Adding a slide out

[HabaNaHaba]

Has anyone added a slide out to their vintage airstream? We have a 76 sovereign and my hubby wants to add a slide out to the living area. Any and all comments are welcome.

[Bill M.]

Just not something I would be interested in doing. Not sure I would even buy the new models with the slide already in them. Adding 800 lbs to that older frame does not appeal to me either.

[Al and Missy]

There have been very few problems reported with the Airstream slideouts. The frame, however, was beefed up and the original frame may have been stronger than the frames on the older trailers to begin with. Airstream says to not put out the slide without first putting down the stabilizers to avoid twisting the frame.

There are a lot of issues in the design. The slideout has to be sealed against leaks when it is in and when it is out. There are mechanical locks to keep the slide from moving around while going down the road. Before undertaking such an effort it would be wise to take a careful look at the design of one to know what you are up against.

As a final consideration, it might seriously impact the resale value of an older trailer like your Sovereign.

Al

[Isuzusweet]

If you really want a trailer with a slide out.......buy a trailer with a slide out.

The cost of engineering, fabricating, and buying hardware to put a slide out in your trailer, would be far more expensive, with no guarantees it's going to work, than buying a slide out Airstream.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

PS You're not kidding anyone; it's you that wants the slide out. Your husband is the one saying "you must be joking right?"

[HabaNaHaba]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

There have been very few problems reported with the Airstream slideouts. The frame, however, was beefed up and the original frame may have been stronger than the frames on the older trailers to begin with. Airstream says to not put out the slide without first putting down the stabilizers to avoid twisting the frame.

There are a lot of issues in the design. The slideout has to be sealed against leaks when it is in and when it is out. There are mechanical locks to keep the slide from moving around while going down the road. Before undertaking such an effort it would be wise to take a careful look at the design of one to know what you are up against.

As a final consideration, it might seriously impact the resale value of an older trailer like your Sovereign.

Al

Thanks for the input. I've wondered about those things and more. As for resale not too concerned since I plan on keeping this one even if we were to buy another.

[HabaNaHaba]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

If you really want a trailer with a slide out.......buy a trailer with a slide out.

The cost of engineering, fabricating, and buying hardware to put a slide out in your trailer, would be far more expensive, with no guarantees it's going to work, than buying a slide out Airstream.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

PS You're not kidding anyone; it's you that wants the slide out. Your husband is the one saying "you must be joking right?"

Actually I'm on team buy one with a slide out and leave this one as is. Hubby wants space for a recliner and we can't ditch the sofa since we need it as a bed. I already said "you must be joking right?"

[Bill M.]

We have the 2 recliners versus the existing sofa bed discussion going now. But adding a slide for a recliner has not been entered as an idea.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by HabaNaHaba

. . .
. . . I already said "you must be joking right?"
. . .

Ditto.

[HabaNaHaba]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Ditto.

We are in the process of adding a slide-out to our '76 International. Well keep you posted.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by HabaNaHaba

We are in the process of adding a slide-out to our '76 International. Well keep you posted.

I can tell you that no matter how skilled the craftsman this project is going to be a very bad idea.
I never want to discourage anyone from being creative, but this is going to make an other wise valuable trailer and make it worthless.

[HabaNaHaba]

Originally Posted by GMFL

I can tell you that no matter how skilled the craftsman this project is going to be a very bad idea.
I never want to discourage anyone from being creative, but this is going to make an other wise valuable trailer and make it worthless.

Are you speaking from experience? If so please elaborate.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by HabaNaHaba

Are you speaking from experience? If so please elaborate.

Knowing how Airstreams are manufactured, the complexity of adding a slide out to a unit that was not designed to have a slide out would make it not feasible to do.
Even if you had a salvage unit with a slide and wanted to put it in your current unit to would be intimidating to even the best of the best.
Cost of this would probably be more than the unit was worth.

Here’s a plan.....Call Jackson Center, they have all the skills, inside knowledge, tools, and facilities to pull this off if possible, they have install second doors for folks (best I can remember at about $8000). Ask them to install a slide out for you. I bet they will tell you NO WAY..

It’s just not a good idea.

With that said, Any MOD is possible with enough time, skill and money.

[OTRA15]

Basic knowledge about Airstreams, structure, and logic all support the following statements, as well as earlier posts, IMO.

Can it be done? Sure . . . but at what cost . . . and with what level of functionality and "finished" look?

If this is the best use of one's time, and money is no object, go for it.

Peter

PS -- And in some future year, when the project is finally done, please update us about the labor hours and material cost.

Originally Posted by GMFL

I can tell you that no matter how skilled the craftsman this project is going to be a very bad idea.
I never want to discourage anyone from being creative, but this is going to make an other wise valuable trailer and make it worthless.

Originally Posted by GMFL

Knowing how Airstreams are manufactured, the complexity of adding a slide out to a unit that was not designed to have a slide out would make it not feasible to do.
Even if you had a salvage unit with a slide and wanted to put it in your current unit to would be intimidating to even the best of the best.
Cost of this would probably be more than the unit was worth.

Here’s a plan.....Call Jackson Center, they have all the skills, inside knowledge, tools, and facilities to pull this off if possible, they have install second doors for folks (best I can remember at about $8000). Ask them to install a slide out for you. I bet they will tell you NO WAY..

It’s just not a good idea.

With that said, Any MOD is possible with enough time, skill and money.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by HabaNaHaba

We are in the process of adding a slide-out to our '76 International. Well keep you posted.

Have you documented this project? Total labor hours, material costs, and photos would be interesting for all to see IMO.

Thanks,

Peter

[HabaNaHaba]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Have you documented this project? Total labor hours, material costs, and photos would be interesting for all to see IMO.

Thanks,

Peter

That was my hubby posting "we're in the process". He didn't know I'd asked for comments and actually replied to my post. LOL. We're still in the investigation phase of the process but we'll definitely keep everyone posted if we go forward with adding one.

[Camper Crazy]

HabaNahaba, I think you've asked the wrong crowd, or the wrong crowd has responded. I bet is has been done, there are lots of people who can engineer what they can dream. I do think time and money are considerations, something I suspect you have thought of already. Hope you can connect with the help you need and would love to see how it goes.
CC

[Lumatic]

You may have to upgrade the axles to handle the extra weight.

[drbrick]

I had never seen or know of a successful slide-out in an air-plane

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by HabaNaHaba

Has anyone added a slide out to their vintage airstream? We have a 76 sovereign and my hubby wants to add a slide out to the living area. Any and all comments are welcome.

If you are in serious need for that much more room buy SOB that comes with proven slide outs system all around.
I never thought of an Airstream as a slide out kind of trailer.
IMHO its in the opposite spectrum all together.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Camper Crazy

. . .
. . . I bet is has been done . . .
. . .

I'll take that bet!

Document one Airstream to which a person has added a slide-out, which was done completely and within the structural limits of the original Airstream, and is presently licensed and registered to travel on the highway . . . and waterproof [open and closed] . . . and I will buy you a beverage of your choice.