Hi from California and Oregon

[Sum75]

Hello! I've been a proud Airstream owner and forum member for 8 years now but this is my first post... I live in Southern California but my 1957 Overlander is up in Oregon (sad right?) I bought it as a single twentysomething year old with dreams but limited resources... Now I'm older, more stable, married and still dreaming of fixing up my diamond in the rough. I've been fortunate to have a place to keep her these past 8 years, but the Oregon climate is undoubtedly taking it's toll and I can't stomach the thought anymore. I'm planning to bring her home within the next 6 months and beginning a slow but steady restoration. I look forward to the wisdom and community you all have to offer!

[Airslide]

Welcome to the Airforums Sum75! We are glad you found us and even more excited to hear about your 57 Overlander. We are practically neighbors and the California climate will be a bit easier on her. Post some pictures when you can. You will find a great wealth of information here that will help you along the way. Congrats on your first post...

Vinnie

[Sum75]

Thanks, Vinnie!

[Tmck]

Any pictures or vin number. I have a 1957 California overlander. Would like to see your floor plan. Not too far away from you, I'm in akdale, ca

[Sum75]

Hi, Tmck

Awesome that you have a 57, too. I love mine! I have an Ohio single axle with the twin bed layout. It has the brackets for bunk beds. It's mostly intact (appliances, cabinets, etc) and I would love to keep it that way even though I know it's not practical. We'll see.

I'm assuming you have a tandem axel? My favorite has to be the whale tail model. It's the coolest!

I'm thinking seriously about bringing my trailer home to CA so I can start really working on it, but the floor is bad so it's going to be a huge financial and time commitment. I don't know if I'm prepared for that right now.

What kind of shape is yours in? Luckily mine was in Montana for much of it's life, but these last few years in the rain have taken a toll.

Happy restoring!

[Travel Bird]

That is so awesome!!! She deserves to be with you. Can't wait to read about your progress and see photos of the old gal. Best to you!!!

[Sum75]

Thanks, Travel Bird!

[Tmck]

I guess I am pretty lucky. My floor is 99.9% rock solid. One small spot where it looks like the water heater dripped, 2" by 3". One other similar spot by the the front door about the same size. Mine spent much of her life in the Mojave desert area . She was owned by the southern pacific railroad to house workmen For that reason the floor plan does not lend itself well to family camping. I am now dealing with the tandem axle hydraulic brakes, which originally operated off of the tow vehicles hydraulic brakes. Is yours that way? Mine his a tandem axle California build. It does not have the whale tail. It has the tear drop fender wells, and seven panel end caps. I have pictures in the registry. Worked on mine all day today taking out what must have been the original Armstrong linoleum.

[Sum75]

Wow, Tmck, what a cool history your trailer has! And what a gift to have a solid floor. I read some of the threads and get a little overwhelmed (floor on vs floor off, repairing/protecting/modifying the frame, etc). Sometimes I think, "what have I gotten myself into!"

I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but I've never seen anybody buck rivets let alone done it myself. I love a good project but I want to be ready when I start this one. I don't want to be one of those people who gets in too deep and makes a mess of things!

Sounds like you're off to a good start with yours. I wonder if your flooring is the original linoleum... How has it held up? I know people put all sorts of things in, but I might just stick with that when I get to that point. If it made it the first 50+ years, why mess with a good thing.

Sorry I can't answer your question about the hydraulic brakes. It sounds atypical, though.

[Tmck]

Forgot about the linoleum, it is totally shot, can't even really make out the pattern. I think the linoleum and the linoleum adhesive protected the sub floor. I also have a 1989 airstream fifth wheel with slide. I wish it's flooring stood up as well as the 1957! I have had to replace much of it, and it is a particle board instead of plywood. It did not stand moisture very well!

[Sum75]

Isn't that funny, the old subfloor holding up better! Guess they really don't make 'em like they used to.

And lucky for us, the weaknesses from 50's trailers have pretty much all been found out by the amazing folks on these forums. They have solutions for everything! I love it. Want American ingenuity, read these restoration threads!

We're in good company here!