STEP-BY-STEP Shell-Off Floor Replacement

[goransons]

That's an amazing structure, looks great, how big is it (the green one)? The kids gotta love that red one. Nice work!

[utee94]

The barn is great, Jordan, in reading through your thread again the other day, it's funny to see how many times you mention building one-- and now you finally have it. Will the muscle cars fit in there too? And the Feathercraft? And the tractor...

Just finished up the top-flooring on mine, I love it, now it's time to rip off all your amazing furniture ideas and build them into my trailer.

-Marcus

[A-Merry-Can]

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

You weren't joking. JP, that's awesome! You WILL find your whale tail, just when you least expect it.

and most-likely when i can least AFFORD it! ha! That seems to be my luck. :-D

JP

[A-Merry-Can]

Originally Posted by utee94

The barn is great, Jordan, in reading through your thread again the other day, it's funny to see how many times you mention building one-- and now you finally have it. Will the muscle cars fit in there too? And the Feathercraft? And the tractor...

Just finished up the top-flooring on mine, I love it, now it's time to rip off all your amazing furniture ideas and build them into my trailer.

-Marcus

everything should fit... of course, when i find my next one, i'll have to start filling up the yard again.... haha!

[mikmilr]

Just wondering if you are going to redo your M. I really enjoy reading all your threads.
This 1950 MT has been in our family since 1951


Keep up the great work, Mike

[A-Merry-Can]

Originally Posted by mikmilr

Just wondering if you are going to redo your M. I really enjoy reading all your threads.
This 1950 MT has been in our family since 1951
Attachment 75865

Keep up the great work, Mike

WOW! a '64 Trade Wind AND a Model M! cool show. I'm def planning on at least respraying the M this summer. I'm planning on using it for light work around the yard, so a scratch or 2 doesn't scare me, but it would be nice to have the wheels back to shiny yellow. I made a little trailer to haul the kids around the yard a few weeks ago. They LOVE it.

[briheath]

I thought I would just add my two cents. Something everyone might want to consider is applying a borate solution to the sub floor. I have used a brand called Tim-Bor it is used on log homes as a wood preservastive. It will prevent mold mildew and insect problems. All you do is apply it with a garden sprayer. You can also apply any other sealent or solution on top of it without any concerns. It has no smell and will last forever. Basically you are petrifying the subfloor. I plan on applying this to my subfloor inside and out.

Brian

[SilverHoot]

Does borate react with aluminum?

[briheath]

Not that I've noticed. I have used it on homes with aluminum flashing and steel fastners. Nothing is reacting to it. Some of the flashing has been bare some painted and some copper.

Brian

[2333]

A google search doesn't resolve the issue either. Some sites say it doesn't react, some say it does.

[CapnTom]

Ok, I've read a lot about replacing the floors and now I'm totally undecided. I have a 1950 Airstream Liner with the shell off. Do I put a 5/8 T&G or a 3/4 T&G floor in. It still has the Pipe frame with a new A-frame in front and all looks good. I will make any necessary repairs as I go to the fishbone framing but all are in tact. It is my plan to replace the interior skin so no problem there. Shouldn't I go 3/4 to add the the stability of the unit?

[FC7039]

Originally Posted by CapnTom

Ok, I've read a lot about replacing the floors and now I'm totally undecided. I have a 1950 Airstream Liner with the shell off. Do I put a 5/8 T&G or a 3/4 T&G floor in. It still has the Pipe frame with a new A-frame in front and all looks good. I will make any necessary repairs as I go to the fishbone framing but all are in tact. It is my plan to replace the interior skin so no problem there. Shouldn't I go 3/4 to add the the stability of the unit?

In restoring my 1950 FC one thing I would do different is to resist all the added "beefing up" of a steel frame added to the pipe and fishbone and 3/4 inch ply subfloor. Looking back, one thing about these trailers, they were very light. I can remember being able to lift the tongue and move the trailer. No more.

With the additional weight I have lost a lot of flexibility in my tow vehicle and where I might want to pull it.

Keep it light, keep it simple.

My opinions. Gene

[soldiermedic]

Originally Posted by CapnTom

Ok, I've read a lot about replacing the floors and now I'm totally undecided. I have a 1950 Airstream Liner with the shell off. Do I put a 5/8 T&G or a 3/4 T&G floor in. It still has the Pipe frame with a new A-frame in front and all looks good. I will make any necessary repairs as I go to the fishbone framing but all are in tact. It is my plan to replace the interior skin so no problem there. Shouldn't I go 3/4 to add the the stability of the unit?

Tom,

I would seriously consider replacing the entire pipe frame with a ladder chassis. The old pipe frames are weak, and definitely aren't built for today's speeds. I would prefer the stability of the ladder as opposed to the pipe as well.

I am using 3/4" flooring in my 53 Flying cloud refurb instead of 5/8. More rigidity, longer lasting, too easy of a choice.

Steve

[SilverHoot]

Is T&G and /or lapjoints necessary if the panel joints are over frame members?

[soldiermedic]

Silverhoot,

My original floor was not T&G, and was butted together over a cross member. That is how I am in the process of replacing mine.

Steve

[maccamper]

If your shell is off, you might consider gluing the panels together with birch biscuits, even if they are over a framing member. Every little bit of rigidity helps.

Laird

[truckasaurus]

Off at a tangent but thinking about what I'd do differently on the next one got me wondering if anyone had tried one of these http://norcoind.com/bal/products/oem...me/index.shtml It's a trailer chassis that would presumably need a little modifying.

[CapnTom]

I ending up with 3/4" A/C fir with all the butts glued and over the double cross members. Thanks for all the input.

[malconium]

Originally Posted by truckasaurus

Off at a tangent but thinking about what I'd do differently on the next one got me wondering if anyone had tried one of these http://norcoind.com/bal/products/oem...me/index.shtml It's a trailer chassis that would presumably need a little modifying.

That looks like a pretty interesting frame. Would they be available to the general public though? Where can we buy them and how much do they cost? It was hard to tell from the website what sizes they come in.

Malcolm

[truckasaurus]

I don't know but I liked the concept. I think I'll try and finish the 1st trailer before I get to carried away with number two Airstream!