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libtech17 · 07-03-2020, 12:58 AM

Hi Airforum I need help!!! I have been restoring a 1960 26 ft overlander for the past year. The interior is literally weeks away from being done. I inherited the airstream from a family member that bought it gutted and the person that they bought it from said the frame was repaired and totally good to go. When I started the reno I realized that the frame was not repaired, but just painted. However, the frame seemed overall to be in pretty good condition, so I welded in a couple cross members and a couple outriggers towards the back, painted it with high end paint and called it good. Fast forward a year and A LOT of work, and I just noticed rusting under the frame at the A frame. I feel pretty stupid that I didn't fully investigate the frame early on, but you see what you want to see, and I had in my mind I wasn't going to have to mess with the frame. Now I have an almost finished trailer and I'm worried about frame and the safety of the trailer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I am in San Diego county if there are any local experts.

CajunCan · 07-07-2020, 08:23 AM

Pictures would help a lot in understanding the extent of the rust. I just built a new frame and may be able to offer some advice to you. It is possible to weld on a new A frame with the subfloor on in my opinion.

libtech17 · 07-07-2020, 11:07 PM

Thanks for the reply! I tried to upload pictures and thought I did, but evidently no! I am not sure what I’m doing wrong. I’ll try again...

libtech17 · 07-07-2020, 11:09 PM

As you can see I opened up the belly pan as well, there was no pin hole on the side, looks like some rust where water maybe sat between the skin and the frame. I have had two welders look at it and they both feel like they could weld to the frame about 4’ back and build a new a frame. What do you think?

**Kevin245** · 07-08-2020, 05:17 AM

Appears that the A-Frame is toast, replacing it isn’t a huge undertaking, The frame appears to be in good condition visually, I’d still poke around with an inexpensive scratch awl and tap on things with a ball peen hammer to confirm the limits of the deterioration. Then address the rehab with your welding service provider.