Do the end caps in a 1963 Bambi come out in one piece ?

[Aktundra]

Seems like I saw somewhere that the end caps in the early AS, can come out in a single piece. In looking closely at the end cap it appears that the rivets around the edge are blind rivets, however the rivets inside the end cap seems to be buck rivets.

If they are buck rivets it would seem the end caps were assembled with access to both side, so it would seem the end caps can be removed as a single piece.

Is that right? Can the end caps be snaked out the door if in one peice?

[worldinchaos]

For a 1959 you can certainly pull them out through the door, and removing them was easy since the pop rivets were used and those are easier than pie to drill through. 63 should be similar. Are both your endcaps aluminum? You are referencing both and mentioning rivets in the middle, but I was under the assumption that after around 1958 or so they had at least one of the endcaps fiberglass if not both.

We have not removed the fiberglass endcap yet (only interior skin untouched so far), but I am positive it would come out with another person helping to guide it through the door.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

63 has fiberglass end caps and yes they go out the door.

As you remove panels, if it is on the interior and it is a bucked rivet, do not drill it out. Roof panels are made on a bench using bucked rivets then slid in a window to be installed as one larger piece.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

now I look at the photo and see you have a segmented end cap, right Bambi. It is one big unit and will go out the door(easier than if it were fiberglass) Do not drill bucked rivets if they are on the interior...

[Becky B.]

My 1964 Bambi II has aluminum endcaps. I removed mine by removing only the blind rivets on the edges (just like yours) and leaving the bucked rivets in place. They're sitting in my garage right now. I stripped them before removing them because I want to have them polished when I put them back in.

[Aktundra]

The forum kicks a@@ !

After reading about buck vs blind rivets, rivet scrapers, and noticing several colors of paint and cabinetry. I figured that the pop rivets I was seeing inside, were just part of some repairs/refurbishment over the last 50 years.

Trying to plan a full monty with consideration that there is a good chance we will see snow while the shell is on blocks. Trying to balance the extra sturctural integrity from leaving parts of the interior skin in, against the extra weight, higher center of gravity, and getting the frame out and back in as fast as time and budget will allow.

Once back down on the frame & floor, I figure I can put some heat inside if snow load becomes a concern, while interior skin, windows or other elements acontributing to the structural integrity are removed.

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by Aktundra

Once back down on the frame & floor, I figure I can put some heat inside if snow load becomes a concern, while interior skin, windows or other elements acontributing to the structural integrity are removed.

Hey, and then you'll have a free leak test while you're at it!

[vinstream]

Well I learn something today! I knew that the Bambi's are not like the rest on the outside segments but had no Idea that the inside did not uses the fiberglass one piece that 60 and newer globe trotter and bigger trailers uses... So is it true that none of the vintage Bambi's never used the fiber glass inside end caps???