The Long Long Trailer...Renovation...

[1967Over_Int]

I'm just now starting to dive into a 1967 Overlander International. I talked my wife into letting me bid, sight-un-seen, on the trailer listed on EBay. Definitely had a lump in my stomach when I won the bid, and thought oh no, what did I do! It's been a year and one child later, I'm really excited to start working on it. I've been reading up, taking notes, getting ready to start the Reno process. Any suggestions from those that have gone before me is welcomed and greatly appreciated! Below are a few pics of her as she sits. I believe she's in pretty much all original condition and the shell is in great shape. I've spent the last few months working here and there to get her dried in.

It really needs a shell off floor repair, but I'm afraid I won't have the time with my two young kiddos, a 2yr old and a 6month old. I'd rather patch now, use it awhile, then do the full Monte. I know it has tail separation and the typical soft spots near the door and under a few windows. I haven't pulled the carpet yet but plan to soon.

[Cochese]

Sounds like a good plan to patch now... looks like a very original trailer.

[68 TWind]

Welcome to the forums. Here is a link to a site my buddy Tom put together several years ago when he refurbished his 67 Overlander. Make lots of pics as you take things apart, you can't have too many and they will save you time when 6 months later you are trying to figure out just how a part goes back together.

http://www.knology.net/~tcwilliams/AirstreamIndex.htm

[NorOntario]

How is it going Adam?

We are in the middle of taking everything out... everything is riveted, bolted, screwed, nailed in... some things are a combination of at least three of those methods

[1967Over_Int]

Originally Posted by 68 TWind

Welcome to the forums. Here is a link to a site my buddy Tom put together several years ago when he refurbished his 67 Overlander. Make lots of pics as you take things apart, you can't have too many and they will save you time when 6 months later you are trying to figure out just how a part goes back together.

http://www.knology.net/~tcwilliams/AirstreamIndex.htm

Thanks! I actually stumbled upon Tom's page about a year ago. It is great and I have emailed him a question or two already. He and his page are very helpful!

[1967Over_Int]

Originally Posted by NorOntario

How is it going Adam?

We are in the middle of taking everything out... everything is riveted, bolted, screwed, nailed in... some things are a combination of at least three of those methods

Haven't had time to do much, busy at my day job the last few weekends. I did remove a spare Corning window from a hinge bar today while Hurricane Harvey pounded us with rain and wind. I've got three plexiglass windows in the trailer. Luckily, the family I bought the trailer from gave me a bunch of spare parts, including two of the large curved Corning windows, two of the medium size curved, and one flat front or rear window. Now I've just got to remove them from the hinge bars. This is really difficult. I took my time, didn't want to break them. My trailer has the newer hinge bar version that splits in two. Those are way easier to work with.

I did finish up sealing around the fridge roof vent before Harvey hit. Just in time! So far we are at 7" of rain and more on the way... predicted 100% chance for the next 12 hours totaling around 15-20" predicted. We couldn't buy a rain drop the last three months.

[NorOntario]

Originally Posted by 1967Over_Int

Haven't had time to do much, busy at my day job the last few weekends. I did remove a spare Corning window from a hinge bar today while Hurricane Harvey pounded us with rain and wind. I've got three plexiglass windows in the trailer. Luckily, the family I bought the trailer from gave me a bunch of spare parts, including two of the large curved Corning windows, two of the medium size curved, and one flat front or rear window. Now I've just got to remove them from the hinge bars. This is really difficult. I took my time, didn't want to break them. My trailer has the newer hinge bar version that splits in two. Those are way easier to work with.

I did finish up sealing around the fridge roof vent before Harvey hit. Just in time! So far we are at 7" of rain and more on the way... predicted 100% chance for the next 12 hours totaling around 15-20" predicted. We couldn't buy a rain drop the last three months.

You are so lucky to have those extra parts! We have 3 of the original windows and we aren't touching them at this point, the hinges are also original and rusted and I can only assume things will shatter if we try to touch them

I am already thinking ahead to reinstalling everything and with it taking this long to gut I am a little nervous, our electrical looks a little bit disastrous but we will be having someone come this week to take a look and see if we need a total re wire or not

Just have the bathroom left to take out - carefully - and then clean. I recommend the bleach foam spray for the skins if yours are .... well loved

Good luck and STAY DRY! can't wait to see pics.. will be adding some more in my thread in the 67 overlander section

[NorOntario]

Also - we have the original owners manual and all the appliance manuals.. if you don't have these and want anything scanned/sent let me know!

[1967Over_Int]

Long time since my last post, life got in the way. I just ordered the axles and put those in. Dexters from Southwest Wheel. They turned out great. Had to drill the holes as expected, and cut off and welded on the shock brackets, but no issues otherwise. Took two weekends by myself working off and on.

Axle specs I used:
#10 tube, 3000lb rating, 32deg down and I ordered the high profile brackets. They came with 10” drum brakes. I tried to get upsize to 12” but dexter wouldn’t do it any longer. I may update to discs later so not worried about it.

I just pulled the rear belly pan up to the new axles. I know I’ve got tail separation and that’s my target to fix that and replace some floor rot. While I’ve got the bathroom apart I’m going to drop and check the black tank. The frame has the typical rust around the black tank, but the further you go forward the frame looks to be in pretty good shape.

[1967Over_Int]

Well I’ve started the removal of the bathroom. Taking lots of pics along the way per Joyflea’s suggestions. I’ve slowly got everything pulled and ready to move the tub out. Lots of rivets and screws but not too bad.

****For those of you with trailers with aluminum wiring, did you replace it? I wasn’t planning on pulling all the interior, just the rear to fix wood rot so I don’t plan on re-wiring right now. I’ve got small kids just want to make sure when we take this thing out we’re not asking for a fire. I do plan to pull all the covers and make sure all outlets and fixtures are tight. So far the insulation on the wire looks good and the plastic grommets where the wire feeds thru inner skins looks good in all the places I can see.

[1967Over_Int]

A little further along. Planning how to implement adding gray tanks. Questions: where is the best place to locate batteries in these trailers? I know where the old ones where, I’m just not crazy about putting them under the bed.

[1967Over_Int]

Finally found time tonight to drop black tank. Filled with water and valve definitely leaking. I still need to try to remove toilet flange. The vent and flange fittings into tank look to be ok and aren’t leaking.

I’m at same point as Goswick. I’d like to use the original tank but want to covert to Valterra valves. Looks like I’ll need an adapter? Anyone have any details on this? The google search just shows sewage hose adapters not valve adapters.

Also Goswick, if you order a tank from Inca, would you mind sharing the tank #? Thanks for all you guys input.

[1967Over_Int]

Working on the design of the new gray tanks and the black tank... I still need to finish drawing in the pipe and valves but it's a start. The frame is just rough not drawn perfectly. I plan to use the VTS-851 gray tanks and an Icondirect HT173SD. It is a bit taller than the original, but I didn't find one that I liked at Inca or out anywhere else. I plan to rotate the outlet of the black tank and cobined the gray and black at the outlet on the curb side. I'll have valves for both the gray and the black like a current trailer. Any other suggestions are welcome... I put the vent of one gray tank on the curb side so I can run my bathroom sink to it. I plan to run the kitchen sink to the vent/inlet on the curb side. I may drop the shower/tub drain into the drain line connecting the tanks or into the rear gray tank directly. I'm trying to limit the number of fittings into the tank.

[1967Over_Int]

hopefully these pictures come in a little better with the background... I still need to take more measurements on the frame and figure out how to mount the VTS tanks. Also need to decide how I want the belly pan to be configured around the lower black tank outlet. I'd like to keep the Valterra valves concealed in the pan but it doesn't lend it self to easy service. I was think about the cable operated dump option so I can move the handles to a convenient location.

[1967Over_Int]

Had time at lunch to add in concept drain route. First two pics are from top views, last two pics are bottom views. Still deciding if I’m going to use a conventional pee trap or Hepvo for the shower. I’ll add one more CAD pic with labels maybe tomorrow if I get time.

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by 1967Over_Int

Had time at lunch to add in concept drain route. First two pics are from top views, last two pics are bottom views. Still deciding if I’m going to use a conventional pee trap or Hepvo for the shower. I’ll add one more CAD pic with labels maybe tomorrow if I get time.

In the 55 we ran the shower drain in the belly pan with a Hepvo. I have a removable piece of aluminum to access the Hepvo attached to the belly pan in the event I need to replace it some day. In the 66 we were able to make a sharp 90 for the shower/tub drain between the subfloor and bottom of the tub with an in-line Hepvo. Both have worked well. Good luck

[1967Over_Int]

Worked on a few window leaks that I could just not get to seal. I didn’t think the leak was coming thru the J hinge, but upon further looking, sure enough, seeping thru. I had read all the post about putting silicone in the hinge and that just didn’t sound right so was trying to come up with another solution. Then it hit me, Rector Seal, it’s a pipe joint sealing compound, never hardens and works like a champ! I was using it to seal my ABS threaded joints on my plumbing drain lines and thought, why not give it a shot. I smeared in the joint from the outside and from the inside, working it into the joint by opening and closing, re-smearing, basically like packing bearings. Window still opens great, grabbed the water hose and boom! No more drips!

Also couple of latest trailer pics. Installed water heater, made angled platform fit it to sit on.

Finishing up drain lines. Mocked up tub.

[Bubba L]

Good idea on the Rectoseal. You have the same Sea Mist Green colored baths as our 66. You’re almost finished, kinda. Good luck going forward.

[1967Over_Int]

Started the polish job on my 67. New awning comes in tomorrow so wanted to get the side polished before I mounted. No to polish the rest... slow goes it.

[Bubba L]

Looks great Adam. One more bite out of that elephant complete. Keep us posted.