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07-29-2005, 03:18 PM

On my first visit to the factory there was a 34' double door Classic like Rogers that had just come off the line. It's a nice feature and one that I really like. Just how many Airstream models offered the double door? The 54 is a beauty.

till · 08-01-2005, 08:07 PM

Bill,

WOW what a project!!! I would love to see what the original floor plan was. If you have the time, could you sketch something out once you get the old extra floor up??

wkerfoot · 08-01-2005, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by till

Bill,

WOW what a project!!! I would love to see what the original floor plan was. If you have the time, could you sketch something out once you get the old extra floor up??

Tedd,

I plan on just that and documenting as much as possible. So far it looks likes rear twin, with the shower just forward on the street side, toilet in front of that, then kitchen sink and stove. I think that the refigerator was just aft of the front door on the curb side, probably a counter aft of that since there is a window between the doors. That is all I know as of now.

There is a 1954 brochure on the Vintage Airstream Web Site, but it shows the stove on the curb side where the window is, and I know the stove was next to the sink because of the exhaust vent location.

Bill

till · 08-02-2005, 04:30 PM

Bill,
Thanks. I love those "Double door" coaches.

I have been tempted to make my Ambassador into a "Double door".

wkerfoot · 10-02-2005, 10:02 PM

The first nine weeks since our return from Tampa with the Liner were spent training for a Bicycle Century which was on the tenth week. My son, daughter, her friend and myself completed the century in nine hours, the time I was hoping for. The next week my wife and I went to Santa Barbara for the El Camino Real Unit rally. The next week, the rehab commenced with removal of part of the floor, where we found the original plywood under a layer of 3/4 newer plywood. This last weekend,we completed the removal of the front four feet and started removing the interior skin.

During the training period, I did have the waste water tanks installed and last week the tongue was extended and the coupler was changed to 2 5/16" and new safety chains with a breaking strength of 16,200 lbs each, 32,400 should be enough for the Liner. Here are some pictures.

Bill

3Ms75Argosy · 10-02-2005, 10:16 PM

Is this your permanent setup on the tanks? If so, a couple of observations
1) I don't think you want OSB exposed to the weather like that. The waferboard will soak up all the moisture from the roads and crumble.

2) How strong are those straps? Maybe L-iron frame might hold it better?

Otherwise, I like it! Where did you get the tanks, what size are they - and what kind of ballpark figure were they? I'd like to get bigger tanks myself.

So nice to hear that some parts of the country still have good biking weather. I just went out for a soggy mtb ride. I miss using my road racer. Good times on the century - contrats! Which one did you and your family do?
Marc

wkerfoot · 10-02-2005, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy

Is this your permanent setup on the tanks? If so, a couple of observations
1) I don't think you want OSB exposed to the weather like that. The waferboard will soak up all the moisture from the roads and crumble.

The tanks were installed by C&G in Bellflower and Rod said that when I completed the floor work to bring it back and he would cover the tanks and connect the drainlines.

2) How strong are those straps? Maybe L-iron frame might hold it better?

I assume that Rod knows how to install the tanks, but I will ask him when I take it back.

Otherwise, I like it! Where did you get the tanks, what size are they - and what kind of ballpark figure were they? I'd like to get bigger tanks myself.
Marc

The tanks were about $300 each, based on the measurements they are about 20 gallons each, one black and two gray.

Bill

85MH325 · 10-03-2005, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craftsman

On my first visit to the factory there was a 34' double door Classic like Rogers that had just come off the line. It's a nice feature and one that I really like. Just how many Airstream models offered the double door? The 54 is a beauty.

Unless there is someone out there who has better info, I don't believe that any of the two-door trailers were produced except by special order. Other than the early Liners, and then again on the 34' trailers, I don't believe I've seen any other size Airstreams with two doors.

Roger

john hd · 10-03-2005, 06:46 AM

roger etal

other than your trailer, the only time i have seen another was when i was camped north of atlanta.

it was a late '60's 30 footer. they are rare birds indeed.

to bad it was in the pre digital camera days, would have loved to snapped some pics.

john

85MH325 · 10-03-2005, 07:05 AM

John, very coincidentally, when we were negotiating for ours a couple of years ago, there were three other 34' two-door trailers for sale at the same time. They were all in Excella trim. It was an unusual time indeed! I have never seen another two door trailer in person tho...

Roger

Gunnyusmc · 10-20-2005, 10:03 AM

Hi Bill
Just got back too Texas for the winter.
Gald too here you made it home. I will never forget comming up behind you and watching that beautiful old Airstream wiggle !!

Great job getting it home.
I put 22,000 miles on this summer. Never again, I tried too see too many people in one summer. Next summer I will stop and smell the roses.

Don

wkerfoot · 10-20-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnyusmc

Hi Bill
Just got back too Texas for the winter.
Gald too here you made it home. I will never forget comming up behind you and watching that beautiful old Airstream wiggle !!

Great job getting it home.
I put 22,000 miles on this summer. Never again, I tried too see too many people in one summer. Next summer I will stop and smell the roses.

Don

Don,

It did move around when being passed, didn't it. I put on a sway control in Dallas and it helped some. Since coming home I have not towed with the Lincoln but used my Dodge PowerWagon to move it. I think that the sway was a combination of things: 1) long length and low weight, it was empty, 2) high pressure in the tires, 50PSI each for for tires on a trailer which weighed less than 4000 LBS and 3) soft suspension on the Lincoln.

You are right 22,000 miles in one summer is too much, we did 5600 miles in two weeks and it should have been a four week trip.

If you are out here next October, come to the Vintage Airstream Rally at the Newport Dunes. Your Argosy will be welcomed.

Bill

wkerfoot · 12-29-2005, 09:51 PM

Well, we finally removed the 500 or so screws holding the front of the trailer to the belly wrap and floor. Replaced the springs which we were unable to replace in Tampa, only had to use the cutting torch on one bolt. We have now removed about nine feet of floor in the front and can now start some frame outrigger repair, repairing/rebuilding the step at the front door and then replacing the floor. Pictures attached.

Bill

wkerfoot · 10-09-2006, 10:27 PM

After being prodded by 66Overlander in Buttercup's thread on his new 1954 Cruiser, here is an update.

Since December, 2005, we have attended a few El Camino Real rallies and a couple of South Coast rallies along with a trip to Lake San Antonio with friends and the International Rally in Salem. Oh wait, you probably wanted to hear about the Liner.

The floor has been removed to within about three feet of the rear, The frame has been repaired to the back of the wheelwells (only needed to replace some outriggers). As of this last weekend, we have 16 feet of new floor. The water tank in in place just forward of the front axle. The drop down front step is repaired and a steel plate added to the front to secure the body to the frame. A spare tire mount fabricated which will be slung under the front of the trailer, similiar to a factory option. Part of the holding tanks supports are installed. The next step is to repair more outriggers, install more floor and compete the holding tank installation. I did not have the opportunity to take pictures, but I will on our next work day in about two weeks.

If anyone has a source for the strap hinges on the doors please let me know, I need four, two doors you know.

I have a happy 60th birthday party scheduled for my high school graduating class this weekend which makes the next available work weekend in two.

SYDTR

Bill

NorCal Bambi · 10-09-2006, 10:34 PM

wkerfoot, Wow it's nice that there is someone else out there that is attempting such a major restoration. I havent done much to the 55FC lately. Been doing some small jobs on the Bambi, Also upgrading several small projects on the 68 Ford pickup tow vehicle. I be looking forward to more pictures.
Don

Safari Tim · 10-09-2006, 11:37 PM

Thanks for the update Bill. It saves me an email ;-)

Sounds like a lot of great work so far.

You know the sure way to put that liner on the fast track is to sell that Safari! lol

wkerfoot · 10-10-2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safari Tim

Thanks for the update Bill. It saves me an email ;-)

Sounds like a lot of great work so far.

You know the sure way to put that liner on the fast track is to sell that Safari! lol

Tim,

Yeahbut, then we could not rally with our WBCCI friends or I would have to buy another one like Rob Baker just to go camping.

Bill

wkerfoot · 10-23-2006, 11:33 AM

I am glad that you all had a great time at Lake San Antonio and I am sure that is was cooler than when we were there in June. My son and I spent yesterday traveling to Quartzsite, AZ to pick up this stove which I purchased for the Liner.

Think the color goes with the pink walls?

Bill

sequoiacoast · 10-23-2006, 06:24 PM

I am totally in love with your oven!! Aaand your new 2-door ain't too shabby either

. I can't wait to see the progress!!

wkerfoot · 07-23-2007, 08:55 PM

About a month ago, I realized that if there was any hope of taking the Liner to Bozeman next summer, I had better change the restoration plan. I was getting nowhere on the floor replacement and concerned about my skill level in replacing the floor and reattaching the shell. I decided to have this work done. Next question, by whom? In my fair city of Orange, there is a trailer restoration shop : Welcome to MEL Trailer I had previous conversations with one of the owners, Mike Keenan, when I brought the Liner home, now two years ago, and was impressed with his shop, partners and results. I have also heard good comments from other Airstream friends.

I spoke with Mike about the repairs I would like his team to perform and delivered the Liner to him on Monday, July 9. The work order was 1) replace floor, 2) make any necessary frame repairs, 3) replace the front lower exterior panel, severely dented and torn under one of the front reflectors, 4) replace the lower panel in front of the front door, torn at the door jamb under the serial number plate, 5) repair the front door jamb where broken, 6) repair the pins in the front door hinges and 6) install the belly wrap to just under the shell.

On Friday, July 20, Mike called me and told me that the work was complete and I picked the Liner up this afternoon. It looks fantastic. Mike has posted some pictures of the work on his flicker site (Flickr: Photos from MEL Trailer) which you can reach from his website Welcome to MEL Trailer I will post some additional pictures this weekend.

Now there is hope that I will be able to take the Liner to Bozeman and meet Colin, Rob, Tim (aka theVap.com) and all of our other VAC and WBCCI friends with a unique trailer.

Bill