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tripnfall76 · 10-25-2012, 08:07 AM

Hi everyone,

I recently registered on this site and wanted to introduce myself and the trailer I brought home last week: 1966 Safari 22'. Know everyone likes pics so hopefully I will post these correctly. I live in Saint Louis and this is my first airstream. I've wanted one for several yrs. Stumbled onto this trailer on craigslist and it called to me. Just couldn't pass it up. Retired guy 30 minutes away in Illinois had this stored for 10+ yrs and his wife was on his tail to get rid of it since he'd done nothing w/ it (too many other projects). Sounds like he had some local vultures that just low balled him and wanted to part it out. I promised to keep her intact and told him it was my dream to restore one of these. Guess it was his too because he let her go for a very reasonable price and even wiped a tear from his eye when he dropped it off. I've followed this site for some time and it is a great resource so I look forward to posting pics of my progress and chatting w/ ya'll, maybe bend an ear or two. I started stripping the clearcoat yesterday. Going to try to spruce the outside up a bit and get it watertight while the weather is with me. Not an original window left in this thing except the rear, it has all old plexiglass and the weatherstripping is shot. I know windows for these things is like finding hen's teeth so it will be replacement plexi for now....This trailer will require removal of interior and a new subfloor. The cabinetry is all there minus the curbside couch (PO put a twin frame in there that is terrible) and the fridge is missing. PO told me it was broken into while in storage and they stole the fridge and busted the doorknob. Luckily he ordered another knob and handed it to me in a baggy. Hope it fits but I'm sure that will not be the greatest challenge. Electrical works, plumbing not so much. After seeing a ruptured copper pipe immediately off the water pump and a missing black tank I have no desire to test the gas side so don't know if heater or oven works. That will come much later. I plan on repairing/refinishing all the interior components (keep original) and upgrading electrical/plumbing/appliances. I can't wait! Everything I need to do to this trailer is consuming me, even in my sleep! I can tell this is going to be a sickness...

Kim Kahl
1966 Safari in STL

mimiandrews · 10-25-2012, 08:48 AM

There are several owners of 1966 Safari's on the forums. We have one, goshawks00 has another.

Sharing information here has been very helpful to me, and I'll be glad to pass on the favor.

FYI, Inland RV has the glass for the windows. Pricey, but available.

tripnfall76 · 10-25-2012, 09:23 AM

Thanks Mimi, I saw the Inland RV glass, they say silicone installation on '66 only presumably because it is too thick to fit in the glass bar? Have you used any of their glass? Has anyone been able to install it as originally intended in a '66? I don't know how I feel about never being able to open a window if I silicone them all. Guess that would stop the leaks though!

DFlores · 10-25-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripnfall76

Thanks Mimi, I saw the Inland RV glass, they say silicone installation on '66 only presumably because it is too thick to fit in the glass bar? Have you used any of their glass? Has anyone been able to install it as originally intended in a '66? I don't know how I feel about never being able to open a window if I silicone them all. Guess that would stop the leaks though!

Kim,
Are you missing windows, or do you speak of sealing against moisture? Pictures look like all windows are there.

mimiandrews · 10-25-2012, 10:09 AM

I have not installed windows yet, although I plan to do the one that has been replaced with plexiglas by a PO. Money has gone elsewhere, so far.

I have investigated the process, and Inland says the silicone is used to hold the top edge of the glass to the bar at the top of the window frame that allows it to open. The window still opens. These windows are designed so that a pane of tempered glass is literally glued to the operating mechanism of the window at the top edge.

You'll have to have the original frames for the windows, as those are unavailable. Inland sells only the glass.

tripnfall76 · 10-25-2012, 10:16 AM

thanks, I misunderstood installation. I thought the 1/8" thickness from Inland Rv versus original 3/32 might pose a problem for fitting in the glass bar. I do have the frames just all the windows are filled w/ old plexiglass now and some of them are cracked and in my opinion ill fitting so no matter which course I take they will require new of something to stop the leaks.

DFlores · 10-25-2012, 11:24 AM

I have installed these windows, the trick is to remove a small clip on the top edge of the bar holding the glass, this clip just pulls out, then you can slidge the glass or plexiglass out to the side, make sure the window is opened enough to clear window frame.

annieairstrm · 10-26-2012, 12:04 PM

We had to take a dill bit and ream out the slot for the thicker glass to fit in our 66 Tradewind. The silicone holds it in the slot.

goshawks00 · 11-21-2012, 03:17 PM

x2 for making the 'groove' bigger. Kim our interior is all done, if there is anything you need for yours let me know, I have several drawers of original 'stuff' we didn't re-use. Also feel free to call if you need any help or explanation.
Barry & Karen in Mi.

tripnfall76 · 04-29-2013, 12:35 PM

Well, I ripped out most the interior and I am in the process of replacing the front window right now. Got glass from Inland RV and picking up some more windows from a craiglist ad hopefully later today. Getting all the silicone out of the glass bar was a pain but not as bad as I thought. On another note: removed the old surburban heater yesterday and finally found a good use for the housing: A TRASH CAN!
I've read about people wanting to light these things or refurbish them as heaters. Please don't do that.

RM66caravel · 05-01-2013, 12:44 AM

We have a 66 Caravel and have been having fun working on her. Y seem to be a patient as owner so take your time and do it right, as if you were paying 10k more than your confort zone by doing that you will enjoy the fun!

tripnfall76 · 10-08-2019, 10:06 PM

Well, shame on me, a lot happened, didn't happen... could blame work but I won't so I'm back at it. I truly understand why so many start and fail, it's overwhelming. Nonetheless, spent last 3 days squatting on little pcs of frame because I have no floor now LOL, bending, stooping, grinding, POR15 Yes! Patching holes, trempro stuck to me and all my tools...It's been relaxing and "fun" because I finally got those floors out and spent days doing stuff that isn't real life work but I'm sore as heck...if you've done it u know. If you haven't take a pause now before you have great dreams of running out and buying an old airsteam... otherwise it will sit in your driveway for 6+ yrs like mine while you work and can't care...or if you're some millennial that is parking in your parents driveway, trust me, won't happen in 4 mos no matter how much Red Bull you drink..anyway, here's the pics...sooo much labor and really not that much to look at! Lesson be learned! No clue if I'm doing this right...pics #1 & 2 should be the huge hole I tried to patch...someone cut a giant hole to install a 10 gal water heater back when harvest gold was a cool color...my fix not great but better than the barn aluminum they used...I did not take a pic of that, might later but trust me it was baaaddd…#3 and 4 progress on those tricky rear end cuts for the floor and insulation going in! I'm not gonna lie. That was tricky and hard to do by myself. Not just because I'm a lady, but because it's hard to cram that in by yourself between frame and shell for a shell-on floor replacement! Guys would have more muscle and obviously not tire as easily but I would have loved to have a friend to beat on the other side that shifted while working with a "curve". I set-up little walkways and what-not to help but don't underestimate how much even those things get in your way, have to constantly adjust! Oh, and I do have the middle cut, started to do the insulation late tonight in the middle...more work tomorrow!

tripnfall76 · 10-26-2019, 07:18 AM

I finished removing floors in front of the airsteam and wire brushing and POR 15 the frame. Pretty gross cleaning these things out. Belly pan corroded so I order some aluminum from airparts to replace.

tripnfall76 · 10-26-2019, 07:26 AM

Belly pan material showed up, cut and riveted into place. Pics of the mid section all cleaned up.

tripnfall76 · 10-26-2019, 07:37 AM

My final pc of floor that came out was at the door. I was never so happy when that was done. Then it took me a while to figure out the steps, can't see how they are held into place from the top so had to crawl under trailer for that ah hah! moment. Needed a little coercing, I haven't had the trailer steps down in the 7 yrs I've had the trailer and I don't think anyone else did 10 yrs before that...wire wheeled on the step for quite some time, cleaned up nicely, no damage, surface rust...will replace the belly pan portion that was above the steps too when floor goes in.

Bubba L · 10-26-2019, 07:54 AM

Don’t know if it matters how long a renovation takes as long as it’s done correctly. Looks like you’re covering all the bases. Looks great. Good luck going forward.

tripnfall76 · 10-26-2019, 07:56 AM

After what I think may have been a few hours of my life reading about insulation I decided not to go w/ the pink stuff under the floor. My floors aren't permanently attached yet so it's ok and I have no insulation under back 1/4 already. The belly pan is out in that section waiting for a tank installation. I haven't decided on another insulation for flooring or just going without. I wouldn't be someone camping in the coldest months... Have started installing the prodex to the walls though. I had a helper which was AWESOME!! Race right now to get one layer of prodex done and last pc floor set in. Here's pics of the bits of old floor I was able to use to cut the front sections. Wasn't much and fragile but a lot easier than the making of the cardboard template I had to do in the back end. Wasn't any floor in the back...

tripnfall76 · 10-26-2019, 06:33 PM

Today it started raining and never stopped. I thought I had a pretty good handle on leaks, wow I was mistaken. It was kinda provident though, weather will only get worse and the buckets of rain reminded me I didnt finished the job on one of the fixed windows smh.. so thats done, aluminum put in over my fresh steps before subloor at entry door goes in. Lots of prodex done too where there arent leaks. More help from Alison w/ the insulation and she totally has her jam down. I do other stuff and leave her alone! Electric heater today and we were warm. I am pleasantly surprised by the prodex. Touch naked skin its super cold, touch the prodex barely cool. We don't live in canada or anything but were impressed its 40-ish today and rainy, perfectly comfortable in airstream missing 3'of floors (still have belly pan) and 70% prodex done. Sunday 67 and no rain so back to top of airstream to fix leaks..

tripnfall76 · 10-28-2019, 09:10 PM

Can't believe there was a moment I thought a good cleaning and maybe this thing could go camping! Yes that is a dead animal wrapped around the hoses by fresh water tank. And I found someone's long lost cheese grater next to old heater...

tripnfall76 · 10-29-2019, 06:55 PM

My rain leak chase last night was only 50% effective...trempro trempro pffttt...sitting in trailer as it rains, so disappointed. Luckily floor not secured so pulled out where leaks are, tomorrow is another day.