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02-10-2021, 07:28 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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1972 Globetrotter DoOver
Well this one fell into my lap. Rumor has it that this one got traded for a gun, given up on and then given away. We don't really need another single axle Airstream but I am a sucker for a project and a rescue mission.
I have 2 big projects that I need to get finished on the Caravel this year so this one is not going to get to much done to it until that is completed. I do have a soft goal of getting this back on the road during it's 50th year but we will see if that happens.
The floor on the Globetrotter is rotten in the front and I assume rotten in the back. The plan is for a full on floor replacement.
Questions # 1
What's the scoop on the new waterproof floor from Airstream? Is the DIY crowd using it yet?
Question # 2
Do you have any good build threads going through the process of a full on rebuild? If so would you mind posting them? I have read through several but I am sure there are some hidden gems.
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02-10-2021, 08:29 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1969 18' Caravel
Greenville
, whereEverIroam
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,409
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Congrats on your new vintage AS!
The new composite floor is called TransCore, made by a company in Ohio originally for semi trailers. By all accounts, it sounds too good to be true (and a LOOONG overdue improvement!) The key advantage over Coosa Board is that it can accept a screw directly due to it being heated to a point where the glass melts and bonds to a more solid state. AS is also installing it in one large continuous piece, no joints (pretty slick, eh?)
With Coosa, owners are either using construction glue to affix an aluminum L channel and screwing into that, or drilling and filling plugs to screw into, or other clever work-arounds.
I am not aware of anyone yet getting TransCore aftermarket, perhaps someone like Timeless Travel Trailers or P & S or other professional restoration services has an inside track? If you are able to secure some TransCore, that would be awesome - let us know how you did it.
So, you already know how to find the full monty/shell off threads -- they are fascinating reads. Remember, while there are many commonalities, when you've seen one AS restoration, you've seen one AS restoration; the challenges, decisions, solutions, choices and implementations are all unique. One thing that seems accurate is the old saw about getting to choose only two of Price, Quality, and Time.
Good Luck, and please use this forum to document your journey, ask for advice, vent your frustrations, share your progress and plead for help.
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02-10-2021, 08:46 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyguyscott
I am not aware of anyone yet getting TransCore aftermarket, perhaps someone like Timeless Travel Trailers or P & S or other professional restoration services has an inside track? If you are able to secure some TransCore, that would be awesome - let us know how you did it.
Good Luck, and please use this forum to document your journey, ask for advice, vent your frustrations, share your progress and plead for help.
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Thanks for the info on transcore. I will dig into it a bit further. I definitely plan to take all of you along for the ride and I will bombard you with endless questions.
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02-10-2021, 08:52 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,986
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If you search for the threads on 1970's trailers, you will find many threads on renovations/restorations. Ours is there (Little Girl Refurb), but it's a 31ft trailer, so maybe not what you wanted. There's also a thread listing all the renovation threads on the forums. You could search that also. Many ongoing threads with new and innovative technologies right now to search also.
Good luck!
Kay
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02-10-2021, 09:05 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
1968 17' Caravel
1967 22' Safari
Leawood
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 456
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Peter-yes they will fall in your lap when people know you are into that. That's how I got my '67 Safari. Congrats. I'm going to be in Joplin for the Great Race just after Father's Day. I'll be in my new little treasure. Let me know if you're in town and I'd like to swing through and see your little treasure. I know you plan on a shell off, but I'm going to do my '67 by first pulling the belly pan, by putting it on a car lift. When I start that trailer I'm going to do a different sequence that I think is a little out of the box, but saves a few unforeseen issues that emerge later in the build. Call me when you get it home. I'll fire up the 172 and look it over with you. How fun. Jerry
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02-10-2021, 09:24 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno
If you search for the threads on 1970's trailers, you will find many threads on renovations/restorations. Ours is there (Little Girl Refurb), but it's a 31ft trailer, so maybe not what you wanted. There's also a thread listing all the renovation threads on the forums. You could search that also. Many ongoing threads with new and innovative technologies right now to search also.
Good luck!
Kay
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Do you have a link to that post with all the builds?
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02-10-2021, 10:43 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by docflyboy
Peter-yes they will fall in your lap when people know you are into that. That's how I got my '67 Safari. Congrats. I'm going to be in Joplin for the Great Race just after Father's Day. I'll be in my new little treasure. Let me know if you're in town and I'd like to swing through and see your little treasure. I know you plan on a shell off, but I'm going to do my '67 by first pulling the belly pan, by putting it on a car lift. When I start that trailer I'm going to do a different sequence that I think is a little out of the box, but saves a few unforeseen issues that emerge later in the build. Call me when you get it home. I'll fire up the 172 and look it over with you. How fun. Jerry
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Thanks Jerry! Right now we do not have anything on for that weekend so keep me posted. On the same note do you know anything about this event? https://airstreamclub.org/mo-kan-air...1-spring-rally
I think there is an event at Clinton lake as well. We may go to that. That was were my grandparents always stayed and I remember going to see them there when I was still very short.
What is a 172?
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02-10-2021, 12:00 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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02-10-2021, 07:24 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,291
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What fun you found a ratty 72 Globetrotter to work on when you are ready. People really like the short trailers and they usually have more market value than a twin axle trailer. I prefer the longer Airstreams for additional comfort, but they are not as handy in tight state park campgrounds and the like.
I think a piece of high quality 3/4" plywood with some decent waterproofing both sides is quite adequate for the application. Fancy composite flooring is better, but at what cost?
I'm working our 69 Globetrotter 21'. It is the first year of the new body style. I find Airstream did a good job building this trailer with good cabinets of real hardwoods for the most part. I find the wet bath unsuitable in my view, so I'm building a "powder room" half bath instead with a decent septic tank under floor. I will not have a "open, airy" trailer with the additional bath, but it will be considerably more comfortable. A Globetrotter is a lot better than a pup tent and sleeping bag next to a campfire with bears around.
I see your trailer has the pull out lounge across from the galley. It has a full bath in the rear. And likely has a dinette under the front window. It is a considerably different layout than the 69.
David
__________________
WBCCI #8607 VAC Region 11
KnowledgeBase trailer renovation threads: 69 Globetrotter, 76 Sovereign, 75 Overlander, 66 Trade Wind Such fun !
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02-10-2021, 10:24 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
1968 17' Caravel
1967 22' Safari
Leawood
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 456
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Peter- I didn't sign up for the Mo-Kan rally, because I think I'll be pretty busy getting my Caravel ready for a trip to Iowa, a meeting with Club Caravel, to which you are invited at Weston State Park, and the VAC in Tennessee. The MO-Kan is a good group, and seems to be getting younger. The couple that turned me on to A & P Vintage Trailer in Texas usually go with their '61 Flying Cloud. Some of the more avid restorers in KC aren't in the WBCCI, though. Jerry
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02-11-2021, 05:14 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
1968 17' Caravel
1967 22' Safari
Leawood
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 456
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Peter- missed your question about what is a 172. It's a Cessna 172. Not glamorous, but a basic Chevy sedan of airplanes. Fixed gear, cruise speed of about 130 mph, basic IFR without any anti-icing. Think $100 hamburgers and back and forth to the Lake in 1/2 the time. Jerry
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02-11-2021, 07:37 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,986
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I'm sorry, I'm not the most technically proficient person in the world. Not sure how to post the thread for you. If you do a search for "renovation threads" in the search box on the forums, it'll come up as the first one. I's a 2007 thread (how time flies), but has many famous reno threads on it for you to peruse.
Kay
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02-11-2021, 09:12 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbj216
I think a piece of high quality 3/4" plywood with some decent waterproofing both sides is quite adequate for the application. Fancy composite flooring is better, but at what cost?
David
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I am definitely still open to some good marine grade plywood, is it 3/4"? I just want to know what other options are out there and what those options cost.
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02-11-2021, 09:22 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by docflyboy
Peter- I didn't sign up for the Mo-Kan rally, because I think I'll be pretty busy getting my Caravel ready for a trip to Iowa, a meeting with Club Caravel, to which you are invited at Weston State Park, and the VAC in Tennessee. The MO-Kan is a good group, and seems to be getting younger. The couple that turned me on to A & P Vintage Trailer in Texas usually go with their '61 Flying Cloud. Some of the more avid restorers in KC aren't in the WBCCI, though. Jerry
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Club Caravel? I will PM you in a bit.
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02-11-2021, 06:27 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,291
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Airstreams were built with 3/4" plywood for years until 1976. Then they changed the frame design and started using 1/2" plywood. A mistake in my view for the late 70s trailers.
Maybe others more knowledgeable than I will confirm my statement.
David
__________________
WBCCI #8607 VAC Region 11
KnowledgeBase trailer renovation threads: 69 Globetrotter, 76 Sovereign, 75 Overlander, 66 Trade Wind Such fun !
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03-05-2021, 06:48 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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There are not many videos of these.
https://youtu.be/NtSouN237n0
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03-06-2021, 04:48 AM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
1976 25' Tradewind
Currently Looking...
Flushing
, Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 171
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Here’s what I did for my shell off project on the ‘76 Trade Wind: I used 3/4” tongue and groove Plytanium Dryply plywood, then routed the edges down to 1/2” all around so the shell and its channels would align and fit properly. That seemed to work well for me. If you do this, please note that, depending on your finish floor, you may need to apply a separate 1/4” subfloor atop as the product has a waxy coating that will not allow some sheet products (Marmoleum, for example) to be installed directly because the adhesive will not bind to the first subfloor. If I were to do it again, I’d follow the same process, but just use plain tongue and groove plywood with out the coating and liberally coat the cut edges around the perimeter. Good luck!
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03-06-2021, 07:36 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve46
Here’s what I did for my shell off project on the ‘76 Trade Wind: I used 3/4” tongue and groove Plytanium Dryply plywood, then routed the edges down to 1/2” all around so the shell and its channels would align and fit properly. That seemed to work well for me. If you do this, please note that, depending on your finish floor, you may need to apply a separate 1/4” subfloor atop as the product has a waxy coating that will not allow some sheet products (Marmoleum, for example) to be installed directly because the adhesive will not bind to the first subfloor. If I were to do it again, I’d follow the same process, but just use plain tongue and groove plywood with out the coating and liberally coat the cut edges around the perimeter. Good luck!
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Just for clarification, did the factory use 3/4 plywood and route down 1/4" for the channel to fit correctly? I want to understand how the factory did things before I start changing something.
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03-06-2021, 06:22 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,291
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I'm quite confident your 72 Globetrotter was built with 3/4" plywood and the body with c-channel assembled on top of it. My 75 Overlander is 3/4" plywood. My friend's 76 Sovereign was built with 1/2" plywood. The frame has extra 1x2 steel channel longerans to help support the floor. And Steve46's 1976 Trade Wind was built with 1/2" plywood. He upgraded to 3/4" plywood by doing the routing job. I think he has a better trailer for the effort. 1976 was the year Airstream changed the frame and subfloor.
Soon you will be able to measure a section of subfloor and know for sure what your Globetrotter was built with. My bet is 3/4" plywood.
David
__________________
WBCCI #8607 VAC Region 11
KnowledgeBase trailer renovation threads: 69 Globetrotter, 76 Sovereign, 75 Overlander, 66 Trade Wind Such fun !
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03-06-2021, 07:23 PM
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#20
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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This may be the thread they're referring to
Link to lots of restorations:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ons-35399.html
Following your thread with interest. My '73 definitely had a 3/4' floor.
I used 3/4' ply with epoxyed edges. In my case, I still had leaks from the overhead windows up front, so I'm going to have to do it all over again. I'll be interested to see if you can source some of that new material.
Good luck! We love to tell folks how to do stuff, just ask!
Jim
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