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bigeasy63 · 05-09-2007, 09:32 PM

Hello again, all. (First thread since intro). About 3 weeks ago we bought our first camper and our first Airstream. A 1963 Overlander International. (Ohio). I finally have pics if I can figure out how to post. I guess we fell in love with 'bigeasy' when we first saw her. She is a little rough, but I think (I hope) she's managable. As money and time are limited, my plan is to get her usable for going on trips then take care of the other things one at a time. The shell seems to be in good shape, inside and out. The floor has about a 1' x 1' soft spot in the bathroom but that seems to be all. The p o replaced the flooring with the stick down tile but didn't trim it out on the edges. He gave me the rest so I'll finish that and leave it for the time being. The p o also replaced the copper plumbing with flexible poly tubing and it seems to work good. Priority one is to replace the tires and have the wheels, brakes, and axles checked. I am having to replace the towing lights plug as for some reason the p o cut the original plug off

. After that, and a lot of cleaning, we may be able to be on the road by mid June. The 110v seems to all work fine. I havent figured out the 12v stuff yet. The gas stove and oven work but I haven't gotten to the furnace. The firdge lit and started to cool but I ran out of gas.

It is a work in progress so don't mind the tools and stuff in the photos. I hope to keep adding to this thread as I move along so please check in on me from time to time. I'm sure I will be calling on vets like overlanders 63 and 64 and uwe, etc... for advice. I welcome all suggestions and tips.

P.S. She is 'big' but I have already figured out she's not 'easy'.

OK I'll have pics soon.

doorgunner · 05-09-2007, 10:09 PM

Well Rusty, there's loads of info here, you just need to do the search thing or just go to the forum area and look around. BTW a 26' is kinda mid-size, big would be in 30' and up range. Have a hoot and yes check out that runnin gear, tow it around as you're workin on it but use it!!

balrgn · 05-10-2007, 04:10 AM

Welcome, sounds like you have your hands full for a while, good luck and enjoy. Check out my web pages if you have the time.

overlander63 · 05-10-2007, 04:51 AM

Rusty, your coach's age in some ways is a good thing. You can go to places like Mobile Home supply stores and Ace Hardware to get many of the bits and pieces needed for your rehab. Uhh, I meant your trailer's rehab, your own rehab supplies can probably be found at your local liquor store

...

bigeasy63 · 05-10-2007, 07:41 PM

After a brief reasearch on the forum I may have figured this out. This sould be 1/2 the kitchen area.

What does this switch do exactly?

Is this original or rare? It is an adjustable medicine cabinet made apparently exclusively for Airstream.

Anybody got a spare sandblaster, wire brush, elbow grease, and time?

Big ol' me and Jack Jack having fun already.

Another 'is this original' piece. It is an Airstream am radio made by Motorolla.

Original warranty! (Is it still under it?)

Big Easy 63 Herself.

I hope I didn't get carried away with the pics. I plan to post more when I can get better quality ones.

bigeasy63 · 05-10-2007, 07:44 PM

Ok.... I posted duplicates.

I'm still learning.

mwinter · 05-10-2007, 07:56 PM

I don't think it's possible to post too many pictures! She's a beauty. I'm envious.

M.W.

Overlander & Sea · 05-10-2007, 08:05 PM

The switch looks like the same one in my '61 Overlander. It's for the stove vent fan so you can operate it on city power(110v) or battery power(12v). You many have the type switch for the furance fan and roof vent fan if they are original.

overlander63 · 05-10-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy63

After a brief reasearch on the forum I may have figured this out. This should be 1/2 the kitchen area.

Looks like ours, we have a spice rack where yours has an extra cupboard on the bulkhead.

Quote:

What does this switch do exactly?

On ours, it switches between battery power and shore power for both the stove fan and the furnace blower.

Quote:

Is this original or rare? It is an adjustable medicine cabinet made apparently exclusively for Airstream.

Ours and another one here locally have them, I have a spare door if you need it.

Quote:

Anybody got a spare sandblaster, wire brush, elbow grease, and time?

Hello? Is this thing on? Hello? Hello?

Quote:

Another 'is this original' piece. It is an Airstream am radio made by Motorolla.

Looks like an aftermarket piece.

Quote:

Original warranty! (Is it still under it?)

It is only good for the original owner. If he still owned it, he could get a lot of work done under that warranty.

Quote:

Big Easy 63 Herself.

Looks good.

KeithC · 05-10-2007, 09:38 PM

Big Easy 63,

Hey, from Georgia Big Easy 63,

Son...invest in a 12V power front jack. About $250.00 and worth every penny. Before it is too late.

You have a load distributing hitch (although a very rusty one) on the front of your trailer. You'll be cranking that manual crank jack up and down so much your, you'll croak.

Your wife's new younger husband will then buy a electric jack,a new tow vehicle, and pay for a the repairs to the trailer from your insurance policy money.

doorgunner · 05-10-2007, 09:43 PM

I'm thinkin the front air conditioning unit and the nite lite attached to it are not factory items.

bigeasy63 · 05-10-2007, 10:54 PM

I have some questions about my electrical system. I have searched for answers on the forum but have not found the answer I need.

OK...I have a pretty good basic understanding of 120v (house) wiring and also 12v (car) wiring. But I can't figure out the combonation of the two together. A wiring diagram of big easy would help, But that will be impossible w/o a total rebuild. Everything 120v works but the stove vent fan and the furnace. (I havent really fooled with the furnace and thermostat yet). I think the vent fan motor is bad. All the lights work and all the outlets checked ok with a plug in guage I have. The problem is I can't get any 12v stuff to work.

Heres what I done... I put a charged battery in the battery box and hooked it up. Red to positive and green to negative. Nothing. I checked the 12v light sockets with a multi meter and they arent getting any current. I searched for a fuse panel and circuit breakers but can't find either. I have read about converters, univolts, etc... and just cant figure it out. (I learned that my unit did not come with univolots after reading about them tons). It cant be that complicated.

Am I doing something obviously wrong? Am I missimg something simple? I am considering just doing away with 12v all together for a while. Will that hurt anything? I think all the campgrounds we will visit this season has 120v. I would like to have 12v but I don't think I need it.

Any advice welcomed.

And by the way thanks for the replies.

mwinter · 05-10-2007, 11:07 PM

Some info here that may be helpful:
Frequently Asked Questions

bigeasy63 · 05-11-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doorgunner

I'm thinkin the front air conditioning unit and the nite lite attached to it are not factory items.

No. But believe it or not the old thing works fine. It doesn't seem to drain power either. Its also very light weight. I think I'll run her 'till she quits. The night light was for late work. Just in case I dropped the bottle opener.

Thanks for the replies.

overlander63 · 05-11-2007, 06:04 AM

Rusty, our stove vent fan only works when the switch is set to 12 volt. I also had to use the trial and error method of hooking up the battery. You will probably find 3 or 4 wires that are supposed to be "hot", and a single ground wire. All the wires you have there may be supposed to be positive. The easy way to check this is to hook your test light to the negative battery cable, turn everything in the trailer on (something's gotta work) and touch the test light to the skin of the trailer. If the test light lights, you need to hook up a ground wire to the battery.
Also, depending on who buys our trailer, and what they want with it, we may have some surplus parts for your Overlander. I'll PM you when it sells, and let you know what I have.

bigeasy63 · 05-11-2007, 09:45 AM

The hubs that came on her. (Original)?

Curb side. Awning is in good shape! Just dirty.

Street side. All the windows are there.

Her nametag.

Fridge cover. (Again, Original)?

These were obviously taken at night. Progress pics coming soon!

bigeasy63 · 05-11-2007, 09:50 AM

There are stains under the running lights and tail lights where they have rusted and ran down the siding. Is there a treatment for that that will make it easier to come off when I clean her... or do I just need to put on the sweat band and go to the county line package store and stock up?

bigeasy63 · 05-11-2007, 10:11 AM

By the way...apparently an SOB means something diffrent on the forum than what it means in north Georgia. Also...what is a 5er?

47WeeWind · 05-11-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy63

Fridge cover. (Again, Original)?

Hi Rusty:

Yes, the refrigerator cover is original for some 1963 Airstreams, perhaps only those equipped with the International trim package as is your 26' Overlander. Proof is this illustration from the 1963 catalog, which show the typical Airstream owner relaxing next to the fridge. I'm sure the earlier photo of you by the hitch was taken by the papparazi in one of your rare "informal" moments and fails to capture your natural sophistication as an owner of a 1963 Airstream.

Great trailer by the way!

bigeasy63 · 05-11-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Hi Rusty:

...I'm sure the earlier photo of you by the hitch was taken by the papparazi in one of your rare "informal" moments and fails to capture your natural sophistication as an owner of a 1963 Airstream.

Great trailer by the way!

Exactly! I would normally be in my taylored suit (no tie for comfort) sipping a fresh drink while the wife takes care of the kids, fixes meals, maintains the AS, and keeps the drinks coming.

Actually my wife took the picture. Funny thing is...she labeled it 'Exhibit A'.

Gotta love those '50's adds. Where did you find that pic?