1978 Travelux President 31'

[jonplayers]

I finished riveting the front end cap together today.

My approach was to start at the window drilling and clecoing along.
I would have to let the clecos go at rib end as the panels wanted to "tweak" a bit after half way. I found it was also a good idea to let the clecos out a few at a time to get rid of the shavings.

Next I rivet it together. I had planned on using buck rivets originally.
I didn't have near the clecos to do the whole thing at once though.

I could only do one panel at a time. There was no way I was gonna pull that thing in and out 12 times!

I picked up my wheel well a few days ago. It looks and fits great! I will get 3 more made up. I hope to go to the shop when he is building them and help.

I will post some pics.

[jonplayers]

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[lifeincolor]

Wow I am totally blown away by this project!!!

[jonplayers]

Originally Posted by lifeincolor

Wow I am totally blown away by this project!!!

Thanks! It is a lot more work than I thought it would be.

[jonplayers]

I have been on a bit of forced break. I did not order nearly enough rivets. I think partly because I had originally planned on using buck rivets for the endcaps.

The local supplier I was getting them from was suppose to have them in a week.
After two weeks went, they called and said it would be another 10 weeks!
Or, I could have them rush ordered from Montreal!.... Ah NO!

Anyways I found some at home hardware, so I am back in business.

I have got the rear end cap about half done.

[jonplayers]

After a bit of a hiatus, I got going again. I have finished the rear end cap a few days ago! Today I clecoed the first middle panel on.

I was able to position it and get a few clecos in with the help of these"little green sucker" things I have for installing crown molding.

I needed help for the final fit though!
I used a board to help wedge the panel tight. A little unorthodox i'll admit!








Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[PaulnGina]

Now, I can relate to "unorthodox" methods of getting something accomplished, but your fabrication skills continue to impress me!

That trailer is going to be absolutely gorgeous when you get it finished.

[ericpeltier]

Don't take this wrong, but, good golly I hope I don't have to re-skin the interior of the Streamline I'm buying......

Although when re-skinned like this it looks AWESOME!

Great job!!!

[jonplayers]

Originally Posted by PaulnGina

Now, I can relate to "unorthodox" methods of getting something accomplished, but your fabrication skills continue to impress me!

That trailer is going to be absolutely gorgeous when you get it finished.

Thanks! I am kinda making it up as I go!

[jonplayers]

Originally Posted by ericpeltier

Don't take this wrong, but, good golly I hope I don't have to re-skin the interior of the Streamline I'm buying......

Although when re-skinned like this it looks AWESOME!

Great job!!!

Thanks!

You should not have to re-skin yours. I bought my trailer gutted, and the skins were long gone.

If you do have to take any skins out you could carefully drill them out and then put them back in.

By the way that's a great looking streamline you bought.

[jonplayers]

I installed another panel this evening. It only took about two hours.(which is a record for me!)

I am still hopeful about having all the skins in for summer, but summer is fast approaching and I am always really busy at this time of year with work and the farm. This year especially as we are building a few cabins and putting in five RV spots on our farm!

If I can get an hour or two in the evenings once in a while I might get her done! It is great stress relief working on the trailer, but as much as I enjoy it...
its getting old!

[Gene]

Yeh, projects get old and hopefully that doesn't happen until you are right at the end. And any project takes longer than you expected and costs more, sometimes a lot more. I try to think about them in small projects, not the big one. Then I get finished with each faster and feel better. Of course I know I'm in denial, but sometimes denial is a good thing and preserves sanity.

Are you building the cabins and RV sites yourself too? I don't know when we'll be in Terrace again, but if we do go there, we'll know where to stop.

Gene

[jonplayers]

Originally Posted by Gene

Yeh, projects get old and hopefully that doesn't happen until you are right at the end. And any project takes longer than you expected and costs more, sometimes a lot more. I try to think about them in small projects, not the big one. Then I get finished with each faster and feel better. Of course I know I'm in denial, but sometimes denial is a good thing and preserves sanity.

Are you building the cabins and RV sites yourself too? I don't know when we'll be in Terrace again, but if we do go there, we'll know where to stop.

Gene

Breaking down this big project into small projects has been the main reason I have enjoyed this project so much! You get a feeling of accomplishment. It is probably the reason I am still sane!

I am building the cabins and Rv spots myself. I have been dreaming about doing it since we moved onto the property. I finally have all my ducks in a row, so I am jumping in with both feet!

Yes! Please do stop in if you pass through again. The fishing is world class!

Winter steelhead!





Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Danny Z]

Wow! Truly a beautiful project! Someone suggested your post to me because I am trying to decide on insulation. I stayed up all night on this site trying to make sure I don't ask a bunch of questions that have already been asked a bunch of times, but there are just so many posts! haha And lets face it, coming on here doesn't seem to answer questions, it gets you to ask ten more you never thought of.
What I am curious about is how you like the foam wall insulation? And more importantly, if you need an air gap between it and the outer wall? I pretty much had my mind made up on a double layer system of prodex until I started reading your posts. How thick is the foam board you are using? Your or anyone elses thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

[jonplayers]

Hello,and thanks for the kind words!
I think I like my foam insulation. I have really used the trailer much yet!
I don't think you need the airspace. I am just going on what the guys from Timeless Trailers had said they do on there rebuilds. ( check out their site)
I had actually wanted to go the prodex route at first, but found the shipping was to expensive. The foam is a lot more labor though. It is probably more expensive too. What I do like is the sound proofing seems pretty good. (I have heard the prodex is not so great). My windows are the weak link though, so the insulation probably does not make a heck of a lot of difference. I just wanted the vapor barrier more than anything. If you do decide to go with the foam I am happy to offer a few tips. : )

I hope I answered at least a few of your questions.

I hate having to start other projects before old ones are done, but it seems to be the way it is!

The T-Lux is on the back burner for a while now. : (




Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[jonplayers]

Oh and my foam was 1 1/2 Tri foil on both sides. ( foil/craft/foil).

One other thing to consider (which I was really struggling with) is the fire hazard with the foam.







Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Gene]

It looks like you have not used a spray foam but sheets of foam with foil on each side. The spray foam looks like a pain to do, but I don't think is flammable. Am I correct?

Gene

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by jonplayers

One other thing to consider (which I was really struggling with) is the fire hazard

I never thought of fire when I used foam board to insulate our Sovereign, but I don't think it's a problem. I used 1" Dow Super Tuff-R Polyisocyanurate Rigid Foam Insulated Sheathing from Lowes. The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association states that

"Polyiso offers superior surface burning and flame spread fire-resistance properties in comparison to minimum building code requirements and other common combustible insulating and structural materials used for building envelope construction. Its flame spread characteristics are similar to gypsum wallboard."

I just tried to burn a piece and it flared up a bit when I first put a match or propane torch to it, but the flame went out within about 5 seconds and didn't spread to the rest of the piece.

[jonplayers]

I am gonna have try burning a piece now, because I did the same thing and it flared up too. I am not sure if burned itself out or what. I just assumed it must be really flammable if it lit up so easy.

There was a product with a better fire rating, but my supplier could not get it for me. I think the price was a lot more also.

Given that the insulation is behind aluminum panels I don't think it is as much of a worry as I have made it out to be.

One thing these vintage trailers are missing is escape hatches though.
I had thought it would be cool to retrofit a window with some sort of hinged assembly that would still maintain the appearance and function of the original window. That is way beyond my skills though. Plus I can't even find the time to finish the interior skins!!

[gehrhardt]

Hi jonplayers. I bought a 1973 Travelux 29' President Elite this past Spring. It's now in my garage and the real restoration can begin. I haven't had a chance to read this whole thread yet, but it looks like a wealth of information.

I'm considering removing the front part of my belly pan to get a good look at the frame, etc. Any suggestions?

There is a small gap between the body and belly pan at the front left corner of the trailer that allowed water to get in and rot out the floor under the cabinet at the front of the trailer. I'm trying to find a way to get to it without ripping the whole front of the interior apart. I'd prefer not to gut it at this point, as it's in good shape overall.

Also, the wiring pigtail that goes to the tow vehicle was ripped out at some point. Can you confirm that this wire goes through the middle bar of the frame through a rectangular hole on its underside, up by the tongue jack? There is a hole there, but I am hoping it's there by design and not as a result of rust.

Oh, and here's a pic of mine (before the aforementioned garage was built):


Thanks