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07-16-2014, 09:11 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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Front & side panel damage
 My 1978 AS Int. Sovereign has been damaged by tree falling on roof. Result: Several dents & creases. Damage in front & adjacent panels.Seeking advice on how to proceed with repair (if possible) Most serious is a separation between two panels. See pic.
Any advice are welcome
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07-16-2014, 09:13 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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No pictures. Hard to help.
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07-16-2014, 09:18 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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Not sure why pic didn´t get posted? How do I attach pic?
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07-16-2014, 09:57 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
2006 25' Safari
St. Augustine
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,670
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My thought is that the left panel would need replacing, maybe both. The right one is not as bad? I have not worked on panels, just had one replaced. Perhaps others will chime in.
__________________
WBCCI 8653/AIR 60240
2022 Ford F150 PowerBoost Platinum w/7.2KW
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07-17-2014, 09:15 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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Looks like two curved panels that I can see from the photo. I think the panels are about $500 each. They will be a different alloy so they may not match.
Perry
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07-17-2014, 10:00 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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The damage is probably not a do it yourself project, unless you are willing to learn a lot about Airstream metal work, riveting, etc. prior to starting it. This is a rather specialized trade. I would suggest taking it to a dealer to have an estimate. You may find that the cost of repair is greater than the value of the trailer.
Sorry to be a bad news bear here, but just trying to be realistic.
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07-17-2014, 10:13 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1977 23' Safari
Niagara on the Lake
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 984
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Anything can be fixed if you're willing to spend the time and money.
Basic Steps:
1) buy new panels
2) drill out rivets and remove old panels
3) fit new panels - this is the hard part because the trailer will have stretched and flexed over the years and the tree damage will have only mad things worse. remember these are hand built trailers
4) rivet in the new panel.
Its a big job but not impossible for a DIY'er.
If it were my trailer I'd start by evaluating the cost and effort of repair vs buying another trailer and using the damaged one for parts.
__________________
1977 Safari Land Yacht
2005 Toyota Tundra SR5
2022 Toyota 4Runner SR5
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07-17-2014, 06:07 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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Thanks for all your inputs. We have talked to the AS-dealer in NJ and are awaiting their response (while hoping for the best). Already know the two skins have to be replaced - good news is - have all the time in the world (retired) and fairly handy with most tools, got a Rivit tool from wifey  On the other side - we might have a lot of spare parts for sale .... .... .... But I'm optimistic, so until response from dealer, the AS will be fixed.
Thanks again folks
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07-17-2014, 06:28 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Portsmouth
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 776
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Would have helped a bit if you had posted the pix in the right orientation but still able to see. You may also have some damage on the rib in-between those panels. keep that in mind since that would have to be straightened out as well. Looks like the awning took a hit as well, factor that in too.
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07-17-2014, 06:41 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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Thanks Aquinob. The rib in front of window had a tear/bend in it. Spliced in 2 pieces of steel to straighten it. Looks good as far as I can tell. Hoping the skin is not leaking anymore. Someone recommended I should get some Cleeco tools to pull the skin opening together. Anybody with some experience here?
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07-17-2014, 06:48 PM
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#11
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Airstream Driver
1994 30' Excella
1992 35' Airstream 350
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RuneM46
Thanks for all your inputs. We have talked to the AS-dealer in NJ and are awaiting their response (while hoping for the best). Already know the two skins have to be replaced - good news is - have all the time in the world (retired) and fairly handy with most tools, got a Rivit tool from wifey On the other side - we might have a lot of spare parts for sale .... .... .... But I'm optimistic, so until response from dealer, the AS will be fixed.
Thanks again folks |
You can do it!
Looks to me like the two curved panels to the left of the front window. Hopefully the structural beam under the awning seam is intact.
Make sure you get yourself a bunch of Clecos to "set" the panels before you ever apply any vulkem or set any rivets. You also need to pull the front window and remove the awning arm for easier access.
Again, can't do it without Clecos
__________________
1994 30' Excella Front Kitchen Trailer
1990 25' Excella Travel trailer
1992 350LE Classic Touring Coach
AIR #13
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07-17-2014, 07:04 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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PeterH-Airstreamer - question: what size clecos and how many do I need?
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07-17-2014, 07:24 PM
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#13
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Airstream Driver
1994 30' Excella
1992 35' Airstream 350
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RuneM46
PeterH-Airstreamer - question: what size clecos and how many do I need?
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5/32 same as rivet size and drill bits
5/32 (#21) CLECO FASTENER-AVERY TOOLS , L.P.
need the cleco pliers too.
I would get at least 50, if you get 100 you have more than enough.
Since you have access to the inside, you should consider using Buck rivets instead of Olympic rivets, but I will let others chime in on that subject.
__________________
1994 30' Excella Front Kitchen Trailer
1990 25' Excella Travel trailer
1992 350LE Classic Touring Coach
AIR #13
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07-17-2014, 07:24 PM
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#14
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Site Team
1963 26' Overlander
Hollis
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,647
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I know Colin Hyde in Plattsburg NY has an English wheel. You should give him a call. He might be able to straighten those panels out and you could rivet it back on. At the very least he could advise the best course of action.
https://sites.google.com/a/colinhyde...ions.com/home/
__________________
Shelly : TAC NH-6 | AIR 41359
Visit my blog!
Parts needed : Braund Antenna front tube fold down model!
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07-17-2014, 07:46 PM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member 
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 11
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More Pix of Damage
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07-17-2014, 08:04 PM
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#16
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Airstream Driver
1994 30' Excella
1992 35' Airstream 350
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moeller78
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Looks like you will need to the top center curved panel (not the roof panel) as well, making it three panels, if you don't replace the lower panel above the banana wrap.
Replacing the top center panel will allow you to align the other panels properly.
My guess for a professional repair bill from a dealer would be around $8000-10000.
If you do it yourself, 1500 for three panels and 300 for rivets, clecos, vulkem, drill bits, masking tape, rags and paint thinner, plus shipping.
3 long weekends and a very patient buddy to give you a hand.
__________________
1994 30' Excella Front Kitchen Trailer
1990 25' Excella Travel trailer
1992 350LE Classic Touring Coach
AIR #13
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07-17-2014, 08:37 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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PeterH-Airstreamer: At the moment I´m not considering the lower panel to be replaced, so we´re thinking only the top center and the adjacent panel to the left (and hope for the best) Clecos are ordered. It will be a new experience
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07-17-2014, 08:57 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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Fix to ceiling rib
Rib had a tear and slightly bent forward in it. I used 2 steel bars and was able to align the rib and got it straightened out.
In the picture you should be able to see the steelbar with 4 screws in it. 
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07-17-2014, 08:59 PM
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#19
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Airstream Driver
1994 30' Excella
1992 35' Airstream 350
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RuneM46
PeterH-Airstreamer: At the moment I´m not considering the lower panel to be replaced, so we´re thinking only the top center and the adjacent panel to the left (and hope for the best) Clecos are ordered. It will be a new experience |
Not replacing the panel around the scare light will make your job a lot !! easier, since you have something to line that next panel up to. Keep in mind that the corner panels are pre-formed, but not prefit. You will find that you have many options in placement of the panels.
I wish you the best of luck!
__________________
1994 30' Excella Front Kitchen Trailer
1990 25' Excella Travel trailer
1992 350LE Classic Touring Coach
AIR #13
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07-17-2014, 09:57 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 56
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Thanks Peter
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