1953 Flying Cloud Tire, Wheel, Bearing and Shock Specs

[65GT]

Looks like I might be flying out to retrieve this one. I've got to get my ducks in order before I go...

Stock tire size?

Stock wheel size?

Wheel Bearing part #'s?

Shock part #'s?

Everything has been sitting for 20 years and while I could maybe rely on just having the bearings re-packed I'd rather go new.

I'm not worried about the brakes, under 3K lbs in NY and you don't need them. The moving truck should handle it with ease.

I've got to locate everything in Denver or have what I can't find there shipped in over the next week or so.

While I'm sure I can check a bag with the load bearing hitch, some tools a bottle jack, and supplies, I'm guessing homeland security won't let me on the plane with a bernzomatic mapp torch.

The night before we went x-country I snapped the threaded portion off TWO shock mounts. I heated them, wd-40'd (yes a verb) them death. I got them lose, worked them back and forth what seemed like forever, but those threads were just too corroded and finally gave up. No need to repeat that episode if I can help it

Do you folks have any sway issues with the FC's? I have zero with the GT so I never hook up the anti-sway bar. Some of that might be that the van punches a pretty good hole in the air for the GT to follow in. A Budget truck will punch an even bigger hole, but I'd rather get a couple of opinions on sway before I leave all that stuff behind. Then I'd need to bring a drill to boot.

Thanks in advance!!

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[safari57]

Axles and wheels I can't help you with as mine had just been replaced with all new current axle/brakes/shocks and wheels/tires a short time before I bought it.

I pull my FC with a '57 Pontiac stationwagon, have Reese hitch and there is no sway.

2" ball on mine and it appears to be the original tongue that's been rebuilt.

When I've flown in to pick up a classic or muscle car to drive home some distance the first place I go to after getting the vehicle is Wally world and pick up a cheap tool kit, etc. Stuff that will live in that car as long as I own it. A small can of grease, shop wipes, a couple of spare taillight/brakelight bulbs and the largest can of WD40 on the shelf. Saves unhappy discussions with the fine folks at the airport.

An option is to track down an axle and spring shop in Denver in advance and as soon as you pick up the trailer pull it over. Get them to swap out whatever needs to be swapped and you don't have to worry about it for the trip home. We did this years ago with a boat we bought and the trailer looked great but we figured salt water and bearings don't mix. Good thing we did. Two hours there, $400, and we had new backing plates, hubs, bearings, and new tires on our rims.
Barry

[markdoane]

It's a '56, but here is a pretty helpful site.

http://www.vintageairstream.com/floy...es/brakes.html

[47WeeWind]

Hi 65GT:

Here what the 52-53 Airstream catalog says about tires and wheels:

WHEELS - Heavy steel truck type
TIRES - Heavy duty, 6 ply on Clipper, Flying Cloud & Crusier.

The 1951 catalog list the tire size as 700-15 6 ply, with automotive wheels on the Flying Cloud and truck type wheels on the larger Cruiser and Liner.

Although the wheel diameter obviously is 15 inches for 1951, and probably the same in 1953, no information is given on lug pattern or wheel offset. There is no informaton given on bearing or shock part numbers. You will have to get those from someone who has greased or changed the bearings or replaced the shocks on a similar or, better yet, identical California trailer. Back in the 1950s, most people took their trailer to a dealer or a garage to have that work done, so that information was not widely published outside the trade.

If you contact the seller, he or she might be able to read to you the size tire presently on the trailer, which presumably fits. Maybe some old industry hands know the bearings sizes and shocks common to that era.

[wkerfoot]

65GT,

When we went to Florida to pick up the Liner, I had two new axles, springs and hardware sent from Axis to Tampa. This eliminated the need to match brakes, spindles, bearings, seals etc. You can read my trip at: http://www.airforums.com/forum...tml#post163666

I found that the wheels, although split rims, were 5 bolt Ford light truck. Axis will make you a axle with either 5 or 6 bolt brakes, I went with 6. If you go with a new axle and not new springs, you will need longer u bolts. If the axles are like my old ones they are over the springs even though a casual look they will appear under the springs.

Let me know if you need more info.

Bill

[65GT]

Originally Posted by safari57

When I've flown in to pick up a classic or muscle car to drive home some distance the first place I go to after getting the vehicle is Wally world and pick up a cheap tool kit, etc...

An option is to track down an axle and spring shop in Denver in advance and as soon as you pick up the trailer pull it over. Barry

Thanks Barry! You're probably right about the axle spring shop. I was a trained mechanic years ago and have this horrible habit of not trusting anyone working on my vehicles. I've softened, but I usually double check what I paid someone else to do. I've had the wrong drive shafts put in Gail's '93 probe years ago -- they were too short and stripped out after a couple hundred miles. I pulled over to help out a guy with an oil trail behind him to find out the dealership put his oil filter on, but never tightened it (it was somewhere down the road about a half mile behind us). I've got at least a hundred or so episodes like that so I planned on doing the bearings myself and then have a tire shop mount the 700.15's on new rims. Seeing as I'm not using trailer brakes on the way home, they don't matter. I'd do loaded backing plates here when I get back, or if it's too cold, next spring.

Originally Posted by markdoane

It's a '56, but here is a pretty helpful site.

http://www.vintageairstream.com/floy...es/brakes.html

Thanks Mark! I'm very familiar with that site, but I'm thinking a '56 is different than a '53. I swear (I'll re-check) I was looking at '53 wheels that had bolts going through them, not studs coming out with lugs put in place. That '56 has lugs so I'll have to go back and re-check. I've never dealt with a wheel that had bolts holding it on so I'm a little cautious about what I'm dealing with here. Then again with all the web time I've been putting in on this delerious is not out of the question.

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Here what the 52-53 Airstream catalog says about tires and wheels:

Thanks Fred! Your information raises an interesting question. What 52-53 catalog? I haven't come across that anywhere. That also brings up another question. I've been to the VAC site many times, and just haven't joined yet. I like credit card in hand, form online, over and done with. I'm always at risk of missing a deadline everytime I have to deal with paperwork. It's the only excuse I've got Fred! Does a VAC member have access to more info than what is on the site? All back issues of the newsletter? More manuals, etc.? If yes is the answer that's enough motivation for me right there. If the answer is no, I still have to fill out a form and get it in the mail I guess...

Oh I don't know if you keep track of units by serial number, but I did drop it for you in my opening message. It's 7545 if it mattered. Thanks Fred!

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

65GT,

When we went to Florida to pick up the Liner, I had two new axles, springs and hardware sent from Axis to Tampa. You can read my trip at: http://www.airforums.com/forum...tml#post163666 Bill

Thanks for the info Bill! I really want to get there and hit the road asap, but I'll definitely read about your trip so I've got it embedded in brain if I don't make it back! I'm thinking about flying in Sunday so I can hit the road by Monday afternoon. With any luck I'll be home by Thursday -- Friday if I'm a real bone-head or something happens.

I was really hoping to find someone that as Fred said has done all this themselves and documented it. Whatever I wind up with, I'll be sure to put it here for safekeeping...

Thanks everybody, but if anyone else has something else to add, please do!! Thanks again...

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[wkerfoot]

65GT,

First, join the VAC it is only $20 for a year and the Vintage Advantage is worth that. Other than that, I don't believe that there are any other secrets, but there may be.

Second, regarding the wheel bolts, not a problem, just a little more difficult to hold the wheel in place to assemble with the drum. Apparently you never owned an air cooled VW or an old Renault as they both had bolts instead of studs. But I did find on my Liner that there was a locating pin on the drums which went through a hole in the wheel. Since you plan on replacing the split rims, good idea, you will need to either drill a hole in the new wheels, not something I would suggest, or cut the pin off flush with the drum.

Third, I found out on my 1954 Liner that it had the original brakes and they are a different size than the new ones. That was another reason I went with new axles rather than trying to locate bearings and drums which would fit the old spindles.

Fourth, brakes is always a good thing, I don't know what your tow vehicle will be but make sure that it will control the trailer without the brakes. By the way, working brakes are probably required on that size trailer.

Any other question, just ask.

Bill

[65GT]

Thanks Bill! I've got to stop by a local Budget Truck rental and see what exactly is on these moving vans. I know they have either receivers or a complete ball assembly, but won't know until I get there. I'm doubting they'll have a 7-pin receptacle, but you never know.

I was hoping to rent their 10' box truck, but I've always got the option to go to their 16'. Your thoughts? Thanks!!

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[markdoane]

Originally Posted by 65GT

I was hoping to rent their 10' box truck, but I've always got the option to go to their 16'. Your thoughts? Thanks!!

Why not a 24ft truck?

[65GT]

I'm not sure how high that hitch is going to wind up! I didn't get by Budget today -- had to run to NJ. I'm going tomorrow morning 1st thing to see what these set-ups are. A 24ft? Wow, what do you have bunch of stuff you need to get from Denver to NY?

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[markdoane]

No, I'm thinking if you have a way to get it to a ramp you could put it 'in' the truck, rather than behind it.

[65GT]

With a 7'5" interior box height, something's gotta give. Should I rip the roof off the truck, or cut the top off the cloud?

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[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by 65GT

With a 7'5" interior box height, something's gotta give. Should I rip the roof off the truck, or cut the top off the cloud?

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65GT,

Just flatten the tires or take the wheels off.

Bill

[65GT]

You're serious?

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