Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-15-2015, 10:03 AM   #441
2 Rivet Member
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Bend , Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
Matt,
Nice!!
Derf
derf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2015, 10:40 AM   #442
Rivet Master
 
Mixter's Avatar
 
1976 27' Overlander
Tampa , Florida
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 796
Nice job! Got any close up pics of the 5/32 pop rivets? Sounds way faster and cheaper.
Mixter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2015, 10:29 AM   #443
Rivet Master
 
dbj216's Avatar

 
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,289
Images: 1
Airstream attaches interior skins with 1/8 pop rivets. Your 5/32 pop rivets will have a good head size, similar to the exterior solid rivets. Olympic rivets are tri fold design for assembling softer materials. They are one of the weakest rivets on the market. Your end cap has a dense rivet spacing, it looks plenty strong. I support your decision to use pop rivets over Olympic.

Your aluminum end cap looks great. What a lot of work! Thanks for the Trade Wind update.

David
dbj216 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2015, 08:56 PM   #444
Rivet Master
 
rugjenkins's Avatar
 
1975 Argosy 28
Springville , Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 836
That looks great. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm not putting the plastic end caps back in also.
__________________
Matt
rugjenkins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2015, 08:19 AM   #445
2 Rivet Member
 
newas4mark's Avatar
 
1968 30' Sovereign
Rockford , Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 34
Nice Job! Its good to see you are still plugging away at it.... you are an inspiration to me. I hope to reunite my frame and shell in the next two weeks but have followed your progress over the last year.
Mark
newas4mark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 10:09 PM   #446
2 Rivet Member
 
Swahealy's Avatar
 
1972 31' Sovereign
Valparaiso , Indiana
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 87
Very impressed. What a huge undertaking. Keep up the great work.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
Swahealy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2015, 09:14 PM   #447
4 Rivet Member
 
millertimeUS's Avatar
 
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
Thanks everybody! Mixter I will get you that photo. I am taking night classes Monday-Thursday this semester so the trailer is in hold till next year. In the meantime I am saving funds for a polish job and planning out the interior.

Cheers and munch on!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
millertimeUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2015, 09:53 PM   #448
4 Rivet Member
 
millertimeUS's Avatar
 
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
Hey all, took the family out to San Onofre Campground in Camp Pendelton. Aluminum tent camping at it's best right on the beach!

Question for the group, I want to remake my wheel wells out of metal, was recommended to use 16 gauge steel. Any idea how to construct them? Square is fine no need for fancy complex angles. Might just hire a metal shop to make them if need be.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
millertimeUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2015, 10:05 PM   #449
Rivet Master
 
rugjenkins's Avatar
 
1975 Argosy 28
Springville , Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 836
Making mine out if 20 gage steel. I took measurements off the old plastic ones. I followed the same pattern so the ends at curved. I cut them out with a cut off wheel then tack welded all the way down, I plan on using 4 inches of the old plastic ones to rivet the side where it attaches to the aluminum. I'll rivet the plastic to the steel wheel well also. No corrosion issues.
__________________
Matt
rugjenkins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2015, 08:24 PM   #450
4 Rivet Member
 
millertimeUS's Avatar
 
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
I called around and found several auto shops that might knock some together for me out of 16 guage steel.

Good thought on dissimilar metal corrosion, a plastic in between or a sacrificial piece of aluminum will be in order.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
millertimeUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2015, 08:54 PM   #451
Site Team
 
reinergirl's Avatar

 
1963 26' Overlander
Hollis , New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,647
Images: 15
I think your endcaps look fantastic! Sorry you'll be taking a break but you've had some amazing progress..... It's an elephant, one bite at a time
__________________
Shelly : TAC NH-6 | AIR 41359
Visit my blog!
Parts needed : Braund Antenna front tube fold down model!
reinergirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2015, 09:46 AM   #452
New and Eager
 
O Shiny's Avatar
 
1972 27' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Loomis , California
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 53
Images: 5
Blog Entries: 7
Hey Matt I know you've seen my husband digidad's posts and vice versa...he made our wheel wells out of aluminum and they are super sweet. You might search his posts.

Note he had to make them AFTER I made an emergency road trip 700 miles to pick up plastic wheel wells...and came home with the wrong ones thanks to the parts dealer. Oh lucky us. Now have two giant unusable plastic wheel wells.
O Shiny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2016, 09:21 AM   #453
4 Rivet Member
 
millertimeUS's Avatar
 
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
Millertime's rear bathroom rot '76 Tradewind thread

Thanks reinergirl, they were a fun project!

OShiny, sent you a PM about the wheel wells.

All, 2016 is going to be a big year for the Airstream. Last fall I was taking several courses and unable to put in any time towards moving forward, but this year is going to be a big one!

First will be getting the wheels, tires, and wheel wells in order. THEN we will be dropping her off for a full shine job (minus the upper flat area, will be painting white later).

Already on order:

Sendel T03 16" rims
Michelin MS/2 225/65R-16 tires
2 x 30 LB worthington aluminum propane tanks with guages
Dill TPMS
Centramatic balancers

Once she is shined we start with a custom rear bunkhouse, then onto a custom bathroom.

Going to be a good year!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
millertimeUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2016, 07:21 PM   #454
Rivet Master
 
dbj216's Avatar

 
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,289
Images: 1
Sounds exciting. You're going to love your new wheel and tire package. I did the same thing on our 86 and love the look as well as the tire reliability.

Making the bathroom will be a big project!

David
dbj216 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2016, 10:46 PM   #455
4 Rivet Member
 
millertimeUS's Avatar
 
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
Ok all a few big updates over the last few weeks. I apologize for not updating the forum better, I promise to do better

Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByAirstream Forums1456464460.269252.jpg
Views:	204
Size:	71.3 KB
ID:	257864

The rear upper bunk and bed/sitting area are in! I will get some more photos later. The lower bed has lift up storage underneath, and I will be installing gas struts to make them easy to lift and stay up while we get things in and out of them. They still need finishing and paint and trim, but I am proud of them.

The upper bunk has no need of lower supports due to my riveting a mounting bracket to the rearmost vertical rib. I opted for 5/32 rivets vice 1/8 for a little extra strength. I then connected the 1" thick crossmember with lag bolts and nylocks. A small wood cleat on the inside edge supports the 1/2 ply bed and metal 90 brackets are staged around the rear circumference for support. It is very sturdy and given it is a smaller space shouldn't have any issues with being overtaxed with weight.

Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByAirstream Forums1456464894.765982.jpg
Views:	186
Size:	80.5 KB
ID:	257865

I am really pleased thus far with the look.

Ok, next big job I completed was installing my new ALUMINUM wheel wells. I had a off-road fabrication shop make them up for me. They took forever to complete them (3 weeks!) but for only $300 I think I got a good deal. These babies are SOLID.

Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByAirstream Forums1456465081.668369.jpg
Views:	162
Size:	76.9 KB
ID:	257866

I actually bought the plastic ones from inland RV, they were almost 2 inches too long. My old ones were cracked and my attempts at patching the ABS plastic quickly failed and during our cross country drive we had them leaking. Not any more! I cleaned the tracks and wire wheeled them prior to applying trempro and then some leftover Vulkem I had in my shop.

Lastly, sitting behind the Airstream are her new shoes. 4 x 16 inch Sendel Aluminum Bullets with Michelin MS/2 with internal tire pressure monitors. I also ordered the centramatic balancers. They seem a little like snake oil to me, but so many people swear by them I will press the 'I believe' button.

This weekend is planned for painting the rear bed and the putting up walls for the side/rear bath. I have decided to fabricate my own custom shower pan. I will post my efforts for your criticism lol.

munch munch munch!


Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
millertimeUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2016, 05:54 AM   #456
Rivet Master
 
Mixter's Avatar
 
1976 27' Overlander
Tampa , Florida
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 796
Nice stuff! Love the wheel wells. I just did my replacement OE plastic ones and lets just hope i never have a blow out- they will shred. And they are such a pain to install sealed up right.

Michelins are def now on my list for that reason.

Whered you order the wheels and tires from? You find good deal?
Mixter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2016, 03:49 PM   #457
4 Rivet Member
 
millertimeUS's Avatar
 
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
I bought the dill sensor package from
tire rack, the rims from trailerwheels.com, and the tires mounted and balanced at Costco. Costco had $70 off for Michelin tires so with the mounting and balancing it was a pretty good deal.

No colossally good deals but the best prices I found with companies I can trust.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
millertimeUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2016, 04:37 PM   #458
Rivet Master
 
drboyd's Avatar
 
1978 25' Tradewind
Metro Phoenix , Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,524
"The lower bed has lift up storage underneath, and I will be installing gas struts to make them easy to lift and stay up while we get things in and out of them."
I used gas struts on my under-seat storage lids. They're 1/2" plywood roughly 2' by 40"; I found a pair of 100 Newton rated struts worked just fine.

I've had good luck with this guy off Ebay; they're just about impossible to find retail.
__________________
"Between what matters and what seems to matter, how should the world we know judge wisely?" - E.C. Bentley, Trent's Last Case
drboyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2016, 07:50 PM   #459
Rivet Master
 
dbj216's Avatar

 
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,289
Images: 1
Nice stuff Millertime. It take a long time to rebuild an old Airstream, but you are making good progress.

I am building a U shaped dinette in the son's 69 Globetrotter. It originally didn't have the best sleeping berths. But now he will have about 85 long by 60 wide sleeping space plus a dinette that seats 6 comfortably. My cabinetry isn't as good as yours, but they are benches mainly out of sight. The lids lift up for storage. I will use old fashioned prop rods to hold them up while loading stuff under there. Now my better half has to sew 9 big cushions for it. That will be time consuming.

I do little projects, you do BIG projects. You did get a good deal on those wheel well covers. I had fabricated one waste tank cover for my Trade Wind and the cost was about $425. It was about 60 long by 45 wide by 5" deep in aluminum. It's bolted to the bottom of my Trade Wind. I call it my roadkill racoon scraper. Keeps the highways clean.

David
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	1602 Table Up 2.jpg
Views:	113
Size:	248.9 KB
ID:	257892  
dbj216 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2016, 08:18 PM   #460
Rivet Master
 
Mixter's Avatar
 
1976 27' Overlander
Tampa , Florida
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 796
Hey- I like your 3 stage pedestal- I'm thinking same thing.

Can you rotate/ spin the table with that? I would imaging you'd have to loosen the clamp, but didnt know if it has anything that keeps it from spinning if you want. (I need to spin my design)
Mixter is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Floor rot / rear '89 Excella cathy624 Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 21 08-21-2014 01:07 PM
Bathroom floor rot Treyladut Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 2 08-24-2011 08:09 AM
how much rot is too much rot? adwriter73 Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 56 02-28-2010 11:05 PM
Rust Rot in the Rear Frame Bumper Area HamiBambi Bumpers & Bumper Storage 13 09-19-2006 01:40 AM
To rot or not to rot. Charming Wino Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 15 03-01-2004 10:39 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.