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mello mike · 05-13-2010, 12:47 PM

I'm thinking about buying a '58 Flying Cloud. The biggest issue with the trailer is the damaged skin on the streetside wheel area caused by a tire blowout. This is a pretty common problem from blowouts but I haven't seen damage this bad before.

What's the best approach to repair this? A scab over the damaged area? Or replacing a section of the skin. I realize that the best way might not be the cheapest. Just curious what opinions are and what others have done.

Thanks in advance.

Pahaska · 05-13-2010, 01:06 PM

They usually overlay the skin on the lower side panels to cover damage.

ts8501 · 05-13-2010, 01:34 PM

Mike:

For me this would be too big of a rip to patch. I would replace the panel. This panel would not be that hard to replace, as it is a side panel (how long is the panel?) You drill out the rivets to remove the old panel, overlay the ripped panel to the new panel. You then have the full template for the cuts and holes in the new aluminum. Then reverse and install with Olympics rivets (with Vulkem on every Olympic). Two guys could get this done in a few hours of a Saturday.

-Tim

(p.s.: By the way, if the price it right, buy the '59!)

mello mike · 05-13-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ts8501

Mike:

For me this would be too big of a rip to patch. I would replace the panel. This panel would not be that hard to replace, as it is a side panel (how long is the panel?) You drill out the rivets to remove the old panel, overlay the ripped panel to the new panel. You then have the full template for the cuts and holes in the new aluminum. Then reverse and install with Olympics rivets (with Vulkem on every Olympic). Two guys could get this done in a few hours of a Saturday.

Tim, the trailer body is 19' long (it's 22' overall) so I would imagine that the panel is probably 14-16' long. How much would a sheet of aluminum like that cost?

ts8501 · 05-13-2010, 02:43 PM

So there is no break in that one sheet between the end caps? You might consider cutting off the panel at a rib in front and back of the rip, creating say an 8' panel that you would replace. I can't see exactly the view of your full panel in picture #1. If you did have to buy a full 14'-16', you would want to buy it in a rolled up sheet. It would be buy the foot, and I believe there are 4' wide. I am not near my catelog for a cost, but I believe you need T3-2025 .025".

Aerowood · 05-13-2010, 05:49 PM

If it's a 22' trailer the panel is going to be in the neighborhood of 12 to 13 ft. .032 2024-T3 alclad. I replaced mine with .040. Panel replacement is the best option.

Wabbiteer · 05-13-2010, 06:30 PM

I'd also be thinking about if/when another tire blow-out or tread loss happens - cutting and covering might be good insurance...

ts8501 · 05-13-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerowood

If it's a 22' trailer the panel is going to be in the neighborhood of 12 to 13 ft. .032 2024-T3 alclad. I replaced mine with .040. Panel replacement is the best option.

Good catch! I must have been thinking belly pan. Of course .032!

66Overlander · 05-13-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

Tim, the trailer body is 19' long (it's 22' overall) so I would imagine that the panel is probably 14-16' long. How much would a sheet of aluminum like that cost?

I recently measured ny 1955 22' Safari in case I want to replace the streetside lower skin. In my case that panel was exactly 12' long and just over 3' high. I'll probably have to by a 12' x 4' sheet and cut it down. I assume this trailer would be similar.

FreshAir · 05-13-2010, 11:50 PM

I damaged the entire lower half panel of our '66 Trade Wind. Our insurance paid for the whole thing. All that we paid for was the gas to take the trailer to Toscanos in Los Banos, Ca. The invoice showed that the 14' x 4' 2420 alclad aluminum cost $1200. The job was $3200 and took 12 hours. I located the alumunum source...I'll look it up for you if you need it.
Neil.

Inland RV Center, In · 05-14-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir

I damaged the entire lower half panel of our '66 Trade Wind. Our insurance paid for the whole thing. All that we paid for was the gas to take the trailer to Toscanos in Los Banos, Ca. The invoice showed that the 14' x 4' 2420 alclad aluminum cost $1200. The job was $3200 and took 12 hours. I located the alumunum source...I'll look it up for you if you need it.
Neil.

That aluminum price is some what inflated.

Overall the job was about $1200 above the current flat rate manuals.

Andy

markdoane · 05-14-2010, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

That aluminum price is some what inflated.

Right. By about 600%.

Should be able to get a sheet of aluminum for around $200, FOB Aircraft Spruce.

It takes more than a couple of hours on Saturday to do the job though. You'll also need some edge trim for around the wheel well and some repair of the crunched up bellypan.

ts8501 · 05-14-2010, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

It takes more than a couple of hours on Saturday to do the job though.

I would agree this job is a little bigger than first envisioned. I did not account for the belly pan or wheel trim work. Having said that, 3 of us replaced a 4x8' (cut to 3x8') sheet from start to finish in less than 4 hours. This included a cut around a window. Since this sheet is 12', and taking into account the belly pan and wheel trim, I'll stop guessing the clock turns.

Minno · 05-14-2010, 06:29 AM

Hi Mike,

If it were my trailer, I'd replace the entire panel. I think that's the best option in maintaining the look of the trailer without it looking like it was patched. My 2 cents.

Good luck with the project, whatever you decide to do.

Chris

LHall · 05-14-2010, 07:10 AM

Mike, bring it to the restoraton rally next month and a piece of aluminum, and voila you will go home with a new panel. If you don't want to tackle this yourself, I would contact Uwe who you met at our Deadhorse rally.

Hope all is well and cool trailer!

flyfshr · 05-14-2010, 09:07 AM

I'm in agreement and would replace the entire panel. Although I have never done it personally, I'll just bet you and I could do this on a long Saturday. Gotta start sometime. I have some clecos but would need another hundred or so and another cleco pliers.

Do all of you experts think that Olympics would be strong enough and seal well enough for an entire panel replacement?

Got any shade up at your house?

Brad
FF

On edit: I see Louis has a great idea about the resto rally. Don't let this one panel keep you from getting this trailer. It'll get fixed one way or another.

Inland RV Center, In · 05-14-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

I'm in agreement and would replace the entire panel. Although I have never done it personally, I'll just bet you and I could do this on a long Saturday. Gotta start sometime. I have some clecos but would need another hundred or so and another cleco pliers.

Do all of you experts think that Olympics would be strong enough and seal well enough for an entire panel replacement?

Got any shade up at your house?

Brad
FF

On edit: I see Louis has a great idea about the resto rally. Don't let this one panel keep you from getting this trailer. It'll get fixed one way or another.

Olympic rivets, when properly used, will hold the metal to the shell without any problems. They have already been in use some 40 years without problems.

Aircraft Spruce does not stock any alclad aluminum larger than 4' X 12'. Very few places carry alclad in larger sizes.

You may have to use a sheet of the newer material, that's available from Airstream, and cut it down to the size you need. But, it's only available in certain lengths.

Andy

ts8501 · 05-14-2010, 10:20 AM

The Resto Rally is a great option. Where do you think I learned how? I no longer fear the Aluminum! The aluminum does not yet fear me, but we are getting there. Wish I could attend this years rally. I highly recommend it for all restorers, and what a great place to replace a panel. Everyone pitches in to help and learn.

uwe · 05-14-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHall

Mike, bring it to the restoraton rally next month and a piece of aluminum, and voila you will go home with a new panel. If you don't want to tackle this yourself, I would contact Uwe who you met at our Deadhorse rally.

Hope all is well and cool trailer!

We did exactly that panel on Area 63's 1958 Flying Cloud last year, at the restoration Rally. And the other side, too....
It was done as part of metalwork hands on demonstrations.
The panel is 12ft long, and 39in high. We used 2024 Alclad, from Airparts inc in Kansas. They have 4ft alclad on a huge roll, and will cut any length for you.
The front street side window will have to come out, which is a perfect time to clean it up and overhaul it.
While I personally prefer original style bucked rivets, Olympics will work fine if you do not want to remove the interior skin.

mello mike · 05-14-2010, 11:34 AM

Wow, thanks, everyone, for the numerous responses. I agree that the best way would be to replace the entire lower side panel.

BTW, I looked at this trailer last night and it's pretty rough. The floor will need replaced and the curbside upper curved front panels have a dent that is worse than the pics depicted. The inner zolotone panels, though, look great and have not been painted over.

UWE, does your Flying Cloud have a black tank? This one didn't. It just had a sewer hookup underneath the toilet. Does the gray water drain out
this hole, too?