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07-15-2004, 09:56 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
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Opinion Needed on these dents
Hi All,
Airstream newbie, here.
I need some advice quick. Check out these dents. Any idea how much to repair professionally? Can I do it myself and still look good? I'm buying this trailer this weekend for $3,000 so let me know if it's worth it.
http://groups.msn.com/OpenRoadsForum...ig.msnw?Page=2
Thanks in advance.
Mike
__________________
1958 Overlander
2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC
2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE
WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6
4CU 1st VP
My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog:
https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
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07-15-2004, 09:58 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
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Here's a closeup.
Here's a closeup of the Left Rear dent.
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07-15-2004, 11:07 PM
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#3
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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mello mike,
Do you have access to the backside of the dented panels? This is the only way I see of doing it yourself. Neither of these appear structural and are more than likely only cosmetic blemishes.
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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07-16-2004, 02:28 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2007 27' International CCD FB
1987 25' Sovereign
1977 23' Safari
North Olmsted
, Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 135
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Dents
Hey mello mike...
The skin on the TT can easily be manipulated from the exterior with a dent remover, or from the inside just using you hand. (Wear gloves for there will be some sharp edges on the inside). You should be able to gain access to the lower part of the dented area through the tail light assemblies, however, there appears to be more than one panel involved. An upper panel, lower panel, the exterior wrap and possibly a piece of chanel, making this area much stronger and harder to straighten. You will notice the horizontal rivit line that runs the perimeter of the TT..this is where there probably is a chanel tying the panels together giving sidewall strength to the shell.
I had similar dents on my Safari but they were confined to the lower panels only. Good luck!
Dave
__________________
You never know what you can do
until you try to undo what you did.
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07-16-2004, 05:45 AM
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#5
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GStephens
1982 31' Limited
1953 25' Cruiser
Hamilton
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 563
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Unless you are intending to do it yourself, the cost to repair these dents will likely be more than you are paying for the trailer, perhaps much more. I had a shallow dent in one of the upper curved corner panels above the dented panels on your trailer. I was able to get that dent removed by a paintless dent repairman for $100 and you simply cannot tell it was ever there. He used a glue-on dent puller. However, if he had not been able to pull the dent (which again was shallow and didn't involve any of the support channel such as with your situation), replacement of the one panel with labor was estimated at $1586.00. In your case you have multiple panels.
One option is always to just purchase the trailer and plan on using it with the dents as they are. I know you'd like to have them repaired, but in thruth they don't seem to detract all that much from this trailer and unless leaking, wouldn't be something that just has to be done. Another consideration, is the fact that anytime you replace or otherwise disturb the body panels on an Airstream, one always has the possibility that a leak may begin which sometimes can be difficult to rectify.
GStephens
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07-16-2004, 09:37 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Mello
I think that dent may be a little tough to fix unless you get behind it. Then you need to SLOWLY work the dent out - a little at a time working from the outside in - aluminum stretches easily, so you want to be careful not to stretch it anymore if possible. It is very doable if you work slowly. The other alternative is to remove that sheet and replace.
If everything else is in great condition $3,000 is a steal - gives you plenty of room to deal with the dent
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-16-2004, 10:32 AM
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#7
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Looks to me like a big job. Segment replacement time, if you want it right.
You can try and take out your entire bath or bedroom, then the inner cap, to access the rear of this and end up with crinkled, although less dented panels.
It all depends on how nice you want it. Plus you will need finishing parts, like rubrail etc.
If you do this yourself, it's about 2-3 days solid work, plus new metal segments, plus all the stuff that breaks, plus the stuff you discover while taking stuff apart.
If you want a nice camper for $3k, and don't care about the dents, great.
If you want this fixed, than I'd pass on this one.
It also largely depends on the condition of the rest of the trailer.
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07-16-2004, 09:34 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts on the matter. I really appreciate it. I'm going to go for it. I plan on gutting the interior which is in decent shape. I think I'll try to get these dents out myself.
__________________
1958 Overlander
2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC
2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE
WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6
4CU 1st VP
My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog:
https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
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07-17-2004, 12:04 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 541
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I really can't tell if it might be possible from the photo, but you might try removing the light assembly and try pulling it out that way.
__________________
Just adding my 2¢ worth
John G
___________________________
1975 31ft Sovereign International
........Rear Bath Double Bed Model
Tow Vehicle:1999 GMC Serria SLE Classic 1500 5.7Ltr
System: Jordon 2020 Ultima Brake Controller
Hook-Up: Equalizing Hitch and Sway Bar
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