1964 Globetrotter Newbie

[kylemcc67]

I am days away from purchasing a real sweet Globetrotter in very nice condition. Someday I would like to replace the couch/sleeper in the front of the trailer with a dinette table with 2 facing benches. Has anyone done this with a 60s ish Globetrotter? I have looked fairly diligently and haven't found a lot of pics of my "brilliant idea". thanks

[dbj216]

Hello kylemcc67, and welcome. I'll bet you're excited about your vintage Airstream pending purchase. Maybe you have had a camper in the past. I found there is a lot to learn and get comfortable with. I made a pre-departure checklist that I still use 10 years later. We all have made mistakes that costs us damage, like me forgetting to dead bolt the door and having it fly open on the highway. Bang! Bent door.

My son has a 69 Globetrotter, and I have a 66 Trade Wind. We enjoy travel adventures in the vintage Airstreams, and have done some work to them. You mention your prospective Globetrotter is in good condition so you may not have to work on tires, brakes, axles, subfloor, windows, plumbing, electrical, propane, appliances and the like. We had a lot of work to do to on our trailers.

My son's 69 was a front dinette model with a layout similar to what you would like. See photo below. My 66 is a front gaucho model with a fold up table. I find folks with young families value the dinette and old retired folks like me prefer the gaucho for more comfortable sitting. A dinette isn't the most comfortable thing in the world. My son entertains in his GT and wants a big dinette. You have to decide what you want.

So this winter we developed a "U" shaped dinette that collapses into a big bed. It will seat six comfortably for late night card games. The key piece to this dinette is a three stage Springfield table pedestal. We saw one in a new Airstream with a U" dinette and found it very solid. We are in the "making cushions and pillows" stage. And we have a new floor covering planned.

David

[cameront120]

The Vintage Airstream photo archive is a resource that will help you with what you want to do. There are photos in the archive showing the very thing you propose:

http://vintageairstream.com/photo-ar...be-trotter-19/

Scroll down the page and you'll see links to photos for 5 other 1964 Globetrotters to give you inspiration. All but one show the front goucho (couch).

[kylemcc67]

Yes I am trying to make her more live able for me and my 2 young kids.

The pictures were helpful now is there a place and or website where I could get my hands on a dinette set up without having to fabricate a new one myself? Thks so much!! Learning a little every day

[55AS]

There are several threads on this topic. Here is one:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...te-135538.html

I am in the middle of doing the same thing on my 55 Flying Cloud. Narrow body trailer so the dimensions are less but principle is the same. Cost is about $200 plus cushions. Only modest skills and tools are required.

[55AS]

Here is another:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f38/...tte-15228.html

[InsideOut]

We did that back in '05 in our (since sold) '64 GlobeTrotter - it worked out well! A bit tight for 4 adults - but is fine for two adults + two kids ~

See this link to some progress pictures in my photo gallery.

Shari

[kylemcc67]

thanks a lot to all very helpful!

[kylemcc67]

The floor seems pretty good but I guess until I rip out that couch I won't know. I gotta think it would make sense to replace that section of floor as long as I am down there right? And taking it a step further has anyone ever done an interior restoration in sections? I mean working your way backward towards rear of unit

[cameront120]

If the wood is solid I'd leave it alone. If you encounter rot, depending on the amount, you can replace segments of the plywood. Search the restoration forums for threads that cover this very topic.