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10-11-2011, 02:35 PM
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#81
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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So just to let all those interested and following along, my logic here...
The goal is to "GET IT ROAD READY".
The sub goal is "TO NOT SPEND ANY UNNECESSARY TIME OR EFFORT ON STUFF THAT IS PART OF A TOTAL SHELL OFF, BACK DOWN TO NEWLY INSTALLED ALXES, AND THEN BUILDING IT BACK AS A BRAND NEW 1961 SOVEREIGN"
A new 2000 pound BAL Sidewinder went on today. A temporary 7 wire box was installed as was a new umbilical cord. All the existing trailer wires were installed into the box and SHAZAM!!!! Everything WORKS AS IT SHOULD.
I also installed a Teconsha Break Away System that uses an independent charging and braking system so that a 12 volt system does not need to be installed at this time.
Another highly productive day at FTW.
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10-11-2011, 07:27 PM
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#82
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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I recieved my daily e-mail update from FTW today showing the progress but I was so busy that Frank beat me to the punch and posted the results.
As per the norm at FTW I am astonished with the results and the quality of workmanship. The attention to detail is stupendous.
The new clearance lights look fantastic and even thought the original taillights work they will be replaced as they do not meet the standards at FTW. Nothing of lower quaility ever leaves this shop.
I am really getting anxious to get eyes on this trailer in a few weeks. I know that I will have zero difficulty passing the inspection here to get it licensed as it will be in perfect legal running condition.
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10-11-2011, 07:47 PM
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#83
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Are the whitewalls yokohama??
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10-11-2011, 07:52 PM
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#84
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkspeed
Are the whitewalls yokohama??
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AH so Grasshopper they are.
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10-11-2011, 08:24 PM
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#85
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wasagachris
AH so Grasshopper they are.
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If you ever find "darkspeed wus here" written in red sharpie on your whitewalls... I wus there
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10-12-2011, 09:59 AM
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#86
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,989
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WC, we changed to an electric jack once our teenage sons stopped camping with us. Have installed an electric jack on every trailer since, and will on Little Girl too. Sometimes comfort and ease of use wins over nostalgia.
MC
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10-13-2011, 01:59 PM
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#87
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno
WC, we changed to an electric jack once our teenage sons stopped camping with us. Have installed an electric jack on every trailer since, and will on Little Girl too. Sometimes comfort and ease of use wins over nostalgia.
MC
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I install a beatup, old as dirt lookin electric jack on my '63...does that meet the 'vintage' goals?
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10-14-2011, 05:55 AM
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#88
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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Choosing a Restorer
I just want to state publicly that I cannot be more satisfied with my choice of restorer.
Frank of Frank's Trailer Works in Baltimore Maryland is an excellent person to work with. His attention to detail is fantastic. The quality of work is by far the best I have seen. I receive daily updates on the progress and am always kept in the loop regarding decisions.
I trust him implicitly and he has been very helpful in other matters as well.
He is very talented and yet not too arogant about his abilities to admit when he is learning about methods and materials.
He respects my choices about how to proceed with this restoration and fully understands my wishes and desires.
It is very important that you get to know who you are working with and feel comfortable doing so. I did have other options when selecting a restorer and let me tell you I'm glad that I went in the direction that I did.
I can say honestly that I probably would not be saying this had I chosen a different restorer.
So if anyone else is looking to have their trailer professionally restored then Frank's Trailer Works is the place to call.
Home Page
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10-14-2011, 06:07 AM
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#89
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Airstream Fanatic
1976 31' Sovereign
1959 17' Pacer
1965 26' Overlander
Bismarck
, North Dakota
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,035
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Good endorsement...does he make house calls?
Quote:
Originally Posted by wasagachris
I just want to state publicly that I cannot be more satisfied with my choice of restorer.
Frank of Frank's Trailer Works in Baltimore Maryland is an excellent person to work with. His attention to detail is fantastic. The quality of work is by far the best I have seen. I receive daily updates on the progress and am always kept in the loop regarding decisions.
I trust him implicitly and he has been very helpful in other matters as well.
He is very talented and yet not too arogant about his abilities to admit when he is learning about methods and materials.
He respects my choices about how to proceed with this restoration and fully understands my wishes and desires.
It is very important that you get to know who you are working with and feel comfortable doing so. I did have other options when selecting a restorer and let me tell you I'm glad that I went in the direction that I did.
I can say honestly that I probably would not be saying this had I chosen a different restorer.
So if anyone else is looking to have their trailer professionally restored then Frank's Trailer Works is the place to call.
Home Page
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This is good information to have and might come in handy if I could locate an AS close to his location. I was hoping you were going to say he makes house calls because that would really be perfect!
It is getting harder and harder to find people who do quality work and listen to their customers. It is good to know that they still exist in this country and when it comes to Airstreams, you want someone who does a quality job.
Tomorrow is our big day to head out to look at another vintage AS or two maybe. A rare find in ND....I can't believe it...luckily the guy says neither one of them leak and have never had mice after sitting in a barn for next to 20 years. He also tells me that they don't have any frame damage or problems other than cosmetic. Wish us luck!
Sandy
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10-14-2011, 06:41 AM
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#90
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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Sandy I do know that on occasion he has gone on location to do work. I doubt that he would go to North Dakota though.
If you do find a trailer anywhere on the east coast he does do recoveries and can store them for you short term until you can pick it up or have him do the work to restore it.
I wish you luck on your inspection tour. he says they don't leak, well of course they won't leak in a barn. They will have mice but at least you won't find an opposum skeleton in them like Frank found in mine. Mine resided in the woods of North Carolina for twenty some odd years. There are some advantages in finding one in a temperate climate, at least the vermin are smaller.
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10-14-2011, 08:37 AM
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#91
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Rivet Master
1975 Argosy 26
1963 24' Tradewind
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,341
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Those whitewalls and the Caddy will look FINE! Nice... can we see it with the babymoons?
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10-14-2011, 08:55 AM
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#92
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy
Those whitewalls and the Caddy will look FINE! Nice... can we see it with the babymoons?
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Yes they will... Im officially jealous...
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10-14-2011, 09:20 AM
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#93
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy
Those whitewalls and the Caddy will look FINE! Nice... can we see it with the babymoons?
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I did get a telephone update this morning. We're waiting for the correct hubcaps to arrive. As soon as they arrive and are installed I will get an e-mail pictoral update and will post it here.
Once I get eyes on the caddy I will post some more pics of it. The caddy will be mated to the 1955 Overlander though. I'm still searching for the best car at the best price to mate to this trailer.
I'm looking for a 1961 Lincoln Continental 4-dr convertible.
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10-14-2011, 09:22 AM
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#94
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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Like this one I've been watching.
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10-14-2011, 10:03 AM
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#95
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,523
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Now that '61 Continental convertible is a great ride... I've always loved that one. They got it right with the first iteration, and every time they changed it through the 60s it just got less and less nice.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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10-15-2011, 04:53 AM
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#96
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DKB_SATX
Now that '61 Continental convertible is a great ride... I've always loved that one. They got it right with the first iteration, and every time they changed it through the 60s it just got less and less nice.
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Agreed. A family friend had a '62 I drove once. Great looks, ride, size and power.
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10-15-2011, 05:51 AM
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#97
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4 Rivet Member
Waters
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 321
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I also am thinking of whitewalls for my 63 sovereign,what size did you buy and where, if I may be so Nosey..?
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10-15-2011, 06:20 AM
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#98
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollerboy
I also am thinking of whitewalls for my 63 sovereign,what size did you buy and where, if I may be so Nosey..?
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His are Yokohama RY215 7.00" x 15" 2080lb with the added whitewall stripe I think
From Diamond Back http://www.dbtires.com/tires.html
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10-15-2011, 06:42 AM
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#99
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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yep that's them pg 17 in the catalog. They are available in three different sizes of white walls. I chose the widest.
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10-15-2011, 06:47 AM
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#100
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wasagachris
yep that's them pg 17 in the catalog. They are available in three different sizes of white walls. I chose the widest.
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There is a fourth option -blackwall- I chose this option... Why? Because I'm an idiot...
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