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pinkflamingoes · 07-24-2004, 11:53 PM

Forgive me if this has been asked and answered a million times.

We need aluminum for our 1967 24' belly pan. We haven't jacked it up yet but we're shopping around for repair aluminum so we can fit it into our budget, so we don't know how much we'll be buying yet. We might just need to repair, we might need to replace all.

The VAC resources link says "non-alclad, .024 2024T3", that is fine, but is that just a quote of what Airstream originally used? Because if there is something else that is cheaper and will work fine, we're all over it :-)

I've already been given the link to www.airpartsinc.com by KenJ (thanks KenJ) and I'm under the impression different types can be used.

We live in the East San Francisco Bay area (in other words, Oakland/Alameda) and will drive to save shipping costs...if anyone knows of an aluminum place out here let us know.

Open to all suggestions.

KenJ; let me know what you find out about those other types.

greg176 · 07-25-2004, 12:21 AM

Ingrid, I would not use non alclad 2024 as the alclad is there for corrosion prevention.2024 is very susceptible to corrosion because of it's copper content.I bought my aluminum from Airpartsinc as I needed pieces longer than 12' and they can ship a roll up to 32' long.Also the shipping cost on that roll is much cheaper than with sheets so I may buy another roll soon.A source nearer you is http://www.aircraft-spruce.com/ they are a little bit more expensive than Airparts but the saving on shipping may offset that.The cheapest aluminum I found was at www.wicksaircraft.com but they could not supply me with pieces over 12'. On a positive note I do not believe your trailer was made with 2024 and suspect it is made of either 5052 or 6061-t6 but I cannot say which.I have put the question out there several times but have not got a definitive answer.Maybe call or pm Andy. Those metals are much cheaper than the 2024 although not as strong.I would also suggest that you check the yellow pages in your area for metal suppliers although they were no help here.

Ken J · 07-25-2004, 08:15 AM

Ingrid

If you go with 6061 or 5052 I would think you could find that locally - as Greg suggested look in the yellow pages - should be able to find some. My understanding is 2024 is expensive when purchased from local shops and even with shipping, Airparts or Spruce will be less expensive.

Ken

COArgosy78 · 07-25-2004, 10:30 AM

We ended up getting a 4x8 piece of 5052 @ .032 thickness for repair to the underside of our trailer for $40. locally. There was a pretty good list of places that did sheet metal work and thru a little perserverance I persuaded one to sell us a sheet they had on hand. I did find another place that would sell it for about $45., but we would have had to drive out of town. I may have to do that next time, tho as the local place wasn't real enthusiastic. Anyway, looking under Sheet Metal Fabricators or Sheet Metal Work in yellow pages might work for you too. Good luck.

pinkflamingoes · 07-25-2004, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COArgosy78

We ended up getting a 4x8 piece of 5052 @ .032 thickness for repair to the underside of our trailer for $40. locally. There was a pretty good list of places that did sheet metal work and thru a little perserverance I persuaded one to sell us a sheet they had on hand. I did find another place that would sell it for about $45., but we would have had to drive out of town. I may have to do that next time, tho as the local place wasn't real enthusiastic. Anyway, looking under Sheet Metal Fabricators or Sheet Metal Work in yellow pages might work for you too. Good luck.

Yay, there's better stuff for less money. I think you're right about the .032, and I'm sure we'll be able to find something.

So; alclad is better than nonalclad?

wahoonc · 07-25-2004, 12:42 PM

The 1975 models use 3004 Aluminum in an .024 for the belly pan, mine is 61.5" wide and 280" long

Still on the trailer, one of these days it will have to be dropped and possibly replaced.

Aaron

COArgosy78 · 07-26-2004, 01:31 PM

Its my understanding that if it is clad, then it is not totally aluminum (probibly some copper mixed in) and the clad is so it won't oxidize. But, if it gets scratched, it will start to corrode at that entry point, so you are paying for something you don't need.

malconium · 07-26-2004, 06:18 PM

I have asked this before with no response...

My 1973 also has 61.5 inch wide belly pan aluminum. Does anyone know where I can get replacement aluminum that wide? Or should I just plan to do the belly pan with 48" strips run cross-wise?

Thanks,

Malcolm

Ken J · 07-26-2004, 06:46 PM

I would just do strips cross wise. That way if you ever need to get to a particular section you can do so without taking the whole pan down

Ken

dbm04F250 · 07-28-2004, 09:44 AM

Also, check with local machine/fabrication shops or if you know someone who has a working contact with a shop. If the shop can get the type and size of material that you need from their normal suppliers then it would come in on a normal supply shipment. You may be able to get what you want for a better price that way.

pinkflamingoes · 07-28-2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbm04F250

Also, check with local machine/fabrication shops or if you know someone who has a working contact with a shop. If the shop can get the type and size of material that you need from their normal suppliers then it would come in on a normal supply shipment. You may be able to get what you want for a better price that way.

Will do. My neighbor across the street was a machinist for years, maybe he knows a source. The local metal fab shop is overpriced, but there are a lot of others in my local area I haven't tried yet. I also have the web as an option if need be!

jperryfly · 07-28-2004, 05:17 PM

I just bought 5052 .025 thick for my belly from Airparts. The original was .025 and 5052 is cheap and corrosion resistant.

greg176 · 07-28-2004, 06:01 PM

I just ordered two more 32' rolls of .032" 2024-t3 from Airparts.Also went to local metal recyclers called ABC Traders.Have been checking there for about a year with no luck, then yesterday they had three sheets of 2024-t3 .032".I bought all three for $45US each.They have a lot of 028" that I might get if I need more.With the old trailer I do not want to mess around mixing alloys.Now all I have to do is smack a few rivets.Wish me luck.

Ken J · 07-28-2004, 08:07 PM

Are these rolls gonna be used for reskinning? I looking forward to following your progress. Are you going to use the 2024 for belly skin also?

Ken

greg176 · 07-28-2004, 09:24 PM

I will be replacing the belly pan, all the lower exterior panels and three or four interior panels.

JohnG · 07-28-2004, 10:24 PM

What kind of price tag does a roll go for and how much is shipping?

JohnG · 07-28-2004, 10:28 PM

I don't know what kind of aluminum is used for roof on a semi trailer, but I do know that it is a single piece and trailers are 53 ft long and 110" wide so I would think that one could get any size they needed from a trailer repair facility. It should be corrosion resistant also, but I don't know this for sure.

Just thought I'd throw the idea out there.

greg176 · 07-29-2004, 08:31 AM

A 32' roll of 2024-t3 .032" from Airpartsinc costs $410 and shipping was about $50.The 5052 would be about half that.

Tom Nugler · 07-29-2004, 11:43 AM

Interesting thread. I've been thinking about replacing the skin on my 67 Globetrotter and have seen that the belly on mine is coated with a rough, semi hard silvery substance of unknown origin. Is this factory? Did a PO spray something on there? I first thought it might be chip coat or sound deadening coating but then I thought, WHY?
Any thoughts?
Tom.

blrpix · 08-08-2004, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Nugler

Interesting thread. I've been thinking about replacing the skin on my 67 Globetrotter and have seen that the belly on mine is coated with a rough, semi hard silvery substance of unknown origin. Is this factory? Did a PO spray something on there? I first thought it might be chip coat or sound deadening coating but then I thought, WHY?
Any thoughts?
Tom.

Mine is a 65...looks the same as Tom describes...I need to replace some of it, so any info would be appreciated!