Red Barn Safari

[Melody Ranch]

Here I go again. 1955, front kitchen, 13 panel, Safari.
Raised and lived in Gallup, New Mexico.
It suffered very little and is surprisingly in good condition. All the damage it has is rebuilding, updating and "improved" by a "professional Airstream" shop in New Mexico. While it had top of the line Fridge, heater, solar, electrical and water systems installed, it is amazing how poorly they can be installed. It all has to be done again. AND...the killer...what goes thru their mind when they think an all white latex paint, slopped on, will give a bright update to the Airstream. Soooo...like I said, here goes again. I guess I never learned from the recent Bubble I have.

[Hittenstiehl]

Congrats, another one saved, what number ate up to now? ;o)

[whitsend]

Have really enjoyed following your work on your Bubbles, and will follow what you do with your Safari!! I already know it's gonna be great.

[Photobum]

This will be fun...

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I will be right here watching too.

[rosewoodtx]

Me too, hmmm, front kitchen.......

[RM66caravel]

Is it an optical thing or is she drooping just a little behind the wheels?
Cliff

[Melody Ranch]

I even went down and looked again...No broken frame here...no droop....no separation. The good old short ones are not prone to that problem of the seventies.

[RM66caravel]

Cool, so are you posting this on a blog or on the forums? I wanna watch and read! Looks like fun.
Cliff

[bredlo]

Good luck! Gotta say, it's way more fun to watch the restorations / renovations by experienced people... they tend to be done well, and with confidence!

[Melody Ranch]

Pushed tha other projects aside and put the Safari up front. This will be a mess......Everything was redone and replaced, actually with the highest quality items. Then installed quick and dirty (and expensive.) I have to pull it all and start from scratch. I pray that the rear floor only needs a section replaced...not all and the frame is good. The Safari spent its life mostly in the Gallup NM area. Fingers crossed. Here we go.

[FC7039]

After seeing one at the RM VAC rally I really like this layout. Lots of light which is missing in many vintage trailers


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[Melody Ranch]

You would like it Gene. There is a full bath/shower up front beside the galley. Storage and lots of windows.

[Lily&Me]

I like the door.



Maggie

[rodsterinfl]

Interesting floor plan. I see what you mean about windows and light, FC7039. It reminds me of a train with the dinette and window arrangement.

[Melody Ranch]

I need expert consultation. The Safari has a black tar seeping (hardened) out of the end cap seams...not the curved panel parts, but the main, over the roof seam. The same tar is on the seams above the side windows. The Safari has never been apart or "worked" on. Got any similar experience?

I got the solar system detached and all exterior lights off.

[Lance M]

Hey Rob! Nice little Safari ya got there.
The tar stuff is, well tar. It was the early version of this Flex Seal-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjvNHiFCaPw

[Melody Ranch]

Thats is what I thought it was...but, I never saw it coming out around the seam edges. I will take pics on the inside skin surfaces when it comes to that point. Right now I am using a cutting blade and a cotter key tool to cut the edge of the seam and scrape/pull the tar off. Seems to work OK.

[Becky B.]

Great to see you do another project! Looks like an interesting one!


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[Melody Ranch]

A very fun, recent, trip along the entire Santa Fe Trail made me realize I should be spending more time on the road. I also have other responsibilities here....cutting and baling hay this week for example. This will be my last one......unless that one special one shows up.