I'm on Cloud '55

[azflycaster]

What a creative solution to the problem and it looks great too!

Cutting 3 feet off the bottom of the trailer would have worked also...

[flyfshr]

Originally Posted by BarryIowa

Thanks Brad! What do you think?

I think I'm still jealous!! I thought those cabinets were a bit too tall but having a taller ceiling will allow taller cabinet/storage space. Always seem to need more space because it will always get filled up.

How much space will there be to walk around once the AS gets backed in there? Maybe park it in at an angle?

Brad
FF

[BarryIowa]

The garage is 20' x 30' and the trailer is 22' nose to tail. The angle would help but unfortunately I do own some other stuff that also takes up valuable space like go kart for the kids, mower for the wife (kidding), table saw and various other yard-related things.

[tallytwo1994]

So it looks like you raised the whole garage instead of just raising the roof. I've seen houses that have had the roof raised but never something like this. This is a very interesting idea and I'll tuck it away for future reference.

Thanks for sharing,
Carol

[tallytwo1994]

Oh, I meant to ask if you had to do much interior bracing to keep it plumb?

Carol

[BarryIowa]

Hi Carol,
I originally planned on raising just the roof but it was going to cause a LOT of re-wiring issues. By just lifting it, I only had to add a junction box where the power enters the building and move some boxes down - no big deal. I would have had to re-side it anyway so that wasn't a factor. I'll be able to re-use most of the siding.
There were many 2 x 10s used and lag bolted into the side walls and then cross braced and the jacks went under those. Really not as bad as it sounds and not nearly as difficult as the restoration job ahead of me on the AS!

[utee94]

I do own some other stuff that also takes up valuable space like go kart for the kids, mower for the wife (kidding), table saw and various other yard-related things.

Don't forget the enormous amount of new tools and toys you'll be purchasing for Airstream renovation, maintenance, and use.

[BarryIowa]

I made some more progress on the garage. The rest of the sheathing was installed and house wrap finished. All of the vinyl corners were installed along with the starter strip and some of the siding. The garage opening was trimmed out and I picked up the new door last night so that will go up next. I also broke down and bought a window air conditioner but I'm going to install it permanently in the north wall. I figured that now was the time to put it in while I was installing the siding. Man caves are meant to be cool!

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by BarryIowa

I made some more progress on the garage. The rest of the sheathing was installed and house wrap finished. All of the vinyl corners were installed along with the starter strip and some of the siding. The garage opening was trimmed out and I picked up the new door last night so that will go up next. I also broke down and bought a window air conditioner but I'm going to install it permanently in the north wall. I figured that now was the time to put it in while I was installing the siding. Man caves are meant to be cool!

Guess it's all a matter of comfort. It went from a garage to a man cave mightly fast.

Looks good though, no matter what you call it.

Carol

[BarryIowa]

I'm beat. I worked on the garage (man cave) all weekend. I got the siding finished up on the East and West sides and 2/3 of the South wall with the help of my buddy Brad C. Dave stopped up and gave me a hand on getting the garage door in place. I still need to get the tracks on and that is happening on Tuesday. There was quite a bit of work needed to get the inside garage door opening ready for the door. I lag bolted through the old jack studs into the new header for extra strength. Then I had to add some dry wall to the header and trim it out. I also had to lengthen the wires for the garage door opener sensors. Lots of little jobs. Since I'm reusing as much of the siding as I can, it will need to be sprayed with house wash and power washed.

[Wisco]

If any of you hear about a '54-'57. preferably '55 that's wasting away and needs a full restore I would be willing to hand over a finder's fee. Everytime I find one it gets snagged up by a reseller faster than I can put a deposit on it. It's stuck in my brain and I sold my '84 Limited to buy one of these guys and now I'm getting desperate. Found myself almost buying a late '57 and got really close to getting a '51, but my heart is set on a '55 CA FC. Thanks.

[BarryIowa]

Good luck! They are nearly impossible to find and getting increasingly expensive. I was told that mine was worth 3 to 4 times what I paid for it. Really the best way to find one is to join a local club, join a vintage club and make friends. Once people realize your interest is for your own personal use and not a quick profit, they will be more likely to pass along any leads that they come across.

[Melody Ranch]

Not that you, or anyone else, will ever find the deal Barry got.....I am sure he had a bandanna over his face.....keep looking.
Last week on Ebay there was a perfect Cloud, near you too, sold for less that 3000. The 56 Overlander in Amarillo a few months ago...sat around for sale for months before a good home was found. Heck, Soldiermedics Cloud....talk about a deal. Just keep looking.

[BarryIowa]

Melody Ranch is right - except for the bandana part! If you keep looking and have ready cash, you'll find your AS.

[Wisco]

It feels like a faberge egg. HA! Maybe I should settle for a Globetrotter or Safari right now. I want to die in a '55 FC so I'm still young. I have time. I think. Either way not having a coach, when you're used to one, is lame.

[Byams55FlyCl]

Originally Posted by BarryIowa

I made some more progress on the garage. The rest of the sheathing was installed and house wrap finished. All of the vinyl corners were installed along with the starter strip and some of the siding. The garage opening was trimmed out and I picked up the new door last night so that will go up next. I also broke down and bought a window air conditioner but I'm going to install it permanently in the north wall. I figured that now was the time to put it in while I was installing the siding. Man caves are meant to be cool!

Looks like it was always like it was this tall- very well proportioned - very impressive work! Man castle, not man cave!! :
Inspiring! If we ever build an AS palace, we will call you for help- ok?

[flyfshr]

Wait in line. I get him first!!

Brad
FF

[BarryIowa]

I'd be happy to help you both! Looking forward to spending my first night in the AS at Prairie Flower with the TAC crew!

[Silverfoxrae]

Nice job on the building... I am sure your Cloud will be happy in it's nest.
Rae

[Byams55FlyCl]

Now that the man cave is done- when are you going camping?