'65 GT 20' my winter project

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More progress. Indy spoke to Patrick the hired Navy man. I'm still concerned about the wrap on the edges. Learned the term the point of beyond yield from Indy.

Feeling better ...for now.

My banana wraps are at Dreamers Hot Rods in Everett, WA. The owner of my shop is spending money there on a 1969 Camaro NEW BUILD that means new everything. Yes the body is from the mold. He talked them into working on my banana wraps. So that is super cool news. And he is still happy with how I run the shop.

Honestly, I could hang out in a hot rod shop or Airstream shop all day long. As frustrating as it is. It's the creation.








Here is the Camaro - you many have seen the 73 Corvette in the background at times in here.

-

Thanks all

[KCN]

Glad you are making progress! Fabricators/hotrodders/wheelers are very helpful - out of the box thinkers, haters-gonna-hate types, which is really good at times because there is no "the" way, but many ways. That being said, I'm glad you are also getting help from trailer guys because there really is nothing like an Airstream. But, like most things in life, you have to make your own mistakes to actually learn.

I'll pm you pictures of my corners - Vinstream made them for me after we sat there and pondered the mysteries of how I could fail so many times, and after looking at my many attempts at perfecting the corner. I think AS did a lot of things right, but not the corners.

For me, though....on this first trailer..I finally had to go with Mark Zuckerberg's, "Done is better than Perfect."

Kathy

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Hallelujah. Yes. Done is better than perfect

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Theme of the day.
Done is sometimes more important than perfect.

OK So I have to pause this whole project and regroup. Good time to do it.

Lessons learned-

1- People hired from Craigslist don't have full time jobs for a reason
2- Do not think you can make new banana wraps unless you are an EXPERT
3- Fire your hired help faster
4- Learn to do it yourself-well that may be fine and good- But I am learning Hybrid Cloud Networks right now.

Banana wrap update- $800 for the repairs to date and I call them done. They need a good polish.

That aside- The gap between the end of the banana wraps and the edge of the last sheet is 14". Its awkward but not a bend but no rigger to attach to. I have the old template.

Onward and upward. This is the last day of work for the week. Back next weekend after I have frozen my tail off in DC and NY. Ready for the break and my new job!

Thank you so much for all the support, pictures and calls. My courage and determination is bolstered by this forum. Bless you all.

Glad I have documented so much because I think so many people want to share the lessons from decisions, mistakes, methods and milestones.

Most of the albums of each step is on my Google Plus photo site Glamper Girl. Click around.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/search/%23Videos


https://plus.google.com/photos/11042...17596727825777

[indy]

Hang in there, we got your back, and you got my #.
Be safe.
Here is a small project I was involved with you may recognize it.

[REDSLED88]

Well, I'll be honest, those banana wraps do look pretty darn sweet!
A little expensive, but look great.

I was going to show you my progress on my 'wrap', as I've only done one.
But your done with yours, so no need. If you want I have posted pictures on my thread.
I think the belly looks fine, and actually more than fine. As long as it doesn't hang down while you are moving the trailer, then it can all be finished or fixed later.

Get that shell on, and push forward. I too got hung up on little things, as I was like you where I was managing many projects at once. Ended up confusing myself, getting frustrated, then total burnt, and finally walked away. 2 years later I picked it back up, and have a much more reasonable approach.

Remember, this is a 2 wheel coach that you sleep in, or drink in, or whatever. No one is going to call you out on doing things wrong when your rig is AWESOME!
The truth of the matter is, nothing is really WRONG, it's just a different perspective and approach. A million ways to skin a cat.

Now, go earn some money, and then get back on that horse.



TIMK

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Originally Posted by indy

Hang in there, we got your back, and you got my #.

Be safe.

Here is a small project I was involved with you may recognize it.

Wow that is amazing. Come on up Derald! Those curves on the EMP are pure Airstream!!

[Lance M]

Hi,
I haven't read the whole thread, but you seem to be having some belly pan difficulties. The rear corners are one single flat sheet. Not easy, but you have the frame inverted, so it should be very easy.

It will look something like this-
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

You can look through the pics to see other examples.

Good luck!

[REDSLED88]

Originally Posted by Top

Hi,
I haven't read the whole thread, but you seem to be having some belly pan difficulties. The rear corners are one single flat sheet. Not easy, but you have the frame inverted, so it should be very easy.

It will look something like this-
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

You can look through the pics to see other examples.

Good luck!

There you go shelly, It appears each cut is approx. 2.5" wide, and 3' Long, or something thereabouts to give you that curve.
Thanks Lance! Trailer looks Awesome.

BTW, Lance do you know what type of lock/latch goes in the streetside compartment door you have in picture #88?
Looking for a couple of replacements.

Sorry to Hijack,

TIMK

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by REDSLED88

There you go shelly, It appears each cut is approx. 2.5" wide, and 3' Long, or something thereabouts to give you that curve.
Thanks Lance! Trailer looks Awesome.

BTW, Lance do you know what type of lock/latch goes in the streetside compartment door you have in picture #88?
Looking for a couple of replacements.

Sorry to Hijack,

TIMK

Thanks!

The lock/latch is a standard thing. I took all of them to a good old school Locksmith to have them all keyed alike. Not the same CH751 that everyone else has, though.

[indy]

A lot of your local guys played a big part we fabricated here in KC shipped to and assembled.

[thumbelinadj]

Originally Posted by Top

Hi,

I haven't read the whole thread, but you seem to be having some belly pan difficulties. The rear corners are one single flat sheet. Not easy, but you have the frame inverted, so it should be very easy.



It will look something like this-

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink



You can look through the pics to see other examples.



Good luck!

You have me thinking!!! Thank you for the pics. My original Belly pan was sectioned in the back. But you have me thinking! Many thanks!

[Lance M]

Thinking? The pic I posted shows how the corners were done from the factory from the 40s through '68.

Here is a post from Frank.
Frank's Trailer Works Blog: 1968 Caravel 5 of...

No need to think. The thinking was done in the 40s.

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Thinking rip and replace !

[Lance M]

Ah! Good luck!

[thumbelinadj]

I have spent the time to take the shell off. My philosophy is do it once and do it right. I'm stumbling here and there but I get back up again.

[REDSLED88]

My apologies, I believe I called you Shelly twice now.... Doh.
Sorry about that Dena!

[pbearsailor]

No one has ever crawled under my trailer to look at my belly pan. That is a good thing.

-steve

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by pbearsailor

No one has ever crawled under my trailer to look at my belly pan. That is a good thing.



-steve

Steve, I was discussing this with a friend on here the other day, concerned over what someone might say about their belly pan repair... My solution was to invite the first person to look at it, and when they got down on all fours to look, kick them as hard as you can, right in their junk. One or two of those, and NOBODY wants to look at your belly pan any more.

-Red, problem solver...

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Love it