My AS Obsession: 1968 Tradewind Restoration

[sequoiacoast]

OK, I have new Aluminum propane tanks and not a concrete clue as to the way they're installed. I was missing the top bracket which I bought from the local RV place. It comes with a new all-thread rod which is a smaller diameter than my rod which is NOT all-thread. (I don't know how my rod is attached other than a weld I can't see)
The new top bracket has a smaller diameter hole in the center which I would have to drill out to fit my larger rod.

In the following pictures, which is the correct way to install... and any other advise/pictures on sound installs??? Thanks!
[also my rod moves side to side about 3/4"- is it supposed to?)

[pinkflamingoes]

OH!!!! I love it!

Clearly I was holding the door while you rushed to the front of the creativity line!

I wish I could be of more help on the switch and tanks.

Originally Posted by sequoiacoast

Well, we have only 3 surfaces left to formica, and the new kitchen is looking good ! I will snap a photo soon... in the meantime I made a wineglass cozy... you know, to keep the glasses from clinking together while on the road.....

[sequoiacoast]

With my first rally hurling down on me, I've been obsessing more than usual . I'll elaborate, in case you've missed the rash of threads I've stared...

First, I started freaking out about my aluminum wiring- too late to replace- so, I instead examined all the outlets for signs of corrosion and to be sure all terminals were tight. They were in great condition, so I am leaving that alone. I saw on the net somewhere that they make an AGFI, similar to the GFCI outlet but it protects against arcing. Does anyone know anything about that?


I have to put the issue to bed, so to speak, lest I decide to use the trailer as a museum because of all the potential hazards of ownership.
Which I have made a list of, while knocking on wood, of course:

Towing-
-tires, running gear, sway conditions, windows falling off....

Going broke-
renovations, many trips to make up for the renovations, diesel

Divorce-
backing up & hitching up, all while yelling to be heard over the diesel (neighbors losing all respect for you)

Aluminum wiring-

Off-gassing
-of newly purchased AGM battery (that you thought didn't need to be vented)

Carbon monoxide poisoning-
Or leaking LP... must worry even though, you'll have detectors- what if they quit working....

There's more, I'm sure, stay tuned for more threads ...


TRUE STORY:
While waiting for my new Equalizer WD and sway to come UPS, we had to bring the trailer to the plumber's house to set the finish (fixtures) and run the new LP to the appliances.
My husband was towing in MY truck, while I followed in his [nasty] little truck .... Anyway, as per my head beatings, he was to drive extremely slow and I'm following to see if anything falls off, burns up... or explodes...

All is fine, cell phones are working, and it hits me.... What if I drive behind on every trip so I can monitor the back and sides, and, and...

See what too much information can do??

Margi ball, where are you????? Ebay, I know....

[pinkflamingoes]

Every time I do something on the trailer it creates more worries...but as you get more comfortable with the trailer and how it works you'll worry less. Or change what you worry about.

It's a well known fact around my house that I'm a worry freak.

Now I'm going to go finish closing that front window I put in so it doesn't suddenly drop out and smash all over the sidewalk for no reason.

And wash my hands 30 times!

[sequoiacoast]

We dumped our original Dometic refer due to tremendous rust, and not wanting to deal with problems in operation in the future. And right away I bought a new refer from Palomino. It is a 5 cubic feet ,but larger in width and height, so it required a cabinet modification.

I painted the old refer scoop and JB welded the cracks where the old rivet holes were. We had to cut the bottom to fit the new height of the refer and I riveted on some aluminum flashing at the bottom to encourage the gasses up the vent. I put open-cell foam weatherstripping on the edge of the scoop (like they have on the refer edges) to create a better seal. (There was nothing there before) Then it got caulked for insurance .
On the right side of the refer we ran 1/4" ply in a 1/4" channel and caulked that all the way around. then my husband, using the Kreg jig, made a face frame to go around the front of the refer and compress the foam weatherstripping there.

Lastly, the counter top was installed with weatherstrip and caulk and the end panel went on.

[sequoiacoast]

In order to keep the control panel as it was, and the upper cabinet unaltered, I modified the sliding doors to the left of the CP.

We also riveted some steel 'tape' strapping (I can't recall the proper term at the moment) from the fridge to the wall.

[sequoiacoast]

Onto the furnace...

We dumped the old and got new, again from Palomino:
[Jevin- (269) 432-3271]

I found the water heater and furnace on Ebay for 'best offer' - so I got a deal! The furnace is a new 'space saving' Suburban SF-20 (I think), which has the same exhaust hole line up on the exterior (though one hole had to be slightly enlarged).

My husband built a stand to elevate the furnace and allow storage underneath- COOL!!

I wanted to come up with the duct re-fab. myself so... off to the hardware store I went.
Problem: the stand came out over the rectangular hole in the floor that feeds the bathroom register.
Fix: aluminum flashing, 1/4" scrap of ply, rivets, and a 4" aluminum coupler found at the HW store.
[RV store supplied the 4" ducting and metal connectors to attach to the furnace]

[sequoiacoast]

We will have another duct feeding a toe-kick register under the sink. The sheet-metal guy is fabricating the toe kick part and I'm hoping to use this cool stamped aluminum sheeting they just got in at the lumber yard, for the register facing!

I'll post pics of that when it's done.

[sequoiacoast]

Originally the battery was held down on a metal platform with a metal brace around it. There was evidence of a rotten vent tube that went out under the license plate light. Other than that I saw nothing else.

I bought a new group 27 AGM from a local supplier and had already gotten a typical black battery box. I decided not to use the box and try to modify it for a sealed venting situation- I instead made a box from 1/2" ply.

I drilled a hole in the box for venting low and one high. The battery is sitting on 3/4" aluminum channel to allow air movement all the way around. The lower vent tube is fed through a hole in the floor that was already present (where my gray water intersects the dump valve). No new holes ! And the upper vent tube utilizes the original opening under the licence light.

We used draw hasp closures for the lid, so we'll be able to check the battery easily.

The only thing left to do is add a battery disconnect!

[sequoiacoast]

We have been very busy! So it's time to catch up.
The water heater I "free-cycled" was a Suburban 6 gallon and the new is a Suburban 10 gallon. The PO before the PO replaced the water heater and had a "chunk" of aluminum self-tapped to cover the gnarly hole in the skin. The screws were rusted and the placement- well, it was UGLY.

So after a year of plastic-wrap, it was time to rivet on the aluminum I bought. I measured each hole based on the pattern near-by, drilled, vulkemed, and riveted. (next is the "shaving")

Also, painted the door silver. Here's pics:

[sequoiacoast]

Finished dinette and curtains. Plumbing is all hooked up and functioning (thus far!) And the pocket door has been painted with magnet paint and has all the states we ...plan to visit...!

[tntssafari]

Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying this thread, and how inspiring you are! Thanks for all the great pics and "how-to's", they are very helpful. I'm sitting here at the dining room table figuring and refiguring how I'm going to get all my curtains out of the fabric I have, and looking at your instructions.
The fabric accordian door you made looks wonderful, did you use the old hardware?
I can now totally relate to the stories of people starting a simple project in a vintage Airstream and awakening in a stupor with the entire thing gutted!
I see you're on the west coast, hopefully I'll get to see your Airstream at a rally.
Tammy

[BIGED52]

Originally Posted by sequoiacoast

Finished dinette and curtains. Plumbing is all hooked up and functioning (thus far!) And the pocket door has been painted with magnet paint and has all the states we ...plan to visit...!

Tanya, Trailer is looking great! I am sending you some Super Karma for a Super job. Keep up the good work and post more pics as you go! Ed

[sequoiacoast]

Thanks guys!

The accordion door was a pain, but worth it in the end. I kept all the hardware from the plastic one that was in baaaaad shape. My first attempt was with vinyl- it was way too stiff, and I had to abandon ship. Then I thought I'd iron on stiff interfacing to the new fabric--- um, that went over like a lead balloon! It did NOT want to iron flat, or uniformly in such a large area. So, I peeled that off.

Finally, I sewed the new one, again had to do it standing up, because it gets so stiff- and keeping it straight (square & plumb) is nearly impossible!

But- now it's done!

I had left the two "bedroom" curtains undone- because I didn't have enough material. I got creative and was able to finish them, a little differently than my instructions- and no one will know the difference. (But if you have the option- cutting the pieces I describe in the instructions, makes it a lot easier!)

Good luck Tammy! Maybe you'll make the Casini rally:?
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f288/norcal-rally-april-27-29-casini-ranch-29025-new-post.html


or Yreka?
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f288/yreka-fall-gathering-30297-new-post.html