Tiny home or road worthy

[CameraJ]

Long time reader finally new owner..

So I managed to get my paws on a 2002 International CCD. Had known frame issues that had been repaired.. and also the previous owner has “replaced” the floors aka didn’t know anything about subfloors. 🤦🏻*♂️

I pulled her from NM back to the east coast where I will work on her this summer. But potholes on the way and bad tarmac seems to have made her sag from 2 inches curbside to now 4! And the “floor” inside has buckled a bit.

My question is how dangerous road worthy is it at this point to go a 100 more miles.

At this point with the outrigger bend do I have to do a full frame off fix?

I’m decent handy but I don’t have a gantry so was thinking fix floors the hard way (shell on) and fix her totally when I want to use her to really travel.

And yes I bought from a friend of friend.

But in 4 days of research have realized most. Everything that you should not/never do with a 2002 international.. he did.

Thank you in advance!!

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by CameraJ

. . .
My question is how dangerous road worthy is it at this point to go a 100 more miles.
. . .
At this point with the outrigger bend do I have to do a full frame off fix?
. . .

Welcome to the forum!

In my personal opinion . . .

Roadworthy? -- unknown and risky to try, but on a very smooth roadway with no hard turns or strong cross-winds . . . you might pull it off IMO.

Full frame-off fix? -- probably yes IMO.

Just guesses IMO . . . based on incomplete data FWIW.

Good luck,

[GetawA-S]

It sounds like you know what needs to be done, but the lack of a gantry is stopping you. The extensive work you describe would best be done under a shelter. Can you invest in a shelter sturdy enough to accommodate a gantry, that would then serve as your trailer’s home?

[OTRA15]

PS -- "The Love Shack" thread is a good full-frame shell-off read IMO:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f22...ck-183431.html

Happy trails,

[CameraJ]

Wow the full on thread for your argosy amazing..

So now with full sunlight managed to put the 22 into a spot where I planned to work on her. Of course didn’t remove fully the anti sway 🤦🏻*♂️

But attached photos of her with the full list to the curbside. I think the PO didn’t realize how bad it was since roads in the SW are so damn smooth. A few bumps on 95 and the floors have literally started coming up..

So possible to do a light patch that allows to drive her 2 hours to a campsite for the summer than tackle the foundation in the fall.. she won’t move. I can jack and support her and put down wood and carpet and use as a tiny home..

Or.. is she destined to sit till totally redone. Seems my touch is was beyond my grasp.

Anyone know any airstream techs/shops in Boston area? I found one way out in Deerfield but definitely not taking her to anyone but experienced..

Thanks in advance.

[OTRA15]

Personally, the only way I would move her is to hire a towing/moving firm, and put your trailer on a low-boy trailer etc..

And yes you need to support the frame ASAP, and also during any moving operation IMO.

Good luck,

[CameraJ]

Otra yes it’s seems that way.

Sadly 17 hours it was “ok” but the roads in New England, those last 20 minutes off highway..
‘‘Twas the straw that broke the back.”

Thanks for the input!

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by CameraJ

I’m decent handy but I don’t have a gantry so was thinking fix floors the hard way (shell on) and fix her totally when I want to use her to really travel.

I'm not sure that a shell-on floor replacement is harder than shell-off. I replaced the floor in my '74 Sovereign with the shell on. I can see that there are definite advantages to having the shell off and being able to flip the frame over, but there are also advantages to doing it with the shell on. I didn't have to get gantries, I didn't have to remove and reinstall the shell, and I didn't have to worry about damage to the shell in the process, or while it was being stored. With the shell on I was still able to do all the welding and painting and replace the floor, and since I was working outside, leaving the shell on meant I could still work on rainy days.