Painting the underside . . .

cortezaero

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2024
Messages
6
Location
Phoenix, AZ
This is my first time posting here, but over the last nine months, I've literally read every single thread in the Alaskan Camper section!

About six months ago, I purchased a 1970 10' NCO that had been beautifully restored (about 95%) by the second owners. Sadly, after restoring it, they found that it simply would not fit in their pick-up bed. That's when I came into the picture. Since I don't own a pick-up truck, and because I want to store it in my garage, it will be living on a dual axle utility trailer (different than my attached picture).

Here's my question for the collective wisdom:

I'm going to paint or stain the bottom of my 10' NCO. So I need to support it over my concrete driveway (with a bit of a downward slope). I have two winch-style camper jacks for lifting and lowering it, but I don't trust those for holding it up while I crawl around underneath! 😳
How should I support the camper for a few days to scrape and paint the wood?
What's coming to mind for me is using six automotive jack stands (3 on each side) with a 2x4 or 2x6 support to help spread the load and not cause pressure points where the jacks meet the floor of the camper. After painting the exposed wood, I would then move the jacks and 2x wood to expose the rest of the unpainted wood to take care of it.
Is my thought process sound? Or is there a better way?
Thanks for the input! 🤠
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Sounds good to me. If the wood has been exposed for a long time to the elements it might behoove you to first put on a coat of Bin Primer. Your camper looks in great shape and when done post some photos from the inside! It looks like a very comfortable camper.
 
Welcome to Wander the West! That looks like a nice camper, you should have a lot of fun adventures with it.

You’re wise to want a lot of support under the camper when you’re painting underneath. In lieu of the jack stands, you might consider something like stacks of concrete blocks. I think having 2x6s spreading the load is a good idea.

When you get an opportunity, please post interior photos, we love old Alaskan camper.
 
Another thought while you have it in the air. You might consider running furring strips under the bottom to keep the floor pack exposed to air, and not holding moisture in wet weather. That is probably overkill for Phoenix, but furring strips are easier to replace than the floor pack.
 
Welcome!
What a great find on the camper, you're going to enjoy it.

Lots of good info. and idea's from the folks on here.

As suggested, using cribbing or concrete blocks...things which are strong and stable would be wise. Just not worth taking a chance.

Cheers!
 
Another thought while you have it in the air. You might consider running furring strips under the bottom to keep the floor pack exposed to air, and not holding moisture in wet weather. That is probably overkill for Phoenix, but furring strips are easier to replace than the floor pack.
I'm planning on doing that very thing. 👍 My thought was four 10 foot long 1x4's running the length of the camper underside. Does that sound right?
 
Someone in all one of the Alaskan Facebook groups suggested lifting the camper up on the trailer as it is, throw plastic under it so that you don't paint the trailer also, then slide some 2 x 6 boards under it resting on the trailer sides, lower it onto the boards then reach under with a wand and spray it, you would want to raise it up and move the boards and repeat so that you can hit the spots hidden by the boards and give it as many coats as you need.

What does the collective wisdom here think about this plan? I think it may be the easiest. I would just need to ensure that the trailer isn't going to move. I drew lines on the attached picture to show where I might run five 2x6's across the width of the trailer.
 

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I'm planning on doing that very thing. 👍 My thought was four 10 foot long 1x4's running the length of the camper underside. Does that sound right?
I’m not sure direction matters, but you could probably get by with just two 8’ boards cut in half, and running perpendicular to the center line. Assuming you have a 4’ wide floor pack. My Cougar only has 3 perpendicular strips for the 8’ floor.
 
Heading down the same road you are so I will share what I came up with.

1: Ditch the old cable jacks and invest in 4 Rieco Titan heavy duty jacks.
2: Setup your bracing on a solid floor and paint the open areas.
3: Move the bracing and paint the remainder of the floor.
4: After drying add firing strips as suggested and also paint them.
5: Mount on trailer and start your adventures!

Best of luck
 

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About six months ago, I purchased a 1970 10' NCO that had been beautifully restored (about 95%) by the second owners. Sadly, after restoring it, they found that it simply would not fit in their pick-up bed.

I'm impressed that the previous owner did a 95% restoration without a measuring tape!
 
Here's what I came up with to support the camper. Got these sawhorses at Lowe's for $30 each. When used together, they're rated for 2,200 pounds. I've weighed my camper at a truck scale and it comes in just under 1,400.
Feels rock solid. I'm still nervous crawling underneath! 😬
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