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BoCox · 02-13-2012, 06:11 PM

Hello all,

This is my first thread. So it will be an intro and hopefully some added info for those who one day may find it useful. Pay it forward....

I am a proud one year owner of a 23' '69 Safari. I am the youngest of 12 kids and was deprived of camping as a kid.

I had to watch old slide shows of my older family members in their Star Cruiser pop-up spending weekends in the Redwood forest and other great CA locations. When I showed up, my parents invested in a vacation home at the coast of NC so my weekends were spent there. I never complained, but always longed for some type of RV/travel trailer.

I could always recall my now late father joking to my mom that he was going to buy an Airstream and travel the country when he retired. My mom would roll her eyes and I would question "What's an Airstream?".

Years past, I met the woman of my dreams and she introduced me to camping. After a yearly trip to Kring Point in Thousand Island, NY her grandfather and I sat around the fire talking about Airstreams. Hooked, I got home from our trip and did like I always do and over researched. Ebay, craigslist, Ebay, size, prices, work involved... You know all the roads we all been down.

I decided that I wanted something vintage, knowing that it may require some work and in a price range that I was comfortable. Using sites like SearchTempest.com I scoured the lower 48 for a Safari. Many were too much of project and others were too pricey. Finally, I thought of doing a search by misspelling Airstream. You'd be surprised how many people do not have spell check. I found her in a field in TN. So a very long day and several tanks of gas I brought her back to NC. Like a father bringing home a new born, I was excited, scared and did not know where to begin. Luckily my hours spent on forum eased me into the process.

So here I sit, one year later and knee deep into another large project. See when I got her home I was unaware that the front fresh water tank had slowly leaked for umteen years. Rot and all the bad stuff was hidden beneath. A few long days I replaced the floor and addressed some other issues. I knew the back 4' had to be addressed, but it had to wait.

This past Friday, I began the back 4' tear out and redo. I'll post my photos of my journey and pre-thank everyone who has shared and will share their knowledge and insight and somehow try to pay it forward.

One thing to note is that Lady now sits about 30 minutes away from me in my buddies backyard, pool side. No really. Although I have the space to work on her here, I brought it there so I could dedicate more intense time when I'm away from my house. On Saturday I was able to remove all the bathroom and 90% of the floor and by Sunday I tackled some things I thought I never could and left eager to return.

Now for some of the ugly photos....

TouringDan · 02-13-2012, 06:35 PM

Bocox

Now that is just one great story. I don't think you can ever do too much research. The more you research, the more you learn. I like your creative approach to mis-spelling Airstream. Whatever works. It is easy to buy an Airstream. It takes time, patience, work and sometimes a little luck to find the right one for you. I am confident that you found the right one.

So welcome to the forum. As you already know you are in the right place. It is one of the best reasons to own an Airstream.

Dan

TouringDan · 02-13-2012, 06:42 PM

Bocox

I forgot to tell you that your Safari has a great looking shell. That is the most important thing. You will have a beautiful trailer when you are done.

Dan

GetOutDoors · 02-13-2012, 06:45 PM

As you probably already know, if take your time and do the restore right, there will come a time you will be proud and thankful.
It's an awsome experience to have people tell you how cool your Airstream is, and for you to be able to pull out your picture album and show them what it looked like when you had it down to the frame!

BoCox · 02-13-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Bocox

I forgot to tell you that your Safari has a great looking shell. That is the most important thing. You will have a beautiful trailer when you are done.

Dan

Thank you.... I do actually have a few small dents that will need some TLC however I'm confident that it will be back to where it needs to be. I did spend a few hours on the polishing and just to see how it's going to look when she's all done.

BoCox · 02-14-2012, 06:26 PM

Here are a few pics of the work I did when I made my purchase. I found out that the front H20 tank had a pinhole leak for many years and the rest is history....

I pieced the wood in on this side, but on the rear I will be doing like Pizzachop did and slide a whole piece in. I have a few dents on the banana wrap that needed to be addressed anyway.

When I redid the front 4' I opted for Advantech. I read, reread and decided with this product. Solid, 50 year warranty and cost effective I am happy with the product.

For the floor covering I chose a product that HD sells. An interlocking floating floor. Went in very nicely, but I will have to address the rest of the floor for the back 4'. I've got time to think about that.

BoCox · 02-14-2012, 06:32 PM

Here are a few pics of the fresh water tank I installed after I replaced the flooring in the front. I opted to get an aftermarket tank that was the same gallon capacity. It was over half the price and only required a little engineering to make it work.

I still have to plumb it in completely, but the bone are there and will only take a few moments to do what I need to do.

TouringDan · 02-15-2012, 11:15 AM

Bocox

I think you did the right thing using advantech. The floor looks great too.

For connecting the tank to your water filler I would use a flexable hose available from boating suppliers. I got the idea from Klatowa (sp). He did a fabulous job redoing a 65 Tradewind about one year ago. I had to replace my water tank also. If you want to see a photo let me know and I will put one in.

Dan

tkasten · 02-15-2012, 12:25 PM

Bocox - Nice work! Keep the pics coming.

BoCox · 02-16-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Bocox

I think you did the right thing using advantech. The floor looks great too.

For connecting the tank to your water filler I would use a flexable hose available from boating suppliers. I got the idea from Klatowa (sp). He did a fabulous job redoing a 65 Tradewind about one year ago. I had to replace my water tank also. If you want to see a photo let me know and I will put one in.

Dan

I'll keep that in mind and thank you! I have yet to have the need for a water tank, but will look forward to plumbing it one day soon.

BoCox · 02-16-2012, 06:38 PM

Stop at a good friend's auto body shop today and put my order in for my POR-15. I saved about $25 bucks getting it from him and luckily his paint rep was in taking orders today. I went ahead and ordered Marine Clean, Prep and Ready, POR-15 Paint, and White Cote. I think I'm more excited about the white cote and bringing that bath back to life. I'm hoping the weekend brings warmer temps and sunny skies.

I found the photo from the day I made my purchase about a year ago. The seller, Virgil, was priceless! and yes, I forgot my belt that morning...ha!

BoCox · 03-01-2012, 08:13 PM

So the weather finally warmed on a day I could make it down to Lady's resting place. I was able to stir the POR15 and get the frame painted and top coated. I also took the opportunity to take a few projects home with me. I unbuttoned the back taillights, removed the AIRSTREAM and LAND YACHT emblems / badges off the tail section. I went ahead an pulled the trigger on shore power hookup. I decided on the Furrion 30AMP plug because I liked the way it looked versus the other options. My new water inlet will closely match the Furrion round look.

Thinking about options on the rear "tuna cans" I debated an answer in with I could be happy. Not trying to spend $40/light that vintage has on their website and not convinced that LED is the end-all, be-all solution for me I found a answer that I think works best. I am having a local powder coat company spray all four cans, all my AIRSTREAM lettering and my two badges. I considered chroming the LAND YACHT badges, however I like the fact the powder coat will be around for the long haul. I plan on painting the AIRSTREAM lettering after the powder coat is done, to add the blue accent.

BoCox · 03-08-2012, 11:55 AM

So I picked up the pieces I dropped off at the powder coater. I used a place called TOP COAT in Raleigh. Tommy was awesome and his guys did a great job on my pieces. I haven't decided if I'm going to paint part of the lettering w/blue or just leave it be. I opted for the powder so I could limit maintenance in the future.

I ordered new sockets for my bulbs and will post a few pics when I get those back together.

I'll be painting my plastic pieces this weekend while watching the ACC tourney. I have to say I'm excited about brining all that back to life.

TouringDan · 03-09-2012, 01:04 PM

BoCox

The powder coating looks great!

I also see no reason to go with LED lights on the exterior especially for running lights. I believe the big advantage to LED lights is to save your battery power and to minimize the heat added to the interior- better for boondocking and to cut down on the heat load for the air conditioning.

Dan