need help with remodel 1967 airstream

[ren walker]

i just bought my first airstream!! i've got some questions and am in serious need of help.
i took out the lino, but can i take out the subfloor too? is it connected to the outer skin, or just the inner skin.
Can I take out the inner skin without hurting the outer skin? how? do i take out those rivets? and is it then replaceable, or can i put something new up? and if so, what?
can i replace the insulation if i take out the inner wall?
obviously, i don't know much about this, but i'm keen to learn. are there any websites that give you some good info, instructions, pictures, help.
thanks for any input.
ren

[Mel]

Hi Ren, welcome to the forums! You have exellent taste - '67s are awesome! Check out the search feature at the top of the page - it will most certainly help you find the answers you seek. You can strip out the linoleum without too much harm, but once you start dealing with the subfloor and inner skin, you are affecting the structural integrity of the Airstream, so it's best to learn as much as you can before you proceed. Good luck!

[ren walker]

thanks,mel. I've been doing just that. wow! there is an awful lot to learn. i'll just have to sort through it all and decide what is the best thing. i was thinking of replacing all the insulation with something non-toxic, like lambswool, or that recycled bluejean stuff. and then putting a t-n-g hardwood floor down. but i definitely don't want to affect the structural integrity. but i'm not sure how i'm going to get to all the wiring and plumbing without taking some of the interior walls off. and they all need work. the fridge is dead. the stove, though crooked, works. but the heating system is toast, and as i'm in northern b.c. and plan to live in it in the winter, i better get that fixed too.

[azflycaster]

Welcome to the forums! When thinking about insulation you must concider water. All airstreams will leak. Maybe not today, but someday you will have leaks. If the insulation absorbs the water, you will not know you have a leak for sometime. Water passed the fiberglass and leaks become easier to detect. Finding the leak is another problem. Also if the insulation traps water, you stand the chance of getting a mold growing between the walls.

[Mel]

Hi Ren,

Don't get me wrong, you can remove the inner skin, but you may want to trace down the electrical problem to the smallest possible area to minimize the amount of skin you have to remove.

Also, is the fridge dead, or is the power to the fridge? Or is it the LP? I guess you have lots of things to look at!

I'm intrigued by the "crooked" stove - what's up with that?

[ren walker]

hi richard.
thanks for that heads up on the leaks. mold would be much worse than fiberglass insulation. i'm not sure if wool molds, but the bluejean stuff certainly would.
it looks like i've got tons of work in front of me. and maybe i won't take off the inner skin. but i may still need to take out the subfloor if its got weak spots.
the crooked stove? well, who knows. i was told it works. its just inserted at about a 15 degree angle. wonder what that will do to my bread baking?!
thanks for the insight. ps. this is the first time i've ever been on a chatroom, and its super fun. thanks.

[Neophyte]

Please, look at the "Full Monte" sites and the "partial floor replacement" sites to discern what you may be getting into. A '67 is seldom a "Buff & Puff" job unless you got really lucky like we did with our second one; our first one was crying for the "Monte". A fully informed gentleman from Texas relieved us of the first one and we only lost a $grand, which was cheap for the knowledge we gained in dismembering the poor beast.

The "Search" function is your friend here; you can't abuse it and it is always there to help you.

[CaddyGrn]

Congrats on your Airstream! Awesome!

We have a 1963 Bambi that my husband finished restoring this year. It is a big job, but he found it very rewarding! Depending on how bad your floor is you may be able to replace it without removing the shell, but then again you might want to if you have frame rust, etc. You probably can't make that call until you get in there and see what you have! I would recommend doing the whole thing. That way you can update electrical to something that will actually work with today's items, etc. But, it is your call. Post lots of pictures with questions like, would you replace this???

Here is a link to my hubby's thread. He has lots of pictures and diagrams, etc. to explain what he did. Grab a cup of coffee and read through the thread.... or at least look through the pages at the pictures. It will give you a pretty good idea of what is in store!

http://www.airforums.com/forum...mbi-17925.html

Good luck! Post before pics and let us know how you are doing!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

[ren walker]

thanks for all the replies. I obviously have a lot of work in front of me. i'm still undecided if i should rip it all apart and start from scratch, or just put some bandaids on it so i can live in it this winter while i build my house. LOTS OF WORK!! and i desperately need a place to live. i'll have to look it over closely this week and make some decisions. i'll keep posting questions and pics as i go. thanks.

[Aria]

We bought or 67 GT in July and we don't know how to winterize. We are in New York State. Can someone post photos of what needs to be done? We know we need to drain water. But need information HOW? Photos would be great. Thanks Anne

[maxandgeorgia]

Anne, I can hear your desperation in your posts-making requests for help with your winterizing. I believe someone on the forum will step up to give you clear steps and help you walk through this procedure. This forum's best feature is its people and their generosity with their expertise. While you are waiting. . .have you used the search feature? Posts have been made about winterizing in previous seasons so information is embedded here, just to be found with key words. I suspect some of the posts have pictures to illustrate as well. You remind me that we need to be busy with winterizing too instead of procrastinating. Good luck, and help will come. ~G

[Aria]

maxandgeorgia, Thanks. I understand I received a message from John hd but I have tried and tried and am unable to open. Will try again. Thanks again.
Anne