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HiHoAgRV · 08-15-2017, 08:11 AM

I'm not rebuilding this trailer.

Well, that's my intention...

A few months back we acquired a '61 Overlander from OverlanderandSea (Rick) and my intent is to use it as the basis for a Big Project, with no rush to get started. We call her Alice, and this being Airstream #3 in our yard and almost the same trailer as Dolly, I have no intention of expending a huge amount of effort on Alice's various old age issues.

Alice does have a history back to 2003 here on the forums with Member 61Overlander;
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...html#post46015
http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...imageuser=2558

And we did find some ownership info with the help of Kodiak66joe;
-----------------------
#5759 was first assigned in 1961 (thus first appearing in the 1962 WBCCI Membership Directory), very appropriate for a 1961 Overlander. This number has been assigned as follows over the years:

1962-1979: Keith & Dara Schuler, Farmville, VA, Airstream Caravan 29 - Western Mexico Winter 1962 & WBCCI Caravan R2 - Region 3 South With the Sun Caravan 1973. Only Dara was listed in 1979.
1980-1981: Unassigned.
1982-2006: John W. & Mildred Wright, Salem, VA, no caravans. Only Mildred was listed in 2006.
2007+: Unassigned.

Since WBCCI does not keep records of Airstreams owned by members, nor Airstreams used on caravans, we are left to make educated guesses from the above information. My guess would be that the Schulers bought your 1961 Overlander, immediately joined the club, and probably took the Overlander on the 1962 Mexico Caravan. It is hard to say if they owned it the full time they were in the club or if they upgraded to a newer unit at some time, but it is possible that the Overlander also went on the 1973 Caravan.

Since Farmville and Salem are only a little over 100 miles apart, it is possible that Dara Schuler sold their Airstream (whether the 1961 Overlander or a newer unit) to the Wrights. On the other hand, the two unassigned years in between typically indicate a random reassignment of the number after the two year unassigned waiting period. The bottom line is that we cannot be sure if the Wrights ever owned an Airstream that was previously owned by the Schulers, whether your 1961 Overlander or a newer unit. The answer for your trailer may come down to paperwork you got with the trailer or decals on it.
----------------------------
Ownership records resume in the early 2000's indicating that the Wrights probably didn't own this trailer all the way to 2006;
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f286...html#post85880

Even though Alice is 56 years old, she is still usable so I think I will just keep her that way for the time being.
So I thought it might be nice to document my (failing) efforts at 'Not Rebuilding this Trailer'.

HiHoAgRV · 08-15-2017, 08:52 AM

The interior is basically all intact but delamination has taken it's toll. Every time I move Alice, more of the woodwork falls apart and onto the floor.

Move the camper, sweep the floor.

I had an old piece of 1/8" Oak ply so replacing the cabinet wall isn't really a big deal, right? It's a fun little project and still fit's into the "I'm not rebuilding this Trailer" mantra

HiHoAgRV · 08-15-2017, 09:13 AM

I was wandering thru Lowes and happened to stumble across some interesting light diffusers. Being a naturally curious guy, I tried to think of a good place to use them and BINGO!

The old '60's trailers have plastic light covers that crack and fall apart...and I just happen to own an example of such. So, being a good natured fellow, I decided to see if I could help out the Airstream community with a replacement for the non-available light covers. So there you go.

Strictly for the good of the community, of course, because I'm Not Rebuilding this Trailer.

crispyboy · 08-15-2017, 10:04 AM

I really think it is just time to give in and go for the rebuild. First it's a light cover, then a piece of paneling, sure enough by next month it will be gutted!
I personally couldn't resist such a cool project just sitting in my yard....
It will be ok - members of this forum will understand.

slowmover · 08-15-2017, 10:54 AM

Having followed your other threads, the title of this one is funny as hell.

Might even believe it if TT was stored in bonded warehouse and assigned to a corporation of which you were NOT an officer.

uncle_bob · 08-15-2017, 11:02 AM

Hi

I have a solution to your "problem" .... give the trailer to one of us and then you will be relieved of any impulse to "rebuild the trailer". Other than that, I suspect you are doomed.

Bob

65CV · 08-15-2017, 12:08 PM

Can we assume that you won't be camping in this trailer?

uncle_bob · 08-15-2017, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65CV

Can we assume that you won't be camping in this trailer?

Hi

I would *never* camp in somebody else's trailer. It would only be to protect an esteemed fellow member from ultimate doom.

.... oh, were you asking somebody else the same question?

=======

Based on the pictures, it sure does look like you could take it out and go camping. That's a nice looking trailer.

Bob

HiHoAgRV · 08-15-2017, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65CV

Can we assume that you won't be camping in this trailer?

Oh no. It's usable so I've actually gone camping in it. Which meant I needed drapes. The old ones melted when I washed them. I've never seen cloth turn into mush but these did. New drapes really don't count as 'rebuilding' for two reasons 1) I want to keep it useable and 2) the window sizes make the drapes useable in other applications. Additionally, they are made from shower curtains and nobody would rebuild a trailer and use shower curtains, right?
Oh yeah. I did rebuild the folding table but it's not really 'the trailer' as I see it.

slowmover · 08-15-2017, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Oh no. It's usable so I've actually gone camping in it. Which meant I needed drapes. The old ones melted when I washed them. I've never seen cloth turn into mush but these did. New drapes really don't count as 'rebuilding' for two reasons 1) I want to keep it useable and 2) the window sizes make the drapes useable in other applications. Additionally, they are made from shower curtains and nobody would rebuild a trailer and use shower curtains, right?
Oh yeah. I did rebuild the folding table but it's not really 'the trailer' as I see it.

You, sir, on a roll.

uncle_bob · 08-15-2017, 05:29 PM

Hi

How are the awnings?

(Why do I suspect that *my* Visa card is about to get a charge for some awning material? ) I *suppose* that if somebody else pays for it, you indeed are not rebuilding the trailer

Bob

slowmover · 08-15-2017, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

How are the awnings?

(Why do I suspect that *my* Visa card is about to get a charge for some awning material? ) I *suppose* that if somebody else pays for it, you indeed are not rebuilding the trailer

Bob

Lol!!!

HiHoAgRV · 08-15-2017, 06:12 PM

The awning is fairly new and looks great. I did do an artsy project based on the Pendelton trailers. I had some tape and a can of paint and the only place it looked right was in the rear window. Definitely not a 'Rebuilding this Trailer' thing at all.

HiHoAgRV · 08-15-2017, 06:16 PM

Oh yeah, one more thing. When I went camping the old brass dump valve leaked and I had a new one. So I replaced it.

Still sure I'm not going to rebuild this trailer.

uncle_bob · 08-15-2017, 06:20 PM

Hi

..... by any chance did a "spare" set of axles just happen to get "temporarily stored" on the trailer?

That is a good looking trailer ....

Bob

capitybill · 08-15-2017, 07:15 PM

hi, I have a 67 intl. amb. 30 ft and I've got too old to fix it up.any ideas on getting it to someone that could?@ @

HiHoAgRV · 08-15-2017, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

..... by any chance did a "spare" set of axles just happen to get "temporarily stored" on the trailer?....

Bob

Um, sorta. For the '61's, the axles are not so 'temporary' since they are welded on. These are only a few years old.

HiHoAgRV · 08-16-2017, 06:58 AM

I had the pleasure of meeting 65CV last winter and got a tour of their '59 Overlander. I was amazed at the woodwork and that some of the pieces were original with new(er) veneer's applied. I have used veneer on new construction but never tried to 'save' and old part by peeling off the old veneer, sanding then gluing on new stuff. I figure that might be a handy skill to have, not for this old '61 Overlander since I'm not Rebuilding this Trailer.

So I ordered some oak/paperbacked veneer's.

Luckily I just happened to have some stuff in this '61 Airstream to develop this skill set and I have to say after just 15 drawer faces and 1 small door, I'm getting the hang of this! They stain and poly'd just fine. I also honed my brass polishing skills on some drawer handle components. I had a mostly empty spray can of black paint so I used it up on the handles so I could go ahead and throw it away.

A very rewarding effort and I'm sure it will come in handy in the future, just not right now since I'm not Rebuilding this Trailer.

chrisetmike · 08-16-2017, 07:45 AM

I love your side table and I'll happily follow this thread since you aren't rebuilding the trailer lol!

66Overlander · 08-16-2017, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

I was wandering thru Lowes and happened to stumble across some interesting light diffusers. Being a naturally curious guy, I tried to think of a good place to use them and BINGO!

The old '60's trailers have plastic light covers that crack and fall apart...and I just happen to own an example of such. So, being a good natured fellow, I decided to see if I could help out the Airstream community with a replacement for the non-available light covers. So there you go.

Strictly for the good of the community, of course, because I'm Not Rebuilding this Trailer.

I too need a diffuser Iike that. Did you find it appropriately curved or have to bend it yourself, possibly with the aid of a heat gun? I assume you had to cut it to size.