Who's screws in my '59 Overlander?

[Someday'59]

While gutting our '59 Overlander I've noticed that there are all types of screws. (In one trim piece there were no less than 5 different types of screws (small Phillips head, large Phillips head, small standard, medium standard, large standard.)

Do you know if Airstream used Phillips head screws (at all) in 1959 or just standard? I'm wondering if all of the Phillips head screws are from a PO?

All of these curious things about our new Overlander are making me feel like I'm loosing a screw or two myself!

Thanks!

[silverleeper]

Originally Posted by Someday'59

While gutting our '59 Overlander I've noticed that there are all types of screws. (In one trim piece there were no less than 5 different types of screws (small Phillips head, large Phillips head, small standard, medium standard, large standard.)

Do you know if Airstream used Phillips head screws (at all) in 1959 or just standard? I'm wondering if all of the Phillips head screws are from a PO?

All of these curious things about our new Overlander are making me feel like I'm loosing a screw or two myself!

Thanks!

From my experience the standard screws are the original ones used by Airstream.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

No philips heads were ever used. All of those were put in by someone else. There were actually just five or six screws or bolts used for everything. You will know the original ones because they will all be very difficult to get out.

[silverdonna]

I'm new to renovating my 67 Tradewind....I am replacing some screens and all of the plastic holders...can I use the cheap screws that come with the plastic or should I get aluminum (hard to find in my area) or stainless?????

[flyfshr]

It's also been my experience with my own '59 that the factory used only slotted screws and these were either the flat domed or flat head screws.

Yea!!! Another '59 owner. Post some pictures, we'd love to see.

Brad
FF

[VIKING]

The screws that usually come with screen clips are galvanized, and are okay with aluminum as far as I have heard. These hopefully won't be getting wet on a regular basis so stainless is probably over-kill. I would reuse the old ones if they are not too far gone, or lost.

Rich the Viking

Originally Posted by silverdonna

I'm new to renovating my 67 Tradewind....I am replacing some screens and all of the plastic holders...can I use the cheap screws that come with the plastic or should I get aluminum (hard to find in my area) or stainless?????

[Someday'59]

While we've been gutting ours, I've come across lots of standard-head screws that are rusted out to the point that I've had to extract or cut them. My internal debate is whether I should replace these culprits with more standard-head screws or maybe switch to posidriv for the hidden ones.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

When I first started doing this I saved every single screw, put it in a baggie, a post it note with the location it came from. Baggie filed into a box labeled with the trailers serial number. Now I toss every single one in the trash and when the time comes I replace it with a brand new screw.

[utee94]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Now I toss every single one in the trash and when the time comes I replace it with a brand new screw.

Same here. Not a single slotted screw has gone back in my trailer. It's all philips or square drive for me.

[Ambie '64]

Am doing the same here, Utee. After gutting the trailer, I developed a strong dislike for flat head slotted screws...not too fond of rusted carriage bolts either.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by Ambie '64

...not too fond of rusted carriage bolts either.

They are the easiest of all. Just grab the nut with vise grips and snap them off. Two seconds...