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Toy Hauler Transformation - Day One

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

In my last post I wrote about my exciting new project transforming a toy hauler that my husband and I recently purchased.  It's been lots of work...but we love projects like this and we're enjoying seeing the transformation take place.

 

Day One

A whole lot of cleaning going on!  Both inside and out.  The trailer had been sitting in the woods for the last year...dirt, berries, and mold had made a mess of the outside.  Scrubbing the exterior and polishing the chrome were first on Rick's list.

While I'm on the subject of the exterior:

When I first saw the paint job, I was not impressed.  First words out of my mouth:  "Well, it has to be painted -  otherwise, you might as well just carve REDNECK across my forehead."

trailerdragon on trailer

I'm told it was a very expensive, custom paint job (the green on the side changes to purple or brown depending on the light and your position) and he used to get compliments on it everywhere he went.

As much as I hated it at first, it's starting to grow on me and my opinion on painting changes daily.  Paint the sides and keep the dragon, paint the dragon and leave the sides, leave it as is...

 

Back to the transformation:

inside trailer

 

While Rick was working on the outside, I gave the inside a good cleaning. 

The inside was surface dirty...lucky for us no mold or odor issues.

 

Replacement of the worn linoleum floor was next on our list...

Because a motorcycle will be driving into the unit, the floor needs to be skid resistant. 

 

Rick removed the old linoleum, stripped the adhesive, and sanded the wood underneath. 

removing old floor

trailer floor

COMING UP:  The floor gets painted and so do the dated, faux-oak cabinets...

 

Comments(20)

Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Sharon, looks like a work of love. Imagine how much more you will love this trailer when done. And I agree, leave the painting on the sides, it adds character.

Sep 30, 2010 04:59 AM
Gerry Michaels
Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA
GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Sharon, enjoying watching the transformation, keep us updated....

Sep 30, 2010 05:16 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

I'm enjoying this series Sharon.  You've both obviously put a lot of thought into your project - i.e. skid resistant flooring.  Looking forward to the next instalment!

Sep 30, 2010 05:34 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Girl you have your work cut out for you..................I think the paint job is kind of fun though, I might leave it...............a cosmic look!

Sep 30, 2010 05:53 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon

It won't be long before you start to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Sep 30, 2010 08:20 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Ellen:  It should be a lot of fun.  I'm glad you like the "character" because right now it is staying. 

Gerry:   I will keep you updated as we go along.  We are almost done...more pictures to post tomorrow.

Charlene:  Glad you are enjoying it.  I always enjoy watching other peoples' transformations too.  The floor was a tough one...we researched (walked the aisles of Home Depot and Lowes) for hours evaluating the options.  We think we made the best choice.

Roger:  Cosmic, huh?  Ok I can live with that.  The guy who chose the paint design was the owner before the guy we bought it from.  I'm told he owned a Harley, like us.  I don't understand him choosing a dragon...Harley guys usually go for the eagle.  I've been calling him Puff and I'm kind of used to him now. 

Lou:  We plan to go on a test run next week...spend a couple of nights and see how it goes.

Sep 30, 2010 09:35 AM
Alicia Barrington
THE ORIGINAL HOUSTON HOME STAGING - Katy, TX
Houston Home Staging Presents Alicia Barrington

Ahem, about that redneck thing.......

Y'all won't be able to call this home until you install the popcorn machine <G>!  ... and I might want to rethink that "Puff' name.   It might bring you some unwanted attention from the DEA!

But seriously, this looks like soooooo much fun!  I'm jealous!

Sep 30, 2010 01:06 PM
Barbara Heil-Sonneck
Design2Sell - Atlanta, GA
Home Staging Atlanta

Hi Sharon, after that you will be an expert in this kind of transformation.... Great staging with a twist LOL

Sep 30, 2010 02:21 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Tom:  You made me laugh!  I think a popcorn machine is just what we need!

Barbara:  With a twist?  Isn't that Roger's tagline? 

Sep 30, 2010 03:04 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sharon- way too much fun for me!  You guys still have some of the hippie left in you!

Sep 30, 2010 04:15 PM
Anonymous
Linda Harrison

Loving these...keep them coming!

Oct 01, 2010 04:09 AM
#11
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kathy:  We'll see about that.  I'm no camper...not sure how this will all work out, but I do know that at the very least this project will make for a great "flip" and we could make some money.

Linda:  I'll be posting the next one later today.

Oct 01, 2010 05:42 AM
Tori Toth
Tori Toth, International - Howard Beach, NY
888.667.6643 NYC & Beyond, HSR, SAR, RESA, LIBOR

Sounds fun...you are going to have some goos times with that trailer I'm sure.

Oct 01, 2010 05:50 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Tori:  I think it will be fun and it will allow us to discover new areas with our bike.  Up until now I wasn't willing to venture much further than 1 1/2 hrs. away....now we can drive further in the jeep and then hop on the bike to see the area.

Oct 01, 2010 06:08 AM
Laura S. Baker
First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI
Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

A cosmic look or comic book ~ either way, I think it's kind of fun!  You are going to have so much fun with that!  Looking forward to seeing the after (inside) photo's. :)D

Oct 01, 2010 08:40 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Laura:  You are right...cosmic and comic...both work!  Just posted some after shots...enjoy!

Oct 01, 2010 09:40 AM
Scott Hayes
(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX
Realty Austin, Broker Associate

Sharon,

 

I see you have put your staging technique to use in your hauler. Very nice.

Oct 08, 2010 08:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Scott: I can't help myself!  Thanks!

Oct 08, 2010 03:03 PM
Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS
Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC
Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

Thanks for taking us along on this transformation, Sharon. Can't wait to see what you decide with the dragon.

Oct 13, 2010 10:26 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Lee & Carol:  We aren't rushing into anything.  I'm told it was a very expensive custom paint job.  We are going to live with "Puff" a little while.  I've started to become attached to him I think, LOL!

Oct 13, 2010 11:04 AM