Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-29-2021, 05:44 PM   #1
New Member
 
Baltimoreed's Avatar
 
1976 25' Caravanner
Aurora , North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
New to the Airstream

Hey guys. Kind of an odd duck here as I bought a rough on the inside but nice on the outside 1976 Caravanner to rebuild into a permanent home. I’ve got no desire to travel with it. As a 70 yr old widower in pretty good health my son and I have bought an interesting 30 acre piece of property to potentially build on. He’s planning on a conventional farm house on his part while I want something well…a bit different. My first thought was a $$ monolithic dome home, my second thought was a much more $ reasonable older Airstream. I want to do a pavilion for my trailer to live under. I want to elevate everything at least 4 ft off the ground and a wrap around deck under the pavilion. The photo is something I found on the internet but it’s kinda what I’m thinking. The others are my ‘76. My sad Caravanner is unfortunately 2 states away so it will be August before my son and I can fly out, rent a truck and bring it home. I would appreciate any input from stationery Airstream owners. Thanks.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	075DBEBE-CDF0-4C73-87C0-BDF9DEDF1925.jpeg
Views:	34
Size:	262.5 KB
ID:	400643   Click image for larger version

Name:	286890AB-C856-4C7E-8EE4-87EA3760D873.jpeg
Views:	35
Size:	202.1 KB
ID:	400644  

Click image for larger version

Name:	360A1D14-370E-4340-BED3-D24AD0DC1EA9.jpeg
Views:	35
Size:	170.4 KB
ID:	400645  
Baltimoreed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 06:55 PM   #2
3 Rivet Member
 
Roadhoop's Avatar
 
2022 30' Classic
Granville , Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 160
Think creatively on how you will make it a true 4 season living space. I can't give you much advice, but there will be challenges in winter if you are in that type of climate. It's doable but will take forethought. Looking forward to following your story.
Roadhoop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 07:28 PM   #3
3 Rivet Member
 
1972 25' Tradewind
St Clair County , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 100
That's an interesting idea! The ultimate downsize, and you have plenty of property to put it on. The Caravelles didn't have many walls inside so it should be an easy job to clear everything out and rebuild the way you want.

I could so do that, but Mrs. A would say, "Nay, nay, not today."

How will you get if four feet off the ground? Rent a crane?
TR Anderson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 07:34 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Springfield , Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 564
Sounds like a project! Keep us informed.
__________________
2018 Flying Cloud 30RB + 2020 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison
tbrowne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2021, 09:07 AM   #5
Half a Rivet Short
 
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
Hi

As you design your "pavilion" work out where you will put a *big* propane tank. You will have a propane heated "house" and a truck filled "house sized" tank is very much the way to go. Also work out what permits will be required to do all of this. Septic is often a pain ....

Bob
uncle_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2021, 10:58 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Rgentum's Avatar
 
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Olympia , Washington
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 618
And before you get it 4 ft off the ground and property "tied down," make sure you have it more or less permanently secured, as Airstreams have the habit of picking up and moving away --- that is, being stolen if left unattended.

I especially like your proposed AS barn. Here's some photos of one I built for mine:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Barn front.jpg
Views:	32
Size:	607.8 KB
ID:	400692   Click image for larger version

Name:	Barn side.jpg
Views:	32
Size:	493.2 KB
ID:	400693  

Click image for larger version

Name:	Barn back corner.jpg
Views:	30
Size:	588.8 KB
ID:	400694  
__________________
Richard Wills, Olympia, WA --- WBCCI 8873, WL7Z
"Aurum": 2018 Ram/Cummins 3500
"Argentum": 2016 AS FC 27 FB
RIP "BigDog": M Harlequin Great Dane, 150 lb
"St. Rocco": M Black Great Dane, 150 lb
Rgentum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2021, 03:53 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
Hittenstiehl's Avatar
 
1962 28' Ambassador
1961 19' Globetrotter
1962 26' Overlander
Mesa , Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,996
Images: 9
Your idea sounds great. Plenty of property, close to family, small enough to take care of and still be independent.

If your property is close to Aurora NC your climate is not too severe but you will have challenges as AS is not really a 4 season trailer.

As already mentioned a large propane tank will help in winter when the cold uses up more propane. You will likely need a dehumidifier which will help with condensation and maybe only need it plugged in during the winter or extreme humidity. Check under the bed between mattress and wood as it can build up there because of the hollow space under the bed. Because it will be stationary you can add as much insulation as your weather dictates. You could also put a skirt around to help with cold air underneath the trailer.

A cover will keep off hail, heavy rain, falling branches, mossy green buildup and a possible unusual flurry of snow. The cover will also minimize leaks that always creep up regardless of how well you seal it.

Make sure to seal up well for critters that may want to live with you or explore your warm surroundings.

The cover and deck also give you the opportunity for outside living and cooking area when weather allows or the trailer feels a little snug.

The image is from Texas Airstream Harbor where lots of folks have a trailer, cover, cabana or rvdominium.

Good luck and keep us posted how this works out.Click image for larger version

Name:	thumb-1000x1000-cfb9ed4aacdae40875fda986a24e9871.jpg
Views:	30
Size:	192.8 KB
ID:	400717
__________________

Hittenstiehl
Hittenstiehl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2021, 09:52 AM   #8
Half a Rivet Short
 
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
Hi

One very big decision in all this: do you put it up on blocks or keep it on tires? If it's going to be on a 4' "patio", blocks might be the better option. The big gotcha there is you now are immobile. There's no way to haul the trailer here or there to get things repaired. If an A/C goes out, somebody has to come out and fix it.

All sorts of decisions !!!

Bob
uncle_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2021, 08:33 AM   #9
New Member
 
Baltimoreed's Avatar
 
1976 25' Caravanner
Aurora , North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Anyone know who owns this or where it is? Are they on the forum? Looks like a clever idea. These are the only 2 photos that I’ve come across.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2BAA3426-21F2-4ED8-8014-180EAB17BF0C.jpeg
Views:	25
Size:	327.1 KB
ID:	404151   Click image for larger version

Name:	9CB22B59-61D0-4EAB-82C8-2BAA716A5F3F.jpeg
Views:	25
Size:	321.3 KB
ID:	404152  

Baltimoreed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2021, 06:36 AM   #10
Half a Rivet Short
 
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
Hi

There are a *lot* of folks who have done something similar. Many of them have posted threads on the forum. I'd guess that <1% of AS owners are active here. The odds of finding any one owner ... not good.

Bob
uncle_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2021, 07:20 PM   #11
New Member
 
Baltimoreed's Avatar
 
1976 25' Caravanner
Aurora , North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Working around him and his wife’s busy schedules we have finally found time to go and get it. We left Aurora on Monday am with nice weather, rented a big duelly Ram in Raleigh, headed west and picked up the Carravanner midday Tuesday. It was located south of Ft Smith, AK. Checked the bearings, lights and brakes and headed east. Backed it under my carport at 6:00 this evening. Spotty rain all the way back. The big Ram pulled it like a charm. We had no issues. A 4 day trip but we still have to return the Ram tomorrow morning. Being with my 43 year old son a few days made a vey nice drive. Best part of the trip.
Baltimoreed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2021, 04:21 PM   #12
New Member
 
Baltimoreed's Avatar
 
1976 25' Caravanner
Aurora , North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Here’s some pix of my new/old baby, home safe and needing work. Carried the Ram back to Enterprise today, 2478 miles total. 4 days.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	E700C570-611C-4FA5-827F-D27765C0BF6D.jpeg
Views:	21
Size:	561.3 KB
ID:	407571   Click image for larger version

Name:	72496583-B4BE-4D96-B9BF-13D35C8B21DA.jpeg
Views:	25
Size:	674.0 KB
ID:	407572  

Baltimoreed is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New member, New Airstream, New life. TikiDaddy Member Introductions 13 12-07-2020 09:10 PM
New New New Airstream Owners (Fully Renovated 1991 34' Limited) GetOutside Member Introductions 3 09-01-2020 09:23 AM
31 ft Airstream; NEW frig, NEW hot water tank, 2 NEW propane tanks, in good cond eBay Watch Airstreams on eBay 3 06-24-2017 02:19 PM
31 ft Airstream; NEW frig, NEW hot water tank, 2 NEW propane tanks, in good cond eBay Watch Airstreams on eBay 0 07-05-2013 07:00 AM
New New New Deadhead58 Member Introductions 10 04-16-2007 03:26 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.