Frame Crossmember - 1963 19ft Globetrotter

[pjtss]

I've been searching for a replacement cross-member for a 1963 Airstream and can't find any distributors. I've found a few online places that sell cross-members but they are too tall (5") whereas my trailer's cross member are 4" tall. I also need outriggers (same problem).

Any help finding a seller or fabricator would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete
https://ps63airstreamrebuild.com/

[PA BAMBI II]

I work at the local technical high school, and the metals fabrication class instructor was able to shear and bend 1/8" thick steel sheet to make cross members for my '61 Tradewind project. Shorter pieces can be bent and shaped (curve cut on the end) to form effective outriggers.

Any basic welding/metal fab shop should be able to cut and bend what you need for a fair price.

[Bubba L]

On the rebuild of our 55 we used same thickness 4” steel purlins from One of the local metal building suppliers. We also cut our own outriggers from a pattern. On the purlins with the bend on top and bottom I drilled some 3/8” weep holes on the bottom bend to allow any water that gets in to weep out. Good luck

[mrdes8]

Agree, have a local sheet metal shop bend up some either 12 or 14 gauge steel, 60" long would probably work then you can trim to fit (or whoever is doing the welding). If the old piece is at least 1/2 way good I leave it in and "sister" the new piece to it and the frame, others may not agree. I also make the flanges 2'' wide. Outrigger I just cut off, make sure they are level to the frame. I had some 4" stuff but I think PA Bambi got it.
Good luck, Mark D

[pjtss]

Thanks. I appreciate the insight. Rebuild looks great, too.

[CJ Hadley]

For the cross frame can these just be fabricated?
I just purchased a 63 Ambassador and needs major frame repair, had i known I would not have purchased

[PA BAMBI II]

Originally Posted by CJ Hadley

For the cross frame can these just be fabricated?
I just purchased a 63 Ambassador and needs major frame repair, had i known I would not have purchased

I responded to your introduction post. I had cross members bent out of 1/8" thick steel plate by the metal fabrication students at the tech school where I work. Any good welding or local fabrication shop can do it for you.


I actually have some cross members left over and 12' of 4" x 2" steel tube that I did not end up needing for my frame repair.

[pjtss]

Originally Posted by CJ Hadley

For the cross frame can these just be fabricated?
I just purchased a 63 Ambassador and needs major frame repair, had i known I would not have purchased

I just completed frame repairs on my '63 Globetrotter this past weekend. My daughter (a mechanical design engineer) designed the replacement cross members and I had them fabricated at a shop in Manvel, TX out of 16 gauge steel. We fabricated and welded in an outrigger and two cross members. I had them fabricated (vs. c-channel) because I wanted to get as close to OEM as possible. The biggest differences is the ovals were laser cut vs. original press.

I was able to find some web sites that sold 5" tall components, but no 4" tall ones (hence the design and fabrication).

Our blog is not up to date with the frame repairs, but here's the address: https://ps63airstreamrebuild.com/

E-mail me at pjtss@comcast.net and I'll help if I can.

Pete

[mrdes8]

Another note on 4" frames, my sheet metal shop has a CAD file for 4" "step outriggers" which I paid for when I had some done for a '61 Ambassador I did. PABambi got the last set of the 3 I had made up. They can make more if I ever want/need. PM me if interested/questions.
Mark D