Oopsy Daisy- It Pays To Have Bitchn' Friends

​On April 1st, 2022, Nicole Young, a member of Bitches with Hitches of northern California, pulled her 1977 Cardinal, Love Bird, “Oopsy Daisey” into Ann Lockett’s 3-acre field for the annual Poppy Fest campout. Little did Nicole know that her trip to Poppy Fest was about to change the life of Oopsy Daisy forever.   

The Bitches are a hands-on group of women who camp together all summer long throughout northern California. Several of us noticed that Oopsy’s rear end was being held together with packing tape, foam, and yes, even hot glue. The rear cargo doors were pretty much non-functional. The rear, door side, and passenger side of the trailer bowed out like someone was kicking them out from the inside. Looking at her, it became obvious that Oopsy needed some serious repairs. Several suggestions for fixing her were tossed out there. I was asked to take a look at her and give my suggestion for repairing Oopsie. Kathy Lawson sent us this story for the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine and appears in issue #63. Click on the "Read More" link below to read the rest of the post.​

Most of us agreed that Oopsy was in REALLY ROUGH SHAPE!!!!! Nicole loves her Oopsy, so selling her and finding another better-shape trailer wasn’t an option. After much head scratching and a glass or two of wine, I told Nicole to bring Oopsy to my RV barn for the much-needed repairs. I was very concerned with Nicole even getting Oopsy to me. A date was set, and Oopsy arrived safely at my barn on May 21st. 

On May 18th, I put out a call to all “Bitches” for help with Oopsy. Well, help came pouring in. Marti Domyancic, Pam Riisager, Linda Franz, Brenda Nelson, Karen Abel, Ann Lockett,  Marianna Sauser,  Judy Burns, and even Pam’s husband, Ron, my husband, Ken, and Marti’s husband, Bob, showed up to help. Some people came for one day, others for many days on end. Throughout the entire process, the food kept coming, people with different skill levels popped in and out on a daily basis, supplies were delivered to us, and work began.
​
On May 21st, the first screw was removed from the J-rail on Oopsy. Before long, all the J-rail was off and the staples securing the skins were removed. The skin was peeled back and it became apparent that it was so rotten  there was not enough of the old frame intact to use as a template for rebuilding the rear end. We soon realized that everything was rotted away to nothing. Our first clue was when the “frame” fell off Oopsy in piles of black ash. The more we looked, the worse it got.

Kathy and  Marti put their heads together to decide on a plan of attack. Then it was time to roll up our sleeves and get going. So, that’s exactly what everyone did. Marti directed the front reframing with the help of Judy and Brenda. Kathy and Ann began cutting away at the floor around the wheel wells. Ron welded some much-needed supports to the frame. Bob hammered the cargo doors back into shape. Karen and Pam started taking Butyl off the windows and door, and prepping them for installation. Ken drilled bolt holes into the frame to bolt the coach to the frame. This process was repeated over and over, with various people doing different jobs as time went on. 
Sixteen days after the first screw was removed from a J-rail (with only 2 days off) the last screw of the rebuild was put into place on June 6th. What an accomplishment!!! 
​
Nicole has Oopsy home now. Everyone has gone home. For those who worked on Oopsy it’s a chance to look back at our accomplishments. Thank you to all who helped make Oopsy safe again. Bitches, what can I say? You’re the most “bitchin’” group of people I know. I am proud to be a “Bitch”. 
Nicole, travel safe and enjoy your beautiful trailer for many years to come.

​This article was also featured in issue #63 of the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine.