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03-09-2011, 11:17 PM
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#1
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Stubborn but learning
1973 31' Excella 500
washougal
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 110
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1973 Excella frame
My frame is rusty and I think I have rear end separation and maybe a bad axel. SOOO
I found a 34 foot frame from a newer as rollover AND
was wondering how hard it would be to use the 34ft frame on the 31ft shell and keep the threee feet to use to mount a gene box? Thanks 
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03-10-2011, 02:49 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member 
1975 23' Safari
1978 31' Excella 500
Franklin
, Indiana
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 481
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Wow. Interesting idea, but I'm not sure how that's going to work out. The newer model 34's are going to have a wider frame! The wheel well's are going to be an issue. Axles in the wrong place potentially for the weight distribution. It could easily end up a bigger hassle than just fixing the stuff that's wrong with your existing unit and hauling a genny in the bed of your truck. The problems you list are pretty typical for 70's units. I'd advise going that way first!
Good luck!
__________________
Dallas Peak, MD 'That 70's Guy!' 
VAC Past President
WBCCI #8481
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03-10-2011, 05:37 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
1974 31' Excella 500
Charleston
, South Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,073
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one word.. tape measure
__________________
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
- Andrew Carnegie
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03-10-2011, 05:47 AM
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#4
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Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
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That is two words Daniel! lol
Filterman,
I like the way you think. I hate to be a nay sayer, but the frame on a new 34'er is also wider than your 73s frame. I'm sure it COULD be made to work as a replacement frame, but it would probably cost as much to modify as building a whole new frame from scratch. Unless the main frame rails are completely rusted through in several places, I'd be willing to bet your old frame can be made new again. I recommend you read more of the "Repairing floor and/or frame" threads here on the forums. There are a lot of guys that have renewed old frames, made modifications etc... I also think you should give Colin Hyde or Uve a call and ask for some advice from the pros. I also recommend Colin Hyde for axles. See " my very own axle thread" Good luck with your restoration!
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
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03-10-2011, 06:10 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master Commercial Member
1957 30' Sovereign of the Road
1959 28' Ambassador
1949 24' Limited
Peru
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 745
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Quote:
Originally Posted by filterman
My frame is rusty and I think I have rear end separation and maybe a bad axel. SOOO
I found a 34 foot frame from a newer as rollover AND
was wondering how hard it would be to use the 34ft frame on the 31ft shell and keep the threee feet to use to mount a gene box? Thanks |
Hey Filterman,
I'm afraid everyone is right here & it'll be more trouble & $ to make a 34' chassis fit. I've done numerous frame replacement/upgrades & it all is very possible. In order to make a reasonable assessment, you'll need to drop the bellypan & remove all the vermin infested insulation (they're all like that  ). Depending on how bad it is, it may be possible & cost effective to cut the bad sections out & scab new sections in. It is not necessary to buy the sections from a dealer either as a local steel fabricator should have the capability to make what is required.
Post some photos if possible.
Thanks,
Colin
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03-10-2011, 06:21 AM
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#6
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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So we are all in agreement to much work to modify the 34 to fit and a genny mounted on the bumper is too much weight hanging off the rear. Go with fixing your original frame.
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03-10-2011, 07:27 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,062
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From another post...
Quote:
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a 34 foot frame from a roll over for 300 bucks
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For that kind of money, if the frame is not wracked from the accident or corroded badly already, I'd be tempted to make a hybrid between the two. Formed steel can be expensive if its a one-horse town.
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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03-10-2011, 07:51 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1974 31' Excella 500
Charleston
, South Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,073
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wabbiteer
From another post...
For that kind of money, if the frame is not wracked from the accident or corroded badly already, I'd be tempted to make a hybrid between the two. Formed steel can be expensive if its a one-horse town.
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As my mom used to say.. That's using your head for something besides as a hat rack.
__________________
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
- Andrew Carnegie
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03-11-2011, 01:26 AM
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#9
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Stubborn but learning
1973 31' Excella 500
washougal
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 110
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ok then I will have to work with what I got luckily I can weld and have welder but I still want a rack in the back for gene and grill. I guess I could add it on and move the bumper back and add some lights I wonder what wasagachris paid for his raw steel for his new frame? I will have the bananna skins off this weekend and take a look at the frame. Thanks everyone.
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03-11-2011, 05:31 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1974 31' Excella 500
Charleston
, South Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,073
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When I got steel it wasn't all that expensive. If I remember correctly 20' of 5Cx6.7 (5 inch C channel, 6.7 lbs per foot) was $75. One place had the 40' lengths too and those were $125 I think. Something like that.
__________________
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
- Andrew Carnegie
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03-11-2011, 06:09 AM
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#11
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x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by filterman
ok then I will have to work with what I got luckily I can weld and have welder but I still want a rack in the back for gene and grill. I guess I could add it on and move the bumper back and add some lights I wonder what wasagachris paid for his raw steel for his new frame? I will have the bananna skins off this weekend and take a look at the frame. Thanks everyone. |
Filterman adding weight to the rear of the trailer is a bad idea. Keep the genny in the back of the truck. It's been said before but I'll say it again. It will cause too much stress and flex on the frame. This will lead to rear end seperation and possibly frame damage. It will also drastically change the geometry for towing and remove too much tongue weight resulting in a loss of traction to the TV and put more weight on the steer axle of the TV. It's a bad idea all around.
My main frame rails, axle plates,most of my crossmembers,rear kick plates and a lot of angle iron for waste and fresh tanks I had made my a friend of mine. I used the barter system and It cost me about $200 in trade.
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03-11-2011, 06:58 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1973 31' Excella 500
Spring Green
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 265
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Quote:
Originally Posted by filterman
ok then I will have to work with what I got luckily I can weld and have welder but I still want a rack in the back for gene and grill. I guess I could add it on and move the bumper back and add some lights I wonder what wasagachris paid for his raw steel for his new frame? I will have the bananna skins off this weekend and take a look at the frame. Thanks everyone. |
I think you are getting some good advice here, but I'm not sure you understand the problems you could create by mounting a generator on the rear bumper. Read this thread, especially post #7, to get a little better understanding of the affects of extra weight behind the axles. And, that thread was only about hauling a couple of bicycles on the rear bumper!
__________________
Lew TAC #WI-6
Nobody can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody.
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03-11-2011, 07:12 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member 
1995 28' Excella
Mobile
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 20
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by filterman
my frame is rusty and i think i have rear end separation and maybe a bad axel. Sooo
i found a 34 foot frame from a newer as rollover and
was wondering how hard it would be to use the 34ft frame on the 31ft shell and keep the threee feet to use to mount a gene box? Thanks |
older airstreams may be found at airstream sales above charlestown, sc, mary was wife and now i believe son runs shop! They had a field of older airstreams for parts, son is very good with updates and repairs!
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03-12-2011, 12:17 AM
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#14
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Stubborn but learning
1973 31' Excella 500
washougal
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 110
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OK Too bad I had visons of not having to lift a gene and grilling off the back of my AS. So even a bicycle rack would be too much I guess I didt think of the fulcrum effect being so dramatic. Ok how about a tiny little 18 bl grill you know the ones that are stainless for a boat just like this Dickinson Sea-B-Que Large Ss Propane Bar-B-Que Bbq - 00-SBQ-L - BoatersWorld.com
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03-12-2011, 07:47 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1974 31' Excella 500
Charleston
, South Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,073
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ritasmith52
older airstreams may be found at airstream sales above charlestown, sc, mary was wife and now i believe son runs shop! They had a field of older airstreams for parts, son is very good with updates and repairs!
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Those aren't airstreams in that field, they are Spartans..
__________________
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
- Andrew Carnegie
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