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trashbag · 05-10-2018, 10:11 AM

the rear bath had some extensive water damage. it appears that the shell has collapsed on the frame due to rotten subfloor. I'm planning on replacing lower section of panel with new aluminum and possibly put a flange on the bottom to keep water from goin under shell

dbj216 · 05-10-2018, 05:43 PM

When the subfloor rots away in the back, the body is no longer tight to the frame. It's called rear end separation. My Overlander had it too.

You now have excellent access to the affected area and can make a solid repair.

David

trashbag · 05-11-2018, 08:49 AM

it appears a repair was made on this side? I would think it would leak. not sure what the person was thinking

dbj216 · 05-11-2018, 06:34 PM

I don't know. Sure looks like a crack. The molding is missing so it is hard for me to tell. The "International" emblem is nicely done.

I'm sure you will make your trailer like new again.

David

trashbag · 05-14-2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbj216

I don't know. Sure looks like a crack. The molding is missing so it is hard for me to tell. The "International" emblem is nicely done.

I'm sure you will make your trailer like new again.

David

its not a crack. section of the skin was cut out. its very odd

trashbag · 05-14-2018, 08:18 AM

replaced axles. the trailer is about 6" higher. pretty sure my old axles were shot

my3sonsdad · 05-14-2018, 09:46 AM

Tagging along to watch & learn. Great progress so far!

dawaves · 05-14-2018, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashbag

replaced axles. the trailer is about 6" higher. pretty sure my old axles were shot

Hi trash bag
What gave u the impression they were shot?
How did u go about getting the appropriately sized new ones?
I just bought a '73 23ftr this weekend and was wondering if I need to replace my axles
Thanks

trashbag · 05-14-2018, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawaves

Hi trash bag
What gave u the impression they were shot?
How did u go about getting the appropriately sized new ones?
I just bought a '73 23ftr this weekend and was wondering if I need to replace my axles
Thanks

Im totally redoing the trailer and figured if I was going to put that much work into it I might as well start with new axles. when I put on the new axles and saw how much higher the trailer was I could tell that the old ones were worn out. I called inland and gave them the year and model.

dawaves · 05-14-2018, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashbag

Im totally redoing the trailer and figured if I was going to put that much work into it I might as well start with new axles. when I put on the new axles and saw how much higher the trailer was I could tell that the old ones were worn out. I called inland and gave them the year and model.

Awesome, I emailed them this morning and they gave me some articles to read about axles.
Any advice u can give me in axle purchasing through inlandrv?
Thanks

trashbag · 05-15-2018, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawaves

Awesome, I emailed them this morning and they gave me some articles to read about axles.
Any advice u can give me in axle purchasing through inlandrv?
Thanks

they were helpful and sent me what I needed. little freight damage so be sure to inspect before unloading. also be prepared they are heavy.

trashbag · 06-06-2018, 07:31 AM

started putting windows back together. what a pain! still have about 1/4" left to go. and then 13 more windows

trashbag · 06-25-2018, 10:05 AM

started on the cleaning the years of caulks, glues and what not. fun stuff!

trashbag · 09-24-2018, 09:19 AM

almost got the roof all cleaned up. recovering from knee surgery so im not sure if I will get painted before winter. should I polish roof or just clean with a scotch brite pad before primer?

dbj216 · 09-24-2018, 08:12 PM

Hi from Colorado: Keep up with the physical therapy on that new knee. It will be so wonderful to walk pain free. Or climb the ladder to the roof of your Ambassador.

As you know, new Airstreams have their roofs painted white to help reflect the sun's heat, and I think it helps seal some seams. I think you are wise to paint the roof aluminum with this reflective white paint.

I wouldn't polish the aluminum you plain on painting white. I think a very light sanding, or the mild scotchbrite pad would prep the aluminum well to hold the primer and paint.

David

Manning G · 09-25-2018, 02:16 PM

Hello one and all,
I've been lurking a bit but I thought I'd chirp in. We're rebuilding a '71 Ambassador 29 rear bath. Pretty bad droop. The back was rotten a couple of inches all the way across and the c-channel was rough and also completely broken in a couple of places. In addition, both axles needed replacing; the back axle was over an inch lower than the front. I'm sure that contributed to the drop off quite a bit.
SO..........new axles and lift kit coming from Colin Hyde (thanks Ellen) and new c-channel from Out-of-doors-mart.
Both of these required insane shipping charges. In the case of the c-channel it was 3x the cost of the end piece of channel. Oh well, its light but big and fragile.
We're replacing the hot water heater with ventless on demand, the furnace with a Wave 8 radiant hinged so that it can point either front or back, and when we rebuild the bath, we will install our new Nature's Head Composting toilet. That will allow us to use the black tank for gray.
If my sense of humor survives, I'll try to keep everyone up on my mistakes!
Cheers,
Manning

Minno · 09-26-2018, 07:48 AM

Try carb cleaner on the gunky old sealers. works on vulkem too.

Kay

dbj216 · 09-26-2018, 06:17 PM

Hi Manning G: You might like starting a "project thread" on your Ambassador renovation. Find the Airstream Knowledgebase, then Airstream trailers, and then Ambassador and your model year. Go there and you can read about other projects like trashbag's and the like.

I'm doing a 75 Overlander and have started such a project thread. Take a look at the link below.

And if you really want to jump in the vintage Airstream hobby, take a look at Minno's "Little Girl" thread. It is a great renovation story of a dignified old Sovereign. It is beautiful in my view.

David

Manning G · 09-27-2018, 09:04 AM

Thanks David. I really did not understand the etiquette on these threads. I see now that my entry was not appropiate. Sorry.

dbj216 · 09-27-2018, 06:22 PM

Hi Manning G: Oh goodness, no worries. Trashbag (what a user name!) is renovating his 71 Ambassador. His thread is all about his project, and we in the peanut gallery like to chime in now and then with what we think are helpful suggestions. I have received quite a bit of help along the way with my Overlander project.

I like the Ambassador. I looked seriously at a 79 Ambassador International a year ago. I really like the floor plan with that gaucho along the street side wall, a fold up dinette table, and room for a recliner on the curb side. This trailer also had twin beds and a rear bath. I think a center bath would have made it a perfect layout. But the trailer needed more work that I was capable of, so I passed on it. The biggest issue was the delamination of the melamine from the plywood, and serious warping of the plywood. The cabinets were in rough shape. So I went home empty.

Hope to see your Ambassador project thread soon. I'll follow along.

David