Another Noob

[Myelfself]

Hello all

I'm fairly new to the forum, but I have been creeping for a little bit. I've just recently picked up a 1970 Overlander with plans to do a complete remodel, hopefully without removing the shell but chassis inspection will tell the tale.
Tow vehicle is on order, I just love putting the cart before the horse lol. 2018 F- 150 Platinum with the new diesel engine. I have some experience building trailers, built a teardrop a couple years ago from the ground up, so I'm sure that experience will come in handy with this project. Really hoping I can be camping in the "new" rig for summer of '19, and would love to keep the total cost <$20,000.
Oh and we are from Michigan, about 30 miles or so East of Flint.

[Bubba L]

Welcome to the neighborhood. You have a good budget and timeline. All could change when you inspect the chassis. Hopefully, it’s not in too bad a shape. Having some trailer building experience is certainly a plus. Once you take a look at the chassis and get a battle plan, surf the threads on 70s Airstreams for information and insight. Good luck and keep us posted on what you find. Bubba

[dbj216]

Nothing better here than another Noob. Wow, the new F150 with the new diesel engine. Perfect. I hope is is as good as my 5 year old Super Duty.

You are going into this vintage Airstream hobby with your eyes wide open. Your "shop" skills will make this job pretty easy. Chances are you will need to make some frame repairs due to moisture damage, but chances are you will not have to remove the body.

Silly me bought a 75 Overlander last fall. I'm slowly renovating it. It gives me something to do in my retirement. My trailer was in pretty good shape, but it still had rear end separation, very bad axles, bad holding tanks, stinky fabrics and foam and the appliances were pretty much shot. I have been very pleased with how this trailer was designed and manufactured in comparison to my former 66 Trade Wind and my son's 69 Globetrotter. The cabinetry and furniture are framed with extruded aluminum. No warp or rot there. My trailer has 3/4" plywood subfloor, and it even has fiber optic lines from the tail lights to a little indicator on the street side so you can see if your tail lights are working. I don't like the oven on the wall next to the sink. And the rear bath is mostly plastic parts but at least not all cracked up. I'm going to reuse them.

Jump right in to these Forums. Maybe you can start a project thread and make posts with pictures as you renovate your Overlander.

David