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Florida 55 · 04-30-2012, 07:46 PM

After purchasing our 2008 Safari SE 27FB in August 2011 we joined the Carolinas unit of the WBCCI. My DW determined she did not want to spoil the pristine skin of our new family addition, Sweet Pea, so we did not rush to put our red numbers on the trailer. We are planning to visit an Airstream only park that requires the numbers be displayed when camping. I went on a search for alternatives to putting the numbers directly on the skin and risking ghosting for some future owner.

After reading about "baldy" options on the forums, and using a Google search, I decided the plexiglass with suction cups method was the perfect solution for our baldy to be allowed to participate in WBCCI events. My daughter photographed the construction process to share with other Airstreamers.

From Lowes I purchased an 18" by 24" (3/16" thick) sheet of acrylic. I bought the more expensive acrylic instead of regular plexiglass in the anticipation it will last longer. The large clear suction cups with attached wire hook came from Home Depot (3 to a pack). The WBCCI logo and peel off adhesive numbers came from the WBCCI.

Tools used were a T-square, a regular square, a metal yardstick, and a black Sharpie pen medium point. Originally I tried using a fine point Sharpie but found it did not write well on the milky plastic protecting the acrylic sheet. An electric drill was used to drill holes in the sheet for the suction cup hangers.

My first step was to do a rough lay out using the number decals on the sheet (Picture 1). I next measured the numbers and calculated the spacing between each number, the spacing around the perimeter, and spacing between the logo and the numbers. With these calculations I used my T-Square, metal yardstick, and Sharpie to create a diagram on the protective cover sheet of one side of the acrylic (Picture 2). In Picture 3 you can see the completed diagram with the WBCCI logo not permanently placed on the sheet to demonstrate proportions.

Florida 55 · 04-30-2012, 07:58 PM

The next step (Picture 1 below) was to drill holes in the plexiglass for the suction hooks. The holes should be drilled before peeling off the protective coating from either side. Use the suction hooks to determine the size of hole and placement. I decided to put three hooks across the top of the sheet (3 holes) and two at the bottom (two hooks at the bottom to keep the sheet from flapping in the breeze).

I then removed the milky plastic coating from the "clean" side of the acrylic sheet not marked with the diagram (Picture 2).

Now for the tricky part, applying the numbers and the WBCCI decal to the now "bare" side of the acrylic sheet (Pictures 3 & 4). The plastic from which the numbers are made is very stretchy once the backing is peeled off. It is very difficult to place the stickers in the locations on the diagram visible through the clear sheet. Air bubbles are also a problem. I can't imagine standing on a ladder applying these numbers to a trailer!

Florida 55 · 04-30-2012, 08:15 PM

Once the numbers were adhered to the proper positions on the bare side of the sheet, the WBCCI logo was aligned to the diagram visible through the clear side of the sheet (Picture 1) and applied to the surface. It is a more stable decal and easier to handle than the numbers although I did experience some trouble removing the backing. The next photo (Picture 2) shows the finished acrylic sheet without the backing removed from the opposite side.

The final Picture 3 shows the finished sheet mounted to the front window of our trailer using the suction cups. Given that it was not a windy day only the top three suction cups were used to hold the sheet for the photograph. As mentioned previously there are two additional holes on the bottom of the sheet for two more suction cups which will keep it from flapping in the breeze.

With the assistance of my daughter this project took about 1 1/2 hours to complete. The sheet will be stored inside a pillow case for protection against scratches when it is not being displayed at WBCCI events.

bolerama · 04-30-2012, 09:19 PM

It looks great.
Lisa

rd tighe · 05-01-2012, 07:12 AM

Your job looks great! If you leave your #s on when we see you on the road we know who we are flashing our lights at. We have our WBCCI book with us at all times when we are on the road.

xo1rider · 05-01-2012, 07:18 AM

Great job but where was this post 10 days ago when I was up on the shaky ladder in 85 degree blazing hot sunlight trying desperately not to have the "6" fold itself in half?

mefly2 · 08-16-2012, 08:56 AM

My alternative is to put some aluminum stock on the top / back of the clear plastic (as was done above) and then velcro the aluminum (either angle or channel) to the top of the frame of the front window rock guard.

ceallaigh · 08-26-2013, 07:46 PM

We chose displaying our numbers in the back window on a sheet of plexiglass - so it can be seen while traveling yet not be on the skin of the trailer. We have a second one for the front window of the trailer.

Arcticfox · 08-18-2014, 02:32 PM

Just tagging in so I can find this again. will undertake as soon as I can get to the city and find some Plexiglass....

Thanks

Doug

JCWDCW · 08-20-2014, 03:09 PM

Why not just put the numbers on the window front and back

mefly2 · 08-21-2014, 03:08 PM

Finally caved and put the numbers on the new AS ... just the front ~1.5 hrs on the ladder! However, we will likely still use the plexi on the backside numbers - it has worked well for us over the pat 4 years ...

Arcticfox · 08-21-2014, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

Finally caved and put the numbers on the new AS ... just the front ~1.5 hrs on the ladder! However, we will likely still use the plexi on the backside numbers - it has worked well for us over the pat 4 years ...

Your a brave sort - I still think I'm going the plexiglass route. I just don't know if I want the sheet as big as mentioned earlier in this thread of 18" x 24". If one did not bother with the WBCCI logo one could cut the size required for the plexiglass a lot I think.

mefly2 · 08-27-2014, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

Your a brave sort - I still think I'm going the plexiglass route. I just don't know if I want the sheet as big as mentioned earlier in this thread of 18" x 24". If one did not bother with the WBCCI logo one could cut the size required for the plexiglass a lot I think.

Yes, a bit smaller if you don't put on the circular logo ...or, just position it at the same level as the numbers.

Florida 55 · 08-28-2014, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

Yes, a bit smaller if you don't put on the circular logo ...or, just position it at the same level as the numbers.

You can definitely reduce the size of the plexiglass. I used a stock sheet of plexi from Lowes and didn't want to cut it. We store it in a pillowcase in between the queen bed and the closet next to the bed in our Airstream so it is protected from scratches and is out of the way when not in use.

We've only used it a few times. Top of Georgia Airstream Park requires the numbers be displayed. There have been a few WBCCI rallies where numbers are requested for identification purposes. Otherwise, we prefer the "clean" look when camping.

Rick75 · 08-28-2014, 05:16 AM

We're newbies and just brought home our new 2014 27 Flying Cloud FB yesterday from the dealer. The plexi and suction cup solution is a fantastic idea and we plan to use it for our AS too! Thanks for sharing. Any ASers visiting the Sullivan County, NY area be sure to look us up and stop by.

Arcticfox · 08-28-2014, 07:46 AM

Greetings with an update:

I ended up buying (1) piece of 18" x 24" and cutting it in 1/2. So that gave me (2) pieces of 9" x 24" and that was lots of room to place my red numbers with our the WBCCI logo.

Sa a side note; If one wants to cut plexi, the best is to draw a line where you want to cut and run tape over the line on both sides. Make sure you use tape (like masking tape) that still allows you to see the line. Then cut the plexi or lexan with a Jig Saw. The tape will stop the product from chipping and you will get a nice clean cut.

I'm assuming we will be like Florida 55 and not use these all that much but at least we have them if one needs them

Thanks for all your input into this

Cheers
Doug

Arcticfox · 08-28-2014, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick75

We're newbies and just brought home our new 2014 27 Flying Cloud FB yesterday from the dealer. The plexi and suction cup solution is a fantastic idea and we plan to use it for our AS too! Thanks for sharing. Any ASers visiting the Sullivan County, NY area be sure to look us up and stop by.

Congrat's Rick75 on your new purchase! We looked really close at the 27' and really liked them a lot. In the end we got the 28' but it was a toss up either way. What are you planning to tow it with?

Cheers
Doug

steverino · 08-28-2014, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida 55

You can definitely reduce the size of the plexiglass. I used a stock sheet of plexi from Lowes and didn't want to cut it. We store it in a pillowcase in between the queen bed and the closet next to the bed in our Airstream so it is protected from scratches and is out of the way when not in use.

Wow, I'm glad I found this thread. I'm also planning to go the plexiglass route, and was considering mounting aluminum channel to the plexiglass to hook it over the front window frame, but had not figured out how to hang it in the back.

Using suction cups is a great idea! Do you think mounting the suction cups directly to the plexiglass would work, thus avoiding the use of the hooks? Like you, I'd use 3 along the top, and 2 or 3 along the bottom.

do you think they'd stay on while on the road? I'm not sure about freeway speeds!!

Rick75 · 08-29-2014, 04:10 AM

Doug,
We're towing with a 2014 F-150, 5.0 V8, supercab with tow package and an Equalizer hitch. On our maiden tow from the dealer to our home it seemed plenty capable of doing the job. Our only change will be to add extendable tow mirrors and I have already asked the dealer to order them so that next time we take it on the road I should be able to see the back of the AS too.

Rick

Florida 55 · 08-29-2014, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steverino

Wow, I'm glad I found this thread. I'm also planning to go the plexiglass route, and was considering mounting aluminum channel to the plexiglass to hook it over the front window frame, but had not figured out how to hang it in the back.

Using suction cups is a great idea! Do you think mounting the suction cups directly to the plexiglass would work, thus avoiding the use of the hooks? Like you, I'd use 3 along the top, and 2 or 3 along the bottom.

do you think they'd stay on while on the road? I'm not sure about freeway speeds!!

I doubt suction cups will hold on the road even if mounted directly to the plexiglass. The only time I use the sign is when in camp. I went with the hooks on the suction cups so the sheet of plexi could be detached and easily stored flat.