Right or Wrong...'48 Liner Tube Frame Work

[scarylarry]

Well, I know it is not going to be "Airstream correct" but I am fairly sure it will be structurally solid. As I said in my intro, our 1948 liner will be getting a bathroom in the back and beefing up of the frame work. Here is the start of the frame. I used 2" x 4" tubing to connect the frame to the u shaped channel that the axles are bolted to in two areas. I also jacked the wheel wells back into place and welded angle to hold them in place, along with new brackets for the entry step. I am on a budget and am more concerned with the project being safe than period correct, though we will try to keep the interior mostly to the era. Next is to replace any rotting wood in the front and adding some bracing between the aluminum frame before I run new electric and replace the floor.

[Benjo]

man i'm glad someone is going at this with the shell on. i take it you are doing reinforcement rather than starting from scratch that requires more time, more money, etc. Agreed, building a brand new frame would be ideal but there are many ways to make the frame stronger. I am working on my 48 trailwind and i have gone back and forth on this issue but after researching it I feel that the reinforcement will be sufficient. Let me know how this goes and do send more photos of the process.

[scarylarry]

We've been picking away at our '48 project. Frame is painted with POR (springs/wheels to be done from outside later), I added lots of extra treated wood under the floor so I have that much more to screw floor to, 120 volt & 12 volt wiring, & water run under the floor. Now you can get an idea of my tank set up in the rear (just propped up in photo)...fresh water will go front. Found the super cool 1920's-30's accessory auto stop light/turn signal at my buddies place! So far all my guess work is coming together...we'll see.......

[dasthingster]

Wow! cool light. Any idea what it came off? I'm going to have to go through my 48 Wee Wind frame. It's a flinestone mobile right now.No floor at all. Lots of work and little money.But the body in in fair shape. Glade to find this site. Glen

[scarylarry]

Thanks! It's been a long time since I've check in here. I'll have to post photos of the nearly complete project. I think the light would be 20's or 30's automotive aftermarket. I'm out of town for a week, but will post progress as soon as I get home.

[centennialman]

Please do post pics....looks like a great project!!

[scarylarry]

I found a couple more photos on my laptop. After everything was bolted/screwed together I didn't like the way to body still had some play against the frame, so I did this weird angle iron frame work to tie the center tube to the body better. It is welded to the center tube, then bolted to the body uprights at the flat strap that runs up the wall...THEN I notched the angle and welded the bent notches after it was formed to run up to the plate that attached to the frame via the big u bolts I had bent up at a truck shop...wheuuuuuu! Got it? It did make me feel better about the way everything rides now.

[scarylarry]

A couple more progress photos.

[VIKING]

That interior is looking great Larry!

In your pics I saw you have angle iron set around the interior panels. Have you done anything to prevent the dreaded dissimilar metals corrosion? It's something that gets neglected too often.
Keep up the good work. It's really gonna be beautiful!

Rich