It all started out innocently

[Slats]

After entertaining for years a vague vision of getting a vintage Airstream and rehabbing it, we finally found a '66 Tradewind with a great shell and a not-so-great subfloor this past March. It was built the year I graduated from high school, so it has that to commend it. Because I still have a day job, I have only been working on it on Saturdays. Because I am lucky to have a nephew with a big steel frame out building about 30 miles away, I have the perfect place to store and work on it.

So, yesterday I got it completely gutted and am now close to lifting the shell off the frame. I plan on attaching a couple of hoists to the steel beam above the trailer and fastening the chains from them through the roof vents around a 2 X 8 running the length of the ceiling. A $29 Harbor Freight come along doesn't appear to be the tool of choice. I've used them to pull car engines, but that's about it. The more substantial ones, i.e., Craftsman look the better choice.

What's the experience/preference of those who have pulled their shells?

[Plasma800]

woooow.. congrats. I wish i was handy like that.

[Slats]

Originally Posted by Plasma800

I wish i was handy like that.

Being naive trumps being handy.

[HiJoeSilver]

Shell doesn't weigh much so come alongs should be good. Would recommend one each end to get it up relatively even. Lifting like this through vents is way to go. Consider 4x4 though. I cut an 8' untreated 4x4 into two 4' pieces, used one in fwd vent, other in air cond opening, just made sure they spanned ribs front and back and used some. 2x2 to block them in place fwd/aft and side to side.
Lifting mine I went the car jack route from inside, how'd that go, not well, less nerve racking in a combat zone than lifting the AS that way. Putting it back on, lifted from vents with a crane! So much better, and since it was dangling, was easier to line back up.
Would be nice to have that garage setup you've got, it'll make working on your trailer pretty nice.

[Belegedhel]

Don't use come-alongs to lift--they are for pulling only. Get a pair of the 1- ton chain hoists and you will be much better off and safer too.

Good luck.