Our '56 Safari (aka Our Retirement Home)

[RankAm]

Will you please explain how (and with what) you made the roller? Thanks.

[SafariSteve]

Originally Posted by hjlairf

Will you please explain how (and with what) you made the roller? Thanks.

There have been a few posts about similar rollers. Its really a simple idea and one that has been around a long time. Some rollers are totally homemade, and other people have been able to find ready-made options. Everything from a metal-shop project to a formica countertop roller.

In my case, I worked with what I had in the garage... a heavy duty adjustable paint roller, a skateboard wheel, a suitable bolt, wing-nut and a few flat washers that gave it clearance to roll easily. I think a longer handle will give it more leverage... the paint roller handle is threaded so that's an easy option. Also if you can access both sides it will work better... more like an English Wheel.

[RankAm]

Thanks. Will you please explain how you built the shaft to which the wheel is bolted? Is it the original shaft for the paint roller that you reconfigured?

[SafariSteve]

Originally Posted by hjlairf

Thanks. Will you please explain how you built the shaft to which the wheel is bolted? Is it the original shaft for the paint roller that you reconfigured?

Yes. The shaft was already part of the adjustable paint roller handle. I looked around on line and this is the closest thing I could find.
http://www.thebossmaker.com/index.htm

As I said, I used what I had in my garage. I don't know how common these style of paint rollers are (I think mine was a gift) but I don't think I ever used it for painting.
Good luck!
-Steve

[SafariSteve]

Thanks to a helpful fellow Air Forums amigo, I was able to locate two sconces to match the one that we have in our trailer.

I've spent the last few evenings refurbishing one, and it's looking good. I still have to locate three new lamp inserts with the switch on the back, but the shade and base are looking great.
For the base I removed the latex paint, and applied a few coats of black Rustoleum hammer finish. Same with the base of the shade.

The fiberglass shade just needed a good scrubbing, a little 0000 steel wool rubbing and three or four coats of Penetrol. I'm happy with the results. Two more to go.

[SafariSteve]

I'm finally ready to finish putting in new plywood for the subfloor.

Now this may sound strange, but my hang up has been what should have been a very simple thing: new wires for the trailer brakes.

Originally, one heavily sheathed wire containing two strands was fished through holes drilled through the frame along the center under the floor and above the belly pan, T-ing off to both wheels.

I couldn't find similar wire. The auto parts and home stores only had single strand. More than one salesman tried to send me home with wires for speakers, thermostats, lamps, or just said to zip tie two wires together. I sent in my question to The Vintage Airstream Podcast guys who said I could ask for trailer brake wire at any trailer parts counter. I asked at the Camping World parts counter and they thought I was from the moon.

Then it hit me... an extension cord. I had a 50-foot 12 or 14 gauge two wire (non ground) my son had chopped the end off while trimming a bush. Perfect!

I was a little worried about burying a nut connection at the T junction like they did back in 1956, and the guys at The VAP had a solution for that. Run one wire from the umbilical to one wheel, then connect another wire between the two wheels. No more connection buried between the belly pan and the subfloor. I could use all the original holes, and only have to drill one more for the connecting the two wheels together wire.

It's done now, and ready for me to install insulation and new plywood.
Whew! 'Bout time!!!

[SafariSteve]

I think it's time to get serious. The wife thinks May would be a great time for a shakedown inaugural voyage.
I know this schedule is both basic and ambitious, but I gotta have a goal!


SEPTEMBER
Patch and rivet bellypan
Install remaining 2 subfloor sections
Remove last old floor section
Install final new subfloor section
Reseal vents
Reseal seams
Polish when possible

OCTOBER
Install new running lights
Rewire existing tail/brake lights
Rewire umbilical cord
Rewire interior (lights, outlets,
Paint rear bumper
Fix gas tank holder
Paint tongue
Fix dents in front
Polish when possible

NOVEMBER
Replace interior wall panels
Reseal windows
Replace broken glass
Fix rear window
Buy and replace window openers
Reseal door
Concoct door lock solution

DECEMBER
Paint interior
Install 1/4 plywood over subfloor
Install interior overhead lights
Sort out plumbing
Sort out electrical (batteries, fuse box)

JANUARY
Install floor
Layout interior
Locate major systems (tanks, water heater, gas heater, batteries, refrigerator, cook top, gas lamp...)

FEBRUARY
Build cabinets that contain systems
Fabricate bathroom floor and black tank cover

MARCH
Finish and install cabinets
Obtain and install new brakes
Install new tires & wheels

APRIL
Upholstery
Countertops
Booth table
Foam for beds
Curtains
Screens

MAY
Shakedown camp weekend!
Fix nothing, because everything will work perfectly
Finish polishing while sipping an ice cold Arnold Palmer

[HiHoAgRV]

That looks llike a plan!
One thing to remember...The sooner you get behind, the longer you have to catch up...

[InsideOut]

Sounds like a plan! You need to add "post more pictures on AirForums each month" to your list! We all want to follow along with your progress ~

Shari

[SafariSteve]

Uh oh. I am making good progress, but there is one bad rusty spot. Two holes... Both about the size of a quarter.

Any advice? I have a welder and a father-in-law who really knows how to use it.

[SafariSteve]

Making progress!

[SafariSteve]

Slipped in the front piece of subfloor today. One more piece (tomorrow) then on to rewiring.

[slowmover]

I subscribed just now, and am also wondering in what way "retirement home" applies to the TT?

[Melody Ranch]

Nice work on a great 56. I highly recommend sealing the edges of the flooring before its in place. I also paint and seal the entire floor panels....top and bottom....personally I use top quality porch paint...others go the poly coatings.

[SafariSteve]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Nice work on a great 56. I highly recommend sealing the edges of the flooring before its in place. I also paint and seal the entire floor panels....top and bottom....personally I use top quality porch paint...others go the poly coatings.

Thanks! I have applied many coats of oil based waterproofer to all of the edges and even gave both top and button sides at least 1 coat. Porch paint would have been a good choice, but I wound up using deck waterproofer.

Also, I just realized that the final piece I cut using a mostly rotten piece as a pattern is 3/8" too wide. Time to trim and reseal. :-/

[SafariSteve]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

I subscribed just now, and am also wondering in what way "retirement home" applies to the TT?

If by TT you mean Tavel Trailer, it's what my wife calls our trailer in anticipation of when we can retire and travel around the country. We're SO looking forward to it. :-)

[SafariSteve]

I managed to pop the last subfloor piece into place today. FINALLY! I had to trim 3/8" off one edge, so i gave it a few coats of sealer. Now I just have to screw them into place and move on to the wiring.

Yikes. I don't know how to do the wiring. Wish me luck. :-)

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by SafariSteve

If by TT you mean Travel Trailer, it's what my wife calls our trailer in anticipation of when we can retire and travel around the country. We're SO looking forward to it. :-)

The sticks & brick house will be sold, a few items put in storage, and you're on the road?

I ask, as I am not presently aware of anyone else with a TT of this age doing the same (and others will correct me, in short order).

There are many gradations of full-timer. I am one, but the TT is unlikely to travel much the next 1-2 years (full-time work, plus a very good amount of repair/restoration about to commence). After which it may travel quite a bit. I'm ready to move out of South Texas. But I'm not retired. By choice, TV & TT contain all of what I own. I won't say this 35' is crammed, but both vehicles will take some planning to get separated what is necessary from what is simply desired. A smaller TT with two people is a good bit more work in this same line (so I am wondering aloud).

It isn't that I mean to pry, but to understand better what I am looking at as I read your thread. That is some careful planning to undertake if my assumptions above were correct.

Your year model (those years, per se) are beauties, IMO. I love the windows!!

.

[SafariSteve]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

The sticks & brick house will be sold, a few items put in storage, and you're on the road?

I ask, as I am not presently aware of anyone else with a TT of this age doing the same (and others will correct me, in short order).

There are many gradations of full-timer. I am one, but the TT is unlikely to travel much the next 1-2 years (full-time work, plus a very good amount of repair/restoration about to commence). After which it may travel quite a bit. I'm ready to move out of South Texas. But I'm not retired. By choice, TV & TT contain all of what I own. I won't say this 35' is crammed, but both vehicles will take some planning to get separated what is necessary from what is simply desired. A smaller TT with two people is a good bit more work in this same line (so I am wondering aloud).

It isn't that I mean to pry, but to understand better what I am looking at as I read your thread. That is some careful planning to undertake if my assumptions above were correct.

Your year model (those years, per se) are beauties, IMO. I love the windows!!

.

Perhaps "retirement vacation home" would be a more accurate term to describe what the ultimate purpose of the trailer will be.

Our future plans will be multi month excursions to wherever the two of us want to visit. We are both born and raised westerners and are looking forward exploring what goes on east of the continental divide. :-)

We are planning on keeping our "sticks & bricks" and adding a few places that will act as "home base" close to areas we find interesting... But first things first. I gotta get this Safari roadworthy. And we agree... The 13-panel end caps and the 10' bank of windows on the 54-56 Safari are awesome. We just hope to be able to start enjoying it soon.
Thanks for the encouragement!

[slowmover]

Thanks for the explanation. An excursionary vehicle. Interior design is fraught with compromises. Tougher than it looks. Much tougher.

Look forward to more!

.