We have a 'project'

[BogieGolf]

I’m brand new to this forum – actually, I’ve never joined any forum. Chose the screen name after my not running ’55 Chevy who shares garage space with our “new” 84 Sovereign 27’. My wife and I bought a fixer because we have more repair talent than cash and we couldn’t afford the CCD models that we’ve visited so many times. We have a 3 year old daughter and want to take her camping like we did when we were kids.

We’re doing the typical stuff that most would do in our case: upholstery, drapes, flooring, countertops, along with stripping and polishing the skin. We named our Craig’s List treasure “Vinny”, after the gentlemen who passed away in the trailer in the middle of the Nevada desert. But that’s a different story...

We’ve learned an awful lot from the forum so we though we should join. Now here’s my burning question: stainless 'segment protectors' or lower rock guards (not the window rock guards.) How can I get or make them? Has a thread been written about these? Do I need to start a new thread?

Chris
Escondido, CA

[Gunnyusmc]

Welcome too the forum.
You will find a lot of knowledge here.
I'm not sure and someone will jump in, but if you call Airstream and ask for the store, they will tell you if the 84 rock guards are availible.

Don

[dudebb]

Hi Chris and family,
Welcome to the forums. This is THE place top find out anything you need to know about streams. My first car (in 1969) was a 55 Chevy - 2 door straight 6 - 3 on thr tree - filled the oil and checked he gas! Great times and memories in that car so I got another one about 6 years ago when our daughter was in her last semester of college (do you see any correlation?). Great cars - I have since bought and sold quite a few antique vehicles over the last 6 years - and don't have the 55 right now.
Hope you have a great time working on and camping in your Airstream. They are a lot of fun. Good luck!

[Alumatube]

Welcome, Chris! Congrats on your AS! It is quite doable as a fixer-upper - if you have any refurb skills at all you will be quite pleased with the results. Plus, this forum is an INCREDIBLE resource! We have learned a lot here.

Okay, the burning question in my mind is what is the story on Vinny and the Nevada desert?!?!? Please do tell!

Susan

[str8strm]

Welcome Chris,
We have quite a few airstreamers here in So Cal and up and down the coast. Check out the threads for our many get-togethers. I've got a couple of '55s myself. The AS fits right into that classic vehicle mode. You and the family are in for a good time. And post some pictures of your car and trailer. Ron

[LJH]

Hey 55, welcome! As one of our lesser presidents once said "I feel your pain." We have an 85 Sov. 27. It came to live with us from my parents. They are retired Streamers and wanted it to have a good home. It was in very good condition but we could not live with the brown cave motif. So, now we are redoing the whole thing. Lots of money, lots of time, lots of fun! If you discover any thing of interest, or have a question of my limited Sov. knowledge let me know. GOOD LUCK! LJH 6196

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by lovemy55

I’m brand new to this forum – actually, I’ve never joined any forum. Chose the screen name after my not running ’55 Chevy who shares garage space with our “new” 84 Sovereign 27’. My wife and I bought a fixer because we have more repair talent than cash and we couldn’t afford the CCD models that we’ve visited so many times. We have a 3 year old daughter and want to take her camping like we did when we were kids.

We’re doing the typical stuff that most would do in our case: upholstery, drapes, flooring, countertops, along with stripping and polishing the skin. We named our Craig’s List treasure “Vinny”, after the gentlemen who passed away in the trailer in the middle of the Nevada desert. But that’s a different story...

We’ve learned an awful lot from the forum so we though we should join. Now here’s my burning question: stainless 'segment protectors' or lower rock guards (not the window rock guards.) How can I get or make them? Has a thread been written about these? Do I need to start a new thread?

Chris
Escondido, CA

Segment protectors are available from any Airstream dealer who deals with parts.

Andy

[GStephens]

Segment are available from any Airstream dealer. They cost somewhere in the $600+ range and will run $800+ to have installed. Proprer alignment and installation is critical. They must be hand formed as they are installed to the curve if the segments they are installed to protect. All attaching rivets must be properly sealed to prevent leaks. I had mine installed by Roger Williams Airstream of Weatherford, Texas. Their installation is perfection personified.
GStephens

[sequoiacoast]

Originally Posted by Alumatube

Okay, the burning question in my mind is what is the story on Vinny and the Nevada desert?!?!? Please do tell!

Susan

Ditto!!

And welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new baby. Your family is going to love it- my 2 y/o loves the Airstream... my 15 y/o well, he has to be coerced with food and possible skate parks.

We love pictures!!

[safari57]

Welcome Chris,

I have mixed emotions - do I encourage them to finish the '55 first or the Airstream. Hmmmm, probably the Airstream so that on those nights when you spend just a tad too much time out in the shop and you find the doors to the house locked you still have a reasonable place to sleep.

Have fun with the trailer getting it up and going to your liking.

Barry

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by safari57

I have mixed emotions - do I encourage them to finish the '55 first or the Airstream. Hmmmm, probably the Airstream so that on those nights when you spend just a tad too much time out in the shop and you find the doors to the house locked you still have a reasonable place to sleep.

Barry, I assume you're speaking from experience in this regard?

Welcome to the forums, Chris!

[safari57]

Well, Cameron, it happens to car guys. You get out in the shop and you get going a bit too hard and you forget the time. Same as those of us redoing our Airstreams. At least you can take a nap in it without waking up with a kink in your neck.

I do encourage Chris to complete the Airstream first. Then he can keep the rest of the family happy. Heck, he could even tow it to a nearby campground and let them camp while he goes at the '55 back at home without interruption........(I hope Donna doesn't see any of this or I'm in trouble again)

Barry

[ROBERT CROSS]

WELCOME ABOARD!!!

This is THE place for all things Aluminum!!

Seems anything with wheels works for these folks.

Keep us posted on your progress.

How bout a pic of that "55"!!

[safari57]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

WELCOME ABOARD!!!

This is THE place for all things Aluminum!!

Seems anything with wheels works for these folks.

Keep us posted on your progress.

How bout a pic of that "55"!!

Bob

You keep breaking my heart with those pictures of your gorgeous cars......

Yep, Chris, humor us a tad and throw on a pic of the '55 as well. To some of us the twin passions of Airstreams and old cars is just a natural occurrence.

Barry

[BogieGolf]

Wow, I did join the RIGHT forum. Some nice, helpful folks who even like old cars! I’ll try my luck at sending a photo of the ’55 but a description will need to do for now:

1955 Chevrolet 3100 deluxe cab (short bed)
No Limit Engineering 4-link rear suspension
9” Ford rear
Fat Man coil-over front suspension
Aluminum gas tank under bed
700R4 overdrive transmission
Crate 4-bolt-main 350 (replaced the same setup that Dudebb had)

Some might say that the “hard work” is done because the frame/suspension is complete but the (rust free) body is still off…I like safari57’s advice on finishing the Sovereign first. That’s my plan: keep the girls happy! (BTW: your wagon is GORGEOUS!) So is yours str8strm! Nice cars, everyone.

Back to the trailer, I’ll follow GStephens advice and get the segment protectors installed. Probably at Inland Andy’s. Corona is an easy drive from Escondido. Those panels will nicely hide the worst of the two dents on our exterior. I’m going to try a paintless dent fixer guy on the other one which is just above one taillight.

All I can say about Vinny is that he (rest his soul) is the reason we were able to buy this fine silver beauty. Why an elderly Italian man would be living so far out in the Nevada desert is beyond me. We searched the trailer for a bag of cash, etc. but found only bugs and dirt.

LJH – we need to talk. I’ll try to post some pictures of the colors and fabric that my wife picked to compliment the brown motif. We’re trying a little “vintage Hawaiian look” to spruce things up.

Chris