1966 Caravel with issues

[reinergirl]

Gosh, I'm starting to feel like Debbie Downer on this thread, but I wouldn't cover it! Most people find that tarps and such do way more damage to the skin than the weather would. Those skins scratch really easily. I've seen flapping tarp damage and its not pretty (or fixable)....And who cares if it leaks right now?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by reinergirl

Gosh, I'm starting to feel like Debbie Downer on this thread, but I wouldn't cover it!

What Debbie said for sure!!!! A tarp will cause you so much damage in just a short time. Listen to what Debbie just said and get rid of that tarp.

Oh yeah, 8 hidden rivets today and how many before?

[RM66caravel]

It's all good Shelly I covered the trailer not the upper shell would not do that for the reasons you stated. Until I get the wood off for use as a template I need to keep it dry and it is going to rain during the day tomorrow then it will be uncovered for many measurements! Important I hear to make it all fit right when you put it back together!

[RM66caravel]

Oh and by the way only covered the wood and with plastic not really a tarp.

[RM66caravel]

Okay today I have made many measurements of the frame with the u channel and old floor still on as recommended by a few of the pros on the forums and now I am ready to take the floor belly pan off And get the frame repaired. Pics with progress.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

make a template of the c channel so you can get it correct when you put it back together.

template to the inside edge of the channel.


Then add on for the c channel. No guessing this way.

[RM66caravel]

Template the channel!? I did not even think of that! Thank you I will do that before I take it off.
Cliff

[Frank's Trailer Works]

if any wood is rotted you have to guess. This way there is zero guessing. In earlier eras (than yours)the production was much more hand built and often the curve is slightly different from one side to the other. Sometimes is is shifted ever so lightly too. Doing the template recreates exactly what is there. Generally the floor is 1/8" less than the C channel is wide or the channel will hang over by 1/8".
BTW, a 1967 Caravel came into the cue yesterday. It will need an entire new floor also.

[RM66caravel]

Storms comming so not much done this week! Got the shell strapped down and the frame covered with plastic.

[GAStreamin]

Originally Posted by RM66caravel

Storms comming so not much done this week! Got the shell strapped down and the frame covered with plastic.

Same here!

[RM66caravel]

Okay this is my weekend so how about some sunshine!

[RM66caravel]

Done with all the hype no damage cuz just a normal tropical storm, it was I guess a just reason to panic the young and get the granddaughter up at 3am! Will get something done this weekend!

[RM66caravel]

The forecast today was rain so I pulled the floor from the rear and since it should be the worst of it as far as the frame goes it seemed like a good place to start! Not too bad for a 47 year old frame! Will take some pictures this week.

[GAStreamin]

Originally Posted by RM66caravel

The forecast today was rain so I pulled the floor from the rear and since it should be the worst of it as far as the frame goes it seemed like a good place to start! Not too bad for a 47 year old frame! Will take some pictures this week.

I was the same. I was pleased with my frame considering the age. It shouldn't be too bad. If mine was not a rear bath, it would be even easier to get repaired. Rained here most of the day yesterday, and today it is suppose to rain, but not yet.

[RM66caravel]

Did not rain but has been cloudy but I did a little and got some sleep (gotta work) so its all good!

[RM66caravel]

Okay the frame towards the front looks real good but either the belly pan has been replaced by the 3 stooges since it was built or they were doing a party at the plant on the day mine was built and they served lots of booze! Cuz the belly pan was a jig saw puzzle! The steel flanges they used in the channel to hold the ribs were badly rusted which transferred to the ends of the outriggers. Belly pan rivets are not drilled any more now I am using the chisel ! (9 different sizes and mixed with steel).

[RM66caravel]

Got more of the jigsaw puzzle off today with the crazy mix of screws large flange steel rivets aluminum rivets and lots of parts and pieces! A little more to go and hopefully soon the frame will be bare!

[GAStreamin]

Originally Posted by RM66caravel

Got more of the jigsaw puzzle off today with the crazy mix of screws large flange steel rivets aluminum rivets and lots of parts and pieces! A little more to go and hopefully soon the frame will be bare!

It was huge when I finally got the bellypan off. I felt like I got over a big hurdle. It sounds a lot like mine. It was a hodge podge of screws and rivets too.

[RM66caravel]

Let us not forget the DIRT unused rivets and general debris that have collected over the last 47 or so years! 1 panel dropped and I looked like I had been without a bath for weeks! 9 wasp nest and about 10 well rounded spider webs so far and I stepped in some caulk which is harder to get off the dog crap!

[Frank's Trailer Works]

That was the real Mc Coy... Vulkem. The slower the dry, the better the bond.