Is the damage major?

[SoverignGal]

What do y'all think about this damage? Bearing in mind, i am on a very limited income, and want to fix this up as a full time home. Is this fixable as a person whose mostly ex-husband is a certified structural welder and might, maybe, weld it if the frame needs it? Or, is this "take it to a dealership only" kind of damage, or is it "you may have to live with your parents forever but don't touch this project" kind of damage? Trailer has almost always been in our family, and we lived in it for a year as newlyweds-- but it's not livable now--and i cannot imagine how or when this happened! I know every place this trailer has been, and I don't remember it being like this. So...what's your verdict?

[kendrick.l.j]

What the heck? I will be following the thread to learn as I am new to AS but it looks bad. Are you sure my brother didn't borrow it recently? The prospect of moving in with my mom forever scares the who-ha out of me too....oh, so hoping this can be repaired for you.

[xrvr]

Looks like it dropped off the jack, hard, more than once.

[SteveSueMac]

Could it be the frame is rotted and the last attempt to drop the tongue on the TV warped the body? I'm just guessing. It looks like severe repairs are needed.

[Naper]

Anything can be fixed. That said this looks like a lot of work. At this point you have nothing to lose. Open it up and have a look inside to see how extensive the damage is. Start by dropping the bottom pan and inspect the frame.

[ALANSD]

we have seen folks that fixed worse than this. Take off the tanks, drill out the rivets and see what you have there. as it was said- You have nothing to lose at this point. Good luck keep us posted here, you will get help and ideas.

[Shacksman]

I've seen that damage before. The frame has rotted just inside the body and caused the front A frame to bend up. Don't try to pull the trailer as the A frame can pull right out. Open up the belly pan and you can repair the frame.

[Bill M.]

It does look like a failed A frame. We had a rusted A frame replaced at Airstream and it was about $2500. I think a local trailer or welding shop could replace the A frame in that. I agree with the "do not try to pull the trailer" until you get in there and inspect the A frame. We had to re enforce ours to pull it to Airstream for repair.

[Del Gurney]

I've done a couple of these so here's what you do.
A) make sure that the rear bath room is not rotted out b'cuz that
is where the vast majority of your problems could be....money wise.
B) Get under the front of the trailer with a straight edge about 6' long
and see if the front frame is bent....the front of the frame is double strong
and if you are lucky it's not bent (or only slightly so). If it fell off the hitch
and hit the ground it would cause the even looking buckling of the front lower
aluminum panels (they are not repairable and will cost about 5-600 is new aluminum
from "Air Parts.com".....you'll also need about 200 rivets (in and outer shell.....about 30 bucks total).
So....If the frame is ok..... remove the inner skin panels (don't take down the inner fiberglass end caps....that's a be-outch).....check out the Z (or C) channels and have new ones made at any sheet metal shop....not expensive.
Check for floor rot also.
Take off outer panels, fabricate new ones (try to use same holes in frame).....you will need to go from 1/8" rivets to 5/16 about 1/4" long.....get them from "Vintage Trailer Supply.com).
As you put it all back together....make sure you seal the over-lapping panels.
Good to go and good luck (Couple weeks work part time)

[featherbedder]

If you decide to replace panels and not available they can be english wheeled but it is expensive process. I had left front banana wrap wheeled as only ones av. now are plastic then have to paint. If just living in AS and not trailering any where IMO leave as is.

[ALLEGRO]

That is a nice trailer and can still be lived in, the area in the front can be repaired and you could call that trailer home

[Betty Farmer]

"Not Livable as is". As is, why? Unless you have floor damage, water damage, etc. I would not pull it, but I could live in it - provided it is parked in a good area. Put out potted shrubs, etc. Save your money til you know exactly what it will cost and hire it done.

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by Del Gurney

If it fell off the hitch
and hit the ground it would cause the even looking buckling of the front lower
aluminum panels (they are not repairable and will cost about 5-600 is new aluminum
from "Air Parts.com".....you'll also need about 200 rivets (in and outer shell.....about 30 bucks total).

While the piece below the window is flat, I'm pretty sure the lower corner pieces have a compound curve so you won't be able to get them from Airparts. Those parts are not a compound curve on the '60s trailers, but they are on my '74.

[tjdonahoe]

Give it to good will and run away....from never ending problems...

[bibbs]

The corners can be cut from a flat panel, They are a trapezoid shape when laying flat. You might even be able to pound the corners out with a hammer and a "dolly", if you aren't too fussy.

[PaulG_4307]

PaulMayeux@gmail.com can fix that for you.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Airstream Forums mobile app

[ALANSD]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Give it to good will and run away....from never ending problems...

Negative! Why should she give up on something do-able?

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

Negative! Why should she give up on something do-able?

I agree, especially since it's been in her family. It's not like she's looking at buying it.