Hello all...

[mjhaus]

New to the forum and new to Airstreams. My girlfriend and I just purchased a 1958 Overlander. We haven't even gotten it home yet and she's already stressin me out (the trailer, not the GF). The previous owner put it up on blocks, took the drums off and apparently threw 'em right in the trash From what I can tell after countless hours thumbing through the forum and the google, there are no parts available for the original axle. Anyone know where I can acquire drums and bearings? I plan on installing a Dexter axle but if I can get drums and bearings to fit maybe I could limp it from Orlando to St. Pete. The other option is to drag it up onto a flatbed on it's belly. Like nails on a chalkboard, I know. Any suggestions on how to go about transporting would be more than welcome.

We're excited about the restoration and the wealth of knowledge on this forum will be invaluable. We'll be posting a thread on the build in the near future and looking forward to yall's input.

[Sneakinup]

I don't know about drums for that year, but I would get a flat bed tow truck and some round wooden fence posts and pull it up on to the flat bed using the round posts for it to roll on. Then you can get it home and change out the axles.

Just my 2 cents.

[mjhaus]

I was thinking about that using big pvc pipe. Also considering bolting some 6 lug drums to the spindle without bearings and then the mounting the wheels. I don't really care if the spindles get torn up.

[Sneakinup]

Heavy pvc should work. I had a shed delivered and they used pvc to move it around. Go for it! 😎

[mjhaus]

My only concern of using pvc is damaging the belly panels. With enough of them it should distribute the weight well. I guess bending those panels back to proper form should be the least of my worries considering the amount of work ahead of us lol.

[Protagonist]

Unless you already have heavy PVC pipe or you have a need for the PVC pipe after the trailer is moved, stick with the wooden fence posts as rollers. Why buy PVC that you'll only use once, and then only temporarily?

If you don't still need the wooden fence posts after the trailer has been moved, at least you can cut them up for firewood or something, and they won't go to waste.

[mjhaus]

I wouldn’t have any need for the fence posts either. Regardless of what material I use, I’d resell or donate it to someone that can put it to good use.

[Sneakinup]

I don't think you will do too much damage to the belly skin. The skins rest on the frame rails anyway, and most likely you will have to pull them off at some point to examine/repair the frame. It's flexible aluminum and easily manipulated back into place. Let us know how it works out. I'm in Tampa as well and would love to see a cool 58' Airstream before... and hopefully after! :P

[Foiled Again]

You can order the axles loaded... brakes bearings... the whole enchilada.

But you still have to get the trailer up to inspect the frame, etc. Who knows WHAT evil lurks below?[emoji724][emoji724]🛇[emoji1281]

I too vote for fence posts. You will be able to.use them as chocks, and even extra braces if you end up needing a lot of frame repair.

Good luck, Paula

[mjhaus]

Sneakinup - Once we get it transported and situated you’re welcome to come check it out!

Paula - I’ve been looking at the Dexter Torflex and we have a Redneck Trailer location here in town. I plan on doing the axle myself. I’ve called countless shops to see if they would be willing to install the axle, only a couple places said they would, but they didn’t sound at all confident about it. As far as the state of the frame, we’re going to remain optimistic lol. We plan on living and traveling in it full time so making sure it’s structually sound is the top priority.

[Sneakinup]

Thanks! I'll look forward to seeing it.😎 Swapping out axles is not complicated... Making sure you have ones that fit is. I was at Redneck Trailer earlier this week. Good luck on the move.

[mjhaus]

We finally got it moved! Since no parts are available for the old axles, at least as far as I could tell, I picked up a couple 12x2 drums from a local trailer shops scrap pile, ripped out the brakes, attached them over the spindles with no bearings using a couple big washers to hold them in place, and then the wheels. This set up held well enough to roll the trailer around and get it out of the sellers back yard.

The biggest hurdle ended up being the new owner of the property it was at. The previous owner of the trailer is in a retirement home and we were dealing with the company that bought the house to flip it. Sketchy situation, but it’s finally done.

Once we got the trailer out in the road, the tow company brought the landoll out and it was loaded and unloaded without a problem. We’ll be starting a new thread in the coming weeks for the rebuild.