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66, 67,68 Overlanders have a very weak rear end. Airstream used a below floor black tank on many of the models, and eliminated the rearmost crossmember completely to have room for the dump valve assembly inside the bumper compartment. There is a very shallow steel profile running under the rear access hatch, under the floor, which is pretty much all there is to support the rearmost section of the shell and floor. This is a flexible affair at best, meaning that water entry and severe floor rot in that area is not uncommon.
They are very nice trailers, but be prepared to make repairs on any of the 66-67-68 trailers with a below floor black tank.
Also, on these models, the skin wraps down the sides to meet the belly pan. Look forward and aft of the wheel wells for separation. This is naother area of concern, besides the normal poking around for soft spots.
Hey Uwe, thanks so much for the information and for looking in on my search. So are those the model years that are most prone to the infamous "rear end separation" and is that the root cause for the problem?
I'd gladly trade you a mountain of BBQ for the chance to tour your famous trailer. If you're ever in Austin please don't hesitate to look me up, I really would love to buy you a beer and pick your brain on matters Airstream.
Hey Uwe, thanks so much for the information and for looking in on my search. So are those the model years that are most prone to the infamous "rear end separation" and is that the root cause for the problem?
I believe that the cause for the separation has different roots, and not just one. Water leaks, either by means of leaking windows, hatches, or plumbing are definitely one of the causes, softening the floor and eventually rotting.
Vibration is another cause. Regular road vibration, as well as that from a poorly balanced running gear.
Then owner abuse...bike racks, spare tires, lack of attention and maintenance...driving habits...etc.etc.
The construction of the trailer isn't perfect. Nothing is....
Quote:
Originally Posted by utee94
I'd gladly trade you a mountain of BBQ for the chance to tour your famous trailer. If you're ever in Austin please don't hesitate to look me up, I really would love to buy you a beer and pick your brain on matters Airstream.
Thanks,
-Marcus
Marcus, we missed each other. I went to Austin 2 years in a row to exhibit at your convention center.
While in Austin in July, I stayed at the Pecan Grove RV park, in my Overlander. It rained a lot, so the place was a mess, but the year before it was great. Love the restaurant on Barton Springs Road and had coffee and dinner there just about every day during my week long stay.
Marcus, we missed each other. I went to Austin 2 years in a row to exhibit at your convention center.
While in Austin in July, I stayed at the Pecan Grove RV park, in my Overlander. It rained a lot, so the place was a mess, but the year before it was great. Love the restaurant on Barton Springs Road and had coffee and dinner there just about every day during my week long stay.
Yes, I remember reading in your thread that you had visited Austin with your Airstream-- I am indeed sorry I missed you. If you ever find yourself back this way, the beer and BBQ are on me.
Yes, I remember reading in your thread that you had visited Austin with your Airstream-- I am indeed sorry I missed you. If you ever find yourself back this way, the beer and BBQ are on me.
-Marcus
Gracious offer gladly accepted. One thing is for sure, it will not be in July ever again. Too hot, wet and muggy in Austin during that time, is what I have learned. But, what a great city!
Gracious offer gladly accepted. One thing is for sure, it will not be in July ever again. Too hot, wet and muggy in Austin during that time, is what I have learned. But, what a great city!
Thanks. I'm one of those rare Austinites who was actually born and raised here. I think there are 12 of us.
July and August are definitely hot, and often humid as well. The best way I've learned to manage it is to own a boat and spend as much time on the lake as possible. And yes, like Airstreams, boats are just giant pits that you throw money into. No wonder I'm so drawn to the Airstream...
I'd like to take a minute to thank all of you who are helping me, either with advice, or leads on potential trailers, or both.
Frank actually mentioned me on the most recent episode of The VAP. That was really cool, and I am deeply appreciative. And if Colin decides he doesn't want to use that 3-wheeled '63 then I'll try to be the first in line for it.
This forum is a unique and special place. I'm an electrical engineer (well, these days I'm a marketing manager type) and I work for a large semiconductor company. I've been programming computers since I was nine-- I bought my first, a Timex Sinclair 1000, with money I made mowing lawns and trimming trees. A couple of years later my parents bought an Apple IIe and I ran my own computer message board (we called them BBS's back then) from it using a 300-baud acoustical model. Since then I've owned, operated, administrated, moderated, and simply participated in scores (and perhaps hundreds?) of message boards and chat systems, and this one really is, by far, the most helpful and friendly place I've ever been on.
So anyway, I think that's my rather long-winded way of saying thanks to all of you for your help, I appreciate it very much. And a special thanks to Frank, who I think is making an extra effort to help me because he's afraid I'm going to sneak up there and try to steal Anna in the middle of the night.
No worries Frank, if I did, I'd be sure to leave you a big heaping helping of smoked brisket in her place. Maybe some ribs and sausage, too.
So the Rockport '63 is now being listed in both the Austin and Corpus Christi Craigslist. I know why they listed it in Corpus, but I wonder why they listed it in Austin and not Houston or any of the Craigslists down in the Valley?
I'm suspicious that it was done simply to taunt me.
And of course, they still have it listed as a 1966 model...
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