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06-30-2004, 10:05 PM
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#41
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Well, today the shell came loose, it's now hanging a few inches above the frame.
I missed a few hidden rivets, but other than that it came off quite easily.
I am shocked about how flexible this trailer frame is. Gives me a whole new appreciation for some of the Andy's statements about frame separation etc.
This will require quite a bit of reinforcement to be able to carry the extra underfloor tanks and basement type A/C that I have planned to install. I might also go with 3/4 ply instead of 5/8. I wonder if the extra weight offsets the extra strength in the thicker material? Film at eleven.....
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06-30-2004, 10:16 PM
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#42
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4 Rivet Member
1961 26' Overlander
Gabriola Island
, British Columbia
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 474
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It's hard to appreciate how flexible that big frame could be till you grab the bumper and give it a bounce.These days it's one of my favorite passtimes.But now I have to move on to repairing the wheel tubs before I can put more floor down.
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07-01-2004, 09:25 AM
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#43
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Wonder - does the frame flex when its all put together properly? I figured it probably flexes some.
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-01-2004, 12:35 PM
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#44
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 163
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Ken
I thought you were a CPA? Whats with the fashion photo shoot on your picture gallery?
__________________
Leonard
LotalaborAZ
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07-01-2004, 12:44 PM
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#45
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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My 71's frame and shell do flex. I can watch ( an hear) the walls buckle when backing up into uneven campsites. The 63's frame is very flexible, once detached from the shell. I am still wondering what the design idea behind all this flexing is.
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07-01-2004, 12:56 PM
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#46
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Leonard
Yes I am a CPA - the photo shoot is came from this website - someone was looking for an Airstream for an Italian fashion catalog - kinda like Old Navy here. We took about 4 days running around Monument Valley/Lake Powel with these folks, got paid for it, ate great and had a blast. Never have heard from them again though - was supposed to get final pics/catalog but never did.
Uwe - yeah I was wondering that myself, had my wife jump up and down in the 58 and I can see the frame bouncing -
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-01-2004, 12:58 PM
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#47
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Patriotic
1973 23' Safari
North of Boston
, Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uwe
My 71's frame and shell do flex. I can watch ( an hear) the walls buckle when backing up into uneven campsites. The 63's frame is very flexible, once detached from the shell. I am still wondering what the design idea behind all this flexing is.
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next time you take a ride on a commercial airliner, take a good close look at the wings during take-off. or at lower speeds in turbulence...they practcially flap! if they didn't...they'd snap. (that would be bad. ).
Perhaps this is why A/Ss don't generally rattle themselves apart. with other designs, you get the old "irresistable force meets immovable object" syndrome.
__________________
Air:291
Wbcci: 3752
'73 Safari 23'
'00 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC
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07-01-2004, 01:10 PM
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#48
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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I'm glad to hear this, I thought perhaps something was wrong.........
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-01-2004, 05:06 PM
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#49
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Shell Hanging
There it is, off the frame, hanging on the ceiling. It made this eerie creaking and crackling sound when it finally let go of it's companion frame of 40 Years...
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07-01-2004, 05:17 PM
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#50
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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All right, congradulations! - bet you thats a load off your um, mind.... hee hee
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-01-2004, 05:27 PM
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#51
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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This is only a small step in the big picture, unfortunately. But hey, gotta start somewhere, right?
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07-05-2004, 10:30 AM
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#52
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Rivet Master
1959 26' Overlander
Putnam
, Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,064
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Uwe
How does that basement AC install look. Can do or no can do? Sure would like to be able to do that in my 59.
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07-05-2004, 11:38 AM
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#53
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Paul,
It looks very good, actually. I did not purchase the basement unit yet, as I am no where near completion of the frame and floor repair, but am confident that it will work.
The challenge in this is the ventilation for the condenser. It draws cooling air in from the side, and exhausts it through the back. The back will vent to the streetside, through the ex-water heater opening, I do not believe that's a problem. The intake air for the condenser, however, has to come from under the trailer. So I am planning to make provisions for a large air duct, one that comes through the belly skin, and terminates in the condenser compartment. 2 ea. 4in square ducts, and a little bit of fabrication should do it. 3 sides of the duct will actually be reinforcement outriggers. Aluminum extensions will channel the fresh air to the condenser air intake. The location is right behind the streetside rear wheel. The condenser opening will receive a custom made louvered panel, made from .032 Alclad and willl later be polished to match the trailer skin.
The A/C will be very near the 30A shore power line entry, which will make for a clean electrical supply installation. The location is under the bed, essentially, and I am hoping that with a soundproofed enclosure htere will not be vey much noise to deal with. As it is, the A/C in my 1971 is too noisy to sleep by, I am hoping that this one will be quieter. It will double as a heater, as well. I will install a catalytic heater in the front area for boondocking. I do not plan to go camping in very cold weather, ever.
I will post my progress on this as it happens.
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07-08-2004, 03:17 PM
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#54
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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I got my steel delivered this morning. Now the fabrication and welding starts. Maybe we should do a reality tv series "American Airstream" .... I'll find us a guy that stutters, rants on and on in the shop, and dresses poorly. We can then give " American Chopper" on Discovery Channel a run for their money.
My plan is to enclose the main frame's C-channel, and add a few new cross members.
Also, I am going to install the holding brackets ( 2x2in angle steel) for a fresh and grey tank at the same time, before the floor gets put in.
I have sanitized the frame with a little help from a good friend, it now looks entirely bare. The cross members ahead and behind the tanks will be solid 3x4in steel tubing.
All the others will be the ones that came with the trailer. i will also add one extra outrigger where teh basemsnt A/C is going to reside.
A neighbor in my industrial park has offered his mega-amp mig welder to me, to use for free!!! Score!!! Everybody around here is excited about my Overlander project, eager to see progress. My warehouse is looking more like a fabrication facility these days. Gotta go clean up..
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07-08-2004, 03:37 PM
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#55
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Probably need to get some full body Airstream live or die tatoos.
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-08-2004, 03:46 PM
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#56
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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I'll be tattoed in POR-15, after the welding is done.
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07-08-2004, 03:50 PM
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#57
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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I know that one - that stuff never comes off.
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-08-2004, 04:13 PM
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#58
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a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern
, California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
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Pictures pictures.... Where are the pictures?
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07-08-2004, 04:30 PM
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#59
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Safari Tim
Pictures pictures.... Where are the pictures?
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I will post when some of the welding is done. We got plenty of pics of rusty frames already in the forums. However, if a particular detail is of interest to you, then I'll gadly take a picture and post it for you.
The same guy that offered his killer welder to me just also loaned me a Sawzall. This will help with the cutting and fabricating, because the only other device I have is a 4-1/2in cutoff tool.
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07-08-2004, 05:08 PM
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#60
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a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern
, California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
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Nothing particular. I just know you do good work and want to make sure its documented ;-)
I was researching some bathroom stuff earlier and saw you redid yours and you promised pictures of it in the thread and I cannot find them ;-(
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