Airstream metal useage

[Inland RV Center, In]

The following is a list of the exterior metal that Airstream has used.

1960's switched to Alcoa for the aluminum material. 2024-T3 .032
Cost was not an issue.

1969-Beatrice Foods questioned cost of materials. They started experimenting with 6061-T6, it was still heat treatable and less expensive than 2024. 1972 switched to 6061T6 .032.

1977/78 Alcoa 3004-H291 Bright panels .032

1983 3003-H18 .032 Controlled mill finish

1986 3005-H18 .032 Controlled mill finish

1993 Switched to Alumax 3005-H18 Controlled mill finish with Precoat sheets .040

1994 Trailer shape changed. Material remained same thickness, increased to .040 to help carry the weight of shell change.

1998-200 Alcoa Bright Versatrim leveled sheet 3004-H18 sheets .040

3003 O Temper .040 thicknesses with special coating from Alcoa for the segments used to make the front and rear end caps. This material is stretch formed at Airstream.

3005-H18 Polar white .032 x 60" Aluminum 3105-H14 from Owens Corning for the roof.

Aluminum sheet .019 x 65.75 painted white one side and clear coat opposite side in coil form for underbelly. This comes from Owens Corning (Fabwell)

3003-H14 or 3105-H14 .060 x 48" x 120" with protective cover for compartment door backs.

The above information is all from Airstream.

Andy

[Alumineer]

Thanks Andy,
that is timely information. Do you know if the 6061 used from '69 to '76 was Alclad or was it un-coated? Our '74 wants to know... I haven't peeled back enough of the interior panels to see if there are mill markings denoting alloy/heat treat on the inside of the outer skin.

[daved20319]

I'd like to know if it's Alclad, too, I'm stripping my '74 right now. I'd also like it know if ALL the panels are 6061, specifically, the front and rear panels with compound curves. I seem to recall reading that a softer alloy was used in those areas for easier formability. Is that true, or did they stop using two different alloys at some point? And if it is true, what was used on mine? Thanks.

Dave

[Keyair]

Does this apply to motor homes too Andy?

[vinstream]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The following is a list of the exterior metal that Airstream has used.

1960's switched to Alcoa for the aluminum material. 2024-T3 .032
Cost was not an issue.

1969-Beatrice Foods questioned cost of materials. They started experimenting with 6061-T6, it was still heat treatable and less expensive than 2024. 1972 switched to 6061T6 .032.

1977/78 Alcoa 3004-H291 Bright panels .032

1983 3003-H18 .032 Controlled mill finish

1986 3005-H18 .032 Controlled mill finish

1993 Switched to Alumax 3005-H18 Controlled mill finish with Precoat sheets .040

1994 Trailer shape changed. Material remained same thickness, increased to .040 to help carry the weight of shell change.

1998-200 Alcoa Bright Versatrim leveled sheet 3004-H18 sheets .040

3003 O Temper .040 thicknesses with special coating from Alcoa for the segments used to make the front and rear end caps. This material is stretch formed at Airstream.

3005-H18 Polar white .032 x 60" Aluminum 3105-H14 from Owens Corning for the roof.

Aluminum sheet .019 x 65.75 painted white one side and clear coat opposite side in coil form for underbelly. This comes from Owens Corning (Fabwell)

3003-H14 or 3105-H14 .060 x 48" x 120" with protective cover for compartment door backs.

The above information is all from Airstream.

Andy

Andy... You need to make some corrections to your list!

the 3004 and 3005 need to be switched to 3104 and 3105 3004 & 3005 are not used in flat sheet material.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Does this apply to motor homes too Andy?

According to Airstream, yes .

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by vinstream

Andy... You need to make some corrections to your list!

the 3004 and 3005 need to be switched to 3104 and 3105 3004 & 3005 are not used in flat sheet material.

Sorry, but word for word, spec for spec, what I posted is an "EXACT" copy of an Airstream bulletin, from a few years ago.

Andy