Visit our Popular Forums

supergg · 09-23-2011, 01:21 PM

Hello all,

I am supergg, Giuseppe, from MA. I love this site. I have had my 69' sovereign for a week now and I have seeked this site a dozen times so far. I plan to do more learning and then have at it. I have rebuilt cars in the past but never a camper. I am married with 3 kids and we love to camp. I am 34 years old. I am a firefighter. I have poor spelling so thanks for your patients. When I start pulling "her" apart I will start a blog.

Airslide · 09-23-2011, 01:29 PM

Welcome to the Airforums Supergg!

We are glad you found us.. Spelling looks great from here! sounds like you have a nice family and a sweet Sovereign

We love pictures so post away.

Cheers Vinnie

Aviator · 09-23-2011, 01:31 PM

Don't worry about the spelling. You are welcome here. I too found the site when we got our Airstream, and it has helped with a host of questions. I do warn you that having an Airstream can quickly turn into an obsession.

supergg · 09-23-2011, 02:43 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I am starting to see that this can become an obsession. I feel as if I am starting a new chapter. I just wish that I could jump ahead and peek at the end result.

ROBERT CROSS · 09-23-2011, 02:50 PM

soopergg,

Schpelling who cares....

But pictures, now that's a different storie.

Bbo

supergg · 09-23-2011, 05:02 PM

I think I will call her Patches.

Kevo · 09-23-2011, 06:11 PM

A nice find indeed !! Looking forward to seeing your progress !!

Max Well · 09-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Welcome! It looks like you are going to have a great time. Post lots of pics!

ROBERT CROSS · 09-23-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supergg

I think I will call her Patches.

Ah....now 'yer talk'n!!

Nice, keep us up to date.

Bob.

Inland RV Center, In · 09-23-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supergg

I think I will call her Patches.

Welcome to Airstreaming and some new mysteries of life.

Looks like you have a good start.

First big repair is to make the coach water proof. Make sure you check the sewer vent pipe cover gaskets as they only last 2 to 3 years. Then window and door gaskets.

Also, it appears that the wheels look rusty. Check them out and make sure they are ok.

Normally, the rubber rods in the axles last about 25 years, ball park. The following article will help you checking them out.

The Dura-Torque Axle

Andy

supergg · 09-25-2011, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the good advice. Stop the bleeding first thing.
I cleaned off the old door gaskets today. When they put those on, they ment to keep them on. I hope I can secure the new stuff as well.

supergg · 03-02-2013, 06:23 PM

Patches is the name of our trailer. She has more patches than a boy-scout. I have gutted it, removed the inside panels, braced her, and now broke Patches in half. I have read as much as I could find on this forum and it has given me all the motivation and inspiration to even try to complete a shell off. I used 2 bottle jacks, a lot of concrete blocks, some 4 by 4's, and 2 40 oz. crazy horse beers, and in one afternoon, it was done. It was an epic battle of man verses a 44 year old trailer settled in her ways. We went back and forth. Patches had a way of keeping secrets. I had to drill these secrets out of her, literally. These were the secret rivets that you can't see until the shell stops moving. She had a few of these that I could not find until we stalled. Other than this, she was great, and very cooperative. In the end she came apart and we made up after I promised to never do it again and that I will put her back together, better than before.

RUMSHIP · 03-02-2013, 07:02 PM

Sounds like an epic battle.

lonewolf1977 · 03-04-2013, 05:54 PM

Congrats!!

supergg · 03-04-2013, 06:24 PM

Drilled out the sub-floor today. I also started removing the foam insulation. What a mess that made. I will make a list in the next few days of what metal I need, and hopefully, I will be welding soon.

eljay · 03-04-2013, 06:39 PM

Wow! that's some work! It's progress!

supergg · 11-22-2014, 06:34 AM

Some progress, but plenty more to go. I sandblasted the frame, had some fresh metal welded in and gave the frame some paint. She got new axles from Collin (great experience and probably the easiest part of the job so far. She also got new shocks, the original rims sandblasted and painted and some new tires. I used 3/4 MDO for the new subfloor and chromatic sign paint to waterproof the wood. After that I put the shell back on using two floor jacks and blood pressure medication. It did not go great and the shell suffered some damage but it was all in areas that I was in need of repairing regardless. Next I have all the rear panels to replace and some more exterior metal work. Now she waits for me till spring.