Our new airstream

[Katt]

Hello everyone,
This is my first post. I really enjoy reading this forum, so I wanted to show you pictures and tell you about the AS I just bought. I got a 65 Globetrotter yeah!!! It needs some work, but what doesn't? We think we're going to call her Rosie the Riveted. We cannot wait to get our hands dirty getting her just the way we want her.

[summerkid]

what a goodlooking addition to your family. i look forward to seeing you improve it & make it your own.

[Hidalgo]

Proud Papa!

[Stefrobrts]

Excellent! It looks SO NICE inside - just like my Caravel only bigger. You're going to have a great time with it, I am sure. It looks like you could just about take it camping right now. Any particular plans or challenges you have in store? It looks like you need a fridge, to start with.

[BobbyW]

Welcome Katt...Welcome.

Ahhh...another '65 Globetrotter rescued. It is what I have also. Yours has the rare front dinnette. Mine has a Goucho in the front.

Be sure to keep us posted on your discoveries. And have fun with it.

Welcome and Best Regards;

-BobbyW

[85MH325]

And another welcome, Katt!

You found yourself a cute one! Have a ball!!!

Roger

[Katt]

Thanks for the warm welcome. In regards to what needs to be done. Long list of cosmetic things, new foam, curtains, new flooring some time. Structually: a crack in the door frame (good thing my dads a welder by trade), sand and paint rusty hitch parts, spare holder, handle, and door holder backer thingamabober. Seals on doors and windows. I've been reading a whole bunch of info so I want to know if mine has the rolled steel axle or the hardened steel, repack the bearings make sure the brakes, tires and wheels are ok. I have a few questions though. How do you winterize (in general, purge H2O etc.)? Do you put vulkem or par bond on all the seams to further leak proof?

[Happycampers]

Nice Find! I see it has Ontario Tags are you from Ontario? Good luck with your new trailer. Marvin

[Silvertwinkie]

Nice unit....I thought I read a post that the factory switched to silkflex....but I am unsure.

Eric

[Katt]

Nope, from Pennsylvania. Bought it from a family in Ontario.

[Big Dee]

Nice lookin coach! It looks in pretty good condition. Have fun!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Katt

I've been reading a whole bunch of info so I want to know if mine has the rolled steel axle or the hardened steel, repack the bearings make sure the brakes, tires and wheels are ok.]

Katt, Welcome to the forums, and the world of Airstreams! IIRC, the axle should be a torsion type, that is the springs consist of hardened rubber inside a steel tube. We have several Airstream gurus on-forum that should be able to tell you for sure. You can do a search of our thread archives by typing in "axle".
Have you given any thought to a fridge yet? Most of us like to keep our beverages cold for ready intake. Oh, yeah, they are good for keeping food in, too, if you are into that stuff...
Terry

[Katt]

The frige was the one real obvious thing. I'm a "from the ground up" kinda girl though. Although the fridge would be nice. Any answers to the par bond or volkem question? I don't know what silkflex is, other than another sealant. Do you seal every seam? I have to tell you ever since we've bought the AS, I dream about it almost every night. Can you say obsessed.

[rluhr]

Originally Posted by Katt

How do you winterize (in general, purge H2O etc.)? Do you put vulkem or par bond on all the seams to further leak proof?

Look up Winterizing in the search box and you'll get more info than you can stand. But it should have already been done this season!

Seams: you can use Vulkem or Parbond but most people use Parbond because it is less visible and easier to apply. A search on Vulkem and Parbond will also yield a ton of info. Or, do a search on "leaks".

Good luck!

[Katt]

Thanks for the info.

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by argosy20

...the axle should be a torsion type, that is the springs consist of hardened rubber inside a steel tube. ...

Your unit looks great, have fun! I'm not sure if the hardened rubber 'torsion' axles were used 'back then'. You most likely have some kind of leaf-spring (possibly w/shock absorbers) suspension. On those type, the wheel spindles were welded to a 'dead'/solid axle-externally sprung. There is a wealth of info here, tap it! If replacement is in order, I'd look into a Dexter. I had a complete 'fatigue' failure on an older (circa '69) leaf-spring trailer while on the road, not fun!

[InsideOut]

I'm not sure if the hardened rubber 'torsion' axles were used 'back then'.

Yes, they were...Maxwell has them and he's a '64. I believe '61 was the first year the Dura-Torque Axles were used instead of leaf springs.

Shari

[BobbyW]

The axle is a torsion type as described above by argosy20...just like like my 65 Globetrotter.

You don't want to try to seal all the seams at this time. Only after ruling out the following:

• Start looking first at the plumbing roof vents. The seals might have just dried up and need replacing.
• Next look at the roof fresh air vents.
• Then check around the windows or the window seals themselves.
• Check around the fresh water tank filler in the front. Mine had no sealing left
• Check around the water heater. A very common source for leaks.
• The TV antennae mount in the front.

Look at the hitch yoke were the trailer wiring feeds into the steel. It was very common for water to travel along the cable inside and rust out the bottom.

[Katt]

Thanks Bobby, great info. So the torsion axle is better than the leaf spring, if I'm understanding correctly. Don't replace the axle unless necessary?

I will go over all the various places you suggested. But as a rule you don't seal the seams unless you're having leak problems? I don't think I have any leaks I was thinking of it as a sort of preventitive maintanence.


Did I mention that I love this site????

[BobbyW]

A torsion axle may or not be better than a leaf-spring. Torsions are lighter and they do last a long time.

Spring leafs can be "resprung" $.
Torsion axles have to be replaced. $$$$

www.Inlandrv.com has a good document about determining whether yours has failed.