'89 Airstream fifth wheel :)

[jcm83houtx]

Well after searching for a few years I finally found me an AS fifth wheel . lol. I just cant explain it I had to own one. I bought the one that has been passed around first from "jakes mom" then to "luvz2cook" to rob bakers cousin and then finally to me. I think im definatlly going to keep it though. Im allready elbow deep into the project.... and what a project it has become. :/
scale of 1-10....... 5

So far ive taken out the entire rear floor and currentlly debating on what new floor system to put back in. all the old carpet has to come out in the bedroom. Maybe replace some of the plastic roofing patches a prior owner put in .
If its all right with the mods Id like to document my "build" here on this forum.

[Darkspeed]

Photos?????

[jcm83houtx]

Lotsa pics coming soon

[jcm83houtx]

here are a few pics..
Ive included one where the rivets are pretty bad and the strip is detaching from the skin and the fiberglass end cap.

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[jcm83houtx]

Well, im away from the camper for a wknd so I thought id post a few pics of my progress.

I started off my taking out the old fold-out couch and rear floor. This whole area was just pathetic

Does anyone know if airstream deliberately leaves this type of wood under the couches for the aroma it has...its a really sappy type of wood

So, anyway i tore out the entire floor from rear to bath area. Let me tell ya this was a pain in the a$$.
What I did was to remove furniture /cabinets etc from back to front- replace rear floor- move furniture cabinets etc from the front to the back- and then replace middle/front floor.




The subfloor consisted of a moisture barrier with @ 3" fiberglass pink insulation 2x2 limber and 2x4 lumber with 5/8 ply wood (osb board).
I replaced with 2x4s 3/4 marine ply and 3 1/2 fiberglass insulation. I sealed everything up with great stuff. The moisture barrier was just discarded. Its more of a moisture catcher.
Here is the new plywood floor.


and the sidewalls/rear wall

sneak peek at the new laminate plank floor http://www.airforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif



Any questions, comments, critiques, complaints are welcome.

[Mr & Mrs S]

Man what a find....Im always searching the sites in hopes to find an AS 5th wheel that's for sale. Lucky you!
What a way to dive into a project. Looking good so far. Keep it up. You got a treasure for sure.

[Djmclean]

Wow - I wondered what the floor looked like underneath. Jim just finished putting in a cabinet in the back of our Argosy fifth wheel. I have to get some photos and post them tomorrow. We didn't have the sofa in the back - ours is in the slide out.

Keep up the good work. It's lookin' good!

[jcm83houtx]

thanks for the comments guys, more pics coming soon.
Id love to see some of the argosy djmclean. What type of water heater yall got in the argosy. Mine has a hole in the tank.

[Djmclean]

Originally Posted by jcm83houtx

thanks for the comments guys, more pics coming soon.
Id love to see some of the argosy djmclean. What type of water heater yall got in the argosy. Mine has a hole in the tank.

Check out this thread for our 5-er! I just posted some new photos from today....
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f419...eel-80632.html

[Djmclean]

I don't know what kind of water heater we have (maybe a Suburban). It's a 10 gal and works on either gas or electric. Our previous camper had a small gas only and also leaked. Never found where it came from and it only leaked when the water was heated.

[jcm83houtx]

Well, she is in a lot better shape now. For a while there I was debating on getting rid of her for a newer model. lol
Anyway, here are some pics for those that are interested.

[jcm83houtx]

Some more of the kitchen

[jcm83houtx]

Bedroom

[jcm83houtx]

Some random wall detail pics for pic junkies like me. lol

[jimmini]

Really looks good in the photos.When are you going to hit the road with it and see if all works

[jcm83houtx]

NY to Houston to Lake charles LA to Texas city TX. No problems so far.

[Djmclean]

I was just looking at your photos - looks great! What did you use on the ceiling? We replaced the ceiling in the living area with wood, but we need to do the bedroom too and I don't want wood in there.

[godelad]

I was thinking of buying one of these (actually a 33' 1988 squarestream)and was wondering what did they use on the inside walls and ceiling. Also is the floor constructed the same as a standard airstream with the plywood sandwitched between the wall and frame? I've been there done that on my 65 overlander. Don't want to do it again. Thanks for your reply

[jcm83houtx]

djmclean, a prior owner put in the ceiling material. Ive seen it at home depot, its a plastic sheeting of some kind.
godelad, yes you are correct. the ply wood was sandwiched between the wall and frame. and yes .. it was a pain in the a** to get it right. lol

[jcm83houtx]

I put in mini blinds today. I think it looks allright. It definitely gets the place darker. i also like the aluminum color.