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prairieschooner · 09-02-2014, 01:52 PM

Found my camera, right where I left it! anyway here are some pics of the holes repaired, the headboard re-skinned and the bed frame re-skinned.

prairieschooner · 09-02-2014, 01:56 PM

and here are some current pictures of the Traveler.
I started polishing the areas where the lights and vents go so that I won't have to pull them again later. Lights are rebuilt and the vents have been refinished. I should have the windows re-sealed in a week or so.

60's Iron · 09-02-2014, 10:32 PM

Steve, just as I thought. Only 537 miles between you and I. A little to far to drive to buy you a beer and check out your project...... I'll be look ink at all you posts so I'm not asking question already answered. I have refrained from polishing anything but little test spots. The wife what me to polish first but I refused until everything else was done. Wish we lived closer....... Oh I've also try as you suggested on the photos. If I manage two or more none appear. Nothing I hate more than computer "issues". Just don't have the patience.......

prairieschooner · 09-03-2014, 08:36 AM

Yep, too far for a beer since you are a little above the Bay area. It would be fun to have an 18 Footer get together at a midway point some day, maybe Morro Bay? anyway that is still a while before I am ready to camp in it.

There is a Teardrop and Vintage Trailer Rally this month at Hurkey Creek which is only about 15 minutes away from our cabin. I have already paid and am registered so that will be our first run even though we may not be sleeping in it since I am sure that I will not have the mattress by then.

After much head scratching I decided to replace the Saniware toilet with a Dometic 310 Low Profile. The new toilet came the other day but will be shelved until I get a little further along since the holding tank is part of the area just aft of the closet and the closet looks to go in before the galley ..... got to love puzzles!

Anyway today I continue with the closet but that will take a couple of days or better since I am retaining the original framework. I started by bracing the piece from the back side, then I began removing the plywood skin, today more removing. Afterwards I will re-skin that original closet framework with new oak veneered plywood just as original. Cool part is that I have saved someone's shop notes but they will be covered again just like before.

60's Iron · 09-03-2014, 10:25 PM

I'm in, Morro Bay it is! Good luck with your cabinets. I decided to redo them all. I can't believe how poor the quality of ply wood is these days. I'm using birch. Both for the face frames and panels. I'm using the same lay out and style. Just going with traditional construction. Keep up the good work! You're motivating me!
Greg

prairieschooner · 09-04-2014, 06:03 PM

Thanks! and Morro Bay it is.
I was able to find some Oak Veneered Plywood that is very close to what was originally used. Mine was originally with Oak and not Birch, too bad because I really like the looks of Birch. You may try finding Baltic Birch, comes in 5' X 5' Sheets and is imported from Russia, I am using it for the Plywood for the drawer fronts since the Plywood today is junk as well.
I wanted to have Electric Brakes since every time we use the Traveler I will need to go down from 6,200'. My new Axle came in yesterday and I picked it up today and just got back. My old axle had a 1 3/4" or so drop (center of the Axle to the center of the Spindle) but I went with a Straight Axle to gain the little bit of clearance.
Anyone who wants my old axle is welcome to it! (Hydraulic Breakaway)
Speaking of free anyone who wants my old Saniware Toilet is welcome to it as well!

prairieschooner · 09-05-2014, 09:27 PM

Got up and started polishing today... OK then I made rubber gaskets for all of the Clearance Lights and Tail Lights. Next I wired the Clearance Lights and License Plate Light, then I mounted the License Plate and sealed all of the penetrations. Not sure about tomorrow because this old body may still be hurting!

reinergirl · 09-05-2014, 09:44 PM

That's a good day in the Airstream Reno business. Congrats!

60's Iron · 09-05-2014, 10:13 PM

Wow! Looking good! If mine was polished like that it'd be "game over" as I'd spend to much time looking at myself.......

prairieschooner · 09-06-2014, 09:09 AM

Thanks guys but only the areas where the lights and vents attached are polished so far. needed to get the exterior sealed because of the Thunderstorms later today and tomorrow. Today I hope to finish the tail light wiring, then only the install of the new axle to be rolling down the road.
more to come!

prairieschooner · 09-12-2014, 07:20 PM

Still been working even though I have not been posting.
Today I was able to assemble the Closet!! I did so following the original construction (I wasn't sure that I would have done it that way but I now understand, much easier the way that they did it!
I also pulled the upper galley cabinet today and rebuilt it, pics to come. Sorry this old body was simply dog tired and needed a beer aft this day!

prairieschooner · 09-12-2014, 07:29 PM

I should have stated that the Sink Drain is also installed. I did make a small error and will be able to correct that tomorrow. I have installed VALTERRA Valves that will enable me to send the Grey Water Overboard or Divert it into the Holding Tank. The Holding Tank can also Dump Overboard or Not depending on the position of the Valves, hopefully this will work as planned?!?!
I will need to pick up a Tote Tank but only if needed.

prairieschooner · 09-14-2014, 06:09 PM

Here we go again!
OK got the Closet built and decided to give the galley cabinet and door fronts another coat.
And yes I also got the Vent Covers mounted yesterday!

JCPOTTERF · 09-14-2014, 07:29 PM

So are your tail lights and marker lights all original? They are in good condition if so.
You have a very nice trailer there. I just removed rear marker and tail lights today and they need replaced.The lenses could be reused but the bases are shot. The original Bargman are not available that i could find. ( any one know of some ?)

60's Iron · 09-14-2014, 10:39 PM

Steve, excellent work my friend! I'm not going to get to mine until next Monday. Keep up the good work! What finish are you using on the stained cabinets? How are you applying it? And forgive me for not giving you this sooner I know you asked awhile ago. # is 4012. California built. I'll be reattaching the belly pan next. It's not going to be fun........

prairieschooner · 09-15-2014, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCPOTTERF

So are your tail lights and marker lights all original? They are in good condition if so.
You have a very nice trailer there. I just removed rear marker and tail lights today and they need replaced.The lenses could be reused but the bases are shot. The original Bargman are not available that i could find. ( any one know of some ?)

My marker and tail light bases were in poor condition as well. I cleaned the rust and then had to do some welding. I then took coupling nuts and welded them in place of the "speed nuts". I am using new lenses but have kept the original marker light lenses that I polished and put on a shelf.
thanks for the compliment on the trailer, doesn't come easy.

prairieschooner · 09-15-2014, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50s Aluminum

Steve, excellent work my friend! I'm not going to get to mine until next Monday. Keep up the good work! What finish are you using on the stained cabinets? How are you applying it? And forgive me for not giving you this sooner I know you asked awhile ago. # is 4012. California built. I'll be reattaching the belly pan next. It's not going to be fun........

Thanks! I started with Minwax Stain but did a custom mix because I didn't like what was offered. I'm using Watco Danish Oil, natural. I am applying it with a foam brush for now and with the 3rd coat it does start to look similar to varnish but much easier to apply and dries quick.
A little suggestion, I found that the closet needed to be built in place so that I could do that by myself (remember I am using original framework that is mounted with the original fasteners in the original holes). That meant that the galley cabinet had to come out so that I could duplicate how they built the closet back then. The side pieces were set in glue using brass brads and that allowed for minor adjustments during the assembly. Now on to mounting the galley cabinet and possibly buttoning up some more plumbing.
Since ours is 4092 it would be fun to see them together.

prairieschooner · 09-16-2014, 07:45 PM

Mounted the Galley today and was able to hook up the propane lines, needed to flare one of them so I will need to do a leak test.
I re-skined the upper cabinet but it will need some finessing, I decided to put that off until later so that we can "camp" this weekend.
I ran the electrical wires for the SOLAR Charging (more on that as I proceed), Battery Charger and Double Pole Circuit Breaker with Polarity Indication. I was also able to message the the Dinette a little but more to come on that later.
Damn tired tonight but tomorrow is a "mop up" day and then we head to Hurkey Creek for a Teardrop and Vintage Trailer get together.
A day or so of rest would be nice right now!

prairieschooner · 09-18-2014, 09:11 PM

Wiring to freshwater pump, DC Lighting and SOLAR (I am going to use the original DC receptacle for the incoming SOLAR Power) completed today. Plumbing finished today (damn leaks were a real bear!!!), also buttoned up misc. items and now tomorrow ......................... off to a Rally!!
Damn tired not sure if I have been this tired in 3 decades, maybe not even 2 decades!

60's Iron · 09-19-2014, 05:41 PM

Steve have a great time and a well deserved rest in your beautiful trailer. I'm guessing though you won't get to much rest as you'll be answering a lot of questions about your Traveler.