I'm back!

[smily]

So.........its been years of absence as I have been away from the Silver Belle community......but I have never lost my love for the Airstream.
I have even visited the life of SOBs but after many years I am back with a vengeance and have a REAL project.....a 1965 Caravel....no AC, and practically needs a total refit.
But I am no stranger to the remodels of Airstreams and am already in with both feet....
I have already removed much of the interior but am looking for a way to avoid replacing the entire wet-bath shell as it has spider cracks in the floor from stress and some floor rot underneath.
I can get to the rot from the belly pan but seriously do not want to deal with removing the entire interior end shell. I am considering covering the shower or basin with a liquid sealant like flex seal or something of that nature. I have refinished bathrooms in Airstreams with epoxy paints, but they were not actual basins that had a lot of water on them. Does anyone have experience or suggestions for this?
Thanks and I look forward to sharing with the ol Airforums brethren!

I guess I will change my avatar as I have long sold the ol 36 Classic...sigh...I miss the ol girl

[moosetags]

Welcome back! Please keep us posted on your progress on the new project.


Brian

[Kevin245]

Welcome back!

You can check out anytime you like. But you can never leave...

[dbj216]

Hello from Colorado: Nice to meet you for the first time. I hope to follow along in your Caravel renovation project.

I don't know if you plan a "restoration" to factory built standards or a renovation where you upgrade your trailer to your liking. Quite frankly, not everything done in 1965 was the greatest. I'm a renovation guy.

I never developed a liking for a wet bath. My son has one in his 69 Globetrotter. He doesn't have a gray tank, so a shower seems a bit out of the question.

So what if the fiberglass corner piece was removed for good, and you built a "water closet" instead. Newer Airstreams have a vanity sink outside the bathroom kinda like some hotels do. Maybe a guy could get along with just the galley sink since the trailer is small. That might provide room for something else. Airstream was keen on these fiberglass parts in the 60s, but my 75 Overlander doesn't have any fiberglass parts.

David

[overlander63]

Welcome back, Ken!

[smily]

well.....I have always heard and professed that "everything that is in an Airstream came in the door and will go out through the door......"

Guess what will not go out the door?

After all of the gut job, I finally get the wet bath to release itself from 53 years of confinement.....and it will not fit through the door...

any recommendations before I get the sawzall out and pick the best line for a bisection?

[tevake]

If I ever have my shower insert out, I'll do a lot of epoxy fiberglass reinforcement on the reverse side. Try to firm up the flex of the floor. Then a little filler in the hairline cracks and LP paint.

Are there any Windows that are larger than the door?

Good luck with getting your new stream sorted!

Cheers Richard

[smily]

Already thought if that and unfortunately.....no the windows are no that large...I am looking for a line to cut and place the two pieces with an abutment extrusion and caulk....just seems the easy way to go...and agree that some reinforcement is in order

[dbj216]

I believe Airstream got it in the door at the factory. The door and screen may not have been mounted yet. Airstream has no other way to assembly their trailers since they mount the body, do the plumbing and wiring, check for leaks, then interior skins and finally the furniture. It's gotta go through the door.

Maybe you will wake up in the middle of the night with a vision of the right orientation to get that big piece out the door.

Maybe your Airstream dealer, or a call to Jackson Center for technical help would help you.

David

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by smily

well.....I have always heard and professed that "everything that is in an Airstream came in the door and will go out through the door......"



Guess what will not go out the door?



After all of the gut job, I finally get the wet bath to release itself from 53 years of confinement.....and it will not fit through the door...



any recommendations before I get the sawzall out and pick the best line for a bisection?

Welcome back. Glad to hear that you now have a 65 Caravel. Caravels are one of my favorite Airstream models.

Regarding your wet bath module, I would hold off on the sawzall. Once you go there, you can’t go back. Give some time for some other Caravel owners to chime in.

Dan

[smily]

Ive done a bunch of interweb research and the consensus is........the wet bath does not fit through the door......
what a three day weekend....I have gutted the Caravel....removed the entire from interior skin, cut out the floor and headed to a shell on restore...drilled about 300 rivets this weekend...

and in the meantime...looking how to restore my black tank...yep cracked up and needs new fittings....Im think of all kinds of alternatives to buying 300 worth of aftermarket workarounds...if Im going to do fabrication, you can believe it will be in a rejuvenate nature....

any pointers on the black tank restore? thinking fiberglass wraparound...or cut out the top and build a new one out of aluminum or something that will bare the weight of the toilet and the occupant....

[dbj216]

Some folks here have fabricated their own holding tank from ABS sheet. It can be done, easier if it is a box tank. Most black tanks are just that, and not designed to hold any weight.

I purchased a replacement tank. And your point about the dollars is correct. But I don't have the skills to fabricate one of my own that would fit and have a good slope on it.

Here is a photo of the new store bought above floor black tank for the 69 Globetrotter. It fits under the fiberglass console and plywood support in the wet bath.

David

[smily]

I actually contemplated ordering the tank from VTS....good thing they were out of stock....I did not know how easy ABS is to work with... (thank you Youtube) I have some sheet ABS ordered up, a fitting or three and a complete Valterra setup...I think I will have a complete tank with fittings for under a hundred bucks....
I'm working with the shell and cutting out the flange and the fittings.....yes im taking photos and will load them all when completed...

Oh....and did anyone know that Lowes is selling RV products on the shelf?? check the plumbing section for ALOT of RV products including electrical stuff..yes in the plumbing section..

[smily]

Anyone have ALUMINUM refrig and stove vent covers for sale>

know a source?

[dbj216]

I bought both an aluminum fridge vent cover and a plastic stove vent cover from VTS some years ago. They worked fine. Take a look at their on line catalogue.

David

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/...vers-s/418.htm

[smily]

Thanks for the link....I have already spent a bunch of money with VTS in the last three weeks..lol

But they do not have either of the items in aluminum...I actually already bought the fridge cover...I was not happy with it and have decided to search for an aluminum unit...I have the stove vent in the cart but it too is plastic....sigh...the search continues

[dbj216]

You might check Silver Trailer Supply in Utah, or OutdoorsMart in North Carolina, or Inland in California for an aluminum fridge vent and stove vent.

I thought I bought mine from VTS, but maybe I don't remember correctly. Like you, I use VTS for a lot of stuff.

David

[smily]

well....its been five months....I have most certainly been busy and it is starting to show....I have been waiting to post pics when I am finished with interior and I am down to a couple of more cushions to complete this week.....

but for a little taste of what has happened....here is the beginning

[smily]

as you can see....the dent is gone

[smily]

I started out hoping to flip the unit....but when I found the floor rot.....it was off to a compete gut job...

The following have been implemented:
Complete new floor
replaced rusted or deteriorated metal under floor
new PEX plumbing supply and ABS sewer
compete electrical system
new water pump
new water tank
new water fill
new toilet
new vinyl flooring
complete paint interior (prime and paint)
new cabinets
new counter top
new windows (sash and glass and gaskets etc)
new gaskets in door and all windows
refinish all wood and new wood in some places
New storage locker in front above dinette
new dinette
new microwave
new fridge (120 volt only)
new sink and faucet
new stove
new curtains and rods
new cushions throughout and upholstery
new table top
refinished all storage lockers (removed vinyl and Laminated)
new latches
new vent and fan
new fridge and stove vent covers
new marker lights
new tail lights
new tow wiring
new light switches on original light fixtures
new light diffusers
new LED under cabinet lighting and switches
new LP tanks
refinished tongue and bumper
New vent stacks (polished aluminum)
New stainless shore power connector
new stainless city water connection
new water heater
new drain valves and check valves
new Valterra Black / Grey valves
new drains in tub and sink
new faucets in lavatory and shower
new insulation behind walls
new tires
new hubcaps
new license tag bracket and light
new shock absorbers
New sound system
New TV
New window screens
custom wine rack
custom spice rack
Thats all I can think of right now but let me tell ya.....theres a whole lot of stainless steel screws and Olympic rivets in this joker......

I told ya.....I am no stranger to an Airstream makeover....boy did I come back with a mouthful

Headed towards an exterior polish job just as soon as it cools down a little....