There is nothing like a deadline to motivate you to wrap up odds and ends during an airstream renovation. We’ve scheduled a few camping nights next week to test out the trailer. Later this summer, we’ll be moving my oldest to Ann Arbor, MI for graduate school. We plan to use the truck and trailer to help get his stuff up north and then spend some time in the U.P. As a result of all this last minute work, I’m behind on posting updates here. So here is a summary of what I’ve been up to:
Re-certified/refilled the two 30# aluminum propane tanks and fabricated a tank lock.
Wrapped various sections of the LP lines below the trailer with garden hose and zip ties to prevent damage from road debris.
Replaced various exterior lights with LED (brake/reverse/scare) so the trailer is 100% LED which helps reduce amp draw immensely.
Replaced the cam locks on the two exterior cargo doors.
Installed waste tank capacity sensors (I sure wished I would have done this prior to closing up the belly pan and flipping the trailer back on its feet).
Inspected and repacked the axle bearings (and as a bonus, repainted my wheels and polished the baby moon hubcaps).
Built a shoe box that slides under the dinette by the entry door.
Installed a bottle opener.
Installed two new window curtain cables for windows that did not have existing tracks.
Purchased fabric, and am currently in the process of sewing curtains (chose to add a layer of blackout fabric as well).
Purchased foam and cut it to size for the cushions (went with natural latex but still need to purchase the batting and upholstery fabric). My trusty 20” serrated cake knife worked well to cut the foam.
Installed a weight distribution/anti sway hitch (BlueOx Sway Pro) using the three pass method on a CAT scale.
Assembled and installed mud flaps (Rock Tamers).
Installed a tire pressure mounting system (TST 507).
Created a pack list and stocked the trailer with various items for cooking, eating, cleaning, bathing, sleeping, etc.
Organized various items needed to connect the trailer to shore power, city water and sewer.
Purchased items needed to level the trailer when at camp (Beach Lane curved levelers, Tri-Lynx orange blocks).
Purchased (or cleaned up existing) outdoor accessories such as lawn chairs, ground mat (CS sand free mat), end tables, items for outdoor cooking/eating (dutch oven, grill, etc).
Developed a departure/arrival check list for the interior and exterior so we don’t forget to do something essential.
Reviewed and modified my tool box so that I can complete repairs that will likely be needed on the road.
Updated my renovation spreadsheet which itemizes each purchase I’ve made for the trailer (don’t ask, it was a lot of money… haha). I’ve been keeping all the receipts as well which I hope will be helpful if I ever decide to sell the trailer.
Obtained an appraisal through Jim Polk (highly recommended,
www.polkvaluations.com) and obtained agreed value insurance (expensive!) through Overland Insurance Services (highly recommended,
www.rvins.com) who underwrites for Progressive.
With exception of wrapping up sewing the curtains and the upholstery, the trailer is ready to go. For now, we’ll simply cover the foam with bed sheets so that we can give it a test run next week. I don’t want to rush the final upholstery sewing so it will have to do for now. At some point soon, I’ll need to install an awning but I’ve been prioritizing my effort to date on items that were essential to use the trailer.
If anyone is interested in details about any of the above projects, feel free to let me know. Happy to provide them, when time permits.