Pull interior panels or not?

[kellykellyi]

Can't decide if I should pull all of the interior panels on a '52 Cruisette to replace the insulation and run new electrical. Electrical works and trailer doesn't smell but I'm doing a shell off restoration so feel a little like I should go all the way but again not sure why. Seems risky. If you pulled your interior walls during a shell off renovation, what made you decide to do so?

[thesignlady]

I only pulled the lower panels in my '69. I cut the insulation at the middle panel seam and replaced with new roxul insulation. Honestly though it would have been fine to reuse my old fibreglass stuff. It was clean and fluffy and pest free but I wanted to be able to see where moisture was making its way in. Having the lowers off really made me realise how far water travels before it materialises. If you did have any soft areas in your floor that you are not positive of the source I would recommend removing some skins, I was sure mine was dry until I removed those skins and saw water coming in. It also made updating the 7 pin connector and electrical for the fridge easier... But go with your gut feeling AND budget. Any time you open up anything it will cost you more money guaranteed, even if it just is rivets. One thing for sure though the less you pull apart, the sooner you get to go out and play in it. :-)

[vinstream]

That age of trailer I would not even think about not pulling them out... Listen to the latest installment of the Vintage Airstream Podcast... I agree with many of the points discussed as they relate to the electrical part of your question... Once you dig into the first panel you will be glad you did based on what you will and will not find behind 50 plus year walls...

[wkerfoot]

I pulled out the interior panels in my 1954 Liner for several reasons. Stripping the pink paint was only one. I wanted to replace the ungrounded 110 V wiring with grounded and install 12V wiring like newer (than 1954) trailers. The 12 V runs the fans, lights, power points, water pump. exterior lights, brakes etc. I was also able to add 110V circuits for the water heater, AC, refrigerator etc.

I found many splices inside the panels and was able to move all splices to boxes.

Bill

[kellykellyi]

The interior end caps are so beautifully joined and riveted I worry about having it look a little less lovely after it is put back together. The floor damage is limited to the area under the front and rear window only. maybe at a minimum I should remove the lower flat panels.

I will listen to the podcast. Thank for the tip.

[Petethefeet]

If it were me, I would not hesitate to pull everything. I think you will find it a false economy not to, given how far you are taking things anyway. You are about to get to know every square inch of your trailer intimately. Do not worry about the end caps losing their charm, you do not have to take each segment apart. The end cap will come out whole, once the perimeter fixings are removed. You will gain access to the complete interior and seams which will need resealing from the inside anyway. Would it not be a shame to have put your trailer back together and find you have a leak from somewhere that could have been prevented. These trailers are labor intensive, no doubt about it, but if you do it right the first time, with proper maintenance, you will not have to do it again. Just think, the best bit is, you have a small trailer, hence there will be no where near as much work involved as doing a bigger trailer. If in doubt or just having a mad moment, as has already been recommended here, tune into the VAP for best practice solutions, or just some light relief and a bit of a giggle. You cannot go wrong and everyone here has been where you are now. There is heaps of support if you want it or need it. Have fun!

Pete

[vanster]

We are doing a shell off and rewired with all marine grade wiring. We found some hot spots in the old aluminum wiring. Re insulated with ProDex

[kellykellyi]

Wound up pulling all interior panels and boy was I glad I did! This 1952 was a mess inside those walls. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Aerowood]

Originally Posted by kellykellyi

The interior end caps are so beautifully joined and riveted I worry about having it look a little less lovely after it is put back together.

The end caps are removed intact, just remove the fasteners around the perimeter and the end caps come out as one piece, through the door. The same with the crown panels, none of the solid rivets need removal, just remove the perimeter rivets roll the panels lengthwise and take it out through the front window.

[CraigFulton]

Originally Posted by kellykellyi

Wound up pulling all interior panels and boy was I glad I did! This 1952 was a mess inside those walls. Thanks for the encouragement!

How long did it take? I just bought a '62 Safari 22' and want to remove all interior panel for new electrical and insulation. There's easy 1000 rivets :-(. Do they all really need drilled out?