1950 Spartan Royal Mansion – Reviving a Legend | PT 1
Reviving a classic like the 1950 Spartan Royal Mansion is no small feat, but it’s an exciting challenge that promises to bring new life to this iconic trailer.
This particular Spartan Royal Mansion has a unique story. It was transformed about ten years ago into a cafeteria-style space, and back then it was complete with cold storage for food and ice cream, and even a lounge area for dining.
Unfortunately, after years of sitting unused and exposed to the elements, water damage has taken a serious toll.
Now, it’s time to bring it back to its former glory… and maybe even better.
The first step? Tackling the water damage. The roof had leaks that (long story short) caused significant issues, so the entire thing had to be fixed and polished up. A small amount of water can do a surprising amount of damage, even if it doesn’t seem like much at first glance. To get to the root of the problem, everything had to be stripped down, including the walls, flooring, and even areas that looked okay on the surface.
Why? Simple: water damage often hides beneath the surface, and in the process it causes rot, rust, and all sorts of trouble. By tearing everything down, we could fully assess the damage and figure out exactly what needed to be repaired or replaced.
As we peeled back the layers, we found some fascinating features from its previous life as a functional cafeteria. There was phase three power for the ice cream machine, which required exposing the wiring to make sure everything was still in working order.
Luckily, most of the insulation remained relatively dry, which was a big relief. There were also signs of previous modifications: a patched hole here, recesses for speakers there, and plenty of cubbies and roll-down windows. We had to carefully remove each of these elements so we could have full access to the underlying structure and get a clear picture of the water damage’s extent.
It’s clear this trailer has been through a lot.
Years of sitting idle and exposed to the elements left its mark, but that doesn’t mean it’s beyond saving. Yes, it’s in rough shape right now, but that’s just the beginning of the story. By taking the time to strip everything down to the basics, we’re going to make sure that every single flaw is addressed. From rot and rust to hidden leaks, nothing will be left unchecked by the time that we’re finished.
What’s the key takeaway here so far?
Perhaps the biggest lesson is simply how much damage even a little bit of water can cause, which is something to think about if you own an RV or a travel trailer. Water can seep into all sorts of places that you wouldn’t expect, and the problems it creates are not always visible until you dig a little deeper.
That’s precisely why it’s so important for us to conduct a thorough assessment of this Spartan Royal Mansion before we officially begin the renovation process. A methodical approach to repairs is what will make sure that every piece of this trailer (from the roof to the floor and everything in between) is properly refreshed and restored so it’s just as good as news.
This Spartan Royal Mansion may have been beaten down by time and neglect, but it’s hardly the end of the road and this iconic trailer is on its way to being revived into something truly special. It’s a labor of love, but soon it will be back to its full ready to turn heads once again.
