Thickness of the sheet (2 measures availables ?)

[Gaël]

Hi,

I have to replace 2 sheets on my Overlander but in France, it's relatively different about the measures, I can have it in an airplane supply.

The thickness is : 0.032" but I can have 0.0315" or 0.0394"

For you, what is the better ?

Thank you !

[Aviator]

If it is a lower sheet that will be wrapped under, I suggest the 0.0315. The other may be too stiff to wrapped under.

[mimiandrews]

You're within 5 ten thousandths (of an inch) of our 0.32 which is what most Airstreams are made of. Most of us don't own a good enough micrometer to tell the difference.

The second figure is within 6 ten thousandths of our 0.40 which is the next thicker grade of aluminum. You could tell the difference by looking at the trailer if you used that, but you would have to look very closely.

Important thing is to make sure it's alclad. You need that pure aluminum layer on the outside of the metal alloy for corrosion resistance and so you can get a really good shine when you polish it.

[65CV]

Gael,

Assuming that you are talking about internal sheets, I would go for the 0.0315 thickness. It's within the tolerances for the 5052 .032 sheets here in the US. See this chart.

John

[Gaël]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your replies and the document,

This afternoon, I've phoned to this seller (airplane specialist) :

http://http://commerce.ciel.com/ulmt...774_H111.aspx?

Now, I've a doubt in my mind between the seller and what you write...

Finally, the sheets are in 0.032" but I'm not sure if it's good...the ref 5755 H111 is (not) the same than 5052...

I continue my search with what you told me.

I don't want to make a mistake... !

[Gaël]

It's for external sheets :

Here, the sheets were fixed taillights and licence plate :



And here :

[Aviator]

Gael,

This is the type of Aluminum you are looking for. You will want to be as close to 0.032" as possible and it must be ALCLAD or it will not look correct.

2024T3 ALCLAD ALUMINUM from Aircraft Spruce

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Gaël

Hi,

I have to replace 2 sheets on my Overlander but in France, it's relatively different about the measures, I can have it in an airplane supply.

The thickness is : 0.032" but I can have 0.0315" or 0.0394"

For you, what is the better ?

Thank you !

In later years, Airstream has switched the lower panels to .040.

Using a thicker panel than the original won't hurt anything.

Andy

[65CV]

I looked on your link and found the 2024T3, but there is no mention of Alclad. It may be an American trade name. Alclad is just a thin layer of pure aluminum that will shine like the rest of your trailer will after you polish it.

I don't understand why you are replacing the entire panel. Would you consider a small patch of Alclad instead? It's very frequently done in restorations.

Here's a link to one I did to cover the old oven vent. I did several more to cover old electrical inlet holes.

John

[Gaël]

Hi Craig and John,

Sorry for my ignorance but the 2024T3 is the same than the 5052... ? I'll try to know if it's ALCLAD...

For the rear panel, it seems I have to replace all the panel because today, it have a little panel fixed on the original :



But for the lateral panel, the hinge (not sure for the word) of the door, it have already a handmade bad panel who fixed this hinge,

The inferior is good, you can see on the little photo,

If I fix a patch, is it rather solid for the support of the door?

Thank you for your advices,

[65CV]

Gaël,

The 2024-T3 and 5052 Aluminum alloys are VERY different. The 2024-T3 is a much stronger alloy and is Heat Treated for strength (T3 is a code for the temper of the heat treating). It is far stronger and is used for structural components in Airstreams and airplanes.

The 5052 cannot be heat treated and is much softer -- about half the strength of the 2024-T3. You don't want to use it for a structural panel like the ones you may replace. The 2024-T3 contains copper, so it will corrode easily outdoors. Normally it has a coating to prevent the corrosion, so it is very possible that your supplier has some aluminum coating like Alclad.

If you cannot source the material, you can get small amounts from the States. If you just need small patches, I'll send you some (I assume you will pay postage).

For the patch on the rear of the trailer, you could drill the rivets on the old patch and replace it.

For the hinges, can you post pictures? Some here have put a support plate behind the hinge and riveted through the hinge, the skin and the rear support plate. It is hard to tell what's best for yours without pictures.

John

[Gaël]

Oh Andy, sorry, I've haven't seen your message !

0.040"... ? I have to verify this... but it's only for later years ?

I send you tonight a picture from the hinges

Thank you

[Gaël]

Here, the pictures :

The superior with old patch :



The superior without the old patch (aarrggnn) :



The inferior (good) :

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Gaël

Oh Andy, sorry, I've haven't seen your message !

0.040"... ? I have to verify this... but it's only for later years ?

I send you tonight a picture from the hinges

Thank you

No, no.

Airstream uses it in the later years, but you certainly can use it on older years as well.

Not a problem.

Andy

[65CV]

Je parle un petite peux francais, mais je ne comprend pas "aarrggnn".

[Gaël]

[Gaël]

You are right John, Finally I'll fix patches...

Impossible to find ALCLAD 5052 in Europe or in too big quantity

I spoke with a person who restored Airstream since 15 years in France and I use a standard aluminium (not a aircraft alu...a vulgar alu) and he tell me that he hasn't any problem with it but I disagree with him...

I wish restore my Airstream with best material possible.

Fix patches or put vulgar aluminium sheet ?

I prefer install patches...and I have ideas in order to have a sweet repair

So, I take the measures and I send you a private message and of course I assume the transport, I work with TNT for sending in all over the world and they can take a parcel where I wish.

[Gaël]

Hi John,

I can't send you a private message at the moment,

I've measured what I need...

Is it possible to prepare 4 sheets ?

20cm x 10cm = 7,87" x 3,94"
20cm x 10cm = 7,87" x 3,94"
40cm x 15cm = 15,75" x 5,90"
30cm x 18,5cm = 11,81" x 7,28"

Tell me the price

Thanks !

[Gaël]

With the help of John, I've received in France from airplane specialist the sheets I need...

Many thanks,

It's an exemple of the help we can meet in this forum...

Many thanks... !