|
09-29-2007, 02:33 PM
|
#1
|
1 Rivet Member
1957 26' Overlander
Mendocino/Humboldt
, California
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
|
Rusty floor beams -what to do?
I just ripped up the floor and found out that I have a bad rust problem! Can I have someone weld on another beam for me or is it gonna be much more than that. Here are some photos. Thanks for your help.
-Mike
|
|
|
09-29-2007, 03:50 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1979 30' Argosy
Havelock
, where we park it
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,652
|
Welcome
Hello Mike... If you could post some pics ..
__________________
Marvin & Annie
Niki (fur baby)
1979 Argosy 30 (Costalotta)
WBCCI 10103
"Happiness is a warm Puppy" Charles Schulz
|
|
|
09-30-2007, 02:27 PM
|
#3
|
1 Rivet Member
1957 26' Overlander
Mendocino/Humboldt
, California
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
|
photos
Woops I thought I posted them yesterday. Here they are
|
|
|
09-30-2007, 02:35 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AirMillie
I just ripped up the floor and found out that I have a bad rust problem! Can I have someone weld on another beam for me or is it gonna be much more than that. Here are some photos. Thanks for your help.
-Mike
|
Mike,
Just cut the old crossmembers out and weld in new ones.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
10-05-2007, 07:08 PM
|
#5
|
1 Rivet Member
1957 26' Overlander
Mendocino/Humboldt
, California
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
|
more photos
Is this gonna cost me an arm and a leg?
|
|
|
10-05-2007, 09:04 PM
|
#6
|
Dugger
1963 30' Sovereign
Midlothian
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20
|
Air,
I had some of the same issues with mine, I can weld so I replaced or added addition beams or use angle iron to re-brace some areas. I use a thin gauge angle iron to support some weak areas that came from the factory. Try calling a welder out and see what they recommend, their the experts. They can probably patch some places pretty cheap, unless you have large structual issues it shouldnt be too bad. The metal used in mine welded really good with my electric welder. Welders like easy welding old metal.
Hope this helps, Doug
|
|
|
10-05-2007, 10:01 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
|
Mike
You can save a bundle if you pick up the metal and precut it to fit, then wire brush the area on the frame where the welds need to happen. Use the old pieces for templates.
Mobile welders are pretty flexible with their pricing so the easier you make it for them the better it is. Also, if you don't need a receipt, some of these fellows will drop by on a weekend or an evening for a couple of hours.
It's not that big a deal, but it is dirty work, and will take some effort on your part. In the end, though, you will have a strong base to complete your restoration on.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you do.
Barry
__________________
Barry & Donna
Life is short - so is the door on a '51 Flying Cloud (ouch)
|
|
|
10-05-2007, 10:08 PM
|
#8
|
Streamline Imperial
Currently Looking...
Bellflower
, California
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 110
|
First make sure the main frame rails are sound; if not, you need to start with a new frame, which is a real showstopper.
If the main rails are okay, a competent welder can do the job well. Get the correct gage metal as it is difficult to weld thick to thin; shop around at metal wholesale places as you'll be needing at least 48 linear feet it looks like. Go to the trouble to get the right material; don't settle for angle iron or structural channel which is very heavy; I haven't looked at an airstream frame in person but it looks like formed plate in the pics, not rolled channel.
This should be done with a mig welder; don't let someone use gas, this will heat the main rails too much. Another thing, you'd best remove the belly pan, as falling sparks may damage it, plus the welder can get underneath.
Good luck, I'm personally assembling an SOB project that got waaay more involved than imagined at the start too, so I feel for ya.
__________________
It seems I love the mountains and deserts more than my friends do. I sure miss them!
1971 Streamline Imperial project "Silver Snausage", 1985 Coleman tent trailer, 1964 Little Dipper, 1975 Northwest "Proto Toyhauler", 2004 Harbor Freight folding, still seeking my Airstream.
|
|
|
10-09-2007, 04:20 PM
|
#9
|
1 Rivet Member
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Chantilly
, Virginia
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 16
|
You could also use wood, but go for the real 4x4's then use lag bolts, or use 2 2x4 around each one(it is easier to cut the angles). To preserve the integrity of the beams as they are get ahold of some rust converter and it will do wonders.
CHeers, Peace and Happy Trails!
|
|
|
10-09-2007, 04:45 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
|
Wow! With all the effort you have gone to so far in stripping everything out of your trailer to see whatcha got and all the big plans to do things with the level of "green" quality you've posted about, I would hope you would fix it right by welding in new pieces where necessary instead of fixing it with wood as suggested!
If I were the "next owner" of a trailer with a wood fix, I would be if I found out it had a band-aid like that. I would imagine it would be pretty difficult to sell it with a wood fix too - that's the beauty of Airstreams, their metal/aluminum monoque construction and light weights. Seems this would be dimenished with all that wood...
While rust converter will do wonders, it will not strengthen weakened rusted out metal, it will just help surface rust from progressing....and make things look better.
That metal frame lasted 50 years...I would think you'd get another 50 by fixing it right!
Shari
|
|
|
10-10-2007, 02:03 PM
|
#11
|
1 Rivet Member
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Chantilly
, Virginia
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 16
|
I agree that the best would be to to replace all the bad joists and cross members with new iron. But it appears that there are no bent members and the structural integrity of the frame is still there. So it appears to be an issue of making a strong flooring anchor that is level and light.
Be considerate of the weight, as you don't want to overload the axles and springs.
If you are on a tight budget and are planning on keeping it for yourself, wood is light and strong for smaller repairs, and will last for decades if it is treated.
But iron would be best.
Cheers, Peace and Happy Trails!
|
|
|
11-15-2007, 02:11 PM
|
#12
|
1 Rivet Member
1957 26' Overlander
Mendocino/Humboldt
, California
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
|
I have talked to a experienced local welder that will let me help him with the project. All I need to do is find out the exact measurements of the beams so he can have them ready when I arrive. Should I remove the entire top prior to the welding work or should I do it after?
Thanks for all your help.
|
|
|
11-19-2007, 11:06 AM
|
#13
|
4 Rivet Member
1976 24' Argosy 24
1999 30' Excella 1000
White Haven
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 402
|
What do mean by the entire top? Do you the shell?
|
|
|
11-20-2007, 06:26 AM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
1970 27' Overlander
Espanola
, Full Timer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,753
|
...there is a product that is used in the oil feilds to protect pipes...called OSPHO...smells like sulfur and is a blue green liquid you drinch it on with a cheap (blonde) paint brush and let set over nite I converts rust chemically into iron somehow and can be primed for painting. I am just saying this not for major rust like you've got, but for beginnings of it. Sherwin Williams can get it...costs about 10-14 dollars a gallon.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Rusty Argosy?
|
teelamaria |
Clearcoat, Exterior Paint & Trim |
6 |
06-30-2007 09:32 AM |
Here's Rusty the Doxie.....
|
Tom Randall |
The Pet Forum |
14 |
01-17-2007 08:25 PM |
Rusty Nuts
|
Safari Tim |
Axles |
31 |
03-29-2005 05:37 AM |
Moon Beams New Decor Theme
|
05ModPod |
Upholstery, Blinds, Walls & Interior Finishes |
41 |
04-27-2004 10:47 PM |
Rusty wheels
|
Airstream 1975! |
Wheels, Hubs & Bearings |
1 |
02-29-2004 12:09 PM |
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|