New Silver Streak owner!

[Dreambiz1]

Hi all!
I am looking forward to sharing and hopefully gleaning lots of information on Silver Streak trailers here.

Just purchased a 1971 Deluxe Rocket. My first ever trailer so bear with me.


My question is....the trailer is in VERY good condition for age, but has been sitting for last 15yr in Oklahoma uncovered. It is being picked up and delivered next week. I am having new tires, bearings packed, brakes/lines checked. Do I need to worry about Axles?

I've read on this site about A/S axles needing replacement after sitting over 5yr or so, but I don't think the S/S has the same type as A/S.

Any input is appreciated.
I'll put pictures up soon. Figuring it out.

I've searched the only Silver Streak site I know of (Tom's site), but find it difficult to navigate.

[Dreambiz1]

1971 28ft Deluxe Rocket

It does have dent over top left rear, but mostly pretty good shape.

[Dreambiz1]

Some interior pics

[Bo Bomar]

Thanks for saving me from myself. I had been watching that trailer, already have two, one a 70 model Rocket, the other a 69 Saber. We live north of OKC. bought the rocket in Guthrie. Okla. blew two tires within 15 miles " on a sunday " Got it set-up behind the barn, now that the ac is working, I haven't hit a lick since. The Saber is a 23 footer that needs the TLC, got it powered-up beside the barn. I'm sure my wife is a happy camper that I didn't bring another one home. Good luck with the Rocket, and may you acquire many more.

[dkrug]

Nice trailer! Looks really clean inside. I wish I could answer your question about axles.
We are going to replace them on the old trailer we just bought, but it is much older and has been sitting longer.
Are you going to keep the seventies look or remodel?

[Mulligan]

Cracking looking S/S, i really admire the vintage kin, so much taht i've recently bought a 1960 Avion H24, i also like the S/S and Streamlines, and of course Airstreams !!

[dkrug]

This vintage kin thing could be VERY addicting. We just bought a 1947 Spartan Manor and have not even gotten it home yet. We looked at another Spartan someone told us about and hubby is already trying to figure out how to get it. I hope I have convinced him to get the first one home first.

[DryFly]

I'm pretty sure that SS used a standard axle with leaf springs, rather than the torsion axle on the AS (could be wrong, a simple visual check will tell you). If it' been sitting that long you may have pitted bearing races. You should probably replace the bearings rather than just re-packing them, and when put new bearings in you should check the races. You'll also want to check the leaf springs and the attachment to the frame.
Nice trailer, that's a beauty!

[Silverflames]

Wow!! Great looking trailer. There one on Craig's list (tamp). That was converted to a park model. They are asking $1500! I don't dare even drive over to look at it..

[Dreambiz1]

Oh boy, ok you're welcome! I hope everything goes well for transport here to Georgia...

[Dreambiz1]

I am going to try and keep most all of the original look. Have to see how the sofa works. Owner said it was a little "sticky". No smoker, but they had a blanket over it for quite a while. I'm wondering if blanket didn't deposit something.

[Dreambiz1]

Yes, it has leaf springs. Guy doing the tires, bearings for me there in Oklahoma City said he was concerned about parts if it needed new bearings. What are bearing races?

[Dreambiz1]

Thanks for all the comments. Apparently I don't know how to respond properly. Thought if I hit quick reply it would reply directly to the specific post.

[TouringDan]

That is a beauty. Mighty nice first trailer.
You need to hook up with Slowmover. He is the resident expert on SS trailers (I think) on this site.

Glad to have you with us.

Dan

[Dreambiz1]

Can't wait to get it home, give it a wash and try out MET-ALL cleaner/polish to see how pretty I can make it! Anybody using WD-40 on their SS?

[DryFly]

Originally Posted by Dreambiz1

Yes, it has leaf springs. Guy doing the tires, bearings for me there in Oklahoma City said he was concerned about parts if it needed new bearings. What are bearing races?

Bearing races are the part of the axles that the bearings are pressed in to. If that part is pitted or corroded the bearings will beat themselves to death, heat up and die. If your guy doing the tires is a certified mechanic, he should automatically recommend pulling and replacing the bearings on a rig that old - if he doesn't, run. It shouldn't be an issue to find new bearings that fit. The brakes are another matter on a rig that old, but you can replace the whole brake assembly pretty easily.

I think you should be concerned about the bearings, bearing races, brake assembly and leaf spring attachment. All of that is really pretty simple and any good mechanic (not a shade tree mechanic) will be able to take care of it. Once you're ok with that, you should be safe from an axle perspective.

[slowmover]

New bearings a good idea. SKF or TIMKEN if made in US or northern Europe.

You'll want to add shock absorbers (optional on a Rocket model) at some point.

The spring perches need to be inspected (and reinforced by a crossbeam at some point; MOR-Ryde carries these [SS made them standard by the time mine was built 18-years later]). A minor teardown to inspect leaf bushings, cracked leafs, etc. New U-bolts.

An alignment ought to be done.

Tires can be YOKOHAMA RY-215 for the foreseeable future, balanced on a HUNTER GSP-9700 (Discount Tire). (Until weights and probable loadings can be determined to fit 16" higher rated tires/wheels and OEM wheels are good at inspection; don't forget studs.).

A very good looking TT!!

.

[SSSabre]

Congratulations on the trailer! Axles are Hadco with leaf springs. Axles should be fine so long as you can easily find bearings and seals. You may have trouble finding the spindles or brake components if/when they are needed. Leaf springs are pretty rugged, but as slowmover mentioned, should be inspected for cracks, alignment, and condition of bushings. This is something I'd do once you have it home unless something looks amiss during the bearing inspection/repack.

[JeweloJalopy]

Congrats! Looks like a beauty. The skin should be anodized, so follow those instructions for cleaning.

I would assume your axles are sound, but hopefully your mechanic can check. I still need to figure out how to grease ours, they squeak something fierce.