Hi there, I am looking at a 1962 26' Overlander it appears to be an international model with twin beds and a couch up front. I have inspected the trailer quickly and would like to go back and get more in depth. I have the following questions.
1. Is there a measurement I can take to check the axles for "relaxing" over time, it has twin axles.
2. Is there any particular spots on this model to inspect for corrosion?
3. It has a rough in for A/C and I would like to install a/c sometime in the future. Do I need to acquire a special pan or install kit for this trailer?
4. I need to replace the tires, the rims are not split type but I want the baby moon style caps are these available?
Any other advise on the peculiarities of this model would be appreciated.
For info about the axles go to www.inlandrv.com and read article on axles.The axles will need to be replaced.Take a good look around the trailer at floor for rot under windows , at doorway , near sinks , tub ,water heater and furnace. Unless the trailer was stored indoors the floor will be rotten. Read 59toaster's post "full month floor repair is looming a docupost" it will show you what some of us are doing with our trailers.Make sure all the windows and vents operate then check out the price of operaters at inlandrv I need to replace all the window and vent operaters.The black wheels with baby moon hub caps are available from Dexter axle ,there should be a dealer in your area.
2. Is there any particular spots on this model to inspect for corrosion?
There aren't any particular weaknesses in the design of the frame from what I have read, but at 40 plus years of age the concern is just the effects of time. Inspecting all exposed parts of the frame (A-Frame hitch members and rear bumper supports) for excessive rust - - some surface rust can be expected but evidence of flaking or rust holes would be cause for more thorough inspection. The one point that I have heard causes some problems relates to the entrance step - - evidently rust can weaken the mounting such that the step mount fractures - - something that is a relatively easy repair but one that could result in a fall when an unsuspecting guest enters or exits the coach (I had to have the outriggers and step supports on my Overlander repaired and reinforced about two years ago).
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3. It has a rough in for A/C and I would like to install a/c sometime in the future. Do I need to acquire a special pan or install kit for this trailer?
When you mention rough-in, I am guessing that you mean that there is evidence of an earlier air condtioner install. The only evidence of air conditioner prep on an Airstream of the early 60s that it was factory prepped for an air conditioner is the existence an extra unused circuit in the shore power circuit box. The air conditioners were not installed in a pre-existing vent - - rather it was installed in an opening that was cut at a point measured from the main roof bow (where front dome meets the main roof panel). This coach would pre-date the installation of a drain tube in the wall for draining the condesate (the tube from the condesate drain pain was surface mounted on the ceiling - - on my coach it ran along the front bulkhead in the bedroom through the face of the cabinet then down the sidewall running along the exterior wall against the wall separating the kitchen from the bedroom). If you intend to use a condesate drain, you will need a drain pan and the air conditioner for which it was designed (your selection of air conditioners will be rather limited).
A couple of other issues that you might like to be aware of when inspecting the coach would include:
1.) It did not come from the factory with a Univolt or any power converter for that matter. The Univolt didn't become a standard feature until 1964. It may, however, have a power converter that was added by a previous owner along the course of time.
2.) The coach is likely to have a pressure water system if it hasn't been modified. If it has a built-in pump, it won't directly pump the water it supplies air pressure to force water out of the water tank - - the tank itself is usually a galvanized steel tank. The pressure pump was an option (it may have been standard on the International models), and they are not easy to find in the replacement market today. These tanks can be quite expensive to replace, in fact many faced with the replacement of a pressure water tank wind up converting to a demand system that allows use of modern synthetic water tank.
3.) Even though the coach has tandem axles, it may only have brakes on one axle. The information that came with my '64 Overlander indicated that electric trailer brakes were standard on one axle and optional for the second axle.
4.) Don't be too surprised if there isn't a dining table. Many coaches of this era seem to become separated from their free-standing drop-leaf dining tables. I counted myself as being quite fortunate to find the original dining table still with my coach - - I have since had it "restored" with a new solid oak top stained to match the original cabinetry.
Good luck with your investigation!
Kevin
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Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
Hi overlander 64, Thank-you for the detailed reply. I will look at the areas mentioned. I am going to do some due diligence and get prices on parts today prior to going and looking at the unit again. I want to be armed with numbers to back-up my offer (if the trailer passes my inspection).
Questions.
I believe the tires needed will be ST 225 75 R15 Load D. Is this correct.
The area in front of the roof vent at the galley has a 110V blanking plate with an explanation printed on it that says the wiring for the A/c is behind it. The lettering looks factory. Is this possible on a 62?
Can I get an A/C unit that works through the existing vent? Eliminating the need to cut the roof?
I will add on axle(s) replacement with 5 hrs labour also. Is this a fair ball park on the axle replacement hours?
Last edited by Silverfly; 04-24-2004 at 07:53 AM.
Reason: Information added
I believe the tires needed will be ST 225 75 R15 Load D. Is this correct.
Yes, at least based upon my experience with the '64 Overlander, the ST 225 75 R15 Load Range D are a good match for the Overlander. In all probability, you could actually probably be safe with Load Range C on a tandem axle coach - - I chose Load Range D because I tend to be something of a pack-rat and tend to have my coach very near its GVWR when traveling.
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The area in front of the roof vent at the galley has a 110V blanking plate with an explanation printed on it that says the wiring for the A/c is behind it. The lettering looks factory. Is this possible on a 62?
It isn't an impossibility, but the location seems like other than the usual factory position. On my friends' '60 Overlander and my '64 Overlander, the factory placement of the air conditioner is just behind the bulkhead that separates the kitchen and bedroom areas (placing it very near or slightly ahead of dead-center over the axles). I would suggest checking with the Airstream factory or an Airstream dealer about where the coach is actually braced for air conditioning (the bracing became standard in 1961 according to my notes). In the 1960s coaches, especially the tandem axle models, I have never heard of an existing vent opening being used for an air coniditioner - - the factory air conditioning units (Armstrong Bay Breeze) didn't, in fact, use a 14" square opening - - rather there were either two or three small round holes through which passed the various inner and outer unit connections. It isn't too surprising to find electrical components in the ceiling as the main wiring run for the coach is just to one side of the center-line in the coach's ceiling.
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Can I get an A/C unit that works through the existing vent? Eliminating the need to cut the roof?
The factory only braced and reinforced the structure of the coach in one place for the air conditioning unit. Placing the unit at any other location poses several dangers. The first one that I would worry about is deforming the roof panels due to the weight not being properly supported. The second that issue that would be of concern is the balance of weight front-to-rear as well as the hitch weight (that was another factor that went into the original placement of the air conditioning unit). The third, and this has nothing to do with structural issues is what the loss of one of the two truly functional roof vents will do to coach comfort for extended periods of dry or semi-dry camping - - my thoughts run to the WBCCI International Rally where I would be lost without my dual Fantastic Vent vent fans (replaced both of the original Hehr vents with three-speed reversible automatic vents with rain sensors) that keep the coach livable during those extended limited-electric rallys.
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I will add on axle(s) replacement with 5 hrs labour also. Is this a fair ball park on the axle replacement hours?
I believe that the labor for removing and replacing the single axle on my Minute 6.0 Metre was nearly four hours just for the one axle. Just to be on the safe side, you might want to allow for one or two more hours of labor - - especially if the axles are bare (not complete with brake assemblies).
Good luck with your investigation!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
I spent the better part of a morning inspecting the trailer. We struck a deal subject to the operational check of appliances, brakes, water system etc. I took a picture of the air conditioning wiring plate. The plate is located between the vent in the galley and the overhead light. Have a look. Has anyone ever put a A/C / heater such as coleman makes on one of these? I am excited to bring it home, I love projects so when I find surprises oh well!!
P.S. The porch light is gone.
Check the wheel size before you buy tires. There are 14.5 wheels on some older trailers, prehaps due to hub replacement. Look at the tire size that's on the trailer, that will tell you the wheel size and let you get the right tires.
__________________ Let those who can play, let those who cann't rule.
I pulled the coach home this afternoon, it was a pleasure to tow. The old rubber held up for the journey. New tires going on tomorrow. Anyone know where I can find one of those screw on porch lights?
Anyone know where I can find one of those screw on porch lights?
The porch light fixture itself wasn't an Airstream exclusive. The globe was, however, unique to Airstream so far as I have been able to determine. I have seen instances of the fixture being used on numerous coaches of varying manufacture from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s. Once in a great while, I have seen one of the fixtures in the accessory store at RV dealers who have been in business for three or more decades. If it is a current product, I haven't seen it in any of the catalogs that I have received lately.
If you have the opportunity to attend one of the larger WBCCI Rallys (International or the Florida State Rally are the two that immediately come to mind), there is usually a Flea Market one day during the Rally - - this is often a source for unusual accessories such as the porch light. I found an NOS globe for my porch light at an International Rally just a few years ago. An acquaintance purchased the fixture with its original globe the next year at the International Rally Flea Market. An RV dismantler who either "squirrels away" parts or specializes in Vintage RVs might possibly have such a fixtuer, but I suspect that you'll turn one up in a most unexpected place.
Good luck with your search!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
The wheels I have on the trailer now have the clips riveted around the center portion of the hub. The caps I am going to search for I think will use these clips. Is this correct?
I think those are the old style moons that are held on by those clips - I those will be very hard to find. The kind that I've seen are used on the current style wheels that snap on.
These look like they might work. http://store.yahoo.com/bobdrake/hubcaps.html
They can tell you the exact size of the cap, which then you can reference to your wheels.
Scroll down to the bottom, there are 2 sizes without logos on them.
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Uwe
Last edited by uwe; 04-30-2004 at 05:29 PM.
Reason: forgot.
On the '61 model International, possibly the '62, full wheel covers were offered. On my '61 Overlander International, they are indentical to the '56 Plymouth Belvedere full wheelcover. The same wheelcover is shown in the Airstream book(Bryan Burkhalt, sorry probably misspelled). So you may want to forego the cool moon hupcaps and go with the full wheelcovers. Mike
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