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clydecrashcu · 11-25-2018, 06:15 AM

Nicely done, your post can help others that are doing something similar to you and that quandary about colors, etc.

dbj216 · 11-25-2018, 06:02 PM

I too like the contrast of the dark walnut overhead. The overhead in my old Trade Wind was a molded plastic affair that had a crack in the bottom of it. I think of it as an early Airstream foray into molded plastics.

David

Slats · 11-25-2018, 07:27 PM

The interior of my cabinet was a dark butt-ugly plastic, which I brushed with white stain blocker and intend to paint bright yellow, just for grins. I might even run an LED strip just inside on top with a switch triggered by the door.

Atomic_13 · 11-25-2018, 08:11 PM

Looks great, Dale. I’m returning my upper cabinet to stained wood as well. Painting the outside of mine white was a mistake.

Slats · 11-26-2018, 06:31 AM

Just as I have steadfastly avoided keeping track of money spent on this venture, I have likewise intentionally failed to memorialize my time, no small amount of which has been eaten up by the do-over monster.

dbj216 · 11-26-2018, 06:59 PM

Gee, I mistakenly keep my project receipts and kinda keep track of the hours. If I total the columns up, it brings tears to my eyes. I had $18k and about 1200 hours in the Trade Wind project. The Overlander project will be more.

Bahaaaaa...

David

Jeremy9107 · 11-27-2018, 12:47 AM

Echo the comments on the cabinet wood contrast to the white interior. It is nice and well done. I equally admire your ability to not track time/money. I originally was doing it to prove to the doubting wife it could be done under budget and ahead of time, now she is doing it to say “I told you so”.

chrisetmike · 11-27-2018, 07:18 PM

I am starting to believe that there is no such thing as an underbudget Airstream project. We did our cost total ouf! We have almost double what it cost you David for your Tradewind. Having a one of a kind trailer comes at a price.

Slats · 12-13-2018, 09:45 AM

And then there is the cost of a tow vehicle. We just got a 2018 GMC Canyon diesel (crew cab, long box) from a dealer 380 miles away, which gave us an opportunity to road test it on the way home. Terry and I both love it. Coincidentally, Touring Dan texted me yesterday with a YouTube report on the Canyon diesel's capacity and performance in the Colorado Rockies, confirming our decision to get one. The longer wheelbase (140" vs the short box's 128") will add to towing stability.

dbj216 · 12-13-2018, 07:41 PM

Congratulations. Sharp looking truck. I understand the diesel engine is about 30% more efficient than a gas engine. My experience confirms this. This truck will handle your new Trade Wind very nicely.

David

Atomic_13 · 12-13-2018, 08:08 PM

Alright! Welcome to the oil burner club. Really nice looking truck.

Slats · 12-29-2018, 07:53 PM

Things have been slow over the holidays. I insulated the wheel wells with a layer of Reflectix and an inch of foam board. Also towed the Tradewind to KC with our new GMC last night. The diesel was definitely the right choice. It accelerates uphill nicely and the exhaust brake is great on the downhill side. No complaints at all about the trucks's tow package. Last weekend I got 30.7 mpg while cruising on the interstate at 70 mpg / 17500 rpm. Yesterday on the way from Pleasant Hill to KC and back with the Tradewind in tow I got 15.5 mpg at 60 mph / 2000 rpm. Of course, diesel is more expensive, but what the hey. Incidentally, have noticed the fairly wide disparity in diesel prices between the city and the country ($3.00 per gal vs $2.66). The lowest I have seen is the Costco in Liberty, MO, at $2.23. I wonder what gives with the wide difference.

Slats · 12-29-2018, 07:56 PM

Make that 1750 rpm.

dbj216 · 12-30-2018, 07:59 PM

Shoot. I thought you had one of those Forumla 1 inspired diesel engines in your new truck. I was impressed, and now rather let down. Oh well.

You are booking some very good mileage numbers with the Trade Wind in tow. Mine got maybe 13 average. I get 10 into a strong headwind, or in hilly country. I get 17 towing downwind in flat country.

Diesel prices sometimes vary by state or locale based on taxes applied. California diesel is more expensive. European diesel is even more so. Nobody likes efficient diesel engines since VW diesel gate. But I still do, and I think they run clean, and they are certainly more efficient.

David

TouringDan · 12-30-2018, 08:30 PM

Slats

So glad to hear that you like your new truck. It sounds like this will be the perfect truck for you to tow your Tradewind with. I sure wish my Tundra was a bit smaller. I would love to have a TV the size of your new one.

Dan

Slats · 02-02-2019, 07:27 PM

After laying off for the month of January due to some bothersome hip pain, I made it back out to the trailer today and decided to go ahead and amputate the shower tub's appendage. A free-standing toilet will go in the freed-up space and to the right of that a sink, counter top and cabinet in the street side corner.

I regret not covering the shower tub over when I stored it in a corner of the building. It would have been easier to clean up absent the critter leavings. But I did manage to get it clean and lightly sanded in preparation for refinishing it.
After tacking it in place with clecos, I like the way it no longer intrudes over to the right, leaving a more roomy feel. I still have to figure out how to fabricate an aluminum (or plastic or wood) skirt around the tub. I kept the severed appendage as a source for patching pieces.
Here is an old shot of the shower tub when set in place before the insulation and walls were in, followed by the fruit of today's labor.

TouringDan · 02-02-2019, 10:19 PM

Slats

Sorry about your hip pain. Glad that you are back working on your Airstream.
Very nice amputation of the appendage. You will figure out a good way to finish it off.

Dan

clydecrashcu · 02-03-2019, 02:43 PM

looking good, are you using the freestanding to a black water tank? The shower/bath tub looks good. I can see where the change is happening from the original toilet was. I am guessing the original blackwater was on top of the subfloor? That is how the 76 Argosy is but with a free standing stool.

Hope to see you all in the spring if you plan to get together again like you did in the fall.

Slats · 02-03-2019, 04:42 PM

I was thinking of a composting toilet, as I don’t particularly care for the slinky hassle. However, my life/travel companion prefers something closer to what’s in the house. So black tank it will likely be.
The original black tank was below the floor, as will be the one to come.
A spring meetup sounds good.

dbj216 · 02-03-2019, 06:57 PM

I agree the "toilet console" or more accurately the "hidden toilet" concept in the mid sixties was kinda weird in my view. I think you are wise to save the original tub for use as a shower pan, or tub if you like. I think you can fabricate a "facia" for in front of the tub. My 75 Overlander now has laminated plywood there. Airstream originally had galvanized steel there which I didn't care for much.

Listen to your better half. Research those composting toilets thoroughly. I read the only composting involved is you burying the waste when you empty the thing. I read one guy uses "doggy bags" to clean out the compartment in the toilet. I make two votes for a flush toilet and a black tank. If you have a gray water tank, you can rinse the slinky with that water. This is only one lost soul's opinion.

I think I showed you my bath layout I did years ago. I did use a standard RV toilet over the black tank. I moved the toilet location for access to the new black tank.

David