Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-07-2013, 07:00 AM   #1
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
1948 Liner Resurrection

I have a 48 Liner,(or whats left of it) , which i will be bringing back to live.
Unfortunately this unit is in a pretty rough shape, but not much worse than my 58 was.
It has a Pipe frame, and yes with a good amount of play side to side.
I intend on rebuilding the entire frame as well as i have to replace several exterior panels.
Currently there is no interior at all.

Im am sure i will need some advice on here in regards to the frame, and any needed updates.
I read some people change the frame to an A-Frame design, but I would prefer to keep it as original as possible, which so far my only challenge i see is to find a replacement hitch coupler.

As for the axle.. well it is there , but not sure what shape yet..
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2013, 07:14 AM   #2
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
well.. and here it starts.


after the camper sitting for one month in my yard , i started yesterday removing the lower interior panels.
At some point, the entire floor was replaced ad only attached to the interior walls with a home made flange.. it was not installed all the way under the c-channel, therefore the entire shell had already dropped about an inch.

So far i removed only the lower walls and the insulation to install the framing for shell removal. The upper walls will all stay in, until the shell is back onto the new frame. At this point, the upper panels and ceiling will be removed and i will start on the exterior skin replacement where needed.

i will upload some pictures in my next post.
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2013, 07:40 AM   #3
Always learning
 
Lance M's Avatar
 
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central , Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
Images: 24
Blog Entries: 2
Send a message via Yahoo to Lance M
Liner frame

Hi Sub,
Congrats on the liner. Glad to see it being resurrected. I have a friend that rebuilt a liner. He rebuilt the frame to appear like an original pipe frame, but it has the structure of a ladder frame under the floor. Something you might want to consider. Good luck on the project!
__________________
Lance

Work is never done, so take time to play!
Lance M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2013, 07:49 AM   #4
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
Thank you for the Info,

I have seen somewhere some pictures of a restored pipe frame, on where the pipe design was kept, but the aluminum frame was replaces with steel.. This is definitely something i will do.. but first i got to remove the shell though :-)
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2013, 07:54 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
streamquest's Avatar
 
1936 20' Clipper
1947 22' Liner
Curtis Wright
1989 37' Airstream 370
marshfield , Massachusetts
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 789
I've got a '48 Liner in similar or slightly worse shape. It needs a new spine and outriggers. I'm figuring on getting a new pipe (stainless??$$) and coupler made up, and then having the cross members folded up and attached to it. Of course the second biggest problem with stainless steel, after cost, is that it's damn near impossible to drill or fasten into. The new belly skin and axle would get attached while everything is upside down, and then flip the whole thing over and put the shell back on.

Gosh, that seems like it should be easy, almost too easy.
streamquest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2013, 10:40 AM   #6
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
well.. the biggest advantage of the pipe frame is, you can easily rotate it.
I do not believe i will go with stainless.. too hard to work with and a good thick wall pipe will last long as well. But i will replace all cross members with steel and weld those to the pipe.

By the way... the shell is off
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2013, 10:49 AM   #7
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
here a couple pictures
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1362.JPG
Views:	366
Size:	148.1 KB
ID:	201373   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_3278.JPG
Views:	395
Size:	190.0 KB
ID:	201374  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1459.JPG
Views:	382
Size:	175.0 KB
ID:	201375   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1463.jpg
Views:	357
Size:	171.6 KB
ID:	201376  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1464.jpg
Views:	341
Size:	175.9 KB
ID:	201377   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1466.jpg
Views:	423
Size:	187.0 KB
ID:	201378  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1468.jpg
Views:	363
Size:	139.8 KB
ID:	201379  
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2013, 10:53 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Silverflames's Avatar
 
1969 29' Ambassador
brooksville , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,270
Good work! Keep the pic coming. I would like to see what the pipe frame looks like. Never seen one.
__________________
Not all those who wonder are lost.
Silverflames is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2013, 01:05 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
streamquest's Avatar
 
1936 20' Clipper
1947 22' Liner
Curtis Wright
1989 37' Airstream 370
marshfield , Massachusetts
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 789
Here is a look at the pipe frame in my '48. I hope submariner's looks better than this.

This trailer had been windowless for years. When I picked it up, it was filled with about a foot of composting leaves and a totally rotted floor. By the time I got it home from Ohio to Cape Cod, it was pretty much empty, having scattered its contents across half the country. Other drivers were curious, but no one drove behind me for very long. I'm amazed that i didn't get stopped for littering.

You can see how the pipe has deteriorated. I had to stick a smaller pipe inside the spine and pin it together with a screwdriver just to pull it out of the woods and onto a trailer. And actually, that is the pipe at the back of the trailer. The pipe at the front with the coupler was long gone.

You can see how the aluminum cross members attach to the pipe, and how much they have deteriorated.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	CIMG0005.JPG
Views:	307
Size:	861.3 KB
ID:	201446   Click image for larger version

Name:	CIMG0006.JPG
Views:	329
Size:	860.8 KB
ID:	201447  

Click image for larger version

Name:	CIMG0007.JPG
Views:	361
Size:	864.6 KB
ID:	201448   Click image for larger version

Name:	CIMG0008.JPG
Views:	363
Size:	847.0 KB
ID:	201449  

streamquest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2013, 04:18 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
Silverflames's Avatar
 
1969 29' Ambassador
brooksville , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,270
Thank you. It does not look very strong compared to the newer ladder frames.
__________________
Not all those who wonder are lost.
Silverflames is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2013, 04:38 AM   #11
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
wow.. that frame looks rough.. did you build a new one yet and do you have some pictures?

My Frame seems to be solid all the way, except the joints between the cross beams and the pipe are loose.. i might start pulling the floor and pan next weekend.. but have to make templates first..

My axle looks to be all there.. just surface rust, but not sure yet, until i have it apart.
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2013, 08:05 AM   #12
Rivet Master
 
Melody Ranch's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
Images: 78
Send a message via Skype™ to Melody Ranch
I think you can look thru our Membership photo files and get a bunch of info. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Here is a great start….- Photo Gallery
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
Melody Ranch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2014, 04:34 PM   #13
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
And it continues. I finally managed to pull the floor of the frame and drop the belly pan.
After close inspection, i decided, this will be as far as i go with this frame.
I will build an entire new one and possible only use the axle from the existing one. Lost of the cross members are badly corroded. the center pipe has lot of surface rust, but i decided to go ahead and replace it as well the front part of the frame will be slightly changed to provide more support..I will build it kinda like an A-frame, but the frame still hiding within the belly pan and only the new pipe extruding past the shell.
I already ordered new c-channel for above the floor and new cross members for the frame. new pipe will be ordered by next week as well as new 4x2 frames to secure the axle.

i will add some photos shortly.
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2014, 04:45 PM   #14
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
i went ahead i made a template of the floor , or what was left of it, before i tore it apart. the problem i noticed was, that whoever replaced that floor in the first place, did not run it all the way under the c-channel.
anyway.. it will be fixed right .
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC00778.JPG
Views:	285
Size:	157.0 KB
ID:	203317   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC00820.JPG
Views:	321
Size:	235.6 KB
ID:	203318  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC00823.JPG
Views:	336
Size:	243.3 KB
ID:	203319  
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2014, 04:48 PM   #15
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
btw, have a look at the distance between the last crossmember and that bolt right before the rear bumper (that bend piece of steel) this distance appears to be awful long, without having any additional support . any thoughts on that ? I am thinking of adding an additional crossmember at least half distance to provide some more support.
submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2014, 05:10 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
HiHoAgRV's Avatar

 
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central , Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
Images: 29
Blog Entries: 49
Quote:
Originally Posted by submariner View Post
btw, have a look at the distance between the last crossmember and that bolt right before the rear bumper (that bend piece of steel) this distance appears to be awful long, without having any additional support . any thoughts on that ? I am thinking of adding an additional crossmember at least half distance to provide some more support.
How about designing the frame so VTS tanks can be installed? 24" on center crossmembers, I cant recall the rail spacing.

That is a cool project ya got there!!!
__________________
Hi Ho Silver RV! Vernon, Sarah, Mac the Border Collie(RIP) -
A honkin' long 34' named AlumaTherapy https://www.airforums.com/forums/f20...num-54749.html
and a 26' '63 Overlander, Dolly https://www.airforums.com/forums/f10...ome-71609.html
HiHoAgRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2014, 11:18 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
streamquest's Avatar
 
1936 20' Clipper
1947 22' Liner
Curtis Wright
1989 37' Airstream 370
marshfield , Massachusetts
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 789
Quote:
Originally Posted by submariner View Post
And it continues. I finally managed to pull the floor of the frame and drop the belly pan.
After close inspection, i decided, this will be as far as i go with this frame.
I will build an entire new one and possible only use the axle from the existing one. Lost of the cross members are badly corroded. the center pipe has lot of surface rust, but i decided to go ahead and replace it as well the front part of the frame will be slightly changed to provide more support..I will build it kinda like an A-frame, but the frame still hiding within the belly pan and only the new pipe extruding past the shell.
I already ordered new c-channel for above the floor and new cross members for the frame. new pipe will be ordered by next week as well as new 4x2 frames to secure the axle.

i will add some photos shortly.
I guess your project has really come into "full bloom" so to speak. I'll be following closely. Good luck.
streamquest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2014, 05:27 PM   #18
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
this project goes slower than expected

i have been working on a bunch of brackets as well as new outriggers and
finally have all the sub assemblies done to to build the new frame.

There are a total of 14 new outriggers and 30 5”x7” support plates. each support plate has 10 holes for rivets. The support plates will be welded to the longditudunal frames as well as the center pipe and then the outriggers will be riveted to the support brackets. This procedure provides me with a stronger joint as compared to just two aluminum tabs on the original frame..
well enough said, here some pics :
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1587.JPG
Views:	231
Size:	213.0 KB
ID:	204760   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1589.JPG
Views:	216
Size:	189.6 KB
ID:	204761  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1590.JPG
Views:	231
Size:	202.5 KB
ID:	204762   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1591.JPG
Views:	219
Size:	197.0 KB
ID:	204763  

submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2014, 05:35 PM   #19
4 Rivet Member
 
submariner's Avatar
 
1948 22' Liner
1989 34' Limited
long beach , Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 464
the assembly has started. Everything is set in place. The center pipe is a 3 1/2” sch40 pipe and is spliced with a 4” sch40 pipe with a 4” overlap each side.

The side frames are 132” long and from 1/8” steel channel in 2”x4”.
Once everything is aligned and all support brackets are tacked, i will remove all bolts and take both 2x4 frames out. This will allow me to fully weld and then paint the frames. i can also slide the outriggers away from they center pipe brackets, to get those welded and painted as well..
Logically i will be using Por15 chassis paint.

btw, what surface prep do i need to do before painting with por15?

here some more pics, so you know, what I’m talking about:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1593.jpg
Views:	217
Size:	332.3 KB
ID:	204764   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1595.JPG
Views:	219
Size:	199.0 KB
ID:	204765  

submariner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2014, 07:56 PM   #20
Site Team
 
Aage's Avatar
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa , ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
Images: 25
In your pile of new parts, are those new or re-built spring packs? I say this because the ones you showed when the body was still on looked like they were badly sagging.

Glad to see you are keeping the springs, I really don't see the point of changing to the rubber rod system.

Great pictures, Love to see more as you proceed!
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
...John Wayne...........................
Aage is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1948


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.