Body work needed in TX big dents and tears

[bendavanza]

I'm in the Dallas TX area. I have a 71 Trade Winds. I posted an intro here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f368...-tx-62056.html
As you can see in this picture, my street side front panel and banana wrap is toast. The panel above that is curved in but may be salvageable. The lengthwise panel behind it is scored but I can live with it. The entire camper has damage (small dents dings, holes) but the damage here allows for all kinds of problems. I have put the aluminum tape over it but it's too rough to really seal up.
I was quoted $1500 per panel at my local RV place(North Dallas RV). I just don't have that kind of cash (3-4k) to put into it, not to mention it needs other repairs. Suggestions or comments appreciated. I'm handy with a wrench but body panels are not my area of expertise.

Thank you,
-Ben

[bendavanza]

Here you can see the shell is dimpled all over but I kind of like it's character.

[Mikethefixit]

Aint no straighten them dents PANELS MUST BE REPLACED. Id check around that price maybe a little high. Seems Inland in Calif gets a little less than that.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

Aint no straighten them dents PANELS MUST BE REPLACED. Id check around that price maybe a little high. Seems Inland in Calif gets a little less than that.

I agree. At the Mothership, I paid 1200 per panel two years ago. Allowing for inflation the price seems reasonable. Good panel work is hard. Check the rep of whoever is going to do your work before you commit.

Sorry about your OUCHEE! This is a real Curses, Foiled Again!

[bendavanza]

Well I bought it that way unaware of what an ordeal and cost the repair would be. I'm sure the cost of driving to CA would offset the cost of doing it local. Thing is, I don't care if it's "perfect" It could just be solid and sealed I would be alright. Some of the holes I have considered patching with a piece of aluminum, vulkem and rivets. I don't mind a bit of frankenstein.

[wasagachris]

Bendavanza how handy are you? the panels are avilable from any airsream dealer.
They are listed here at $368.40 each for the lower and upper panel.
Body Panel 1969 to 82 Segment Bright 104451-02 [104451-02] - $368.40 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!
and the banana wrap is $49.22 so that's $786.02 plus shipping for parts add a few dollars more for rivets and vulkem and you're done for less than $850.
Body Panel 1969 to 82 Segment Bright 104451-02 [104451-02] - $368.40 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

[bendavanza]

wasagachris
Thanks for the links. I am pretty handy, and I've asked a friend who works on airplanes if he would help. I may go this route but I'm a little intimidated by the project, to be honest.
I may be able to buy the panels locally to save the shipping cost, esp. on the wrap since it's a freight item.
Would the window have to be removed?
One other thing
The belt on my trailer looks much wider than what I've seen. Can anyone ID this? I have not found replacement for this.