Red Barn Liner

[Melody Ranch]

All my belly pan wraps had to be scrapped. I measured the vertical sides wrong....the inside part which fit under the C channel needed to be two inches longer to really work well. Oh well, it was a good idea. The new, correct, ones are beautiful. I work belly insulation today and then the completed pan sections.

[dbj216]

Oh how many times have we vintage Airstream enthusiasts made an error that costs time and money. Many times there is a rework or work around that salvages the material and the time. But I suspect you start over as it must be done right. The finished trailer will be first class.

I took a chance on an older converter working and installed it taking quite a bit of time. Then the thing demonstrated it could not maintain 13.3 volts maintenance charge rate. So out it came and in went the new one. I think it cost me about 4 hours of wasted time. And that was just today's mistake.

David

[Melody Ranch]

Part of the belly pan install required that the C channel be replaced too. So, new C channel all the way around. .050 all the way round for added strength. Working around a lot of the problem areas I had with the wheel wells and level flooring....it needed the Pro help.

[Melody Ranch]

Insulation is going in and seems OK. Typical insulation job...a pain.

[Melody Ranch]

I had to stop insulation work to fix a terrible bad rear window leak problem. Previous owner must have tried it all. It looks like there was some sort of hardening plaster forced in around the window edges. When that did not work he tried a white caulking...that failed too so he went the silicone route. All bad ideas with no craftsmanship involved. I drilled out the windows...wrong rivets used for his installation....then spent hours cleaning up the frames. Then replaced the screen with my supply of bronze screen.

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

This might be a tip to some. In order to have a flush floor for final work I had to have a way to flush the carriage bolt head. Hammer just did not do it. So I used a hole saw and cut a 1/8th inch deep , +/-, groove. Then a chisel out the center piece. The carriage bolt now can be hammered in flush.

Hi Robin! I guess I've missed this thread.
Beautiful ol Liner! Nice work, as always.


What is the insulation that you chose to use?

I know this is from months ago, but a 1" Forstner bit is the easiest way to counterbore the wood sub-floor for the elevator bolts to be flush. It works best to use the Forstner bit first, then use the 1/4" drill bit to drill through the rest of the sub-floor and frame.

I'm sure we'll see you in the Liner soon, yeah?

[Melody Ranch]

1" Forstner bit.....I should have thought of that. I even have them here.
The insulation is a new type of duct wrap. Supposedly won't absorb moisture, has a high R value and relatively easy to cut.
The end cap install is next and that could be tuff as a solo job. It all continues.

[ALUMINUMINUM]

I'm admiring your restoration chair. Looking through your posts, it's apparent that it has seated countless hours of contemplation and innovation.


I'm spending my time on the thinking end of a five gallon pail, which has been part of so many eureka moments, that I'm going to have it bronzed, and keep it as part of my camping system..


It's very helpful when skilled folks like you explain your accomplishments and errors.


Thanks for your contributions.

[Melody Ranch]

The front window(s) are proving to be a pain to disassemble and replace the screens before sealing and reinstall. I am down to the last action...but, not sure about it. The three screws under the seal are out and the old sealant broken loose. Now it "looks" like the outer edges are crimped to the frame....I don't want to break or bend anything....any experience here would be welcomed before I start tomorrow AM.

[Melody Ranch]

I have to finish up rebuilding and installing the front windows before any progress can be made. The windows have to be in and sealed before the insulation, before the polished end cap reinstall, before the electrical wiring can be run. There is a sequence which as to be followed. I did clean and acid etch the window frames. New hardware from Vintage trailer supply. New seals too. These windows are a real pain. Bronze screening is hard on the fingers...I am leaving a bloody trail.

[HiHoAgRV]

Those bloody screens will make you scream as you reassemble the interior with them already mounted. I learned a new chant...

Don't bump the screen
Don't bump the screen

[Melody Ranch]

"Don't bump the screen." I am there now. The windows in now... in and sealed. I had to rebuild all the interior bracing from prior owners work. I will do the end cap insulation, then wiring, then the polished interior end caps. A delicate job by myself...."don't bump the screens."

[FC7039]

Is that a water inlet above the electric?


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Melody Ranch]

After most of the insulation work and the window rebuilds at both ends...wiring. I mark pathways with yellow and junction box locations with red.

[HiHoAgRV]

No matter how much I plan ahead, I always end up with a junction/ outlet box just a few inches from ideal when I start installing the interior. Hope you have better luck

[Melody Ranch]

I have learned to leave plenty of extra wiring to allow for J box placement. I made some of my neutral (ground) wires to short on my last project....that was a pain.

[Melody Ranch]

Some jobs just beg for that extra pair of hands. The reinstall of the end caps was one of those jobs.

[dbj216]

That is one fancy end cap! It sure has a lot of difficult sheet aluminum cutting and forming. You can sure see why Airstream went to fiberglass and then plastic for end caps. The cost must be much lower.

I think people will look at that end cap in awe when the Liner is out of the barn.

David

[Becky B.]

Love the endcap! I dream of a 13 panel trailer...Why can't I just be content with what I have?? They're so cool!

[Melody Ranch]

By taking the old wall panels and placing them in position....I can plan the location of the new walls and the electrical layouts better.