I'm also running a blog on the side to chronicle, in more detail, my re-mod of our 56 Caravanner. I'm not sure at this point if I will be putting the original interior back in or doing someting new or different. I have all the pieces....
Here are a couple pictures
__________________
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
I'm having the framework done at GSM vehicles in NY. These guys have done it before and rather than running around for 8 months or having some welder experiment with my frame, I brought it to Colin Hydes' shop.
He's doing the heavy part of my restore and more or less making sure the platform is solid before I start on the other work, which is pretty substantial by itself.
I want to make sure that I don't become a vintage restore casualty. Do what I'm comfortable with, farm out the rest.
Doug
__________________
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
I'm looking forward to following along with your project. Glad you are farming out what you can't/won't do - that'll help prevent burnout. Thanks for the pics, and good luck!
I have a fear that I will have to do some frame work up front. Do I see correctly that you have replaced the tounge? If so, I would love any detail you can provide espically more pics.
On a second note, do you just drop the pan on the bottom of the trailer to access the frame or what? thanks!
Yep the tonge was cut back about 12" under the front. The whole A frame and coupler were replaced. Here's a picture of the ugly tongue before work was done on it.
__________________
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
I have a fear that I will have to do some frame work up front. Do I see correctly that you have replaced the tounge? If so, I would love any detail you can provide espically more pics.
On a second note, do you just drop the pan on the bottom of the trailer to access the frame or what? thanks!
Do you still have those frame cracks that you posted a few months ago?
__________________
Richard Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
When I bought the caravanner the interior was in fair condition and this opinion has changed since I took it apart prior to sending it to Colin & company. The bottoms have water damage and most of the parts have general wear and tear, but for 50 years old it was in pretty fair condition. I've decided to use the original parts as templates and remake the interior. This is not an easy task since Airstream used a number of techniques that is hard for the enthusiast to replicate, such as bent birch cabinets. Rather than zolatone covered cabinets I would like natural wood cabinets, so off I go to learn how to bend.
I started with baltic birch ply 1/8th inch. I tried dry bending the material around a form but it would not take the form no mater how much glue I used. After reading about steam bending I decided I would give it a try. I have a 70s era solar hot air collector which I took apart and used the carcas to make a steam box. See pictures attached.
I steamed a test piece in it today and then put it on my cabinet form. I'm pretty pleased with the progress but it's clear I need loads more clamps!
The funny part is that I only need a couple cabinets, but after all this work I'll be set-up for production!
Doug
__________________
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
You guys did noticed didn't you that that vintage photo of the trailer that they are towing that trailer with an International Travelall .
Scott of scottanlily
68 IH travelall / 60 tradewind
Post pictures of yours. These are very cool looking rigs.
I'm sitting on my stairs waiting for the real deal to steam. Took a quick ride to HD and picked up a bunch of clamps..... I have moved inside to the basement for this test run.
I'll post pictures of my experiment later.
D
__________________
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
Last night I steamed a 27x60" piece of russian birch 1/8 plywood and bent it over the form I made. This will be the long cabinet over the kitchen sink area. I am gong to use the original slides and potentially the orig doors but it will depend if I can re-cover them with a new material.
The next part of this project is to glue up 3/8" inch birch ply for the ends. I went to my supplier and asked if they could get 3/8" stock, which they could but it was more expensive than 1/2 or 3/4" because it was special order. I'll just glue up pieces as I need them using 1/4 and 1/8 stock.
Attached is a picture of the upper cabinet bent over the frame and the next bending project which is a smaller version of what is on the form now. The smaller one went over the 4 drawer chest which also has a bent top. I'll be making this over again as well.
__________________
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
looking cool! i'm probably goung to start on some curved cabinetry in january. i'll pick your brain then for advice. it's nice when stuff starts to come back together.
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.
to see them!
espically more pics. 
Linear Mode
