Ole' 61

[05ModPod]

Too celebrate our 500th post we thought starting a new thread on our new "OLE' 61" would be appropriate.

So here it is our first post about the 1961 Overlander Peter has named "OLE' 61" that we will be picking up shortly.

She is a special one - in that both Peter and I were born in 1961. We have been lucky enough to secure the WBCCI #1961 for her as well which is doubly special as she has never dawned a WBCCI number before now.

The history we have on her is that she made the trip from Santa Fee Springs in 1961 directly to Alaska and became the home of a gentleman - who spent many years in her traveling the oil rigs - Eventually she became a "bunkhouse" for oil rig workers. Not too much travelling for this one - and the plumbing is toast.

She was then picked up by her present owner and traveled to Vermont from Alaska - spending several years as a camper should be - loaded with kids and Parents on some pretty memorable camping trips around the Eastern Sea Board with her biggest and last trip to PEI in 1996.

Soon she will be fitted with new wheels and tires then off to Indiana for new running gear and finally to her new home back in the North for her refit. Her insides will be carefully removed to reveal hopefully not too much rot - but we are expecting the worst - so hopefully we will be pleasantly surprised.

We have tossed lots of ideas around for her refit and we have pretty much decided she will become a Hybrid sporting a Vintage outer skin with a Nautical interior.

We are going radical with the interior design and layout and will not be desiging your typical trailer interior. We want to add some curved cabinetry, and a dinette more like what you would find in a 30ft Yacht (the floating kind!) with a galley to match. The dinette would be a wrap around style but not your typical U shape. Leave some open space say under the jalouse windows for a small cabinet to house those cute little mini propane fireplaces that would be perfect for heating - as we like our bedroom cool and the living area warm on those damp cool nights - when you polish off a couple of bottles of wine (see picture for a basic idea).

Build the seating in a way that they become loungers and the table could either slide into slots half way to leave a low coffee table - or pull out and use filler cushions to make up a large oval/circle style bed. The table would use a SS telescoping style table mount that releases when required and stowed.

Instead of the standard gangway (isle up the middle) always found in most Airstreams - build on the concept of a few that had an L shaped Kitchen. But go for a more curvy look - yes more expensive and probably a little bit of a challenge for Peter's cabinetry skills - but he is good and the labour is free! See Picture of Galley I have in mind - hmm don't think the solid granit counter would cut it so we would have to look at lighter materials. Cabinets would also be the curvey style used in the 2005 units but with real wood and a shinny lacquer finish common to yachts.

As the plumbing will have to be recreated from scratch we are looking at flipping the bathroom with the bedroom and go for the more desirable rear bedroom and move the rear bath to midships. That way people do not have to walk through your bedroom to have a tinkle.

Tossing the wet bath idea - but making sure it is large enough though if we have the shower in with the toilet. Or go with the toilet/sink and a separate shower stall. Need to take some measurements and toss around some floor plans before we make the final decision on that one. But I am leaning toward a separate stall - as you can still use the bathroom with some privacy!!!

Looking at the Cruiser style closets - not full length as most of our clothes are half length - hmmmm not too many dressess in our household So just enough space for some jackets, pants and shirts. The rest is stored in drawers - lots of them!

Still undecided on the rear bedroom set up - either walk around queen which IMHO takes up a lot of storage space. Never thought I would say it but two large single "captain" style beds with double drawers making them higher more like what you find in a "cabin stateroom" and up higher to see out the "port holes" /windows - on those cool scenery campsites is sounding a bit more appealing. If we need the fancy big bed for a spell - then the large front dinette can serve that purpose. Or we could design the captains to fill in to make a wall to wall bed - hmmmm

Anyway the OLE' 61 will certainly be a hybrid Land/Sea Yacht and we can not wait to get started on her - as soon as we have finished the Globe Trotter.

We we may not be posting too much to this thread right away but you can bet we will keep you posted on our progress.

[fireflyinva]

That's a pretty slick plan...What software did you use for this? It would be great, though it looks like a whole lot of custom work (and perhaps weight)! There's a member (lexxy) who did something rather close to this kind of look in her trailer. You may want to look up her gallery and website for more inspiration. For the past year, she's been on a round-the-world sailing trip, so I suppose it's a boat thing!

Mary

PS. Love the wine waiting for you on the table!

[Stefrobrts]

Wow, great plans! Makes me want to go buy a big one myself and get started!

[fireflyinva]

Whoops, looks like Lexxy's photos have been removed from here. That's really too bad, since they were the only good "after" pictures. Anyways, she has a nice website, though it never shows how it looked at the end (when all the cool cabinetry was finished):

http://flummoxed.org/lexxey/dewdrop.htm

[05ModPod]

Hi Mary - I was able to see Lexxy's photo in the photo section. Very nice - looks like she has a Globe Trotter or Safari?

The weight will be a key factor so things like corian counters by dupont might be a tad to heavy - but I would not mind the formica with either wood or chrome trim at the edge.

We could look at bumping up the capacity with the new axles being rated a bit higher - but will have to watch the centre of gravity as well as the overall strenght of the shell. Too much axle could be just as damaging as not enough.

We really do like the design of a "curvy Kitchen" and unique style dinette. The cabinetry is more tricky but not impossible - so Glad Peter is a pretty talented guy when it comes to building things - just not the greatest with engines

Will be checking into Marine applications to see if seconds can be purchased anywhere - hmmm don't suppose Doral would have anything like that eh. Could park the GT behind their plant and see what gets tossed in the garbage

The above pictures were taken from Dorals site - no magic on these ones - oh except I did add the sun set behind the dinette and removed the gangway stairs that came down from the aft deck of the Alegra.


We have an eye on a 99 Excella - but can not seem to get this guy to come down on his price - been sitting at the wreckers now for just under a year - and the longer it sits the more damage to everyting there will be - real shame. But of the internal/external parts on her would be perfect for all the operational systems - we could probably sell the rest to pay for OLE' 61 alltogether.

But we must not loose sight of finishing the Globe Trotter - her list is lengthy but most are small things - except of course the polish job - that is a biggy but one thing at a time - and the axles are up next for both rigs.

Stephanie - go for it - however - it would be a big jump from a Caravel - we are sort of in between with the GT - you would find our GT really spacious. It is just the layout I guess - without the big couch in the front and with the table down or part way down it just seems like it has tons of room for a little trailer. Wet bath helps too by not taking up the whole back of the trailer. Another big thing is that the Galley is open to the door where many have the tall wall their - really closes you in.

That is why we have decided to change the Overlander layout the big frige for us has to go -we could never have enough food in it to warrant a full size. Especially on holidays - if we were living in it - (which is not our intention and if we do it will be for the winter months max 3 months of the year). With the half size frige you can remove the floor to ceiling cupboards and gain more counter space. You can also arrange the layout so that one side is much wider than the other and angle it accordingly to avoid the wheel wells.

Another big waist for us is the huge closets - we brought just a ton of clothes that never got worn - it is very similar to boating - and you soon learn what is comfortable for you and don't even bother bringing the rest.

We really did not spend a lot of time in our trailer on our month trip but once inside - we did notice we would like to design the trailer a bit more considerate of owning large breed dogs - that way if we ever switch the trailer will become a mansion

Can not wait to get the floor specs, windows, door and wheel wells - then I can go to town on the floor layout options.

[05ModPod]

Well the saga begins - finally had some change come in and now we were able to get the balls rolling on the A/S Family.

Friday we spent the afternoon at the wreckers and picked up Ole 61 Donner rig the 28' Excella. It was a bit hairy and scary inside - so I spent the time getting the inside ready for travel and Peter was securing the hatches outside - as it was a nice sunny day but windy - we did not go to the trouble of trying to close up the front windows - as there are none Thus all the mess inside would have blown around and may have caused more damage. We certainly did not want anything being sucked out the windows or falling off and impale passer byers - actually called rubber neckers (wow did we have some strange looks on the way home!!!)

After she was someone cleaned up and taped up she was dragged up out of her spot in the back with all the other donner vehicles. Without the strength of the windows the front sure does move side to side almost giving the impression of a crooked smile.

Next was the trick of getting hitched up - we forgot to bring out battery for the jack and could the wreckers find one that was fully charged!!!! not too helpful anyway after dropping her on her tongue once just missing the Yukon we managed to get her on the second try (when the people at the wreckers left us alone to do it slowly and more precisely - we got it write - sort of like playing darts when you don't have a jack)

We hooked up the lights and they all worked - but the problem was the brakes - they kept locking up. We were tired hungry and only had a half hour drive on the back roads - so in the end we just cut the brake lines - much safer than having them intermitently lock up. We unhooked the lights and went ahead dead no plate, no lights and no brakes - so bring it on with all the comments oh my god you didn't..... We were just like 90% of the farm vehicle on the road - I traveled behind Peter in the Honda with the 4 ways on and took up part of the middle lane to stop people passing when it was not safe.

We only had one idiot got impatient with a horse trailer and he flew by at 80KLM causing the Excella back end to sway - popped back and forth two times and Peter got her back (sure do not know who these people that have nothing on their rigs can stand the travel).

Anyway we got her back and settled her into her spot ready for the dismantel. Spent the rest of the day and evening cleaning her up to get rid of the mold and glass, clean out the Refer and the mice poop (not much for a year but enough) Got most of the smell out - but now we have to tackle the black tank - not sure if it is leaking - but only one way to find out - but she does have some dryed nasties in there and we are sure that is what is stinking.

With the FF on full and some spray we managed to get her tolerable. Long enough for us to go WOW!!!!!! We hooked up the 12 volt and the 30 amp system and EVERYTHING electrical works - nothing is broken except for two hairline cracks in the forward bulkhead reading lamps. One of the FF has a brain fart and will only close not open on automatic (but that may have been an issue before the accident.

We are pretty sure that the Propane systems will work (except for the water heater of course as it exploded in the winter from ice) There is a split in the main line and both tanks were cut and removed propably at the accident site.

There are some fancy things in this trailer that we will really appreciate moving to the Ole 61. Service bays, electrical systems a bonus up top a nice big solar system with fancy radar antenna - the list is endless and just one big toy store. - What a Hybrid this 1961 "Classic" will be.

If you don't look all the way to the back and don't look out the front window and did not pay attention to the fact that the bulkheads have shifted 4 inches - we were able to pretend just for a few minutes that we were actually in and owned a 99 28 Excella/Classic.

Now we have a weekend brake from trailers and get the boat ready - then back to trailers and pick up the Overlander - decided to get her straight home and not try to do a huge trip - rather get her all secured for a second trip - that way we can take inventory do some measuring and start removing stuff from the Excella while the Overlander gets her new axles. Also going to ship the GT's axle by FedEx - is cheaper than a drive trip there.

Still all too much to take in right now - and the daunting task ahead - but we have had a lot of fun all ready just finding out what works and all the neat little things we can add to the Overlander.

Here is Peter after the Hairy drive - looks a bit weary but got her into her spot first try too - so the bigger trailers will be a peice of cake If you saw our driveway you would say wow.

This was the bonus surprise on the top - and a nice Heat Pump A/C, two fantastic fans and two exhaust vents for bathroom - and a cool skylight to boot - hope it fits the opening in the Overlander.

Our place is starting to look like an Airstream Park - the overlander will be going along side of the GT - lots of room there too for both. Our idea of starting a small Airstream exclusive gathering place is sounding pretty good these days - pretty easy to get in but if we built a full circle drive around our place it would be a sinch.

[05ModPod]

Our trip to Vermont was great - and without incident - well almost....we forgot the lug nuts off the Excella wheels - so we had to buy some down there - (steel/aluminum not safe to interchange) but we could only find 13 so we had to use the spare we brought also from the Excella - but it was a steel wheel with the beauty ring - so everything worked out great.

We ran with chains, load levelers and brakes on the two front wheels. As the rears where hydrolic and not working. The breakaway switch we brought with us would have worked no problem but the house battery for the Overlander was dead/died and to replace it was another $70US for a very odd battery size that fits in the little compartment in the front. We plan on setting her up with a dual battery system similar to the Excella.

The sway bar we brought - would have been a big deal at the time to drill and bolt through the frame so we did not do that either. We took a few chances - but stuck to the back roads and took our time. She is really light as she is missing half the innards like the couch (someone should start a thread - "Where do all the Couches Go????" Every oldy I have looked at is missing the couch!

We had new brakes all round in the Yukon before we left - it was 105 F in the sun with the humidex and our first 3 minutes of the trip coming down from the PO's house on a 20% grade smoked our front left brake in the Yukon - so we had to hang out for a bit at the bottom of the mountain to let her cool down.

From there - we "sailed" home and through customs with no problems. It really does pay to have your paperwork in order! She tracks really well - but would not go too too far without the anti sway system - experience one wind push in the 12 hours home - Saturday light day for trucks on the road and there was no wind except for just north of Bath at Lake Ontario 401 - know for its wind!

Now the fun begins - after a few hours looking and measuring - some of our "lofty" ideas will have to be scaled back due to wheel well and window locations - others slightly modified such as location - rear bedroom rather than rear bath will have to remain and the rest is as we hoped for.

Although suspected - it is hard to swallow at the time of realization - we have rear end separation and a soft and dry rotted floor front and back - so the big decision has been made - FULL-MONTY!!! which works out to the best anyway as we are doing a hybrid and not a restoration - all new plumbing and wiring is required so the big interior strip down is needed anyway - so why not just strip everything and build a new trailer

I am a little disappointed that my dream coach is going to take a little longer to play in - but Peter is exstactic at the prospect of building a trailer - mini house.

So hopefully in the next couple of weeks we will have some sort of a "For Sale" list available that will include parts from the 1999 28' Excella, 61 26' Overlander as well as a few parts we had picked up over the summer from a 32' and 34' 89 Excella.

And a lady's perogative - Ole' 61 has now been officially named -
S.S. Lighthouse
Meaning - S. for Smith Falls, Ontario where Peter was born S. for Stafford, England where I was born and since the trailer is a 1961 the year we were both born we thought our birth places seemed more than fitting. Light as opposed to heavy - house is our "home away from home" and the fact that an airstream is a "Light House" on wheels is a little play on words - as well with the double meaning S.S. means Sail Ship comparable to (Land Yacht) and of course you all know what a Lighthouse is - which to us boaters signifies the "marker" to which all vessels are guided safely to their ports of call. And I have always wanted to make this one with a Nautical theme since we thought of getting another trailer

And here she is....

[Happycampers]

Congratulations Sharon and Peter.. I know you will do a great job with Olde 61.. many happy hours in building your hybrid and getting the trailer of your dreams.. hope to enjoy many trips with such good friends.. Annie and Marvin

[maxandgeorgia]

I"Ve enjoyed your narrative, Sharon. Thanks for all the details--sounds as if you have a great future planned around your SS Lighthouse! Best wishes in all your redesigning plans You must have a talented hubby to take on the projects you've described! ~G

[05ModPod]

Okay all you newbies - fess up! How many are just dieing to test out the "shine factor" - just a little spot, just to see how she will look, just a tiny spot to give one hope and prosperity

Okay so we were newbies once too and bought about 12 bottles of SS - not sail ships but Southern Shine. Well if it is any consolation the stuff does work on metal giving you a tease taste of the pre- shine you will get.... with just a drop on a piece of old terry towel and a bit of elbow grease - and you can start to see what you are up against.

So I just waisted 40 minutes of my time - playing with the future....have you seen the movie "Cast Away" when he is making fire - or how about Karati Kid with Mr Miagi - Wax on - Wax off- Yikes

We got to get some tools for this job and that Nuvite stuff or anything that saves doing it by hand the hard way....but that is a long way off yet - and nope not looking for any "opinions" at this time on polishing an Airstream - there is more than enough info on here to last the next 75 years of Airstream And when we all take those first photos of that precious little shinny spot don't we all just veer away slightly to avoid exposure - do we all not look like that guy Wilson from Home Improvement HMMM I think working a little extra hard to pay someone else to do this job just might be the rough to go - and if that is so - I may have a "Lot" of SS for sale too

Got signed up on the Bloggy thingy - and played around for about 20 minutes then inadvertantly deleted the Intro blog - shucks and I am a desktop publisher Anyway thanks for the tip John - (Hey buttercup thought I would move my business over hear - tee hee- as not to clutter up your waterheater post)

[05ModPod]

Forgot to post this at the end of the above post....

With all the projects that are in front of us I am sure several of you out there have felt like this.......just hanging on by a bit of suction before the plumet or insanity sets in - or like that rubber setting thing on your axle.......

PS these are the little fellows that hang out on our back door window - and what lull you to sleep at night....

[05ModPod]

Starting to look pretty much like we really could consider developing an exclusive AS Chattering Woods Park - for maybe about 10 rigs - maybe I should start a blog on that and see what interest we may have.

But for starters - anyone out there looking for a weeks vacation that would like to visit the Kawartha/Peterborough area. - If we have the interest I could convince the Hubby to make that turn around I desparately want in my driveway - sure makes maneuvering the trailers around much easier.

Just a few things....
Fishing
Swimming
Kayaking
Canoeing
Boat Tours
Rustic Camp Site
Water
30amp
Sewer (solution) but must use holding tank and we will sort out how to empty it.
Dogs welcome - Kids too if they are well behaved as the dogs - Cats must be on a lead or have life insurance.
Quiet friendly use of both our properties - lots of fun local rustic attractions away from it all.

A great place to get away to work on your Vintage or soon to be vintage Airstream.......

Of course you would not be parked that close together - and right now we can offer the prime location up by the house for spontanious Happy Hours

On a more serious note - can anyone tell me the name of those aluminum RV shelters you see all over the place driving down to Florida - could they hold a snow load of sorts - not much as most would just slide off. Looking to get some sort of package and we think we might be able to get it cheaper in the States??? Thanks for any info

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by GT6921

On a more serious note - can anyone tell me the name of those aluminum RV shelters you see all over the place driving down to Florida - could they hold a snow load of sorts - not much as most would just slide off. Looking to get some sort of package and we think we might be able to get it cheaper in the States??? Thanks for any info

Is this what you ar looking for?

[05ModPod]

Sort of - but not quite as high and it is 2X2 galvanized structure with an aluminum or steel roof that just wraps over the eaves slightly - the roofs I have seen are either burgandy or green or plan silver and of course white.

We hope to use it to start with and then expand it to insulate the inside walls and possibly a lightweight roll up garage door so that we can work in it during the winter. You see the Overlander Shell will be up on Pullies under it for quite a while - and we want it protected from stuff falling on it. We get a lot of branches come down in the winter - not too worried about the snow.

I think they may be car ports - but we would just raise it up on sonotubes to get the clearance about 11 feet total if we put the AC on the roof.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by GT6921

Sort of - but not quite as high and it is 2X2 galvanized structure with an aluminum or steel roof that just wraps over the eaves slightly - the roofs I have seen are either burgandy or green or plan silver and of course white.I think they may be car ports - but we would just raise it up on sonotubes to get the clearance about 11 feet total if we put the AC on the roof.

Okay, how about this one? I have the web address of the vendor, they make many styles, including one that is shorter, with a regular entry door next to the big one. You may also want to consider a taller unit, since you are planning on having the shell in the air, and you will need roof space for that to happen.

[greg176]

Congrats again!

I was quoted $13000 CDN for a steel garage that was 24' x 32' with two twelve foot high doors.I may just go that route so that I have secure storage on the island without taking a month to build.The outfit is called easybuild structures.I have not yet got a quote on wood to stick build a garage as I am trying to concentrate on the Airstream.Was thinking of starting a new thread for the ultimate Airstream garage/barn.

[05ModPod]

Hey Terry - I saw that one in my travels - and checked out the price - hmms after aquiring 3 rigs we would have to sell them all just to pay for it. However it is a really nice set up.

Looking for someting a little cheaper even than 13K Greg - but we sure are interested in your process of doing your full monty - have you documented it - would love to read it all in one place...

[greg176]

The documenting of progress so far is a little scattered.There is a thread on frame repair.One caloed full monty and the skin replacement thread.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by GT6921

Hey Terry - I saw that one in my travels - and checked out the price - hmms after aquiring 3 rigs we would have to sell them all just to pay for it. However it is a really nice set up.

Looking for someting a little cheaper even than 13K Greg - but we sure are interested in your process of doing your full monty - have you documented it - would love to read it all in one place...

Guys, the place I found them at is quoting a little over $8000 US for a 14x45, with a side entry door, and a 12' roll-up door.. I am guessing you will have to assemble it, but after all the disassembly of the three trailers, it ahould be a piece of cake.

[05ModPod]

We like it when things come together - and one step at a time is the way to go.

Peter got the axle off the GT - and then we did some research to ship it to Indianna - ouch!!! so we gave our plan B some thought and figured lets make the trip worth while and take the SS Lighthouse for some new insoles and brakes while we are at it. So we are going on a spontaneous road trip this Friday.

Rushed around today to get her licensed and pick up better safety chains - need to find someone to help us out on welding them (hmmmmm Hi Marvin!!!! doing anything this week???) Peter has to do some drilling and get the sway bar installed for this trip - and I am taping up the windows again and grinding off the rusty surface in prep for the welding and sway mount - slated for tomorrow.

Have not decided on the running gear yet for her but will have to get it decided by the time we arrive in Elkart IN late Friday or Saturday......Oh and have I mentioned lately that it is a real pleasure chatting with Henry at Axis - so helpful and informative - we are very excited that we will be meeting "Axleman" Henry is going to provide us with a hole slew of options on the Overlander - after we chit chat about our plans for her - regarding tanks and additional weight on her refurb.

And the best thing is we just might have a weeks turn-around if all goes well and making another road trip on the Long weekend - too bad the International was a bit too far south - could have made a stop in - with the Overlander - but she really would be classed as a "tin tent" cause not much of anything works in her right now but she has a shinny spot and sure is in her prime as I am "1961"...........

Soon we will also have the GT- MoonBeam back in commission - ready for her next road trip - which we are hoping to catch a Unit Rally if at all possibly!

Cheers