Just joined,get ready for questions

[dr-quest]

Hello to all
Just officially joined this great forum and will be surely asking lots of questions during my restorations. I have a 1973 Safari that I am bringing back to glory [hopefully] and customizing the kitchen and front area. I Also have a 1965 globetrotter that is gutted but has a great shell. Up here in northern Ontario its not to easy to find airstream parts so hopefully some needed items will turn up in the classifieds. Just wanted to say hello and try my hand at posting.
All the best Dr-Quest

[wasagachris]

Welcome dr-quest. I'm just down the road from you in Durham and I have a 73 that I'm in the middle of a shell off restoration. I also have several others that I'm planning on doing the same to. If you ever get down this way let me know and we can meet and I'd be glad to share some tips etc with you.
What parts are you looking for?

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

[dr-quest]

Hello
Great to hear from you. Actually I jusy heard about your frame off resto from a couple staying at blue water park in Wiarton in a 1964 Overlander. I drive down to Hamilton evry once in a while and sometimes go hwy 6 right through Durham. Would love to stop and see your project. Is it a Safari ?.
Would love to see a 47 clipper anyway.
Steve

[wasagachris]

Hi Steve my 73 is a 31ft Excella. Who were the people in the 64 O'lander? I know Bluewater Lakes and am friends with the PO of that park.
The 47 is a Liner and I won't have it here for some time. I'm actually going on an extended recovery mission this fall to collect the 55 O'lander and the 61 Sovereign and bring the 47 Liner from Idaho to Baltimore. It's a long story but has to do with getting titles form them all.

[dr-quest]

Hello
Dont know their names, my nieghbour told me there were two vintage Airstreams at the park so I went and talked to them and a lady with a beautiful 1961 Bambi. I noticed I wrote clipper instead of liner after I posted. I love all vintage trailers so I enjoy seeing any of them.
I need a deadbolt with a 4 inch backset, any ideas who would have that?.
Also the backing plate on the 73`s door handle is white metal and disolving.
Steve

[wasagachris]

So are you a seasonal in Bluewater Lakes? Actually is it Bluewater Lakes Campground or the other one with a similar name Bluewater Campground?
I'm guessing they were transients.
I can't help you with the deadbolt but depending on what you need for the 73's door handle I may be able to help you. I bought a new handel ofr mine and you're welcome to any parts of the old one.

[dr-quest]

Thanks Chris
Ill take a picture of the handle to show you what I need. I live in Wiarton full time, not in the park. The airstreamers were drifters. We call it bluewater park not sure if the campground has a different name.The deadbolt is for the globetrotter. Checked with vintage trailer supply but they only show a 2 3/8 backset, like I can buy at any hardware store but the globtrotter has the knob & deadbolt set back further. When I am coming through,I will email you and see if you are around. Thanks again for the contact. I am sure I can pick your brain for lots of info.
Thanks Steve

[wasagachris]

Steve which one are you doing first the safari or the GT? I may have several parts for the GT as I have a parts 63 O'lander here.

I'll PM you some info for your visit.

[dr-quest]

Thanks, thats a very generous offer. The Safari is first on the list. Its a twin and the bathroom and beds are staying as is, But I plan on building new cabinets for the kitchen and front area. Cant decide if I want a goucho or pull out sofa, probably leaning toward collapsing table to bed setup.
As for the globetrotter ,it will be a body off job.Its gutted and the previous owners kids put pine planks down for floor. The frame will need welding and all systems are gone with the exception of a couple overhead cabinets. I am using it for storage until I am ready to redo it. I will try to send some photos. The shell is very good. Sorry my computer didnt open your PM said my pop up blocker is on. I will try to open later.
Thanks ,looking forward to seeing your project

[wasagachris]

Steve that's a great looking GT, well worthy of a restoration.
There are several threads on front dinette conversions that people have done. It does work well especially for a smaller trailer like a Safari. I personally like to lounge on the couch so am not a fan of the front dinette.
There is another couple near you that are getting a 66 Safari. They are just east of Clavering and are bringing it home on the 24th of Sept and plan to stop here on the way home. My friend with a 67 safari might also be here then. If you can drop by and see all the trailers.

[dr-quest]

Thats a bummer, I have an auction on sept 24th. Sounds like a couple that came to see my canned ham from clavering area, and then saw there want ads on kijiji. Nice people if its them,glad to hear they got a classic. I hope they join the forum so we can follow their adventure. I agree with the lounge on the couch idea, but not a lot of room with the cabinets so close and I would need to come up with a good idea for a table. Oh one other thing I need is a complete arm for the awning, it only came with one so I may go with a seperate canopy. Here are some shots of my safari. Ripped the front bench out and found an old leather wallet underneath, Empty Arggh!. Pretty hot here now so I think its time to go fall in the lake.
Cheers Steve

[wasagachris]

Too bad you can't make it on the 24th. Yes they did join the forums. Their handle is Shiny Dreams.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f368...ics-80996.html
Yes I can see how a couch would be too small in the Safari.
I do see something that concerns me though. That is the way the floor was patched in. The floor is the main structural component connecting the shell to the frame. The strength of that connection has been comprimised by patching in the floor, also why is only the centre of the floor patched when most of the rot occurs around the perimeter of the shell?

What type of awning do you have, Zip Dee or Carefree? I have arms for a Carefree that you could have.

[dr-quest]

Hello Chris
Yes the floor has been built up in the middle and one side.The trailer was left with a broken roof vent which let in all the rain. The right side cabinet and table were gone when I got the trailer. The previous owner had it five years and never did a thing with it. So the older lady owner before him did the patch. He had it in a barn for the first 3 years then had to move it outside and probably forgot the vent was broken. I exposed the boards along the side with damage and it seems to be contained to a few smaller areas with full solid pieces still intact under the skin all around the holes. The trailer was leaning so all the wet ran to one side. I have put penetrating expoxy into the weak wood and was thinking I would run a 3/8 sub floor before laying the laminate. The floor from the kitchen back is unaffected. I will send a photo of the worst part. Also I believe the awning is a zip dee but will have to check the arm I have.
Steve

[Shiny Dreams]

Hi Steve,
Great to see you here! Shame that wallet was empty Looks like we have resto buddys to keep us motivated, once we get started..... funny we both have Safaris....

Claire

[dr-quest]

I think its great that chris and the other guy will check over your trailer as you go home. I would have a load of questions for them. So many things that could be easy if you are just told once, as opposed to digging around and wondering what this & that does. I am in a constant probbing mode and finding more issues as I go. Maybe I will invite them for dinner and pick their brains . Cant wait to go see chris`s project. Safaris are a nice size for all around use and a 66 is nice and vintage.Cant wait to see how you deck it out. Oh by the way when you said you saw one on the way to my place I thought you ment the 65 globetrotter not the 27 / 30 footer on the farm around the corner. When I said the frame is shot, I ment the globetrotter. Dont know anything about the big one, its just newer then I wanted.
Steve

[dr-quest]

Hello Chris
Here is a picture of the door handle back plate I was looking for. And another front floor shot. I will go to fastenal for the tempro.
Thanks Steve

[wasagachris]

Good Morning Steve, I have that exact door handle that you can scavage some parts from but the casing itself does have some damage to it.
Your's is pretty bad. They are available but are pricey.
Is that new plywood laying on top of the original floor? There is quite a bit if rot just in front of the door under the windows. I would seriously cosider replacing the floor entirely before going too far into any renovations. Start with a good foundation then do the finishes.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by dr-quest

Hello Chris
Here is a picture of the door handle back plate I was looking for. And another front floor shot. I will go to fastenal for the tempro.
Thanks Steve

That lock is called a KT lock.

It's only available from Airstream and is very expensive.

However, there is a lock kit available, that is considerably cheaper, that replaces your complete lock.

Andy

[dr-quest]

Thanks Chris & Andy
I did find the whole mechanism online for around $470.00 which I though was way to much. Chris thanks again for all your help. I will scavenge the backplate if its at all better then mine.My wife is a goldsmith and works with various casting companys. Maybe I can get one cast in stainless or sterling silver at that price . I have decided to hold off on the floor until I see your project, so I have a better understanding of the construction. Also I will bring more photos and info to help. The plywood has been down for years, its just 1/8 sub floor overlay. The trailer sat on an angle and all water ran to that side from the roof vent. In the meanwhile I have lots to do. I will be adding new gaskets and recaulking all the windows.
Thanks again guys
A great site, there was nothing like this when I was doing the canned hams