76 Sovereign Renovation Project

[dbj216]

There is a lot involved in changing a black, or grey tank under an Airstream. I've done it now three times. Here is a photo of the 30 gallon black tank I installed in the back of my Overlander. I went big cause I had the space. I also routed the vanity sink water to the black tank for added capacity, and to help keep the black tank wet.

I also installed a new 27 gallon grey tank one frame bay in front of the black tank. I couldn't get them both in the same area under the frame. It all seems to work well.

David

[Venturewest]

Wow David! You and your friend did such an amazing job with this Airstream. It is very attractive and functional. I can't believe you quickly you pulled off such a complete renovation. I really admire the way you approach solutions from a practical mindset.

What are you going to fill your shop with this winter? I know you must have something up your sleeve.

Ron

[dbj216]

Well hello Ron. Nice to hear from you. I have my son's 69 Globetrotter 21' in my shop now for this winter's project. It definitely needs a new axle, with "Colorado" increased lift. But that is the easy part.

We never installed a grey tank in this trailer, and the above floor black tank is a poor design in my view. It dumps going straight down. The rear corner bath is a poor layout also in my view. So what if I configure a layout where we can get a side to side rear bed back there, and a mid bath design with a combination black and grey tank? We're thinking about it.

The trailer needs a new water heater too. And the plumbing needs upgraded to PEX. It should keep Grandpa busy for a while at least.

David

[Booberboo]

Looking forward to reading through this entire thread. Just scored a 1976 31’ Sovereign that needs some (alot) of work. Has some skin damage, rotting sub floor, dents, dings etc. Previous owner had 2...one a ‘71 and my ‘76. They gutted the ‘71 and put most of what they tore out of it, into mine. So I have some original cabinet bits for templates and such.

Want to try to do some work myself, but pretty sure I’m in over my head for the entire project on my own.

Would love to find a restoration/renovation company that does work-alongs. They have the expertise and I provide some grunt work and help with tasks I can and learn a bit in the process.

[dbj216]

Hi booberboo: Welcome to the vintage Airstream hobby. These vintage Sovereigns can be renovated into modern travel trailers, and customized to your liking. It is a big project, but not as big a building a house, a boat or an airplane for that matter.

Airstream Forums has a category called Airstream Knowledgebase, then trailers, then Sovereign and finally your year range. You will find this category near the bottom of the Forums page. You will see many Sovereign project threads here where you can see how other folks did their projects; the good, the bad and the ugly. Oh well, I call it fun.

I nicely renovated 70s Sovereign may be worth maybe $35k with documentation of the work done. A new Airstream is over $95k of similar size. Materials to renovate can be $15k assuming all new appliances. Time to renovate an old Airstream is likely over 1000 hours. A professional shop could do excellent work, but the end result at $100/hr shop rate would prohibit that approach seems to me. Most vintage Airstream enthusiasts do their own work, for free!

So jump right in. Make a project plan based on the trailer's needs. Then take it one step at a time.

Stay well... Airstreams won't give you covid. Going to the hardware store can.

David

[Lisa Anne]

Originally Posted by dbj216

Greetings vintage Airstream enthusiasts. I have an Airstream friend who lives in my town and has a 76 Sovereign. We met here on Airstream Forums. This is their first Airstream. They are avid RV travelers and have upgraded from a pop up and vintage Shasta trailer. His trailer has the common "veil of tears" problems with 70s long Airstreams, to wit:

Bad axles and shocks
Rear end separation, rear floor rot
Rear end sag
Film failure on leaky vista windows
Delamination of interior parts
Bad plumbing
Cracked plastics

But hey, all the windows work pretty well.

We are going to renovate his trailer over the winter months in my building. I'm retired, need something to do, and enjoy working on these old Airstreams. His is a twin, rear bath layout. They both work full time and have less time to spend on the project. I have "finished" my 75 Overlander and look forward to having my way with this 76. Our goal is renovating it into a reliable, comfortable travel trailer. It won't be a show winner if you know what I mean. They are going to use this old trailer extensively. It will be interesting to see how different the 75 is from the 76. I think there are many significant differences. It was a significant model year change.

First job: Jack it up and pull the old axles down. Done, I can handle that one.

We will need your help along the way.

David

Anyone know of an Airstream renovation company near or in MI that do AS custom renovations? I have a gutted 76 31’ Sovereign & looking for a great renovator! 😊
Lisa

[steve46]

I have had much experience with Woodland Airstream in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They do complete restorations and extensive renovations and are great to work with. I suggest your acquaintance contact Erich, the service manager (a great guy) and discuss the project with him. I have been very pleased with everything they have done for me.

[Lisa Anne]

Steve,
Thank you so very much for your recommendation! We will definitely check them out!
Lisa 😊

[RuthE]

Which modern fridge model did you go with?

[LaCoonass]

David,
Perry here, I just bought a 1975 Sovereign and I'm in the process of remodeling as you are. I have completely demolished the rear bath. Yep, rear end seperation. Tomorrow, I start on the underbelly, removing the skin. I've noticed some rear rot on the beams. I had 3/4 inch plywood in the rear. Total rot under the water tank and toilet. I'll post some pics. I need all the help too. Other than that, my designer wife is scratching at the bits to start inside but she has to wait until I'm finished with the repairs. Thanks for your info and pics
Perry , Lacoonass.

[Briali]

Hi again David.

Would you know what the external dimensions of the 31 ft Sovereign are? Or where to direct me to.
Searched forums but couldn't find anything.

Regards Brian

England

[Briali]

Hi again David.

Would you know what the external dimensions of the 31 ft Sovereign are? Or where to direct me to.
Searched forums but couldn't find anything.

Regards Brian

England

[Bubba L]

Most dimensions are ball to bumper unless someone modified. So, your 31 footer would be ball to bumper 31’. Conifer can confirm.

[dbj216]

Bubba L is correct on overall length measurement. Certainly there are other dimensions and specifications of the trailer. Here is a link to the Airstream Inc website that has a section called document archives. I use it frequently looking for more specifications and some interesting history. Sorry the weights and measurers are in pounds and feet and not kilograms and meters. The USA never converted to the international metric system. Dumb.

David

https://www.airstream.com/owners/doc.../tt/year/1979/

[Briali]

Thanks Bubba, much appreciated.

[Briali]

Thanks again David, funny enough here in the UK we still work in imperial measurements but use metric as well. My dad's generation, in his mid 80s, always works in imperial. Me in my 50 it's a mix of both as school taught both and kids in their 20s it's all metric.
You certainly did a fair bit of work to that Sovereign.
Regards, Brian

[Briali]

Hi David
What type of paint would you recommend for the interior skin on a 79 Sovereign? I may not be able to get certain brands here in England but some advice on whether a water based emulsion or oil based would be better, also what would you use to clean interior with before painting?

Thanks
Brian

[dbj216]

Well, there are lots of choices on interior paints. I will tell you what I used, but others may have better ideas.

My thinking is the interior of our trailers aren't really "interior" surfaces. Our trailers freeze hard in the winter, and get dang hot in the summer sun. (Maybe not so much in England.) The interior skins are aluminum of course, which has a significant coefficient of thermal expansion. They shrink in cold and expand in heat.

So I selected an exterior paint designed for aluminum windows. Our trailers interior skin is vinyl clad. So I scrubbed the vinyl with a household cleaner, and then wiped them down with alcohol to cut any oils on them. Then I applied a single coat of paint. Time will tell if this is a good process. I may be way off the mark.

Here is an after and before photo of my paint job.

David

[Briali]

Thanks David ��

[JRF0st3r]

I have learned little if I dare disagree with David! As an architect my choice to paint a vinyl surface would be 100% acrylic, semi-gloss selected for durability.
Jim