New project | 1964 Overlander

[Janet H]

We have a new project! This Overlander was used as a clubhouse by a duck hunting club for many years and has a brand new spot in our side yard awaiting TLC.

Here are some before pics and the project list is long. It's mostly original inside. Fans, systems, furnace, axles, all untouched through the decades (read rusty, old and rotted) and we're only just starting to make a list of items to be addressed. The floor and frame seems to be in good shape, the toilet is original, every bit of rubber is rotten, every gasket needs to be replaced.

Prior to towing it home we spent several hours at a tire shop getting new rims, tires and bearings. The original split rims were still on and the trip home was 700 miles. After years of towing our tiny Minuet this seems like a palace.

[cbcnm]

thats a sweet looking project. i look forward to the updates and photos.

[Sodbust]

Great Find!

Keep us updated with photos,.

Sodbust

[Aviator]

Great Project!

[tinman54]

Looks like lots of fun ahead! Hopefully everything looks as nice under the cabinets! Looks almost ready to camp.

[safari57]

Nice trailer Janet.

Looking forward to seeing its progression, and when it is done.

I've not been in a trailer yet that has the padded ceiling so it will be interesting to see how that looks. Does this mean it also has padded walls by the beds? Definitely an option I want to add to our Tradewind. Those walls get darned chilly.

[Janet H]

Thought an update might be in order.... we've been busy..

• New axles have been installed.
• All plumbing lines have been replaced (mostly with pex)
• A new small grey tank has been added just behind the rear axle, streetside.
• All services that were located in the back and accessible from the rear access door have been moved forward. we got a lot of weight out of the back end this way.
  • The batteries are now just behind the curbside axle, the new charging system has been added at the streetside axle and the old electric panel has been relocated to inside the bathroom closet (streetside).
• All wiring has been replaced.
• Gary built a new bumper compartment (the old one was in bad shape)
• New dump valves have been plumbed in.
• Fans have been replaced with fantastics, the astro-dome has been replaced.
• New vent covers have been added.
• The old furnace has been replaced and hole patched.
• The old water heater has been replaced and the hole patched

We've finally started working on the interior and are running into some interesting challenges.

There were two rotted spots in the floor - one by the front door and the other just under the bathroom vent - neither one was large and they've been patched.

There is an interior light missing and I've found a replacement, I still need another. (see signature for details). The brown crinkle paint that was used to paint these is no longer available. Some experimentation with a similar color of rustoleum, spray shellac and heat got good results and blessedly, no explosions.

We are stuck on a suitable doorknob replacement. The old one seems to be original but is not keyed. it needs to be replaced and I'm having a tough time finding a one. The knob protrudes only 2 inches from the door; most knobs stick out 2 1/2 inches. More than that will dent the trailer skin when the door is opened. The knob is brass and has a round escutcheon.

Any ideas??

[Janet H]

We are partway a rehab project on a 1964 overlander and now that we've spent some time in this trailer are contemplating a layout change in the living area and I was looking for some advice.

Here is the current layout:




This trailer has windows, on both the street side and the curbside. On the Curb side there are two jalousie windows and on the street side there is a single pane window above and a non-stock jalousie below. Here's a typical 64 window setup (not our trailer - will update with current pic):




We are considering adding more seating - an L shaped arrangement with a pull out bed and a folding, pedestal mounted table (removable). Making this change would necessitate changing the street side window to either remove it or make it a half height window (like the 65 models).



The window might look something like this 65 window:




Questions:

Has anyone ever done this?
Is it simply unthinkable to make this kind of change to a vintage trailer?
What structural challenges could we anticipate?
Any recommendations for decent looking patches?

[overlander64]

Greetings Janet!

The modification that you propose has been done on one coach of which I am aware. The owner wanted a U-shaped seating area in the front. To accomplish this goal, the lower half of the curbside jalousie windows were removed as was the lower window unit on the streetside. In both cases, I believe, the patch panel was an overlay that ran from the remaining window to the banana wrap. There are a number of approaches to patching the area, but replacing the entire streetside panel would be time consuming and expensive . . . creating a patch panel the covers the opening to be closed extending to the nearest current rivet line and riveting the new panel as an overlay is probably the least expensive approach . . . and despite the sound, an overlay does not have to stand out like a sore thumb. I was convinced to go with an overlay when my '64 Overlander had to have the streetside panel repaired after an unfortunate encounter with a gatepost . . .

The resulting overlay panel is in the photo below . . . I know where it is and those familiar with '64 Overlanders will be able to spot the difference, but I accept it as a necessary evil to repair more sightly damage . . . .



Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

P.S.: The necessity of covering the lower window opening would mean that your overlay would start immediately below the level of the existing living room and kitchen windows so the seam would fall much more naturally than on the overlay panel on my coach . . . you biggest concern would be determining the ideal place to end the overlay to the rear.

[Janet H]

Thanks for the suggestions - they were helpful and the pics were as well. Kevin I agree that your overlays look pretty excellent and think this is a good solution (also a little less polishing )

[HiHoAgRV]

Janet,
In my '63 I'm planning on a complete wrap dinette, with seats that start at the door and go all the way around. My plan is to drop the back cushions down to the height of the windows, full height everywhere else.

Perhaps y'all can do the side sofa with a similar cushion height?

I have a pencil sketch somewhere around here...

[Janet H]

More pics are always good

In the 64, the current windows are at the level of the seat - they are very low. Initially we were contemplating a u-shaped dinette as well, boxing around the windows, but when I started actually putting down tape lines, etc to lay this out and then trying the seating arrangement, it quickly became clear that it would feel cramped. we would also lose the effect of the double jalousie windows by the door and this airiness is one of the things that drew us to this trailer initially.

This newer layout would allow us to add extra seating by bringing in some folding chairs (if needed). We also might make a second lower pedestal and small top for a small coffee table. It could use the same mounting flange.



This would mean traveling with two bases and storing the unused second table top underneath the one of the couches - but there is ample room for this.

[HiHoAgRV]

This is the '66 that Airstream has in the classifieds...I'm planning similar except the cushons will dive to meet the bottom of the windows.

[cameront120]

If the seat comes to the base of the existing window, could you have a cushion/backrest that covers the window only when needed and is stowed when not in use? That way preserving the window?

[HiHoAgRV]

The way I've thinkin'...
When sittin' in front of the windows, my 3 'guests' will be enjoying the dining experence while LEANING FORWARD...in front of the short cushions;0)
Afterwards, they are very happily envited to depart the saloon and have after dinner cocktails outside...
Once the guests have said 'goodbye'...we can re-arrange the cushions and lean back, legs propped up by the windows, and enjoy some time reading or watching TV...

[KCN]

I totally agree, a front dinette is an attractive design... but for what it's worth...my '62 Overlander came with your proposed modification (albeit very roughly constructed). Knowing nothing about the original layout at the time, I was perplexed at the awkwardness of having the lower jalousie window at my butt/hip level, the upper jalousie window at my back level. Felt like I was going to fall out/break the window. It was uncomfortable - same for streetside. I did a total gut so the 'dinette' went out and I am probably going back to the original floorplan...but that's months away, so if you come up with something...

KC

[purman]

I put in the L shape just like you plan and loved it. I had the small window like yours and just keep the cushion right at the bottom of it. It worked out fine. Now I put in a permanent bed where the pull out couch was. Got tiered of pulling it out at night.. I will take a picture tomorrow for you.

[purman]

Here is the pic of my L part. I think the back is about 13" high.

[Janet H]

Cool! Thanks for the pics and reports about usage experience. This is very helpful.

[wigwag]

Janet... I, too, have a 64 Overlander. What the heck is that piece of wood over the one bed for? I have the brackets but not the wood. Surely it isn't an extra bed!! You'd have to be flat as a pancake to sleep there!