1966 Caravel with issues

[RM66caravel]

Hey Frank,
Yes I did the frame was level when I put the shell back on my issue was that 1/8 inch and that has been addressed so how have you been? I found the answer with the threshold but there will be other issues and yes I will be calling on you again! The answer came from a trashed out caravel (scrap material sea water does bad things to aluminum) got many things other than the caravel to tend to over the next couple of weeks but will be back on it ASAP!
Thanks for being there.
Cliff

[Argonaut20]

Frank,
I appreciate the comments. You are correct when you say the AS is hand made and they do have a lot of variation within the same unit. I found that with the Minuet (plumb and square were unknown words when the cabinets were built) and the Caravel. When I am done with the Caravel, I am sure there will be imperfections in keeping with the spirit of Airstream. :-)

The bumper hatch is only part of the problem. My floor replacement was made necessary by the Caravel interior being exposed to the elements in Indiana for years. The result is a complete interior rebuild for all the cabinetry as well as the floor. I claim that it is a plus for the Airstream in that they are very tough: they can survive great mistreatment and still be rebuilt.

[Argonaut20]

Cliff,
Do you have any photos of the bellypan in front after you installed it? The bellypan on mine was pretty much totaled in front so I have nothing to go on when replacing. It looks like there is a piece in the center that covers the frame rails and a piece on either side that goes to the curve, goes alongside the frame up to the first outrigger, then is at the frame level along with the center piece. Make sense?

[RM66caravel]

I will post the pictures but if you would pm me your email I would prefer to email them to you as my pic space is about gone, I promise I will not share or even keep your email address I hate junk mail! You are correct there is a front piece to to cover the hold down plate then a center panel cover the frame and 4 corner panels to make the curves I will take a picture of the old corner pieces also (I used them for templates) I plan to take all of the old aluminum to the scrap yard so until I replace the panel over the curb side wheel I am holding on to it. Will take pictures in the morning but due to wedding I need to go to I will send them to you in the evening.
Cliff


Yes I said that! Or did I?

[RM66caravel]

Okay I have not had a free day in the past 3weeks where it has not rained or been below 97% humidity or we did not have the grand babies! Just about all I have been able to do is post and oh yes removed the awning for the shell process! Polish, patch, polish some more and then seal! Started working yesterday (awning removal) got about 1.5 inches of rain!! Yeah I can make it rain!
Cliff

[RM66caravel]

Okay I now have 4 drip buckets in the caravel and the down pour continues! Upside I think I have found most of the leaks!
Cliff

[Dingo Girl]

That is great news Cliff!

[Dingo Girl]

Hi Cliff,
How did you end up replacing your fridge vent? Not sure I ever heard the outcome of that.
Still not sure what I will end up doing with mine. I've not read good things about the fiberglass ones that are available.
Mine will be a project for this winter.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Dingo Girl

Hi Cliff,
How did you end up replacing your fridge vent? Not sure I ever heard the outcome of that.
Still not sure what I will end up doing with mine. I've not read good things about the fiberglass ones that are available.
Mine will be a project for this winter.

The only fiberglass reefer vent available was designed to fit the 60's walls.

Andy

[Dingo Girl]

Andy,
I have a 67 Caravel. What I've read on the forums about fitment has not been good. Large gaps etc...
Thanks for the input however.

[Lance M]

Dingo Girl,
Keep an eye on Vintage Trailer Supply's new products. I've been told a refer vent should be out soon. You can always send them an email to ask when it might hit the shelves.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Dingo Girl

Andy,
I have a 67 Caravel. What I've read on the forums about fitment has not been good. Large gaps etc...
Thanks for the input however.

I will check that fit when I get back.

Andy

[RM66caravel]

I am starting to hit desperation mode because when the weather is okay (no downpours) and my other projects are done I have no help getting to the two person stuff so I have a teen in the subdivision that is going to be offered a few bucks to help me! I will be looking at the VTS site but current plans are to make my own vent.
Cliff


Yes I said that! Or did I?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

[RM66caravel]

Just cleaned up my mess cuz I have to baby sit the grand babies this evening but for all those dyi people out there that do NOT know!

1. Vents for the stove should not ever be larger then the outside cover that prevented water out!!! Soft ball okay football bad!

2. JB weld is not and should NEVER be used in place of or added to Tempro! You (who ever did this to our caravel) have earned all of the names I called you under my breath and those said out loud and believe me after 20 years in the Marine Corps I know a lot more!

Hopefully I offended nobody that did not deserve it just frustration breaking loose!
Cliff

[Argonaut20]

That is one recipe I have never heard of - Vulkem and JB Weld. I hope this isn't too bad to repair and recover.

[RM66caravel]

Outside range vent cover was replaced a while ago and they must have run out of pop rivets so in place of the top rivet they added some job weld!! They also enlarged the vent to facilitate a larger fan or landing port for condors or something! Not a major problem will fix it and move on! Replacing the outside fridge vent I found another leak source! Buck rivet through skin not rib could see light around it!
Cliff


Yes I said that! Or did I?

[Argonaut20]

Was your range hood 'modified' for a larger fan? I am (sooner or later) going to have to find a new fan and motor for the range hood. I had a local shop duplicate the original hood, but without the rust holes. The fan motor was toast from being rained on for years.

I am finding some rivets where it looks like they drilled, weren't happy with it, drilled again, then expected the rivet to cover both holes. (It didn't) I also found some rivets in the rear quarter that have nothing associated with them - just a line of rivets (explosive ones, I think) up the panel on one side of the trailer.

[RM66caravel]

There was an exhaust hose for the vent and the fan mounted to the hood but they were not happy with something because they used a can opener (what it looks like) enlarged the hole and replaced the vent cover with one not quite large enough! Then the awning rail had to be modified to allow for the larger vent cover yes reattach with steel screws (love that rust and corrosion) so yes we are fixing that! Good luck removing those explosive rivets!!!
Cliff


Yes I said that! Or did I?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by RM66caravel

There was an exhaust hose for the vent and the fan mounted to the hood but they were not happy with something because they used a can opener (what it looks like) enlarged the hole and replaced the vent cover with one not quite large enough! Then the awning rail had to be modified to allow for the larger vent cover yes reattach with steel screws (love that rust and corrosion) so yes we are fixing that! Good luck removing those explosive rivets!!!
Cliff


Yes I said that! Or did I?

Explosive rivets were used in the 60's.

One they were activated, there is nothing that can cause a problem when they are drilled out.

They were very nice, and when Dupont said no more, they meant no more.

I was with Caravanner insurance at the time, and we tried to buy several million of them, so that we could supply them to dealers doing the repairs for us. Dupont still said "NO".

So, slowly, but surely, the Olympic rivet was born, twice.

The first one was a failure in that the sides split open at random.

Fortunately, it was short lived.

Then the second one came aboard, and is the one still used today.

Andy