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amitchell · 07-21-2008, 12:37 PM

Hey Ron,
Wow, what a great job you are doing on the trailer! The photos and info are great inspiration! The zebra wood (one of my personal favorites) looks fantastic.

I am about to start renovating my own '72 Overlander, and I have a quick question for you. What is the flexible material you used around the walls, on the back side of the dinette? I saw the post about the quarter rounds, but I didn't see anything about the other material. Did you mill that yourself or did you find a resource for the flexible banding? Also, can you provide info on how you fastened the material to the walls, and also to the dinette frame?

I hope my question makes sense! Again, thanks for the inspiration!

Best regards
Allen Mitchell

surferstyler · 07-21-2008, 02:19 PM

Good afternoon Allen, thank you for your comments. And good luck with your trailer!

The flexible material you were asking about that supports the rear of the dinette is home made stuff. I used 3/4" Baltic birch plywood, cut in strips about an 1" wide by 36" long. Every inch or so I cut a groove with my table saw about 1/2" to 5/8" deep. By doing this, it allows the strip of wood to be flexible so you can curve it easily. I did this in a few other places around the A/S, and it really makes it easy to work with curves vs. shaping a piece of wood to the curve. Then, I used 1 1/4" flat head screws to fasten the strips to the aluminum wall. By using screws every 4-6"' it really add a lot of strength on the wall. I also used vertical pieces every once in a while for extra support since my son thinks the dinette is a great place for jumping.

Most of the other joinery on the dinette was all with pocket screws and a Kreg Jig. These make for very strong joints. If you would like to see some more detailed pictures up close, please let me know. Good luck!

Regards,
Ron Althouse

amitchell · 07-21-2008, 07:17 PM

Thank you, Ron, for the quick reply. In the past, I've made flexible wood panels (for home projects) using the same technique you described... allowing the wood to flex along the sawblade kerfs. I've also done that with drywall, but that was messy!

Your dinette looks rock solid... fantastic job!

The info/help is mucho appreciated.

Cheers
Allen

buffaloman · 11-13-2008, 11:17 PM

well what has transpired since then? care to post pictures???

NorCal Bambi · 11-14-2008, 07:42 AM

Drywall can be soaked in water for a short period of time and then bent to curved shapes. I have done this to make arched door ways. Others might have comments on this technique.
Don

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitchell

Thank you, Ron, for the quick reply. In the past, I've made flexible wood panels (for home projects) using the same technique you described... allowing the wood to flex along the sawblade kerfs. I've also done that with drywall, but that was messy!

Your dinette looks rock solid... fantastic job!

The info/help is mucho appreciated.

Cheers
Allen

surferstyler · 11-17-2008, 10:37 AM

We were actually camping up at Refugio, north of Santa Barbara on Friday when you replied Buffaloman. We have done some more work lately, installed new curtains and blinds last week. We had to do some unusual type stuff, as usual. So I'll try to get some pictures going this week and post. Thanks for your reply!
Ron

Mrcrowley · 11-22-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaisyandDave

Hi and Congratulations,

We're in the same boat. Just bought a 71 Sovereign that we've gutted. Ours is in a lot worse shape than yours...structural problems with the rear bath floor. And yesterday, while I was hosing out the remaining goop I found hair and teeth. But that's all behind me now.

We have big plans too. My husband used to build boats and I upholster things...that don't have teeth.

If 'n you ever get discouraged just come here to the forum. The people here are really helpful.

I have no flor isues but wow i never knew how much a mouse can infest a trailer till I ripped out my bathroom . OMG wow.
I had nests everywhere.

kennyp315 · 03-04-2009, 12:16 AM

Woow, What a great looking trailer. I have a '65 Globetroter that I did in birch and teak. It looks like a wooden sailboat inside. I am now thinking about getting another little larger (25 Tradewind). You and Kip are inspiring me. I am also a surfer. All the best, Kenny

coltmccoy · 03-04-2009, 01:06 AM

Can you put weights underneath the floor to balance both sides?

Snellen 67 · 03-14-2009, 07:37 PM

Hey Ron,

It's Rob and Becki from Long Beach. We met at the San Clemente rally. Your trailer looks great. We are finally embarking on ours after getting the trailer hitch, trailer brakes and other "safety" issues resolved. Do you have more pictures with the cushions, curtains and other details? We would love to see them!

Aloha!

arhuranna · 04-24-2009, 02:29 PM

Hi Ron,

I am getting ready to start construction on my wrap around dinette and was hoping you would post or send me more detailed photos of how the frame was built and how you made the joints. Your project has turned out great, hope mine goes as well. I have been looking at the idea of using sheet aluminum to finish the dinette. Your ceiling turned out great. Thanks for the help.

Mitch

Della · 10-17-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferstyler

Well it's been a few weeks, but the plumbing is finished now. I installed all new pex plumbing lines, a new Shurflo wate filter and an Atwood water heater. Here are a few photos of what's going on. Next up, we plan to paint this inside this weekend, put up some recessed lights and replace the center ceiling panels with either Stainless sheeting or Aluminum. Should be a long weekend! By the way, the pex was easy to work with!

All these entries are great, lets see, some 5 years down the line. HOpe you have enjoyed the airstream. Were there any final pics?? CAn I contact you in regards to your efforts, as I am just about to that re-plumbing stage. LEt me know.

thanks,
Richard and Della

surferstyler · 10-18-2011, 09:56 AM

Good morning Richard & Della, thank you for your comments. Everything has worked out really well. Just a few small updates in the past couple years, but that's about it. We go camping about once every month or two, I just haven't had to do anything new that has really been worth updating the website for. If you have any questions regarding the Pex, feel free to contact me anytime!
Regards,
Ron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Della

All these entries are great, lets see, some 5 years down the line. HOpe you have enjoyed the airstream. Were there any final pics?? CAn I contact you in regards to your efforts, as I am just about to that re-plumbing stage. LEt me know.

thanks,
Richard and Della

sbooth88 · 04-09-2012, 11:42 AM

We started the dinette project today. Can you tell me how much fabric I need for the cushions?

kennyp315 · 04-16-2012, 08:25 AM

Great job. Your wood work is very nice. One word of caution, watch the weight that you are putting in your trailer. I am waiting for my new 6000 lb axle to come in, before my trip to Yosemite in four weeks. When I built my trailer, we ended up adding about 1000 extra pounds. My trailer came out beautiful, but as had towing/tire wear issues for a long time. I finally took it to the scales and weighed it. I then realized the new 4200 lb axle was not going to work on my '65 Globetrotter. Just a word of caution.

kennyp315 · 04-16-2012, 01:48 PM

The under cushion storage is way cleaner look without drawer fronts spoiling your beautiful work. Your wrap around booth, in the front, is almost identical to mine. Clean nice lines like a beautiful wooden sailboat.

Sodbust · 04-16-2012, 05:54 PM

72 Overlander here also.. Been watching from a distance your project and work and looking great..

We lucked out or paid that extra few grand to get ours with everything inside in good stock condition.. Just a good cleaning and its on the road..

In a way I wish now I had gotten a re builder as I would sure have opened up the cabin area more than stock and I sure wanted a rear bedroom.. But that would be a much more of a job to redo all the holding tanks..

Keep up the good work,, and enjoy watching from a safe distance,

Sodbust

IowaNewbies · 07-31-2012, 11:47 PM

We just brought ours home. your posts are a great reference, please keep it up.

agdadof4 · 08-25-2012, 01:48 AM

Do you have any photos of what the area under the original twin beds looked like when you pulled them out? I pulled ours out tonight and I am wondering what is original. Thanks and we love everything you have done.

Mulligan · 08-25-2012, 03:08 AM

Hi All, after seeing Ron's brilliant rebuild of his 72 Overlander i felt that i had to post some pics of my own refurb on my 73, i imported in to the UK in sept 2010 and it took me about 14months to complete in my spare time.
I completely gutted her so i could rewire to 240v (UK voltage) but i kept a 110v ring for the A/c and the Progressive Dynamics Intelli charger, all pex water lines, i use a eberspacher (i think you call it Webasto ? ) for heating and hot water with a 40ltr twin coil horizontal water tank, so i have a wet central heating system. i replaced all internal skins with Alumininum, I put a fixed bed in the rear and replaced the front gauho with the wrap around diner which like Ron's converts to a queen size bed, room for 2 and a Bernese mountain Dog !!!!.

We are pleased with her but as with all Vintage Airstreams its still work in progress

Cheers
Tim