Dumb belly pan question...

[JJJ76]

so....working on 76 sovereign shell-off project. I have the shell off, plywood floor is stripped, and working on repairing/painting frame. I still have the bellypan on. I've read all about how to take off the bellypan, seen how to flip the frame with the gantrys, but my question is...do I need to remove the pan??? I'm figuring this out as I go so I'm sure there are things I cant forsee right now. but the bellypan is in fine shape. I thought of 2 potential issues - painting the frame with POR15 and "welding" the bellypan to the frame, and potentially making floor insulation tougher?

obviously it will never be easier to do than now, but other than that, what am I not thinking of?

[rugjenkins]

Unless there are issues with bellypan getting in the way of frame repairs you could op to leave it. Nothing says you can't come back later and paint the underside. It is hard to imagine that you don't have issues with the bottom rail of the frame.

[JJJ76]

my frame issues are the outriggers and some areas around the tanks, which will be dropped and so i'll have access. but you're right, I cant really see the bottom of some of the frame members right now. thanks for the reply.

[featherbedder]

If I ever had to remove belly pan It's good bye. On older models AS used pink fiber glass when wet never drys then causing rust on frame and out riggers also floor rot. IMO if not living in cold weather don't need insulation, most manf. do not use a belly pan, further more AS insulation in walls are a iffy thing IMO not much good for summer heat and cold weather. I have had AS since 1963 having 5 And 1 Argosy, not one had adqte insulation.

[Trons4u]

Yes you should remove it. When you paint you'll want to paint the area that is covered by the belly pan. It will also allow you to weld the area's much easier

[vanster]

You are this far and peace of mind knowing that all is clean and fresh is worth a lot. Building a new pan at this stage is not that difficult. You can also evict all the critters. We replaced the insulation with closed cell.

[twolanehwy]

when I did my 59' you needed access to elevator bolts from below. Don't know how else you'd do it. Maybe later models are different but don't think so.

[TheGreatleys]

Originally Posted by twolanehwy

when I did my 59' you needed access to elevator bolts from below. Don't know how else you'd do it. Maybe later models are different but don't think so.

They make self-tapping floor repair screws you could use instead of elevator bolts. But yes, if you're using elevator bolts to put the floor back on, you need to be able to access below the frame to get the nut on the bolt.

[Lumatic]

Frame condition is across the board. There are many 50+ year old Airstreams with sound frames. On the other hand a frame exposed to humidity and salt can quickly rust out.

[perryg114]

I would remove the pan and replace it with something like .032 5052-H32 aluminum. I would also put it on with screws not rivets so you can get in there and inspect stuff. I used 1/4-20 stainless screws tapped into the frame. I HATE removing rivets. Also you should POR15 the frame to insulate it from the belly skin when it goes back together. Do not put the stinky pink insulation back in. My 81 has a box beam made with two 5" channels welded together. I had to tap the elevator bolts into the frame from the top as well so I had all the stuff to do the belly skin. Drill, tap, install bolt and so on.

Perry

[JJJ76]

ok, so I decided to replace the bellypan. need to order material now. it seems like 5052 is the consensus choice for the bottom (flat) pieces. is that the same for the pieces that wrap up the sides? or does that need to be the same aluminum as the shell so that they will polish up the same in the end?

thanks

[perryg114]

You can use the same stuff as the floor pan. The .032 is a challenge to bend.

Perry

[HiJoeSilver]

I'll second the .032 beingbtough to bend on the side wraps, especially on any long sections. .025 is probably a good choice for the side wraps, .032 for the bottoms.
I used 5052-H32 .032 for all of mine. As mentioned the one long curved piece I had was tough.

[TouringDan]

I just finished my belly pan and I used .025 material. I am using the same material for the banana wraps (.025). You may want to look at my thread “Dan’s 66 Tradewind Improvements”.

Dan

[lilsheepdog]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

If I ever had to remove belly pan It's good bye. On older models AS used pink fiber glass when wet never drys then causing rust on frame and out riggers also floor rot. IMO if not living in cold weather don't need insulation, most manf. do not use a belly pan, further more AS insulation in walls are a iffy thing IMO not much good for summer heat and cold weather. I have had AS since 1963 having 5 And 1 Argosy, not one had adqte insulation.

Feather, then what for protection if no belly pan? I agree with insulation really not being needed since I'm down south, but how do you protect the underside? I think i'm missing something but my frame will be done soon and I'm trying to figure out how to put her back together (PO tore her apart). What would be an option to go from banana wrap to banana wrap?

I wonder if hard plastic sheeting would be an option! lol.

[perryg114]

You can get buy without it for a little while. It is not critical. Clean and paint the frame and bottom of the floor. I will be surprised if there is not serious frame rust and floor rot on one that age. The side wraps should be on there to keep water from coming from the sides.

Perry

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by lilsheepdog

Feather, then what for protection if no belly pan? I agree with insulation really not being needed since I'm down south, but how do you protect the underside? I think i'm missing something but my frame will be done soon and I'm trying to figure out how to put her back together (PO tore her apart). What would be an option to go from banana wrap to banana wrap?

I wonder if hard plastic sheeting would be an option! lol.

How many SOB have belly pan and all other rv.s manf. today, I think you will be surprised that you will not find very many.

[perryg114]

Belly pan is not a great idea accept for aerodynamics.

Perry