I got my propane rack installed last weekend. It still needs the tubing to the appliances, but the rack is welded on, and coated with the obligatory POR15. This weekend I will top coat it with Stirling Silver,and then shop for the gas supply lines and fittings.
I also got the dump valve plumbing done this week. It is dry fitted, and everything lines up perfectly. I bought the dump valve cluster on e-bay.
I lucked out, as this was the exact configuration I was looking for.
It's very similar to what Airstream uses on brand new coaches. It worked out great, the external plumbing runs are very short, no more than a 3" street elbow, and a few 1.5in 45's.
The new water heater in the space where the furnace used to live.
I ordered a flush mount door set with it, which is out to be refinished in an aluminum color.The cutout needs only a small amount of trimming.
The WH is now dry fitted and put in place, but not secured yet. I might wait for the plumbing to be done before installing it permanently.
The pictures show various aspects of the installation. I used an existing rivet line from the old furnace cut-out to install 3 angled brackets behind the skin, to reinforce the skin and keep the water heater from moving. This is a 10gal model, so I do anticipate some weight in need to be secured.
I made a small stand from some scrap plywood and 2 pieces of hardwood.
I pretty much followed the installation instructions for the water heater, substituting aluminum channel where it called for a wooden 1x2 frame.
The door is a flush mount version, which actually means that it is flush in it's mounting frame, which is not flush with the skin. Oh well..
I finished the paint on the tongue after grinding away at the lower jack mount hole to accomodate an electric tongue jack. This shows the first coat of silver paint over the POR15 coating
Got my Fantastic Fans delivered,and could not resist trying them on for size.
Not until the old extrusions were removed, and the metal surrounding the installation was cleaned. I will seal the flanges and finish this installation today.
Side note:
Adohen supply was absolutely great to deal with on these. They even replaced 2 trim piecs for free. I ordered the Airstream garnish, when I should have ordered straight interior garnish.My roof vent openings are framed in, so they're flat inside and out. The Airstream garnish allows for a slight roof curvature. Adohen is an excellent source for these items.
Hey Ken.....neither can I.
This stage of the process is a lot more fun that cleaning rusty frames and welding oneself into a corner every day for 2 weeks. Light fabrication like this is very rewarding and therapeutic for me.
I finished teh rooftop part of the fantastic fan installation this morning.
I won't be able to do much more until next week. The next step is replacing the curbside outer lower skin from the door to the rear curved segment. It will be the first time that I have done such a repair. I am anxious to finish this part. Then the outer shell will be finished, which I consider a major milestone.
Is your belly completely finished? If I remember you are holding that open until all the plumbing is complete......
Ken
Ken,
The belly is not all on yet, still must deal with the plumbing issue. However, all the parts for it are currently in my possession. It's a matter of drilling holes and putting in rivets.
Actually, there's a ton of empty space in front of the fresh water tank and rearward of the tongue, under the floorboard. I might get a spare tire under there, or perhaps a reservoir for compressed air to inflate tires.
I wonder if 3" PVC pipe can be used for an Air tank. It would be light enough to not put additional stress on the frame, and a decent 12V compressor could keep the air pressure up.
Just a thought, as I often air down the tires in Baja to drive through deep sand. I could see an air coupling on each side between the tandems, and a spiral air hose to really make a simple job of tire pressure adjustments. Oh man, I gotta slow down, otherwise I end up with a tool box instead of an Airstream.
Another milestone: the brand new axles are installed. I still have to run brake lines and install the Electric/Hydraulic actuator. It has not been delivered yet. I was waiting for the release of Dexter's newest model, which will start shipping in 2 weeks time.
After many tries, here are 7 photos. They are no longer in sequence, due to forum anomalities, but at least I finally got them to post.
The photos show Dexter's huge disc brake assembly, which surprised me. It does not look that massive in their literature. There's a racing style 4 piston caliper per wheel, and e-coated, ventilated rotors. The hub is separate from the rotor, which makes service very easy. I am impressed with their quality.
The axles slid right into the existing mounting slots. Alignment was checked.
The bolt holes do not line up with the original bolt holes in the axle mounting plate. 2 holes per bracket need to be drilled. Also, these axles do not come with shock mounts, so I fabbed 4 shock mounts out of high grade bolts, and then cut them so the shock can be installed with the axle in place. My trailer uses vertical shocks, btw.
Note:
This installation requires some fabrication. It is not a direct replacement, like most Henschen Axles. If you want direct replacements, then you should order Henschen Axles with your chassis number as a reference.
I wonder if 3" PVC pipe can be used for an Air tank. It would be light enough to not put additional stress on the frame, and a decent 12V compressor could keep the air pressure up.
Yes you could, but I would not. Carting around 60 PSI of air in a bunch of plastic tubing sounds like a bad idea. The flexing of the coach could crack it and POW!. There are small reservoir tanks that are steel, and multi ported available for the air bag market. Do a google on air bag compressors and you will find all kinds of stuff you never knew existed. A couple of these should do the trick, and you could even add an air hose reel so no coiling is required
BTW the Axles look great!
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan
Wise men talk because they have someting to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
In politics, absurdity is not a handicap— Napoleon
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