Here's my '67 Overlander

[mikextr]

Bought this 1967 Airstream Overlander Land Yacht International last month in Fayetteville, AR. The PO hadn't owned it very long and did not know much about it's history.

Thanks to this forum, I have a good plan and feel confident in my ability to complete this project. My son and I managed to get it gutted and skinned over several work days and its ready for the next phase. At this point, I'm going to take a couple of weeks off before I get to work on the frame and floor.

Pics

[RM66caravel]

Awesome find but where are the pictures you need to take lots of pictures of everything for reference and some for posting (in case you have questions). I do recommend csi type pictures because they help! Enjoy and welcome
Cliff

[mikextr]

Thanks, Cliff.

I put a link to the pics at the end of the post.

[RM66caravel]

You have your work cut out for you but with your help and your current level of motivation you can do it! I would replace the middle (most damaged) panel but a replacement will be expensive! You can weld right? If not it is time to burn up the harbor freight and start learning some new skills! Find a local hvac fabricators for some of the aluminum parts that you need and VTS for rivets. Please keep us posted and thank you!
Cliff

[Minno]

Ooh, baby needs a lot of love! I (seriously) love that turquoise bath tub! Are you going to reuse anything you took out? Keep us posted!

Kay

[RM66caravel]

I would be painting that to a more acceptable color what ever she likes!
Cliff


Yes I said that! Or did I?

[Bunkroom]

Wow! You are really into it over there!! Hope you and your son are having fun. Those dents are serious. I am working on my '68 Overlander and much looks the same inside.

[Cochese]

I also live in tulsa( Brookside area), how about you? I would like to see your trailer. Feel free to call me w/ any questions...(918)645-2762... Brian


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[ALANSD]

My 66 looked a lot like that inside when I got it. It had dead birds, rodents, nests, filth and mold.
I was surprised to find only two small leaks. Both involved un-caulked roof vents. The floor below had minimal rot and almost zero frame damage. What took most of my time and energy was cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning.
It has come a long way since then. These are great old trailers and well worth the time you will put it. Good luck!

[mikextr]

Pics of My '67 Overlander

Thank you everyone for the encouragement.

@Cliff- I've been in contact with Liz and Andy at Inland RV and they sent me a very reasonable quote for the replacement exterior panels. If I can't get the damaged panels looking better, I will replace them eventually. They don't have to be perfect. Just good. Inland RV also has the small curved glass replacements I need. Luckily, the large, curved side windows are all intact and the front and back windows are not special. I look forward to learning how to weld. I was able to buy the step and all the outriggers I need from Out Of Doors Mart so I don't have to fabricate anything. Also got some 5 1/2" U channel from Metal Depot for the main frame.

@Kay- Glad you appreciate the Turquoise tub. I just need to repair a couple of chipped places on the side. Otherwise it's in great shape and will buff out nicely. I'm going to keep the trailer original so I will be reusing everything.

@Bunkroom- I've been fortunate to have my son's help on this project and its been fun working together. Is your trailer in pretty good condition or are you having to a lot of work on it?

@Brian- I'll be in touch. I live in Sungate at 55th and Sheridan but my trailer is at my Dad's in Tahlequah where there's plenty of room and storage to work on it.

@ALANSD- I spent 2 days getting my trailer clean enough to start the work inside. Wish a good cleaning was all it needed but I bought it knowing that this trailer needed the works. Your trailer looks amazing and is an inspiration!

[68 TWind]

Let the fun begin!! The state of your bathroom brings back lots of memories!! The bath in my 68 TW is the same color and layout as yours. Send my a PM when you get to the point of painting and fixing it, I'll share some tips and traps.

I had a big dent on the rear of my 68 above the window where someone back under a low garage. I was able to make it look OK by pushing it out with a rounded end of an old baseball bat and using very light taps with a body hammer and dolly. Aluminum panels don't "work" like sheet metal and you can't fill in the minor low spots with filler and then hide that with pain. All depends on what you can live with.

Don't think the AC is an Armstrong, at least it isn't like mine.

Check out Tom's web pages as he chronicles the rehab of his 67 Overlander. Tom has a weath of knowledge on the 67. 1967 Airstream Overlander

Enjoy the work. Don't underestimate the time it will take or the money. I found that usually about 4x the time planned and 2-3x the money is about right. Seriously. But, we had a blast in ours as an aluminum tent on several trips as work progressed over the 2 years I took doing mine.

[ALANSD]

thanks. Ours was a great find. A one owner that remained unused for 18 or so years.

[RM66caravel]

Mike when you are practicing your welding do the mallet test with a rubber mallet smack the outrigger or crossmember you welded like you really mean it and then check your weld! If it breaks then no weld just made a lump of slag and will have to grind it off and try again! Don't get frustrated just take your time prep and you will get it!
Cliff


Yes I said that! Or did I?

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by RM66caravel

You have your work cut out for you but with your help and your current level of motivation you can do it! I would replace the middle (most damaged) panel but a replacement will be expensive! You can weld right? If not it is time to burn up the harbor freight and start learning some new skills! Find a local hvac fabricators for some of the aluminum parts that you need and VTS for rivets. Please keep us posted and thank you!
Cliff

Cliff,
The endcap panels of this era are no longer available, however we have had great success repairing them with our English wheel, & various other sheet metal fabrication tools. The panels will need to be removed in order to repair them properly. The lower panel can be fabricated from new flatstock Alclad 2024 T3 .032" from Aircraft Spruce.com or Airparts.com .
Colin

[Cochese]

Mikextr, I'm going to lake Tenkiller for the 4th, never been there but think its near tahlequa ?, anyway give me a shout!


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[mikextr]

We are going to be in Eagle's Nest New Mexico for the 4th.

Tenkiller is a beautiful lake. Should be especially nice considering the recent rains we've had.

[mikextr]

Originally Posted by Colin H

Cliff,
The endcap panels of this era are no longer available, however we have had great success repairing them with our English wheel, & various other sheet metal fabrication tools. The panels will need to be removed in order to repair them properly. The lower panel can be fabricated from new flatstock Alclad 2024 T3 .032" from Aircraft Spruce.com or Airparts.com .
Colin

Inland RV has the panels. I sent pictures along with my model number
and they provided me a quote.

Thanks for the tip on the lower panel!

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by mikextr

Inland RV has the panels. I sent pictures along with my model number
and they provided me a quote.

Thanks for the tip on the lower panel!

Unless these panels are NOS (new old stock), they are not made from the original metal & therefore will not look the same once they are in place.
Colin

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Colin H

Unless these panels are NOS (new old stock), they are not made from the original metal & therefore will not look the same once they are in place.
Colin

Many original segments are still available for the 1968 and older Airstreams.

Andy

[mikextr]

I'm back from vacation with my family and finally got some time to work on my trailer. Here are some pics of the process I used to remove my floor. You can go to my blog for more details.