My Silver Streak Project!

[ETN550]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

How will the "trunk" fit into it? (And the changes to that room, wow!!)

Hi Ross,

Always good to hear from you.

The trunk on my original rear sideways queen layout ran all the way across the trailer about a foot in from the outside trunk door and was 32 inches high topped with an oak trimmed formica shelf.

I plan on the same basic wall divider going across the trailer with a couple of modifications. Where the trunk wall will butt up against the twin bed I am going to leave a full 39 wide by 16 high opening in the wall under the bed so the trunk will reach in under the bed and the inside storage under the bed will extend into the trunk. This just gives versatility for putting large objects like lawn chairs in the trunk. It will be like a circus clown car, a small opening and a big cavity! LOL.

The other modification will be a 20 x 20 inch door in the dividing wall that will be at floor level and line up front to back with the main hallway. If I ever need to carry something really long (like an old beach umbrella, an extension ladder, or the camper's awning roller, 20+ft) then it can slide in the trunk go through the rear room and into the hall, all the way to the front of the camper if needed. I'm going to keep the height of the top shelf at around 32 inches so the existing curtains for the rear window are useable. I plan on topping the shelf with the 45 degree flooring as well.

I cannot reuse the original shelf because my curves in the rear corner with the new aluminum walls are are MUCH tighter radius than the paneling that was there. The original shelf was fit around the paneling radius and now I have a substantial gap on both ends if i place the original shelf in position.

My other "detail" that I am currently trying to figure out is how to design a foam mattress for soft enough to sleep on and stiff enough for sitting on. I am hopefull that I will get there somehow. I visited a local foam outlet and they let me stack up various sections of foam and sit and lay on them. So far, a "compromise" might be 2 inches of 3lb memory foam on top followed by a 1 inch layer of closed cell foam followed by a 3 inch layer of stiff 6 lb foam for foundation. As an alternate I might consider putting the 1 inch closed cell on the bottom and flipping the cushion for sitting. My main problem is that I want the memory foam on the sleeping surface and it compresses to nothing when sat on but feels great laying on.. Hmmm.. Decisions...

[ETN550]

Well they say the devil is in the details! The details seem to be taking 90% of the time but are making the difference.

I have been spending countless hours and countless rivets on constructing the rear wall that will separate the trunk compartment from the sleeping area. Finally, I have enough to show some progress. I am also getting to where I have to make the camper ready for a trip. we will be sleeping on a matress on the floor this time around. But if i'm lucky this weekend I will have the trunk compartment separated from the bedroom.

Here are some more pics.

Reinstalled hot water heater. This was a big accomplishment. Since it was installed I could now turn on the gas and water, de-winterize and test all appliances after a winter hibernation. Everything survived the winter and checked out!


Constructing the rear divider. Used 3/4 channel and two aluminum skins and will insulate the middle space. Later I will cut in holes for outlets and switches.


The bedroom side panel cut to fit. The three oval holes are cubbys which will have boxes behind them to make handy places to put things bedside like watch, cell phone, keys, glasses, wallet, etc. The big square hole will have a door screwed down over it and will be a pass through from the trunk to the interior. It lines up exactly with the hallway so very long items could be transported like an extension ladder or the main awning tube, beach umbrella, etc. The big rectangular cutout is going to give trunk access to under the bed and under the bed access to the trunk.



Making the top shelf over the divider out of pine base wood with teak flooring topping to match 45 angle of the flooring in the camper.


Bought a cheap sheetmetal brake to make the cubby boxes.


2 cubby boxes done showing trunk side. Not so concerned with fit and finish on the trunk side.


Showing inside of cubby box. Two are 6x6x12 and one is 6x4-1/2x12. The 3 cubby boxes took several days to make and fit and consumed 102 rivets combined with each rivet hand drilled, deburred and pop riveted in. It does not look like an excessive amount of rivets were used but they sure do add up!


Standing in position in camper with foam insulation fitted. If I want to insulate the cubby boxes I will glue foam to the backsied insde the trunk. I'm going to wait and see if i need it. The trunk itself is insulated too.


Face panel in position with black trim installed.


Close up of the cubby with the trim. The wood shelf is going to top this partition.


The dimensions of the partition and shelf are essentially the same as original. The big difference is the pass through option, the opening under the bed and the cubbys. All of these features combined make for a much more useable and versatile rear space.

I have bought upolstery fabric and I have a person sewing it up now. It will take about 2 weeks. Can't wait to post up pics. It sure feels good to just be able to pay someone to be doing something productive while i'm working on other stuff. Once I finish installing the partition and topping it with the shelf, installing the door this weekend I am going to quit on the interior and focus on getting the axles, brakes and wheels ready for my trip. Maybe if I have time I will paint the lower black section and the steps too. It will be a nice break to get off of the interior for a while!

[Hueytownalss]

Great Ideas, and looking good!!

[ETN550]

Thanks,

Did you start a polishing thread? I like the results you are getting. I want to polish mine in a similar way. What ever you are doing it looks very good. How much time does it take to do a section?

[Hueytownalss]

Yes, I started a thread, because a couple of folks seemed interested. I am not sure how to put a link to it here, but it is under polishing section of exterior threads. Its titled "my silver streak polishing project".

I have not actually timed how long it takes per section because I had to practice different techniques, tools, cleaner and polishes. Also, I have been a little too busy to work on it much. Got sidetracked with the tornados here last month. I did not have damage but friends an family did.

Anyway, I got to work on it some today, and will post a few more pics this evening. I think I have come up with a game plan . It will take little while, but it is gonig to be BEAUTIFUL and
different, especially for a Silver Streak.

Thanks,
Jerry

[ETN550]

Yes! I found your polishing thread. Keep it going. Excellent detail and information. I wil be wanting to try something like that with mine eventually. for now I have a few other projects that will come first

You did a lot in a short time considering. I am encouraged...

[ETN550]

Here are some more photos of the trunk divider. I am pleased with the results so far.

Remaining projects for the back room.
- Make cover for the rectangular pass through hole.
- Frame in the twin bed and the seat on the opposite side.
- Make a table.
- Find two more light fixtures for the side walls. (I have prewired behind the walls)
- Mount Flat screen TV on wall.
- Install outlets, switches, courtesy lights on the divider wall.
- Caulk and seal trim on some of the edges.

Getting there!!

[REDNAX]

I've been looking at these pictures over and over. I've not seen a trailer of any brand come up quite this way. The functionality and aesthetic are well-wed, and impressive.

[Hueytownalss]

Wow!!!! That is really looking sharp!!!! Can't wait to see it finished. The floor looked fantastic when it was first installed, but it just looks better and better as other things come together..

[ETN550]

Hey, thanks. I'm working on the cover for the pass through hole then getting ready for a trip. Got a lot of cleaning out to do and still would like to get the brake drums off and cleaned up. I'll be back into it mid July to get the rear room finished off. I'm hoping to have my matress cushions next week. I'll post them up if I get them in time before my vacation.

[gmaof20]

Thanx to Rednax for sending me here! I have bookmarked this thread simply because it is so full of information as well as advice and covers things that I would not have thought of...and the transformation is very impressive....more....I want to see the finished room!

[REDNAX]

Anything new of late?

[ETN550]

Hi,

Been taking a break. I took some awesome trips this past summer. Down to the FL keys, up the East coast, over to Asheville, NC and back to TN. Then up to Ohio and back to Asheville a few times, down to Chattanooga and before I knew it time to winterize!

We don't have Summer plans made yet but a trip to DC and then up to Maine is in the discussion phase. I did locate some campgrounds in the DC area where one can walk to a train station to go in to DC.

I have a few updates but nothing major. I'm getting ready for a final push this Spring to complete the rear room. Then I'm going to move towards the front. I'll post pics when I re-start.

I also need to spruce up the axles. Mostly just brake adjustments, new seals and grease, and paint.

I have been side tracked with a few other projects. I boon docked in Ohio some and have been thinking of building some sort of super quiet generator - alternator - battery - inverter package. I'll post more on that as it begins. In short I'm looking into options that allow me to cool the camper while towing and carry enough battery to run the A/C during "quiet hours" during the evening. Diesel fueled to be common with the truck. I digress, still in the concept stage.

Really enjoy this camper. People always stop by and ask what it is and what year it is. Vintage campers are definitely cool.

More updates as I get re-started.

[REDNAX]

Wonderful! I was hoping health or some other problem wasn't a concern, instead she's been out on the road and getting the kinks worked out.

I look forward to your plans as they are part of my considerations also. I was looking at diesel stoves and water heaters, but, whoa, sticker price shock! I was reminded of you last night in reading Separate Alternator for Charging Trailer Batteries, and was looking today for the ambulance-version CTD hi-output alternator. Would rather have this, at this point, than a separate generator. Just can't figure A/C at this point.

As to suspension/brakes, allow me to recommend these threads, mainly by John Barca [JBarca] on RV.net:

TT Shock Absorbers

On this I have been thinking that busting off the old upper mount and going with a longer static length shock with different shape mount may be best even if they need to be angled from vertical a bit more; the default choice the 555031 (or whatever I wrote up on mine a few years ago; the weight range is 3,500-4,000-lbs which is 1700-2k per wheel.)

TT Spring Hanger Stiffening

After having to re-weld mounts I was not ever impressed by the lack of resistance in a tight turn. And I made some hard-over-full-lock-fresh-rough-concrete u-turns. Plus, as leaf springs have a tendency to hop over roadway hazards, distributing the shock of this over a wider area seemed good.

MOR/Ryde Crossmembers

(an alternative method to above)

Equalizer Upgrade

MOR/Ryde has an upgraded equalizer (but pricy), that, with some measurements, might allow an easy upgrade to 16" tires and wheels. A win-win if possible; shock absorber considerations should work with this.

Annual Brake Inspection & Bearing Service

JBarca has a very good approach to something we're familiar with. His career involves measurements/performance of same.

Independent Brake Wire Upgrade

I've never liked what I've found underneath, whether new in 1975, or the older ones we have today. ANCOR is my default choice for all wiring today.

TT Axle Install & Align

As with other service above: well-written.

There is another thread on DEXTER self-adjusting brakes by John, but his experience ruled them out for me.

Pics from your trips, or fuel mileage reports, any and all would be studied carefully, and enjoyed thoroughly.


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