Coming to terms with an addiction - 1976 Caravanner

[bimpy]

It's time to come clean and confess, I'm addicted. Just purchased a 76 25' Caravanner that I didn't need but the price was irresistable (it went through a divorce). I have never seen this floorplan on Airstream. The owners manual doesn't even show this layout. I would like to find out more about this model from those who also own one. Haven't had much time to look it over,just pulled it home (15 miles) and backed into shed. Will start when things slow down this winter. Thanks to all replies.

[overlander63]

The Caravanner is a party trailer, with two lounges up front, kitchen to one side, fridge to the rear opposite the kitchen, and bathroom in the back. The first one I saw was a 1959 model, and have worked on several. Because there's no bedroom, the trailer feels a lot bigger than it is.

[bimpy]

You are right. it feels roomier inside than my Ambassador

[gutsgolf]

Please post some pic of that interior
thanks

[bimpy]

I will try to do that. May not be right away it's inside building (dark). I will have to have my daughter to help with her camera and the posting, old dad ain't that savvy with this kind of thing

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by bimpy

I will try to do that. May not be right away it's inside building (dark). I will have to have my daughter to help with her camera and the posting, old dad ain't that savvy with this kind of thing

When your daughter takes the pictures, it's easier for her to take them at a lower resolution, and smaller size. I take all pictures for the forums at the lowest resolution, and smallest size available on my digital camera. Doing it that way, the pictures don't need to be resized. She should understand what I'm saying.

[ndferg156]

I have this model as well. I bought it a few years ago, a real mess at the time. Since then, have put a new frame underneath, polished it, replaced the axles, furnace, water heater, exhaust vents, stove, air conditioner, re-did the upholstery, added new drapery, a front window rock gaurd,sink, ctops, painted the faded bath with epoxy paint, broke out the inner pane and removed the scaling sunscreen, replaced the screens, re-did all the plumbing while leaving the basic floorplan the same. I stayed with the walnut tambour as it was in good shape. I would be happy to email you some pictures if you'd like. Just tell me how! This was my first airstream so I don't think it is museum grade but its a great little unit and plenty big enough for me and the wife.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by ndferg156

I have this model as well. I bought it a few years ago, a real mess at the time. Since then, have put a new frame underneath, polished it, replaced the axles, furnace, water heater, exhaust vents, stove, air conditioner, re-did the upholstery, added new drapery, a front window rock gaurd,sink, ctops, painted the faded bath with epoxy paint, broke out the inner pane and removed the scaling sunscreen, replaced the screens, re-did all the plumbing while leaving the basic floorplan the same. I stayed with the walnut tambour as it was in good shape. I would be happy to email you some pictures if you'd like. Just tell me how! This was my first airstream so I don't think it is museum grade but its a great little unit and plenty big enough for me and the wife.
Attachment 88875

please - please - post your pictures here!!! Just use the "manage attachments" tab below your reply text and upload them directly. Sounds like you have done a good deal of work and it would be soooooo cool to see your results!!!

Laura

[ndferg156]

Posting pics is easier than I thought...I will get some better interior shots this weekend. I am often asked wheres the beds, so here are couple of the gauchos in sleep position. Lots of opinions on which is best-2 twin beds, 1-queen bed or in the case of the caravanner 2-gauchos that convert. I think it is a matter of preference, and every style has it pluses and minuses. As for me, I fiqure I have to make the bed everyday either way so it isn't a bother. You just start at the outer edge and roll the bedding into the space behind the gaucho. Then pull up on the gaucho and instant seating. Takes about 1-minute to setup or take down. Anyway, not many folks have posted pictures of this unit so I will try and add a few. The dark object at the back of the first pic is a full body pillow I use as a wall warmer/bumber and a back support when in seated position, if that makes any sense.

[bimpy]

Great looking camper! Haven't taken pictures yet. I will get this done as soon as I can

[ndferg156]

Here are a couple of the before, during and after shots of the coach. This one spent a lot of time in Florida so it was next to impossible for me to get it perfect, but I use the 25-ft rule so I am happy with it.

[ndferg156]

Here are some before and after of the bath area...I really didn't do a very good job of detailing my project. I was a one man show and wanted to go camping, not take pictures. I bought it in Oct 2006 and was on the road June 2007, so only about 6-months to re-do.

[ndferg156]

Ok, probably getting tired of looking at my bathroom, but here are a couple more shots. This model seems to not get many posts so hopefully those of you interested to see what other floorplans looked like won't mind.

[Roadrunner]

Rocky...nice job. How did you polish your airstream? What did you use? How long did it take you? Just curious as polishing is on our list too.

Bob

[ndferg156]

Here's the kitchen area...We absolutely love the storage in all Airstreams but this pantry was hard to beat in an older model. When I took out the stove, I just went with a micro and cooktop, no oven. Didn't really do much baking when camping and a portable toaster oven will probably work for us.

[ndferg156]

Lastly, here is the seating area. I did take out a lot of stuff, like the table and credenza or whatever it was and replaced with a more suitable table for our use. My first post showed the beds flat, here's what they look like for seating purposes. I have had 6-adults in here on a rainy camp day, tight but not uncomfortable to wait out a Colorado thunderstorm. Oh yeah, the bottom pic is a before shot. The laminate floor did a good job of hiding the frame rot going on-boy, will I know better next time! Had to gut the entire unit, lift the frame, weld a new one, and build up from there. I read postings on the forum for hours on end, just getting opinions and ideas and without this forum would not have been able to even think about such an undertaking. Hopefully, my pictures are now adding a little back.

[ndferg156]

Hey Bob-I first used the Removal220 I think it is called to strip the clearcoat. From there I used the method that is described in some detail in the perfect polish web site. Used F7, C and S. I bought a harbor freight polisher and burned threw 2 of those before buying a much better unit thru Home Depot. Also had to invest in a cyclo but I have continued to use that yearly to keep the polish. Thing I hate the most is water spots, so I have been using the NoWet polish that Airstream sales. It does cut the shine just a bit, but I gladly trade that for not have to get rid of waterspots every time I polish.

[scf31]

You do nice work !!!! You have done some things I would like to do ,,,,

Do the Gonchos sleep better ? The foam on mine is getting flat ,

[ndferg156]

I have thought about opening the gauchos up and adding a layer of memory foam maybe 1-1/2",mostly because my wife likes a little softer mattress than I dp. Haven't done it yet, the threads I have read on mattresses seems to be just as opinonated as everything else on the forum and I am not sure what camp I am in yet. My biggest worry would be how would it bend when it is in seating mode. If you do something with yours, let me know how it works out.