Bambi's replacement

[lewster]

OK Folks,

By popular demand, here are a couple of shots of the replacement for my '06 19CCD. It is a 1996 Beaver Patriot 33' with a CAT 3126 diesel, Onan QD 7500 watt diesel (very quiet), an Aqua-Hot hydronic heat/hot water system, rides on 8 air bags and has disc brakes at all corners (very unusual for a '96 and a coach of this size).

I will be bringing it back to it's former glory, as it has been badly neglected, abused and generally repaired by shade tree mechanics. One of the better points is the 51,000 miles on the odometer, which works out to a little over 3000 miles a year of driving. I suspect that it sat for most of it's life. The frame is solid with very little rust, and the very short wheel base makes it quite maneuverable...great for tight spaces.

Since a lot of what I will be doing with component replacements/upgrades is also applicable to Airstreams, especially to the motor homes, I will keep a running record of my trials and tribulations. Perhaps some of you can glean something of value from this.

The interior, while useable, definitely needs updating. I'm thinking 50's diner theme. Lots of black/white/red/stainless and yes....ALUMINUM!! For now, it will get a good interior and exterior cleaning and polishing, new tires and required service of running gear. The interior will be a work in process for a while.

Thanks, and I'll keep you posted on the progress.

[flyfshr]

WOW Lewster. That ROCKS!! Maybe you could paint it silver and rebadge it as an Airstream. How about some interior pictures, but after you've made the bed first??

Brad
FF

[Minnie's Mate]

Yes, do give us a guided tour.

As others have said, I have enjoyed and appreciated all of your post and PM's we have exchanged. Just remember, once a 'Streamer, always a 'Streamer!

[lewster]

Yup!

Interior shots to come later today. Like the rest of this coach, it has been neglected and is in need of a thorough cleaning....which is happening Monday. It will be useable for now, but the interior will be replaced sooner than later!

And interestingly enough, silver IS one of the colors I'm considering in the new exterior paint scheme. But that will wait a while, as the cost of painting one of these beasts (even though it is a smaller one) can easily exceed $10K

[Ken J]

Wow - that looks great to me..... so hmmm, where are we going to fit that in my driveway - I've already told Ellyn (you will catch the fallout on that... ) she will have to park her car outside when you get here...

Ken J.

[moosetags]

She's a beaut, Lew! I think that her current exterior color scheme looks great. I hope that she really works out well for you. The 50's diner kitchen scheme sounds great.

Brian

[lewster]

Thanks Brian,

It actually takes a nice photo, but leaves a bit to desire when up close, sort of like my first wife (never mind, this is a family forum).

Actually, the coach was just washed, waxed and polished and the wheels are now very shiny aluminum. It sure looks better now. Not really too bad for 14 year old coach that has been neglected!

I have some interior shots finally and will put them up later tonight.

[SteSpot]

Have enjoyed and benefitted a lot from your advice....Uwe redid our 68 Ambassador and installed the Precision Twin Temp that I think you recommended....we will be at the balloon fiesta so hope to meet you there...

Will be watching your rig's makeover.......thanks for your sage advice. paula

[lewster]

Here a few shots of the interior. Much work to do, but the carpets were cleaned today (soon to be removed) along with the couch, upholstery and headliner. It's almost livable now......

[lewster]

OK,

It has started!

One of the problems with my new beast was a diesel leak in the storage bay where the Aqua-Hot hydronic heating/hot water system is. Seems that this was neglected for a long time, as were a lot of problems with this little gem.

The diesel soaked the carpet in the storage bay and permeated the entire coach with the acrid smell of diesel. Now I really don't mind the smell of diesel, as all of my vehicles use it and I service the Aqua-Hot systems and get it on me on a regular basis, but to live in it also.......NOT!

So yesterday I started to look at the bay and pulled the carpet. When I got over to the area of the Aqua-Hot, the luan flooring came up with the carpet. Not only that, but the styrofoam insulation was reduced to less than half it's original thickness as it was soaked by the diesel........

Now I have removed most of the areas that were badly soaked and stripped it down to the frame (sounds a lot like floor rot being stripped to the frame in an Airstream). SEE I told you there would be lots of similarities here.

So a few of the segments are now stripped to the 'belly wrap' which is a heavy vinyl substrate that was originally bonded to the luan bottom layer, then the foam, and finally to the top layer. This actually forms the bottom of the coach.

Now the fun begins in trying to re-construct this 'sandwich' to the exact thickness of the original. The final layer will be 1/4" luan panels covered by automotive trunk liner (tough stuff!). I'm doing it in removable panels in case something nasty happens in there again, so I won't have to re-do the entire bay, which BTW is 99" wide by 6 ft. long.

YUP! Got loads of storage now!!!

Enjoy the shots. More to come as this project progresses.

[dogpound]

She is a gem. I look forward to watching how you bring her back to her glory. You will have a very nice one when you are done.
Bob Whitcomb
WBCCI #10105
AIR # 28478