1978 Travelux President 31'

[jonplayers]

Well I got the old rivits out. And spent the rest of the day messing with the old Skyline antenna. I got it working! It was rusted up and had a 1/4 cup of sand in it! I think it should have a grease nipple on it. Might do that. But for now I am just happy it goes up and down. I know it is big and bulky ...but who knows maybe I will shine it up one day. I had it all apart and replaced the o rings and greased it.

PS I know i said I got it working but I have no idea if it does actually work. Hmm I think I will go try.

[jonplayers]

Well it does not really work in the shop .... But I am sure it will. Here r some pics.

[jonplayers]

Well I ordered the stringers today 3/4 x 1" 1/2 U channel. The first order I made for the trailer was a few days ago for the running lights (led replicas). Ironicly enough those will probably be the last things to go on.
I have also come to the decision to use 5052 .032 aluminum for the interior skins. I had planned on using baltic birch. Aluminum is about three times the price...however I feel it will be worth every penny in peace of mind.
The thought of sealing the back side of every sheet of ply and trying to flex it in to the curves...is already giving me a headache.

I am in the midst of taking the air conditioner off. (the heat works on it ) If you even look at the shroud it wants to break...but i got it off.

Pics to follow.

[jonplayers]

[Gene]

Jon', good work at getting the antenna to move, but will it pick up HD signals?

Gene

[jonplayers]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Jon', good work at getting the antenna to move, but will it pick up HD signals?

Gene

Not sure about the HD signals. I have heard that they still pick up digital.
Up here in the north I think we can only get one channel anyways

I was gonna get a new antenna...but I really want to try and keep things original...and...I'm cheap

[jonplayers]

Well I got the airconditioner off...and now I am debating about wheather or not to put it back on. That thing is heavy. The framing is grossly under built to support the weight. Most of the weight is on one rib...and it is sagged out.
It has also poped some of the buck rivits. I am not sure if it is even worth the effort it would need in order to support the load. The new stringers will help overall ,but as far as stiffing up the rib...i think another rib is needed. Has got me thinking about basment airconditioning.

On another note I have probably spent more time looking at led light fixtures online then I have working on the trailer

[jonplayers]

Well I ordered more stuff last night. I got a rivit gun / kit, vents, radio antenna, and a few odd and ends....$1000 dollars later. I am going on vacation for a month over Christmas so I am trying to get stuff ordered and here for when I get back. Work is going to slow down over the winter so Jan/Feb should be very productive. : )

[jonplayers]

I know it sounds silly....but has anyone tryed powering there old windows?

I think it would be cool...a little to much maybe. I just can't imagine noone has tryed. I have not been able to find a thread about it. I have no idea how you would do it...but on my trailer it would sure look cool I suppose it would not be as simple as getting an automotive window motor and modifiyng it to work? Ah well enough day dreaming.

[jonplayers]

[jonplayers]

Originally Posted by jonplayers

That's already been addressed. See:

Problem Solved!

I

This was posted on another thread I started about the power windows ....to funny !

[jonplayers]

Well I got all my stuff today....except the marker lights. I am hoping to strip the roof this weekend.

[Ganaraska]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

If that were an Airstream, I'd guess there had been front end separation from the 2 patches on the front corners. I think they are patches because they reflect light differently than the rest of the outer skin and they look like, well, patches.

Gene

Gene those are stone guards. Made of thick ribbed gray rubber glued on the aluminum. They are standard equipment on all the Travelux trailers I have seen.

There is also a frame around the 2 front corner windows. Looks like there should be some kind of curved shield that slides down in front of the plexiglass, also for protection from flying objects.

[jonplayers]

Originally Posted by Ganaraska

Gene those are stone guards. Made of thick ribbed gray rubber glued on the aluminum. They are standard equipment on all the Travelux trailers I have seen.

There is also a frame around the 2 front corner windows. Looks like there should be some kind of curved shield that slides down in front of the plexiglass, also for protection from flying objects.

On my trailer the rock guards are aluminum...they seem to be trimmed out with a small metal trim. I believe they are just screwed on...but I am not sure as I have not taken them off yet. The screws r badly rusted so in the very least they will be getting replaced.

I see you are a fellow travelux owner...I would love to see some pics

[jonplayers]

I am off on a month long vaction tomorrow. I am really looking forward to digging in to this project when I get back. I should have a month or two off.
I have been goinging back in forth on weather or not to do a shell off.
I guess when I get back and Really inspect the frame that will be the deciding factor.

Jon

[jonplayers]

I have been back for a few days. So I have started on the t lux again. So far I have gutted the 12 volt wires. Patched the floors. Pulled the furnace out. The weather has been warm this week(+5) which for this part of the world in Jan. is very rare. So I thought I would take advantage and try and strip the roof. It has an old metallic thick coating...it is painfully slow. It will probably take two more days. Ordered the inside skin yesterday. I went with 5052 .040. 4x8 sheets. Should be here next week.

[jonplayers]

For through most of the stripping today . I gave up on the plastic scrapper and went with a paint scrapper. It does scratch a bit, but I will be using a paint on product to seal the roof anyways.

[jonplayers]

That last pic was a PO attempt of stripping. He quit well he was ahead. If I was more skilled and less stubborn I would have replaced the roof.

[jonplayers]

WHew ....the roof is stripped. 2.5 days of scrapping toxic goop. I am glad that I went through the trouble. Found 3 or 4 loose rivits. The old roof coating was failing in the odd spot and to just go over it with a new coating.
Does not really make sense to me. Know I just gotta sand.


PS Aircraft Stripper likes to eat plexiglass windows...don't ask me how I know that.

[jonplayers]

I have been back at it for a couple days. Found a bit of rust in the frame. I cut it out today and will be bringing it to a welder down the road in the morning. All in all the frame is in good shape. 6" box framing x 3 running length ways with 6" c framing for the cross members. I have opened up the belly pans a bit. I will be doing the POR 15 ...just not sure when. I guess it makes sense to do it now. The weather is mild and I could tarp it in the shop and run some heat. I will be beefing up the interior framing next. I have got all my material now. 22 sheets of 5052 .040, some 1" 1/2 angle , c channel. I have got another month off soooo Here Goes Nothing.

PS I have been thinking for a while now that I should have this thread moved to VIntage Kin. Anyone out there with power feel free to um
Put Me In MY Place ?