Progress on our '67 Tradewind

[BIGED52]

Ingrid, Glad to see you two are back at it! Hope the flooring goes on and the shell gets reset as smoothly as the wiring. Was that both the brake and running lights wiring that were run thru the frame? Ed

[pinkflamingoes]

Yes indeed! Hi Ed! I'll post a pic tomorrow.

[pinkflamingoes]

Well, we had flooring that we had already put on half of, but the shell was off, and the trailer was left out in the rain so long that it rotted in spite of the marine grade sealer. After all a sealer can only seal for so long and do so much. I think we have learned our lesson and we know to finish the damn thing this time! After we put the shell on floor in, tanks on, belly pan on... we have to decide whether we can afford to keep it and finish working on it, or sell it and get something we can travel in sooner.

[pinkflamingoes]

Installing of front floor pieces and getting ready to pull some more wiring front to back. For...brakes, lights and batteriies. He knows what he's doing but I don't so I don't know if I could answer any questions.

[dbj216]

Happy to see you folks are back at it. This old Trade Wind deserves a reincarnation! You will love traveling in it, especially since you built it. Talk about the personal touch.

I was surprised to hear your marine sealed wood floor rotted, especially in California. It appears you have selected some other type of material for the floor. Can you tell us what you are using?

I always figured Airstream would be way ahead with some type of composite floor. It would be more costly, but would eliminate the wood rot.

David

[pinkflamingoes]

Hello David,

Our floor rotted because we installed it, the shell was off the frame, and the floor was exposed to rain rain rain for years, while the trailer sat there. I think under those conditions, anything would rot.

We just decided to paint the new plywood floor with porch and floor paint by Behr. Paint seems to be the best sealer, and we are not installing Marmoleum on the floor of the trailer (I read that Marmoleum won't adhere to a painted floor). We used two coats of paint. There is probably a good reason why we should not use paint, but we haven't heard of one. I guess we'll see...! The floor install starts this weekend, allegedly. Having some trouble motivating the DH and this is something I don't know how to do myself, much less not hurt myself doing it.

[dbj216]

Yeah, why not paint? It probably is as good of sealer as any. I thought you had found some special polycarbonate laminated honeycomb space age material that the Airstream engineers ought to know about.

David

[pinkflamingoes]

Oh I wish son of a patent on that thing! I think the center of the subfloor has to breed or something like that so usually people in the seal only the edges...I don't know but like I said before...we'll see. If I can't be an example of what to do, I can at least be an example of what not to do!!

[pinkflamingoes]

Oops I meant slap a patent on that thing...

[pinkflamingoes]

Installing wheel wells. Much cursing. Keeping my mouth shut and handing him tools.

[pinkflamingoes]

FLOOR IS IN.

Pictures or it didn't happen here you are:

[pinkflamingoes]

[dbj216]

They call this marrying the shell to the frame. Soon the two will become one. keep us posted on how the fit up goes. I suspect there will be more cussing and handing of tools. What is a "DH" anyway?

David

[Minno]

Dear Heart? I see it used for men and women...
We used oil based primer on our subfloor, esp the edges.

Kay

[pinkflamingoes]

It's so nice to be inside of the trailer and imagine what it could look like with a floor. I still think we will probably have to sell after the shell is on but hubby says no. Whatever he decides, as long as progress continues.
Today we are lowering the shell almost to the floor (pictures coming so you'll know what I mean) and arranging c-channel and final floor shape so the shell fits properly when the final attachment happens.

Here we have a picture of the interior from the open door to the back, the seal of the Great State of Ohio, a previous owner sticker shadow (Anyone know a Lloyd Summers)? And the Airstream number shadow 19104.

[pinkflamingoes]

I'm really not sure about the DH. I see other people use it so I use it!!

We didn't use oil based but that's a good idea. I'd recommend that over our water-based. I still think paint over sealer is a better idea.

We have the shell off, attached to sawhorses and braced up on the inside. We're going to take it off the sawhorses and lower the frame to the floor but standing on 3 2 X 8's

My dear heart got very sick with blood clots over his heart and lungs almost a year ago. He's better now but it put the fear "life is short" into him. We have recovered from most of our financial problems, so we are planning to rent the house and travel when our daughter goes to college. Don't tell him, he doesn't know about his plans yet.

[pinkflamingoes]

A friend just suggested deep-fried Twinkies and champagne when the floor is attached. Hmmmm.

[dbj216]

Dear Heart is better than what I figured DH meant. "Dumb Husband", "Designated Hauler".

Keep us posted on how the wedding goes.

David

[pinkflamingoes]

Awww. No way. I never get why women insult their husbands. I'm guessing you were joking about the possible meaning but you wouldn't have come up with that possibility if spouses didn't do it. I like Dear Heart, even though I may say it through clenched teeth.

Designated Hauler now...that's definitely spot on. We both decided on that!

[pinkflamingoes]

So...Dumb Husband just went outside and tried to lower the shell to just above the frame all by himself. From what I saw I thought he came close to killing himself, I panicked, and got upset and was relieved that he was ok so I cried then I yelled at him. He was actually safe but my already high anxiety went through the roof the instant the frame wiggled. I finally put my foot down and told him to get some friends to help him so that a fight here can be avoided. He is hiding from me, he knows he's in big trouble.