cutoff
2 burner cast iron counter stove
Apartment size fridge with small freezer
Foot pump for fresh water to kitchen sink if no electricity
Equalizer weight distribution hitch with anti-sway bars
Heavy duty mudflaps
Electric tongue jack
Double bed over Elfa sliding clothing storage system six large sliding baskets
Banquettes in observation lounge which house electrical panels, batteries, solar equipment as well as outside gear, made of mahogany in comparable style to original
Custom banquette cushions
Bookcase with lower cupboard and upper panel with solar, battery, and water tank monitors
New battery system: dual Class 27 AGM (gives abt 3 days off grid power)
New Xantrex 1000 inverter and new Xantrex battery charger
Electric macerator for black water dumping via ¾” garden hose
FURNISHINGS
It will come with all the furnishings, down to the Japanese bowls and cookware,, complete kitchen supplies, some linen, hangers etc, extra fan and heater, outside furniture, inside and outside rugs and Magma grill and accessories, shore power and water lines and equipment.
We are including some pictures of what things look like behind the scenes and how we set up to travel, as well as some pictures of our renovation.We can provide detailed descriptions of the work done in response to specific questions. In addition, we have extensive documentation of everything that has been done, every last manual and spec sheet, which will be available to the new owner.
CAPACITY FOR UPGRADE
There is so much storage under the bed for clothes and personal items that 2 of the the 3 original upright closet spaces could be consolidated into a small bathroom, if desired. We chose not to, because we wanted to keep the original configuration, but we also found campground showers to be generally more roomy, with more generous hot water, than one could squeeze into a vintage trailer.
Likewise, we found the natural cross ventilation of the Spartan, with fan assisted roof vents, was more than adequate to keep us comfortable in Key West and Big Bend. But adding portable or rooftop units would not be difficult.
We are not TV watchers, but there are plenty of locations to add a screen easily.
We are including some pictures of what things look like behind the scenes and how we set up to travel, as well as some pictures of our renovation.We also have a detailed description of the work done which we can email to those interested. In addition, we have extensive documentation of everything that has been done, every last manual and spec sheet, which will be available to the new owner.