1961 24' Tradewind floor

[rohayre]

I recently acquired a 1961 24' trade wind. I am gutting it.

The subfloor is in rough shape in spots. I have the following questions (I am new so be gentle if these are dumb questions)

- From what I can tell, the subfloor is bolted into the frame from top to bottom, and the shell sits on the floor, bolted down to it from underneath. Is this true?
- In order to replace the subfloor completely, I would need to lift the shell?
- If I were to lift the shell, I would have to remove the inside panels to unbolt the shell from the floor?
- The trailer has aluminum under skin, which I'm hoping has protected the frame but at the same time is destroyed in some spots. The under skin appears to be riveted to the sides at the base. In order to get to the bolts holding the subfloor down, I think I have to remove the underskin. When this happens, I'll get a good look at the frame.
- If I were to go through the brain damage of lifting the shell and removing the subfloor, would I be an idiot not to completely restore/repair the frame?

[FC7039]

You can replace the floor parts at a time without lifting the shell. The inside walls need to come out no matter. There are many threads doing it either way. Good luck and post pictures of your progress.


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[Overlander & Sea]

Here is a link to a very detailed, very good shell off restoration of a '63 Overlander.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...ome-71609.html

Good luck!

[Belegedhel]

Originally Posted by rohayre

I recently acquired a 1961 24' trade wind. I am gutting it.

The subfloor is in rough shape in spots. I have the following questions (I am new so be gentle if these are dumb questions)

- From what I can tell, the subfloor is bolted into the frame from top to bottom, and the shell sits on the floor, bolted down to it from underneath. Is this true?

This is correct!

- In order to replace the subfloor completely, I would need to lift the shell?

People replace their floors without lifting the shell, but in my opinion, that is probably the more difficult way to do it. Lifting the shell seems like a huge and dramatic way to go, but people do it all the time!

- If I were to lift the shell, I would have to remove the inside panels to unbolt the shell from the floor?

Correct!

- The trailer has aluminum under skin, which I'm hoping has protected the frame but at the same time is destroyed in some spots. The under skin appears to be riveted to the sides at the base. In order to get to the bolts holding the subfloor down, I think I have to remove the underskin. When this happens, I'll get a good look at the frame.

Yes, this is known as the "belly pan," and yes, you need to remove it, and you will see that it doesn't really protect the frame.

- If I were to go through the brain damage of lifting the shell and removing the subfloor, would I be an idiot not to completely restore/repair the frame?

Again, lifting the shell is not such a big deal, and yes, if you are lifting the shell, you should repair any part of the frame that is rusting away, scrape the old rust and paint off of it, paint it with POR-15, etc.

Good luck!