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Old 08-27-2014, 04:33 AM   #1
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1968 30' Sovereign
Kinglake , Victoria
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new airstream owner from downunder

Hi there,
I have bought a 30f Souvereign 1968 airstream and plan to strip interior and put a modern eco-friendly interior. Because I don't have much hands-on experience I might employ a builder to do it for me, which leaves me with the joy of designing my new home/get-away.
I hope that I will get a lot of information here.
Thank you all for sharing!
Germanaussie
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Old 08-27-2014, 04:43 AM   #2
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Congrats on your purchase. Post some pictures if you can so we can see what it looks like now.
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Old 08-27-2014, 09:04 AM   #3
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Welcome to the Forums and to Airstream ownership!
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Old 08-27-2014, 11:36 AM   #4
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1987 25' Sovereign
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Always love to see how people update their vintage Airstream.
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Old 08-28-2014, 04:01 AM   #5
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1968 30' Sovereign
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Thank you for the welcomes! Here are some pics from the inside.
Oh, and I have a first question:
The end walls (curvy area), in 1968, were they made of hard plastic only or can I expect some aluminum under the plastic? I have a feeling it's just plastic...
I'd rather have metal or mold some other material onto the plastic form.
Has anyone got a template of how to cut aluminum sheets to fit or tried other materials like paper mache or hempcrete?
Thanks,
Germanaussie
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Old 08-28-2014, 02:12 PM   #6
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Looks good so what are the concerns? The end caps are fiberglass in the 66 so if they are you can add more fiberglass to it.
Cliff
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Old 08-29-2014, 06:04 AM   #7
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1968 30' Sovereign
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Thanks, Cliff.
Mine is from 1968, which of course is probably fibre glass also. I'm not sure how I would add more fibreglass, but maybe a good paint job will do the trick, at least at the end with the door. The other end is currently the bathroom, but I would like to make it bedroom and put a shower over bath and a toilet in the middle section. So in the back area, the future bed area, I might have to look at a new inner skin.
I'm not sure but do I have to post these matters in a different location? Am I in introductions here only?
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Old 08-29-2014, 06:10 PM   #8
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If it is thickness that is the problem then add from the back just paint if it is a color thing! Many threads that cover that! Floors are the usual issue with rot or soft spots but most important look for and repair any and all leaks!
Cliff


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Old 08-29-2014, 06:25 PM   #9
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Hi Germanaussie! You will find these forums invaluable in your renovation of your 68 Sovereign. I think that was the top of the line for Airstream in 1968. It will make a fine travel trailer when you are finished.

Cliff is right, the rear end cap in the bath area is fiberglass. Airstream was using more and more thermo formed plastic parts in the 60s. Your front end cap may be thermo plastic. The front end cap in my 66 Trade Wind is molded plastic. The fiberglass will be thick, hard and smooth. The thermo formed plastic parts are thinner. I don't know what was done in the 68 Sovereign.

You might like to start a thread in the Airstream Knowledge Base section toward the bottom of the home page. It has sub categories for all the Airstream years and models, including the 1968 Sovereign. There you will meet people who have done renovations on this model and you can see how they did it. Just a suggestion.

David
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Old 08-31-2014, 02:52 AM   #10
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1968 30' Sovereign
Kinglake , Victoria
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Thanks, Cliff and David.
I started to strip the inside today. I think the front cap is molded plastic, much thinner than the end cap.
I browsed through the Sovereign threads and I hope I do not find too much damage in the underbelly!
Also, I wasn't aware how big the wheel caps are! Need to re-shuffle my middle bathroom plans!
It feels good to have started!
Will keep posting as I come up against the un-knowing!
Thanks!
Germanaussie
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Old 08-31-2014, 03:28 AM   #11
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Lots of surprises as we strip them but it is strangely relaxing! Take those pictures for your references they do help later!
Cliff


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Old 08-31-2014, 07:59 AM   #12
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Many Airstreams with mid bath layouts build a "shower bench" over the wheel well covers. My 86 has this design. I am positive Airstream still molds shower pans that fit over the wheel wells. Your bath sink can also be built over the wheel well.

Study the many Airstream layouts and you will find a pleasing solution to the large wheel well covers.

David
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Old 08-31-2014, 08:06 AM   #13
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new airstream owner from downunder

Is wood eco friendly?

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My wife and son wanted me to go back with the plastic, at first.
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Old 08-31-2014, 09:33 AM   #14
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Golly that is a beautiful wood end cap. So warm and cozy on a cold Minnesota night. My end caps are plastic, and they have yellowed and cracked through the years. Plastic is cheap and handy, but not nearly as pretty.

Your photo will certainly inspire germanaussie.

David
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Old 09-01-2014, 12:57 AM   #15
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1968 30' Sovereign
Kinglake , Victoria
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Thanks, Cliff, David and J.
That is a beautiful wooden outfit! As for eco-friendly, it depends on the wood treatment and finish. I don't want to use anything that will give a lot of out-gassing volatiles. But I've been thinking about wood lately, since I read that moisture can be a big issue in Airstreams. Wood will act a bit of a moisture absorber, I would assume, to a certain extend at least.
J., what wood/ply did you use to get these curves?
The shower bench is a great idea. It would be difficult to get an original Airstream mould to Australia and I already have a small new bathtub (120cm x70cm). It's enameled steel, which is maybe a bit heavy, but it could just fit between rear bed and the wheel cap!
Thanks,
Germanaussie
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Old 09-01-2014, 07:26 AM   #16
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The wood is regular old 1/4" plywood. It is finished with old fashioned varnish which really hasn't produced any aroma since the first month.

I used polyurethane on two shelfs and two tables. I do smell this poly after the trailer is set up for a time in the heat, but never the varnish even though there is many times more of it.

In the sixteen months or so since completion, I haven't had a problem with water, and I figure even if I do, I can just replace the affected piece.

I figure that the wood helps greatly with the heating and cooling as compared to my 75 that has a stock interior and larger air conditioner.

This July when parked side by side in the New Mexico sun the 72 stayed noticeably cooler. Might be a factor in Australia.
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Old 09-01-2014, 10:01 AM   #17
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If your end caps are in good shape it is best and easiest to glue a wood veneer over them.
I'm just starting on a total shell off on a '65 and know that the interior end caps
add rigidity to the over all monocoque design structure.
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Old 09-01-2014, 10:09 AM   #18
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Just a note on this, but in my estimation the wood in the front of my trailer probably adds more to the structure of the trailer than the plastic I took out.

I know it is hard to appreciate from pictures alone, but the structure that this wood imparts is substantial.
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