New to me '68 International

[100ProofDera]

Hi everyone!
My wife and I (well rather I) bought a 1968 Land Yacht recently on a whim. I haven't had time to play with much due to my newborn daughter arriving Oct 22. and then hurricane Sandy following. We also have a 20 month old son, and decided that having a trailer would be perfect for our young family to build some lasting memories. The trailer was sitting for 5 years but appears to be complete. I don't know if any of the systems work but I don't see extensive rust or any evidence of leeks. So far I've towed it 10 miles (home) on some dry rotted tires, but it towed nice and the lights and fans work when you plug it in. It needs a little tlc, but thats why I'm here.

[dwightdi]

Looks like you have some good looking aluminum that is still straight and an air conditioner to boot. You have found the source of a lot of good information here on this forum and you have a good dealer near by (Colonial). By next spring is should be ready to go.

[purman]

Welcome. We have a 68' ambassador and four kids. 9,6 and 2 year old twin girls. so ask away I have remodeled it twice. The second time was a shell off restoration. New tires and new axels should be first on the list. I did un-needed damage to my trailer by waiting to replace the a axels.

[100ProofDera]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Looks like you have some good looking aluminum that is still straight and an air conditioner to boot. You have found the source of a lot of good information here on this forum and you have a good dealer near by (Colonial). By next spring is should be ready to go.

The air conditioner doesn't work and it's one of two places I've found a leek. It is on the list to be replaced. Any suggestions on something a little more streamline? The other leak is from a cracked square fan vent cover and I need a new refridgerator vent cover? I wonder how Colonial weathered the hurricane.

[Colonial Airstream]

Colonial was fortunate not to sustain any building or inventory damage.

[Sardine]

Our first Airstream arrived in the yard Thursday evening. It's a '68 Overlander that I'm thinking will need the "fully monty". I've been lurking on the forums for a few months working out what to expect (this seemed an appropriate place to put my first post).

I'd love to know what tools you'd recommend I get for the deconstruction.

We have 4 kids too - 18 mo, 3, 5 & 8 - so it might take a while to get done !!

David

[100ProofDera]

So....
So far I've determined that the plumbing after the pump is full of holes, but the good news is the pump works. I replaced the sink and stovetop counter b/c it was rotten from a window ac leaking on it and the counter includes a new smev cook top. I've removed the old refrig. and oven. And I've removed all the linolium tile floor and found no rot except behind the refrig. where it was leaking due to a severely cracked vent cover.