I have been 'lurking' on this forum for a while. My brother and I buy, fix up, and sell class A motorhomes in SOCAL but I have always wanted an Airstream. So I just purchased a 1976 Sovereign 31. It is basically in original condition. Lots of cleaning ahead of me! Sometime in the past one of the rear twin beds was removed and a desk unit installed. I would like to remove everything in the rear bedroom and install the largest practical bed possible. Does anybody have any input on this? Also some of the side 'skylight' windows have flakes between the panes. I assume this is some type of original tint film that has just broken up over time. How do I remove/repair this? Thank you for any suggestions. This forum is GREAT!
__________________
'74 Overlander (Rear Bed)
'77 20' Argosy MH (Looking for a new home)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
2006 GMC Sierra 5.3 V8
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281 w) www.balrgn.com www.balrgn.com/Airstream.htm
I also have the 1976 Sovereign. Welcome to Airstreaming and the Forum. I still have the original twins, and although I thought about putting in the big bed, I was tired of climbing over someone to get out of bed, so I didn't do it. I also thought about putting in a bed with walk around room on three sides, but decided it would be too small and way too much work. I'll be interested to see what you do and how you like it. Remember to take lots of before and after pictures.
__________________ Judy and Bob
At Home in Oklahoma
Here's how to do your windows, they take about 8 hours each and you'll have to find a source for the butyl. I'm willing to go in with a group if a group is willing to buy the 20 or so rolls minimum purchase from the distributor.
The standard gueen bed in the rear bedroom models takes up too much room and is hard to walk around. I prefer a bed up against the side wall, but that has its own disadvantages--a pain to make and someone has to be "trapped." Nevertheless, here's how I did it in my Sovereign (still a work in progress).
Our Overlander has a 48" x 75" mid-bed along the wall, which allows for cabinets along the other wall, as well as a pull-out desk that you sit on the bed to type. The Safari will have an 80" x 54" bed up front, cross-wise under the front dome. These beds provide space savings and storage options that make the Airstream a lot more functional for the other 16 hours a day.
You can also see a strange little trapezoidal bed in our Caravel. I wanted a permanent bed and this is all the space allowed. It's fine for two adults (5'9"-ish adults) for a week or so. It even uses glued-together old foam from the original goucho.
Congratulations on making that first step and joining the ranks of 'streamers. As you have found out already there is a wealth of knowledge here and if you want to or need to do it, someone here already has. Good luck with your modifications. That is the great thing about vintage Airstreams, there is plenty of life left in them to make it worth while to renovate/restore/customize one even when it is 30-40-50 years old! Have fun with the process and show us some before and afters.
__________________
2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
Family of Disney Fanatics
WBCCI# 4821
Well I picked up the 32 year old 'aluminum wonder' today. First stop was a 'wand wash' to get rid of dirt/dust build up. Also thought it would be good to check for window leaks- wet floorboards. After about $10 worth of quarters and a very sore right hand it 'looks' like there are NO LEAKS! Only a little water got in to the stove vent. I had to rewire my hitch umbilical to get the brakes and lights to work properly and then made the 20 mile drive down I-5 to my storage lot. I picked up a new battery as well. Started the cleaning/discovering process and after around 3 hours feel real good about the purchase. My first project is getting the 120VAC wiring sorted out and then the plumbing/leaky water pump. I am going to compare fixing the existing fridge with a new coil and or circuit board to buying a good used unit from Colaw RV. Either way is should be half of what a new 2 way unit would cost.
I am missing the contoured plastic piece that fits beside the toilet and covers the back of the hot water heater (mid bath model). Any ideas of where to find one of these pieces?
I will try and attach some pics to this note.
Again thanks to this forum and everybody in to it!
Boy does that look familiar. About the piece in the bathroom, I don't remember my water heater sticking into the bathroom that far. May be an alteration, that's why that piece is gone. I'll see if I can find pictures. Otherwise it looks like a 76 all right.
__________________ Judy and Bob
At Home in Oklahoma
You're right. The water heater does stick that far into the bathroom. At least here's a shot of what you're looking for. Also this is the original twin bed arrangement. I imagine they took that water heater cover out when they put the new toilet in. You might look around to see if it's in the trailer somewhere (found lots of stuff in mine), or even see if the seller still has it in the garage. I'm thinking someone could build an enclosure for that
__________________ Judy and Bob
At Home in Oklahoma
I have seen Queen beds in the rear bedroom, but there is almost nop room to walk. You might want to make a cover out of good 3/8" plywood, and cover it in a neutral color indoor outdoor carpet. That is what we have next to our toiolet, although not with the bulge from the water heater.
__________________
Terry Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
AIR#2611
Well I ripped out all the gold carpet today and replaced the leaky water pump. I will keep the carpet incase I need it for patterns. I plan on using the Lowes carpet squares for the living room and bedroom and put down some sort of 'hardwood' in the galley, hall, and bathroom. I will also remove all the original copper plumbing and replace with pex as I found a few leaks after replacing the water pump. I tried using FLITZ on a small exterior section today and was impressed. Still not sure on exterior polishing.
Where would I find the roof AC 'drain tube'? Do all trailers have it?
Both grey and black valves are seized shut. Is this a huge job to replace them?
You may not have to replace the dump valves. If you can get them apart, depending on the upstream and downsteam plumbing, you will find that the valve is two plates with a sliding "door" between them. The plate with the gasket permanently installed is replaceable--you can get a plastic or stainless steel version, they both fit. In most cases the replaceable side is installed in a slip fitting or some other method where it is removeable. The other side is sometimes/often glued in, so it's good know you can get the other part.
For the skylights , do a search on Vistaveiw. There were 2 styles used , one had 2 panes of glass , and one had 1 pane of glass and one pane plastic . Both are fixable.
Quick Links
Judy and Bob
Linear Mode
