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3Ms75Argosy · 03-28-2009, 10:01 AM

Yeah! I knew you would do it! That trailer has such presence... it just looks RIGHT! Those springs look nice and high... wow, that's what my '63 looked like... I'll tell you that Simple Green works nice to help scrub off that moss / dirt. I love the big picture window on the curbside.

When I offered to help pull that '57... I had some real doubts it would go that far... but like new, just ended up smiling about how well it tracked behind my van. My '63... the coupler latch was broken off, the wheels / tires were probably from the 60's... heck, the spare looked orginal! But it still pulled fine... they seem happiest when they move! And yes... I do think they all have their own personalities....
Congrats!
Marc

Sugarfoot · 03-28-2009, 10:57 AM

David, I just found your thread. What an experience! A big congratulations for getting Eugene home. It sounds like all was meant to be. All things really do work together for good.

That is a great looking trailer. I agree with your wife, nice layout. I think it's awesome that you've bitten the silver bullet and plan to restore this treasure. What a history. It's quite a phenomena how knowing the history of these old coaches can make the attachment so strong. It's like they embed themselves into your very being. They really do become part of the family.

I can't wait to see what's next!

drag'nwagon · 03-28-2009, 01:35 PM

Congrats David!! I liked that trailer the first time you posted pics of it, I knew Eugene would not let you down!

Ken J · 03-28-2009, 04:32 PM

Ya know that trailer looks pretty good - skin looks great - I think you will be amazed how it looks once you give it a good washing -

Good luck!

Ken J.

navyeod · 03-29-2009, 06:17 PM

Incredible weekend. Let me know what you guys think.

david

pbearsailor · 03-29-2009, 06:25 PM

I know I'm biased, but aren't 50's trailers beautiful?

cheers,
steve

Overlander & Sea · 03-29-2009, 07:33 PM

David,

I'm glad ya'll had a safe trip. It looks good with just a wash job!

3Ms75Argosy · 03-29-2009, 08:18 PM

Wow, the skin looks fantastic! A couple of observations... 1) It's interesting that this 50's trailer has a mix of Hehr windows... it seems like it might have been some transition year? (I'm no expert though!!). It has 50's style Hehr windows on the side, with 60's style picture windows on the front / rear. It should have lots of light! 2) Those teardrop lights are available from VTS for cheaper than fixing the orginals... 3) You have all the covers to the roof vents! Do you know how lucky you are on such a "rough" find? I'd make sure the rivets attaching the lids to the lifters are replaced so they don't blow off. 4) Is that a porchlight on the curbside sticking out of the body? Lucky, lucky!! 5) Eugene just looks so cool!

Pics of the interior?
Marc

Ken J · 03-30-2009, 08:25 AM

Yes! It looks great - yes 1958 was a transition year... your trailer looks a lot like mine

navyeod · 03-30-2009, 10:26 AM

Ken you were right, I was surprised on how the overlander cleaned up. I looked at the pics of yours. Did you put tandem axles on it. I thought that was not an option till the 60's. Great looking interior. Only differs from mine in the stove placement. Mine is forward not with the drawers against the bulkhead. Can you post a pic of yours forward. Mine did not have a gaucho and would like to see what was in it orginally. Regards david

navyeod · 03-30-2009, 10:29 AM

Marc I will post some interior pics tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for the advice on the roof vents. It does have a porch light in good external shape. Wish the interior could be fixed easy like the outside?? My next step is to strip the interior and remove the belly pan.

Overlander & Sea · 03-30-2009, 11:05 AM

David,

David, you may want to go to vintageairstream. com to get an idea of the interior layouts for that year. Here's the link:

58Overlander

Ken J · 03-30-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navyeod

Ken you were right, I was surprised on how the overlander cleaned up. I looked at the pics of yours. Did you put tandem axles on it. I thought that was not an option till the 60's. Great looking interior. Only differs from mine in the stove placement. Mine is forward not with the drawers against the bulkhead. Can you post a pic of yours forward. Mine did not have a gaucho and would like to see what was in it orginally. Regards david

If you looked at the pictures under my name, those are very old - check out these... http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...ion-12320.html these will show the front gaucho (start from the last page) - mine came without a gaucho also, but someone gave me one so I put it in. Funny you think that interior is great - pictures don't show what its really like - it was horrible - when I took it out, it just fell apart, so I built all new.

Duel axle's were an option that year.

I should update my pictures someday....

Ken J.

navyeod · 03-31-2009, 06:21 AM

Ken what a great job you did on that trailer. Love your cabinet work. I am going to have to rebuild all of my interior. I want to pay particular attention to weight as i love the way my trailer tows now. I think I will replicate the frame work on my cabinets and if possible even lighten them up from stock. I know from dealing with airplanes ounces really add up. I am already going to add a gray tank to the weight. My guess was two years on my restoration and see you took 3.5, may be more realistic for me. My goal is to have a finished frame by the end of the summer with tanks and floor in. I am going to modify my front with a wrap around couch and use the street side end to act as a seat for a desk using the fold down from the kitchen counter as a computer table. Will post pics of my interior. I sure wish I could hit your seminar in april. I could use all that info. I would fly out there and just attend the lectures. david

utee94 · 03-31-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navyeod

I sure wish I could hit your seminar in april. I could use all that info. I would fly out there and just attend the lectures. david

No kidding-- having both Ken and Uwe there, as well as all of their other teachers and exhibitors, makes this one of the best rallies around. I wish I could make it as well!

David,

Eugene is already looking so much better. This is a great trailer, and you're going to make some amazing memories during this restoration, and the camping to come afterward.

-Marcus

Ken J · 03-31-2009, 07:28 AM

David

Welp - just jump on a big bird and come on out! The rally itself is cheap and the knowledge you will get is priceless! We have several staying in motels... We have folks coming from as far away as Vermont - very easy to get in/out of Albuq

Thank you for the kind words on my trailer - you hit the nail on the head - think lite weight - I've seen some restorations using 3/4 in cabinets and laminate floors that weigh a ton - especially being single axle - the frame is plenty as orginally built, but not much more.

Your pictures look very familier - mine looked just like yours when I got it.

Good luck - keep the questions coming! TONS of knowledge here..

Ken J.

navyeod · 03-31-2009, 10:11 AM

Ken do you still have some openings for the FCU. Can you tell me the time schedule for the seminars? I am thinking about changing my schedule around and flying out there. david

drag'nwagon · 03-31-2009, 10:27 AM

Aerowood · 03-31-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navyeod

Ken do you still have some openings for the FCU. Can you tell me the time schedule for the seminars? I am thinking about changing my schedule around and flying out there. david

The rally is going to be fantastic this year. Uwe and I are going to be doing a demo that will most likely help you out. This is my project below. My wife and I are going to be using it again as an aluminum tent this year.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f381...nte-26902.html

Kip

navyeod · 03-31-2009, 02:37 PM

Kip I went through your thread a few weeks ago on your restoration. You were the final straw on coming to New Mexico. I cancelled a meeting I had for that weekend and signed up. My check to Ken is in the mail. I cant wait to meet you guys and see your work first hand. regards david