Need Airstream Body Repair Near Fort Myers, FL

[Av8r210]

Last night an unknown person backed into the extended step on my 67 Caravel. The step and extending mechanism was severely bent, probably beyond repair. Andy from Inland RV has confirmed my suspicion that the original steps are no longer available, but that a replacement can be installed with much modification. Can anyone suggest a reputable shop or person in the Fort Myers, FL area to do this work? Or, is there anyone I should avoid?
Thanks in advance for responding.

[xrvr]

Closest place Iwould recommend would be Sanders in Alachua, about 250 miles from you. A nice step stool like camping world sells will work for a while. Not the plastic ones, the steel or aluminum ones. Jim

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

Closest place Iwould recommend would be Sanders in Alachua, about 250 miles from you. A nice step stool like camping world sells will work for a while. Not the plastic ones, the steel or aluminum ones. Jim

If he can't do it reasonably, I'm sure he would have a good trade in offer.
Maybe a few pictures to him and you could get a quote.

[FL Crackers]

Originally Posted by Av8r210

Last night an unknown person backed into the extended step on my 67 Caravel. The step and extending mechanism was severely bent, probably beyond repair. Andy from Inland RV has confirmed my suspicion that the original steps are no longer available, but that a replacement can be installed with much modification. Can anyone suggest a reputable shop or person in the Fort Myers, FL area to do this work? Or, is there anyone I should avoid?
Thanks in advance for responding.

Give Frank at AutoPride on Enterprise Parkway (693-7300) a call. They are located next to Camping World's old location off I-75 at Luckett Rd. I took him my stripped out '77 Tradewind in 2010 and he fabricated new framing in the rear end, installed my new axles (from Inland RV) and did a few other odd jobs. Frank and AutoPride do a lot of body work on RVs and trailers. Frank likes the challenge of working on the older vessels. I think he got the bug after working on mine. Good Luck.

[ventport]

I would have a good shop straighten the step. I have straightened a few, and they always look worse then they actually are. You just take them all apart and straighten each piece one at a time. Then re-assemble.

[Av8r210]

Thanks for all the responses. I did take it to Frank at AutoPride. The estimate was for $1,040 to straighten the step and reinstall. A local steel fabrication shop will use the old step as a pattern and build a new step for $450. Think I'll go that route.