1956 28 ft?

[Rhonda]

Originally Posted by Creampuff

I have a rear curbside bunk original to my '57 that I will part with.It fits just above the side window. PM me if interested.

Wow! How wonderful! PM is on it's way.

[Ken J]

Yes a frame can be pieced together - I had to do that on a couple of cross members the some PO hacked out.

You can also beef up the frame to put those tanks in - much easier than building a whole new frame, although that is been done numerous times

Ken J

[drag'nwagon]

Originally Posted by Ken J

Yes a frame can be pieced together - I had to do that on a couple of cross members the some PO hacked out.

You can also beef up the frame to put those tanks in - much easier than building a whole new frame, although that is been done numerous times

Ken J

Ken,

I like yoiur ideas, I assume that frame access is gained by removing the floor?

[Ken J]

Dave

No I accessed the frame by removing the belly - what I did ( you can see it here 1958 Overlander Restoration is cut the belly about 8-12" from the wrap all the way around and dropped that belly that way. In my case I did replace all the wrap and removed all the rivets that Shari mentions - a dicy situation I must say - but doable - your wrap actually looks ok, so I don't think you will need to that unless you do a shell off.

Good luck - keep the questions coming - we are here to help - and will feel you pain as you go through this restoration process - keep in mind there is an end to the project and it will get done!

Ken

[drag'nwagon]

Originally Posted by Ken J

Dave

No I accessed the frame by removing the belly - what I did ( you can see it here 1958 Overlander Restoration is cut the belly about 8-12" from the wrap all the way around and dropped that belly that way. In my case I did replace all the wrap and removed all the rivets that Shari mentions - a dicy situation I must say - but doable - your wrap actually looks ok, so I don't think you will need to that unless you do a shell off.

Good luck - keep the questions coming - we are here to help - and will feel you pain as you go through this restoration process - keep in mind there is an end to the project and it will get done!

Ken

OK so today I stopped over at my vendor/friends place and 2 of the three of them agreed to let me bring IKE over there to get the tounge sorted out, which I assured them will include first straightening and then cutting off and builing a new one to weld on. I think this may be starting to come together. I can have it hauled over there on a flat bed and work on first getting it towable. Towable meaning new tongue, wheels,tires,bearings, and making sure nothing is going to fall off from there to here (65 miles).

[drag'nwagon]

This is the place I hope to get IKE in towable condition. Pictured is our '74 31'r, who now is Nixon. This was taken in the spring of this year when I was addressing the sag issues. About a month or so after this AirBoss and I installed new axles on it (check out Axle Reaplacement I and Axle Replacement II).

[safari57]

Congratulations on rescuing another Airstream from oblivion.

I had to have a 13 panel for my first Airstream. That was one of our key criteria and one that caused us to look for so many years. I was really keen on finding a 56 or early 57 Safari to match the Safari tow vehicle but alas the only one we found, a 57, that was close to what we wanted was big big big bucks for what it was. When we looked in through the windows while waiting for the seller to show up we could see water dripping off the ceiling in several places as it had rained a few hours before quite hard. When he showed up we let him know that just from what we'd already seen we felt it was too much money for what it was, and far more project than we wanted or that he thought it was - he had told us it was ready to go camping in. Perhaps in AZ but certainly not on the Wet Coast of BC.

My major concern was the frame and it would appear that you have that well in hand in terms of a place to have it checked out and make sufficient repairs done to make it tow-able home. Are you intending to keep the 74 as well to use while redoing the 56?

It's also encouraging to have fellow streamers available and willing to help with the work. It would appear that the axle replacement is as much a social event as it is a project. Now THAT's the way to tackle these things.

Keep the pictures coming. It's always fun, and motivating, to watch someone else get rolling on another project.

Barry

[drag'nwagon]

Barry,

Thank you for the kind words. As for the 74, I think we plan to keep it, or at least untill the money runs out . The axle job (axle replacement I and II) was an awesome day. I still can't believe Airboss volunteered for that one. The 74 has gotten many new things in the last 6 -8 months including awning to match original screen room (blue and white stripe) FW pump, water heater, radio, speakers, etc. I think my new tag line should be "Work more Pay more, Fix more.

The '56 with the exception of the tongue is in unmolested condition and ripe for a restore. It has been sitting in the same place near my home town since 1972 when the PO bought it from his Aunt (orginal owner).

[Rhonda]

Originally Posted by safari57

Congratulations on rescuing another Airstream from oblivion.

I had to have a 13 panel for my first Airstream. That was one of our key criteria and one that caused us to look for so many years. I was really keen on finding a 56 or early 57 Safari to match the Safari tow vehicle but alas the only one we found, a 57, that was close to what we wanted was big big big bucks for what it was. When we looked in through the windows while waiting for the seller to show up we could see water dripping off the ceiling in several places as it had rained a few hours before quite hard. When he showed up we let him know that just from what we'd already seen we felt it was too much money for what it was, and far more project than we wanted or that he thought it was - he had told us it was ready to go camping in. Perhaps in AZ but certainly not on the Wet Coast of BC.

My major concern was the frame and it would appear that you have that well in hand in terms of a place to have it checked out and make sufficient repairs done to make it tow-able home. Are you intending to keep the 74 as well to use while redoing the 56?

It's also encouraging to have fellow streamers available and willing to help with the work. It would appear that the axle replacement is as much a social event as it is a project. Now THAT's the way to tackle these things.

Keep the pictures coming. It's always fun, and motivating, to watch someone else get rolling on another project.

Barry

We consider ourselves lucky with the wonderful Airstreamers we have met through both the forums and the WBCCI. I suppose that is half the reason why this has become such an obsession.

I have been wanting to rescue this trailer for years but the PO was a pack rat and wouldn't part with anything which I guess has turned out to be a good thing for us since most everything is intact. Also lucky for me is my father in law has known the PO's for decades which gave us an edge on buying the trailer. He had inquired on the trailer for me a year or so ago but we had to wait until he passed to have a crack at it. He has only been gone 3 weeks and his widow is doing her best to clean up the property. I credit my father in law for calling her and getting her to let us look at it. I think because she knew my father in law that made a difference because she already had an offer but she took ours instead.

[InsideOut]

We have removed some of the bellypan/shell rivets attached to the get access to a portion of the frame from underneath. Our rear cross member needs to be replaced and the belly pan is damaged there. But the section is only across the rear and we've supported the shell from inside in the meantime. I guess the key is doing it in sections so the whole shell/belly is not loose at the same time. Like Ken said it's dicey...the whole thing gets kinda woobly when those rivets are detached.

Shari

[Airboss]

Yes Rhonda thats very true!!!!!

[Silverhobby]

Rhonda, I too am fond of the 13 panel AS trailers. It seems that any that are found today are certainly worth fixing back up. Best of luck to you.

[Airboss]

I thought I heard my ears ringing....."I LIKE IKE" I have some old Ike buttons too...I have a huge collection of those old type buttons...

[Airboss]

Hey Safari57 how you been?? Long time no chat....