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08-22-2017, 03:34 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1967 17' Caravel
La Crosse
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
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Slow but Steady . . .
When i first joined this forum i got a kick out of the people who had strict timelines for their restoration projects (some even had trips planned!). I started with no particular plan in mind. It actually started with a naive belief that i could just patch up some of the bad spots. Ha!! One rotten place led to another and to make a long story short the entire floor needed to be replaced, then the axle, then the windows, then . . . etc. etc. These pics probably don't look like much but they represent the best part of two summer's work for me! Removing the shell, fixing the frame . . . yadda yadda. All the rain this summer really helped me locate and seal the remaining leaks. She is all dry now. Seems like a natural place to take a break and start plotting the next stage. I am appreciating all the ideas i'm getting from this site. Thanks to everyone!
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08-22-2017, 04:19 PM
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#2
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
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Hi
That's a very neat little AS. It will be interesting to see what you turn it into. Just be sure to tow it with at least an F-350 (if not a 450).....
Bob
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08-22-2017, 04:56 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
Currently Looking...
Las Cruces
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 577
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It do take time. Floor looks good. Electrical on aluminum or copper wire? That was a 'must replace' with mine as well as running wire for the fridge and other accessories. I had to replace both curb and street side panels so I redid the service entry and the city water connection and left the access door in the street side out. Lots of fun!
__________________
1966 Airstream Caravel
2006 Toyota Tacoma
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08-22-2017, 05:08 PM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
1967 17' Caravel
La Crosse
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
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Are you speaking from experience there Bob?
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08-22-2017, 05:09 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
1967 17' Caravel
La Crosse
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
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It has solid aluminum wire. I'm thinking of replacing it with stranded copper as i'm planning to power it mostly with photovoltaics.
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08-22-2017, 06:16 PM
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#6
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
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Quote:
Originally Posted by techquaikach
Are you speaking from experience there Bob?
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Hi
Doesn't *everybody* have a 17' ?
=======
Dump the aluminum wire while you have things all torn apart. Working with copper is *much* easier. A "modern" approach (if you go that way) would have both 12V and 120V wiring. I suspect your trailer was not set up that way when new.
Bob
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08-23-2017, 08:55 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
Currently Looking...
Las Cruces
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 577
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I stayed with Romex for both the 120V and 12V wiring, but made it 12 Gauge copper rather than aluminum. The rigidity of solid wire is a PITA at times, but I was looking at connections that stayed connected for 50 years and ?? miles even with aluminum wire, hence the decision to go with solid wire. Leads to the lights, heater, and DSI water heater are stranded wire, but they are accessible and short. Maybe over engineered?
As an aside, I also put seam sealer on the inside seams while I had the shell bare. It already had some from 1966, but parts were hard and flaking. There were also some explosive rivets used that I think were factory and those I replaced with bucked rivets.
__________________
1966 Airstream Caravel
2006 Toyota Tacoma
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08-23-2017, 11:33 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1975 Argosy 22
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 86
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob
Hi
That's a very neat little AS. It will be interesting to see what you turn it into. Just be sure to tow it with at least an F-350 (if not a 450).....
Bob
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Why not a MDT or semi?
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08-23-2017, 11:59 AM
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#9
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Reads a lot
2017 30' Classic
Titusville
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,209
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Love you AS and it looks awesome. Excellent good. Now don't forget that WD/anti-sway hitch pullled by nothing less than. 350/3500, maybe a dually. : )
__________________
Lauri
She Believed She Could so She Did.
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08-23-2017, 12:40 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
Curtis Wright
2019 Atlas
Saint Cloud
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 56
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Your AS is going to be one nice looking rig. Congratulations on the effort you are putting into it.
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08-23-2017, 01:36 PM
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#11
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1972 Safari 23 ft
1972 23' Safari
naples
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
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Restoration idea
Hi,
Great little AS. I did virtually the same type of treatment on my AS 23 Safari 1972. One idea that I did , that worked out well was designed a custom dinette and had it welded out of tubular aluminum. The size was determined by available space as well as available cushions from a RV surplus company I found on eBay the cushions where originally made for a class A motor home and I had a guy weld me a frame to match the cushions. I also purchased a marine adjustable table base that allowed me to drop the table and is this as a full sized bed. It is easy to customize your rig at this stage. I also recycled the original cabinets and created a galley style kitchen. Enjoy and I hope my ideas helps
Greg
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08-23-2017, 03:40 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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Quote:
Originally Posted by techquaikach
It has solid aluminum wire. I'm thinking of replacing it with stranded copper as i'm planning to power it mostly with photovoltaics.
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Stranded copper is the way to go, take a look at the marine stranded copper.
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08-24-2017, 06:51 AM
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#13
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
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Hi
So what are the plans for the inside layout once you get that far?
Bob
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