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mwells4654 · 08-14-2010, 08:15 AM

Does anyone know where I can get the trim and the transition pieces for the wheel well. My 71 Overlander does not have it on either side. If not, has anyone ever manfactured something to work. Thanks

Ambie '64 · 08-14-2010, 08:36 AM

You can buy the j-molding at Vintage Trailer Supply. Look under the tab "even more exterior". The long part of the j-molding fits between the skin and the wheel well (don't try to encompass both skin and wheel well in the groove). If you want to replace the compound curve portion of the molding, you have to heat the material and bend it around a suitable diameter pipe. The use of clecos is a must when doing this part. It's a time-consuming job to do it correctly, but it sure sets off the wheel wells.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

bryanl · 08-14-2010, 09:41 AM

re: "don't try to encompass both skin and wheel well in the groove." -- but this is the way you get the seal around the wheel wells.

The lip of the wheel well and the skin of the trailer both slide into a groove on the extrusion that goes around the wheel well on my trailer. Then a dressing trim attaches to that.

Am I missing something?

SilverHoot · 09-01-2010, 04:44 PM

bryanl,

I've been communicating with Andy on this and he says from 1974 to 2011 has same wheel well mouldings. I need some for my 1967 and Andy says the new type moldings will work with the additional benefit of adding some structural integrity. Any chance you could take a picture of yours so that myself and others can see exactly what they look like. There is an inner and outer.

bryanl · 09-02-2010, 07:55 AM

re: "take a picture" ... will do. give me a couple of days.

Inland RV Center, In · 09-02-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwells4654

Does anyone know where I can get the trim and the transition pieces for the wheel well. My 71 Overlander does not have it on either side. If not, has anyone ever manfactured something to work. Thanks

Some owners install the wheel well moldings that Airstream started using with the 1974 models and up to today.

They are in 2 pieces, an inner and outer molding, for each side.

They are available for single, tandem and tri-axle trailers.

Attached are the photo's.

Andy

SilverHoot · 09-02-2010, 11:12 AM

Andy,

How malleable is that trim? My wheel wells look to be a different shape than what you have pictured.

Inland RV Center, In · 09-02-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

Andy,

How malleable is that trim? My wheel wells look to be a different shape than what you have pictured.

Those moldings can only go via UPS.

In order to use them, you must cut away some of the side sheet and outer wheel well. That gives the tires more visibility, if you wish.

Andy

mwells4654 · 09-02-2010, 02:32 PM

Hum - do not like the - you must cut away - might keep looking

SilverHoot · 09-02-2010, 03:47 PM

Mwells4654,

Kinda what I'm thinking also. Hope to see what others have done. I know VTS sells a J-molding but some have had a problem getting it to make the bend for the fenderwells.

alclad · 09-02-2010, 04:26 PM

ok SilverHoot asked inland rv:

Andy,

How malleable is that trim? My wheel wells look to be a different shape than what you have pictured.

and as near as i can tell inland rv responded:
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverHoot

Andy,

How malleable is that trim? My wheel wells look to be a different shape than what you have pictured.

Those moldings can only go via UPS.

In order to use them, you must cut away some of the side sheet and outer wheel well. That gives the tires more visibility, if you wish.

Andy

i, also would like to how malleable is that trim. i figured that it was a mailable item ....

but can you shape it to fit your needs?

bryanl · 09-02-2010, 05:33 PM

here's a project to look at - wheel well trim

this trailer has a mismatch between the wheel well and the skin that left quite a gap on the forward end of the wheel well. The skin appears to be aligned with the wheel well towards the rear but drops almost an inch lower in the front. The plan is to trim the outer skin to match the wheel well so the gap in the inner trim will capture both as it appears it is intended to do.

The trim is not malleable, or at least I would not try to do much to it without better metal expertise and the right tools. For me, there is too much cross sectional shape that I would fear breaking. The outer trim is more of a maybe and it is the one that really gets beat up, especially where it wraps under with the bananaskin.

Part of my wheel well gap was due to water pump leaking. That corroded the furnace casing and rotted the floor between the battery compartment and the wheel well. There may have been some impact from frame droop (its a 76 overlander with lots of rough road miles and elephant ears). The curbside is worst but the roadside also appears to have a similar problem. The repair effort started with removing tons of goop tossed in to try to fix the leaks - ugh, hate how some folks try to fix things.

If you don't like the idea of trimming the outside skin, you can always do what the shop manual suggests and add to the wheel well.

Aage · 09-03-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alclad

How malleable is that trim?

Definition of MALLEABLE
1: capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure of rollers
2
a : capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences
b : having a capacity for adaptive change

Mailable: ability to be put into US Post's delivery system

Daystreamin · 11-03-2010, 08:01 PM

My '72 Safari was missing one of the transition peices (see photo). I got a replacement from Ryan (rvrevive@aol.com) at rvrevive.com, photo also included. He might be able to help you.

mwells4654 · 11-04-2010, 07:01 AM

Thanks- I am going to send him you picture if that is ok. That is the piece I need - I have only one of the 4 still attacjed to the trailer. Now if I can find the rest of the wheel well trim - I will be doing great.

I love this site and the prople on it.
Thanks Again.

Daystreamin · 11-04-2010, 09:06 AM

You're welcome, and please feel free to use my photos. Ryan might even have the straight piece of trim you need.

Another salvage resouce is Colaw RV Salvage > Home

Good luck!

mwells4654 · 11-04-2010, 09:27 AM

Thanks - Crookedroad - Sent him and e-mail and also a request to Colaw - I need to just drive to Missouri and see what they have. Only 4 1/2 hour away.