THE ADVENT OF AN AIRSTREAM PROJECT
Two years ago Susan and I purchased a '79
Sovereign 31 ft. Airstream. The shell was in excellent condition with hardly a dent. The strength and thickness of aluminum in the 1970's was far superior to todays thin, malable Airstream skins. After buying new tires and greasing the axles, we towed the 31 footer to the factor in Jackson Center, OH. We took advantage of the winter factory rate only $75.00 / hour! The Airstream is a rear bath, 2 axle,
center beds, front kitchen configuration. We had all the propane removed including vents, air passages, furnace, oven, and refrigerator. We made the unit all electric including a 110 v refrigerator, microwave, and electric skillet. .... truely a "park" model. Since the unit had not been properly winterized all the fittings were broken or leaked water under pressure. We had the old plumbing removed and installed a complete new plumbing system. The factory did a good mechanical job but forget to include the toilet seat on a top of the line model of the Thetford electric toilet. We found that quality control was not a strong point of the factory but they sure knew how to lighten your wallet!
Next we towed the unit to Nashville to
Jimmy Cates' Twister Silver Repair and Retrofit Shop. Susan created a floor plan and picked out the fixtures which showcased an industrial design look using lots of diamond plate, aluminum industrial plumbing fittings, installed a parque insulated floor, and painted the walls turquoise and white colors to reflecting the retro look of the 1950's. A slide show can be seen at
Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground click on the Technical file and then click on the Grube Trailer. The 31 ft.
Sovereign Airstream is now on Lot 28 at the all Airstream Park just south of Crossville Tennessee. Final detailing will occur during the winter of '09 in Nashville. (TCPC = Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground)
Karl & Susan Grube, webmasters
#6428 WBCCI - Lot 28 TCPC
Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground - web site
airstreamtcpc@yahoo.com - e-mail
Judy At Home in Oklahoma
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