Where to buy Structural Members

[510_]

We are currently restoring a 1979 tradewinds, and need to replace portions of the (2) main c channels and several other structral components.

We do not know if there is an aftermarket source to buy these memebrs or can we use similar shapes from a steel company, we have a local source, but I am afraid if we use typical shapes we wil add too much weight. Any ideas?

[Lance M]

You can get new cross members and outriggers from any Airstream dealer. The main frame rails will have to be made or repaired from similar thickness/shape steel.
How bad is the frame? If it is real bad, it may be faster to build a new frame.

[perryg114]

Most welding supply houses and metal dealers will have what you want. You can get small quantities of stuff from mcmaster.com. There are some parts available that are genuine replacement parts, as TOP stated above, but many folks fab their own parts from commonly available steel products.

Perry

[510_]

Thanks for the quick response.

We own a metal shop and we work with several steel distributors, I should not have a problem matching up steel sizes etc. im worried about the carbon shapes being too heavy but we have the ability to pretty much fab anything.

The rust is only bad from about 2' past the wheels, must have had a bad leak or sat in a field end down. I attached some pics.

Any further thoguths would be appreciated

[perryg114]

I would replace the damaged frame rails with 5" x 2" square tubing or make a box with two 5" C-channels. I would do this from the wheels back. I would just fab something for the cross members and use the old ones as templates. I expect 1/8" thick for all this would be plenty or even thinner for the cross members but the rear most cross member I would go with 1/8" thick stuff. That rear cross member and the frame rails in the very back are the main structural connections to the shell. There should be an L-shaped steel plate riveted to the rear center portion of the shell. This bolts to the cross member.

If I remember correctly, the stack up is C-channel, wood floor, L-shaped steel plate and then the cross member.

Perry

[510_]

Thats Awesome thanks so much.

Will Post pics when im done.

JW