Form rear curve for frame off floor replacement

[Aviator]

Well, I spent the day cutting a complete new floor for our 1970. Everything went smoothly until I got to the rear section. Of course it is the most rotten of the bunch and the curve is not complete.

Is the front curve and the rear curve the same? I don't have enough floor left in the back to tell? Any help is appreciated.

[HiHoAgRV]

I'm 99.9% sure that the front and rear don't have the same curve on your trailer. I was able to use the C channel to make a curve on my '91.

[Mixter]

I had same issue. I used the shell as my template and slid a piece of cardboard under and traced it. Then transferred the cardboard to the ply after test fit.

[RM66caravel]

The channel worked for me and the cardboard template made before shel off as suggested by 62overlander. They matched up perfectly. Frame is still in the driveway waiting for 3 days of no rain that I am off work! This would be the monsoon year for east nc! So take and post some pictures so we can see someone that is making progress!
Cliff

[Aviator]

Thanks all. I will post some picks to my "Aviator's 1970 Restomod" thread. The cardboard template sounds like the way to go. The shell is still hanging from the gantry's and is easy to get under. I will hold the cardboard from the inside and ask my wife to trace the curve on the outside, then transfer accounting for the shell wall thickness.

[JCPOTTERF]

So , Aviator did you replace your floor with out pulling the frame out from under the body?
And it needed no frame repair? I've not built my gantries yet but am getting closer to acquiring all the necessary things to do the lift . I removed about five feet of the rear floor before reading up on doing it but about a foot of it was missing all the way around the rear .It was covered with 3/4 plywood by a hack I too will have to make some kind of pattern Should I make the patterns before I lift off the body or just replace the floor and trace it after the frame and floor are done. I am a bit nervous about not having that much of it to copy
____________________
JCPotterf
1963 28' Ambassador International

[JCPOTTERF]

Well Aviator i just found your Overlander restro thread so there's my answers thanks for all the info. nice job as well!

[J. Morgan]

I slid the piece of plywood between the frame and body and marked directly on the plywood, no template required.

[Aviator]

Thanks, JCPotterf. The front and back are attached, and I started on the side bolts, it snapped the Stainless ones I was using. Now it is back to the store for some grade 5 bolts

[JimCat2000]

Aviator, What are you using for flooring? I'm about to start replacing my entire floor and I'm concerned about pressure treated woods and their effect on aluminum as well as adhesion for flooring, etc.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

question… how did you all keep your curve the same as it was before you remove the shell. I have never seen the shell remain in the same curve after it has been released. Even the c channel tends to flex out of it's original shape once removed. Guessing sucks. I have done it before. Everything going forward is an adjustment instead of going back as it came apart.
I hope those reading, about to start this process will take the time to make a template of the c channel BEFORE it all gets taken apart. These trailers were made by hand for years and the shell varies a lot from one trailer another.

[Aviator]

My shell remained suspended for about four months. I had three 2X4's braced across the bottom edge at the c channel, and didn't notice much change in shape when I lowered it back down.