Does 1967 have Aluminium Frame Floor ?

[timhortons]

Is this true ? What are the years/history of aluminum as subfloor/main frame material ? I know this WAS done on some argosy.

I've become obsessed with the 60s airstreams and have been wondering about this but it's slightly unclear from the search function.

[DKB_SATX]

There were a few Argosy Minuets with a composite subfloor that had a thin layer of aluminum on the top (and perhaps the bottom, but I haven't seen that for myself.) They didn't perform well over time, tending to sag a bit between frame rails.

I think the main frame was always steel, and I don't think they ever did the composite subfloor in an Airstream-branded trailer.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by timhortons

Is this true ? What are the years/history of aluminum as subfloor/main frame material ? I know this WAS done on some argosy.

I've become obsessed with the 60s airstreams and have been wondering about this but it's slightly unclear from the search function.

Airstream has never used aluminum for any Airstream trailers floors. I am not sure if it was ever used in some Argosy's, but I have never seen or heard of one.
.
Andy

[Wingeezer]

Don't aircraft use such floors?

Years ago, when working for the railroad in Canada, I recall that the passenger "Turbotrains" at the time in service in the US and in Canada had floors made from honeycomb aluminium composite flooring.

I was of the understanding that it was more or less common practice in airplanes - if so, why not in Airstreams?? Seems as though it would have made sense for both weight and durability standpoint.

Brian.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

Don't aircraft use such floors?

Years ago, when working for the railroad in Canada, I recall that the passenger "Turbotrains" at the time in service in the US and in Canada had floors made from honeycomb aluminium composite flooring.

I was of the understanding that it was more or less common practice in airplanes - if so, why not in Airstreams?? Seems as though it would have made sense for both weight and durability standpoint.

Brian.

The Turbos were special, in that they were dedicated, more-or-less permanently coupled sets. They also had steel frame members to comply with buffing force specs.
As for airplanes, they spend most of their travel time suspended from their wings, not their wheels. They also have a set number of takeoff/land cycles and air hours before they can't be used any more.

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

There were a few Argosy Minuets with a composite subfloor that had a thin layer of aluminum on the top (and perhaps the bottom, but I haven't seen that for myself.) They didn't perform well over time, tending to sag a bit between frame rails.

I think the main frame was always steel, and I don't think they ever did the composite subfloor in an Airstream-branded trailer.

I have seen an Argosy Minuet 20' with the aluminum floor. It did sag between the frame. It also had plastic windows and aluminum cabinet panels. All to keep the weight done I imagine. Don't know how many were made like this but I do know of 1

[MitchR55]

Boeing will sell you some nice carbon fiber floor panels, for the price of a new Airstream! :-)

[dbj216]

Hi timhortons. I suspect you are catching this Airstream bug rather badly. Mumbling about 60s Airstreams is a classic symptom. Not good! Next you'll have dreams of full timing.

There are a lot of us sicko Airstream folks who like the 60s trailers. All of them were built with steel frames and 5/8" plywood subfloors. It least is was a bit better than OSB. Many of us sicko Airstreamers rather enjoy digging out the old rotted subfloor and replacing it. Can you imagine?

Costs would be higher, but we know there are stronger, more durable subfloor designs available. However we disturbed Airstreamers would have less to do.

David