looking for other 1962 Overlander owners

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I just bought a 1962 Overlander to use as a family camper. I looked at every vintage trailer sales avenue for close to a year. I was seriously out bid too many times to be able to count, and that evil "buy it now" button was pushed by someone before I could get the basic questions asked time and time again until last saturday when I pushed the button... the "buy it now" button, at 6am. I took a get chance buying a trailer sight unseen. But low and behold... to my surprise the only thing that does not work is the furnace... The original dometic has made ice cubes(small ones but ice cube none the less) within 24 hours of lighting it up. I entered this purchase thinking that I would be repairing everything through out. Is it possible to find a 1962 Airstream that really only needs a refurbishment and not a total rehabilitation? So if anyone has a 1962 Overlander I would love to compare trailers to find out how some updates and such were made by you. First project: SEAL THE SHELL TOTALLY..

[LHall]

Welcome to the forums and congrats on your rig.

We purchased a 1962 Ambassador about a month ago. It is in great original condition, I have some pictures posted in my profile if you would like to see some of the configuration to see if it would help you.

[Overlander & Sea]

Welcome to the forums. Your Overlander looks great. We have a '61 Overlander that we purchased about 1 1/2 years ago. There are pictures of it on this site under the PO's name of 61overlander & the name darkstar (by mistake). I found the information here priceless. Good luck.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

have either of you replaced your furnace? I have a ducted furnace and want to change it out without doing too many modifications. Any advise is apreciated.

[Overlander & Sea]

No, I have not replaced my furnace. It does have the original one in it, and International Oil Burner, that does not work. I just replaced the AC with a Carrier Low Profile with heat strips.

[BarryIowa]

Hi there,
Our stories are similar. I just brought 62 Overlander International home Saturday and expected nothing to work. I am replacing the weather beaten 110 cord in the next few days and have started cleaning her up. I'm sure after reading your post that I will need to do more work than you. The floors are a bit spongy around the door so I'm sure they will need to be replaced there. The furnace and hot water heater had been replaced and the old Coleman air conditioner still blows cold air but I do need a new shroud for it. The vents both need to be replaced. My brother fabricated the front one out of Lexan and it is beautiful. Most everything works and it is all original with the original Zoletone paint inside and the wood was never painted. Let's stay in touch through out. You can look me up and check out my thread for pics.

Cheers,

[LHall]

Congrats on your AS. We have had ours for over a year already and have addressed many issues to feel safe in using our trailer. One of the first things we did was to replace the electrical cord and I recommend you do that first. We actually had a short to the skin of the trailer which you can imagine was quite electrifying! Welcome to the forums, you will find a ton of information on here that will be invaluable. As well, greetings from a former Iowan. I am originally from Leon.

Our trailer is similar and if we can help with information, let us know.

Take care,

[utee94]

Originally Posted by 62-Lander

Hi there,
Our stories are similar. I just brought 62 Overlander International home Saturday and expected nothing to work. I am replacing the weather beaten 110 cord in the next few days and have started cleaning her up. I'm sure after reading your post that I will need to do more work than you. The floors are a bit spongy around the door so I'm sure they will need to be replaced there. The furnace and hot water heater had been replaced and the old Coleman air conditioner still blows cold air but I do need a new shroud for it. The vents both need to be replaced. My brother fabricated the front one out of Lexan and it is beautiful. Most everything works and it is all original with the original Zoletone paint inside and the wood was never painted. Let's stay in touch through out. You can look me up and check out my thread for pics.

Cheers,

62Lander-- 62Overlander is aka Frank, and you can check out his blog which is in his signature, and linked here:

Anna Lumanum

You can also look at his thread here on the Forums, linked below.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...ack-37562.html

Between those two, you can see a lot of the things he has done while restoring/renovating his trailer. There's a lot of good information there, especially since it's the same year and model as your own. And he's a nice guy so I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you wanted to PM him or e-mail with some additional questions as well.

And obviously, your brother has a great deal of knowledge and will no doubt be a tremendous help to you. Looking forward to following your restoration, good luck!

-Marcus

[WithChild]

I just purchased a '62 Overlander which has already been (mostly) restored. I'm really enjoying it and it has been a big hit around here. So far, I have had to have the water heater "re-built", and set off a couple roach bombs to get rid of little hitchhikers. I'm planning to install a new Carrier low profile AC next Spring.

I really bought the thing on impulse and am still a little stunned that I actually did it. Not that I'm regretting it, but I'm told that buying a vintage AS is a lifestyle decision. I also have a 16 ft. Quiksilver Edition Bambi. The two couldn't be more different.

I look forward to reading more from other Overlander adventurers!

[NatchezBear]

My story is very close to yours. I expected the worse and was greatly surprised. My stance on this is ......good tires,bearings,axles,hitch and running lights......all else can be fixed over time. These ole girls are built well and are like a blank canvas that can be paint to your personal taste and preferences.The sky is the limit and the open road your buffet....... FEAST!

[LHall]

Originally Posted by WithChild

I just purchased a '62 Overlander which has already been (mostly) restored. I'm really enjoying it and it has been a big hit around here. So far, I have had to have the water heater "re-built", and set off a couple roach bombs to get rid of little hitchhikers. I'm planning to install a new Carrier low profile AC next Spring.

I really bought the thing on impulse and am still a little stunned that I actually did it. Not that I'm regretting it, but I'm told that buying a vintage AS is a lifestyle decision. I also have a 16 ft. Quiksilver Edition Bambi. The two couldn't be more different.

I look forward to reading more from other Overlander adventurers!

Welcome to the 1962 club! Ours is an Ambassador, esentially the same trailer just 2 feet longer. We have done quite a bit to ours, so feel free to let us know if we can help!

[62 Tin Can]

I bought my 62 Overlander two years ago and have redone most of the interior. New floor, cabinets, plumbing, water heater, bathroom, paint and acid washed the exterior. It looks great inside. I converted it to total electric. I'll either hookup at a campground or use a generator. The owner before me pulled out all the tanks for water and sewage so I have to hookup or use portable units. I plan to live in it in a couple of months full time. I can't wait.

[utee94]

Originally Posted by 62 Tin Can

I bought my 62 Overlander two years ago and have redone most of the interior. New floor, cabinets, plumbing, water heater, bathroom, paint and acid washed the exterior. It looks great inside. I converted it to total electric. I'll either hookup at a campground or use a generator. The owner before me pulled out all the tanks for water and sewage so I have to hookup or use portable units. I plan to live in it in a couple of months full time. I can't wait.

Welcome to the Forums, sounds like a really nice rig. We'd love to see any pictures you have.

-Marcus

[gnored]

I bought one a couple of months ago from a couple who said they were living in it. Maybe they were, but absolutely nothing worked. Having essentially bought it all over again in repairs, everything works but the furnace (it may work, but I don't want to breath anything that blows through 42 year old ductwork.

Still, I can't help myself. I love it and live in it full time. It will take a lot of work to cozy it up, but it fits my needs perfectly. I'm working on a book about the Chihuahuan desert and I need to be able to move now and then -- not far, and not often, but it needs to be done.

[oremar]

Originally Posted by 62 Tin Can

I bought my 62 Overlander two years ago and have redone most of the interior. New floor, cabinets, plumbing, water heater, bathroom, paint and acid washed the exterior. It looks great inside. I converted it to total electric. I'll either hookup at a campground or use a generator. The owner before me pulled out all the tanks for water and sewage so I have to hookup or use portable units. I plan to live in it in a couple of months full time. I can't wait.

Hi, you give me great hope! I just bought a twin to yours and sounds like you are 2 years ahead of me. I just signed up last night and would like to pick your brain in the months to come Will get pics up soon. Oremar