Floor question 67 Tradewind-SURPRISE!

[SilverHoot]

I've looked at thread after thread on floor replacement and just assumed that the subfloor on all Airstreams continued to under the shell. So I was surprised to see on my 1967 Tradewind that the subfloor stops about 6 inches short of continuing all the way to the rear under the shell. Looks like this area steps down and accommodates plumbing, electrical box, and waste vale release. I tried to take a pic though it's difficult in this area. Is this correct? If so, whats the rear of the trailer attached to and my rear floor replacement just got easier!

[dnrtheil]

My '64 Tradewind had a similar problem as your. Plumbing running everywhere (not shown in photo) and a large section of missing wood in the very back. You can see if you look hard at the photos the old looking one is from when I started and the clean one is my current set up. I currently have a hole just big enough so the black tank valve and the drain lines (not pictured) fit, the rest of the area is flat solid plywood covered with a single piece of glue-less linoleum.

Derek

[SilverHoot]

Derek,

Thanks for the reply. What I don't quite understand is the subfloor not continuing to under the rear. Looks like this was designed this way. Was it? Btw , looks like you are doing a really nice job. Did you lift your shell for floor replacement? I was hoping to replace just the rear section of flooring with shell on. Have not removed the rear bath plastic wall combo. Don't even know if I can without a lot more deconstruction.

[Shacksman]

In the 67 it's acually just a big hole cut in the plywood. The edge of the piece is under the shell to keep it solid. Yours may have rotted away and left it looking cut short.

[mello mike]

My '72 Sovereign has a few large cutouts including one for the black tank valve pull. Check out my blog for pics.

[dnrtheil]

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

Derek,

Thanks for the reply. What I don't quite understand is the subfloor not continuing to under the rear. Looks like this was designed this way. Was it? Btw , looks like you are doing a really nice job. Did you lift your shell for floor replacement? I was hoping to replace just the rear section of flooring with shell on. Have not removed the rear bath plastic wall combo. Don't even know if I can without a lot more deconstruction.

Originally mine had plywood under the rear or back wall of the trailer, but over time it just fell apart, I know this because I pulled out small chunks during the removal part of my project. I did not remove the shell for an of my work. I was able to install a single piece of plywood 48" x 88". You can see more photos here if you want. Airstream Bathroom pictures by dnrtheil - Photobucket


Derek

[SilverHoot]

Wow, still not sure how you managed to get that rear section in there as one piece. Nice job! I'm going to start deconstructing while the temp is less than 100. Your pics were very helpful . THANKS

Michael

[dnrtheil]

One thing I had to do was after the inner skins where removed, was to remove a short section of vertical support. See circled section in photo. Looking at the photo I placed the bottom left of the plywood under the wall and used it as the pivot point. It took a crowbar and a hammer to get it into place. I did this twice, once as a test fit, the next time was for good.

D

[dnrtheil]

photo