Like many others, my wife and I have found towed a disused, vintage travel trailer into the backyard with the hopes of renovating, upgrading, and adapting for full time living. We bought a
1968 (we think) Streamline Empress, 29' from tongue to bumper.
We've actually had her for close to a year and a half now, though work, family, and the general whirlwind of life have kept the rate of progress slow, at least until now. Having already had the bearings, brakes, suspension, and tires replaced, and break-away box installed, we've taken our time gutting the entire trailer. It was not our intention to take her down to the bones, but it was a classic case of peeling away layers and discovering just how extensive the water damage was (and how settled the bees, squirrels, and birds had become -- who knew fiberglass was such a convenient nesting material). Moreover, we've saved as much of the interior framing, cabinets, etc. as we could, not yet knowing fully which pieces we're going to re-install or re-purpose.
Long story short, I'm about 98% done with the inner skin and fiberglass removal, and thought I'd start in with some of the questions I've been meaning to ask, and there will be many.
First, being as the next priority task will be to re-seal the outer skin now that it's exposed with all of the insulation gone, I'm wondering how to address the holes in the belly pan where the steel frame exits (see photos). I presume gaps were there from the beginning, though it looks like a serious opportunity for road wash and muck to get into the belly section. Any suggestions on how to seal up these gaps? Spray foam? Silicon? I imagine that, whatever I use, is going to have to work with the inevitable movement of the frame and aluminum skin during travel.
Second, I've noticed that the belly pan isn't riveted to each of the floor "joists," that it actually hangs below most of them. Is there a specific reason for this? Is there an argument against my riveting the belly pan aluminum to the frame, more than it already is?
Third, I've noticed there are several vents in the exterior skin covered by "clam shell" fittings. I don't believe water was getting into any of these, but insects definitely were. I thought it odd that none of them had screens over the vent holes. What is the reason for those vents and why did they expose the fiberglass insulation to the outside air?
Lastly, do any of you have suggestions for where I can source some replacement aluminum for the belly pan? Vintage trailer supply is the obvious go-to, though I wonder how well the .032" Alclad they offer will match or hold up for the belly pan section I need to replace.
More to come... (and thanks in advance).
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