'64 Globetrotter needs bows

[flyrc]

I just bought a 64 Globetrotter that slid off a mountain road and bent up the street side . I removed the inner wall and found that besides having bent bows, two of them are also broken Can bows from other models be used to make the necessary repairs? Can bows from a 1970 trailer be reshaped and used? Lots of unknowns that I hope an old hand at renovation will have the answers to.

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by flyrc

I just bought a 64 Globetrotter that slid off a mountain road and bent up the street side . I removed the inner wall and found that besides having bent bows, two of them are also broken Can bows from other models be used to make the necessary repairs? Can bows from a 1970 trailer be reshaped and used? Lots of unknowns that I hope an old hand at renovation will have the answers to.

The term is actually known as the "rib". Here is but one thread related to rib replacement, and where you can find them.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f381...ent-39941.html
I am sure there are other rib replacement related threads that you can find using search. Good luck!

-Tim

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by flyrc

I just bought a 64 Globetrotter that slid off a mountain road and bent up the street side . I removed the inner wall and found that besides having bent bows, two of them are also broken Can bows from other models be used to make the necessary repairs? Can bows from a 1970 trailer be reshaped and used? Lots of unknowns that I hope an old hand at renovation will have the answers to.

We have the remaining original "main bows" for your 64.

Ribs go fore and aft, main bows go from the floor on one side, thru the roof and down to the floor on the other side.

Airstream labeled that part "main bow" over 50 years ago.

Andy

[flyrc]

Andy you made my day.I searched the internet all day and couldn't find them. I need four bows and am not sure I can wait until Monday to fill an order. Also, will I have to replace the entire bow or can I just replace the bad half?
Do you have the window frames for that year,street side?

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

We have the remaining original "main bows" for your 64.

Ribs go fore and aft, main bows go from the floor on one side, thru the roof and down to the floor on the other side.

Airstream labeled that part "main bow" over 50 years ago.

Andy

I stand gladly corrected! I can say that I learned something new today. Thanks Andy.

-Tim

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by flyrc

Andy you made my day.I searched the internet all day and couldn't find them. I need four bows and am not sure I can wait until Monday to fill an order. Also, will I have to replace the entire bow or can I just replace the bad half?
Do you have the window frames for that year,street side?

You can replace sections of main bows, as long as they are properly spliced together.

Unless someone picks them up, main bows are cut in half for shipping purposes.

We are not open on weekends.

Window frames from 1969 and back are all obsolete. The 69's because of the goofy hinge. Perhaps you can find what you need from a salvage yard someplace.

Andy

[reggiemon]

Where can we find a list of sa;vage yards?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by reggiemon

Where can we find a list of sa;vage yards?

I for one, do not know, since we have no reason to deal with them, or used parts.

Andy

[silverleeper]

Hi, Take a look here. Scroll down there are a couple of salvage places listed.

[centennialman]

Good luck with your repairs and sorry for your misfortune.

Can you please post your progress and pictures when you have time so we can learn from your repair process?

Thanks!

[Sixty3TW4US]

Originally Posted by silverleeper

Hi, Take a look here. Scroll down there are a couple of salvage places listed.

This site did help me with the original refer and the H2o heater in my 63 tw. He had the required parts for both, installed them and all is well.
His motto is The old fart with the old part. He is old and so were my needed parts.
Good Luck

[flyrc]

I finally got brave and brought the GT home from storage and started removing the inner skin to see how extensive the damage is and how much will need to be repaired. My friend Scott Goranson always tells me that he hasn't done "it" but he knows I can. He is a five rivet member so he must know what he is talking about
So today I got a real awakening about the full extent of the damage. The GT had been repaired before I bought it. The front bow was replaced with one made of galvanized metal. The shape isn't even close to the correct arc and the rivets on the curb side of the two segments don't attach to the bow.
Bow number two, the one just behind the entry door has been spliced at the kitchen counter height and several other places towards the floor on the street side.
The two half bows, one from each side of the trailer are bent down and aren't attached to the roof skin with any rivets.
The rear bow that holds the inner and outer caps is badly bent and deformed at the arc on the street side and will have to be replaced up to the center point. I will have a huge project to get the bows replaced.
When I get the bows in I then have to replace the front and rear lower corners and two end cap segments on both the front and rear of the trailer.Last but not least will be replacing the side skin on the street side.
Question, is it worth all the work involved or should I just buy a trailer with good metal and build a nice interior and polish it?
I'm attaching photos so you can get a first hand look at the beast. Sorry about the photos, I'm an old fart and don't know how to post them

[flyrc]

I just got a call from my mentor Scott and he let me know how to upload photos. I'll try to get some posted soon

[flyrc]

A couple more photos. I posted a bunch but don't know where they went. Being new and old really -ucks

[VIKING]

This is a constant problem, deciding if it's all worth it.

I take a philosophical approach and say to myself...."this will never, in a million years, ever be worth as much money as I will put into it, Therefore I must consider it a labor of love."

Now, whenever I start to wonder if it's all worth it, I just ask myself "do you still love it?"

So far the answer is YES!

I will never be able to sell it for enough to make it anything other than a financial loss, so I will keep it, fix it, enjoy it and then pass it on to a deserving person who could otherwise never afford one.

Further, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time, for any reason or no reason at all!

Sadly, some trailers are destined for the scrap yard. If that's the case with yours I hope you will give the folks here first chance at parts. Some of what you have is valuable as parts, but it's a shame to see another little AS go that way.

Good luck, Rich

[flyrc]

After yesterdays foray into how bad the bows were broken I decided to remove the non factory dinette to see what might lurk under it. I should have known from the outside damage that I would find a problem or two. Of course the guy that sold it to me stated " it doesn't leak" I'm posting a couple of telling photos to prove him wrong and to add to my original dilemma My nick name is so have a great day and feel free to advise.
Oh by the way.Do I need to pull the inner cap or the outer cap to insert the new front bow. I guess the whole front could be removed and the floor replaced at the same time

[VIKING]

I don't think you need to remove the interior or exterior endcap to replace the bow. You should be able to drill out the rivets and slide the old bow out and the new one in.
Every old Airstream floor looks at least that bad. You could piece in some 5/8" ply patches, but with the amount of work you will be into I would just remove all interior panels and gut the old plywood floor completely. That way you can inspect and repair/ paint the frame, which almost certainly needs the attention after 45 years, and replace the insulation everywhere.
You've got this far, you might as well do the Full Monty now!
Good luck to you,
Rich