Changing External Door Location

[Aussie]

Hello,

1st post here, I saw an Airstream on TV and fell in love with them straight away. Within a week I bought a 1959 Airstream Pacer over e-bay. Forgot to check if there was any blogs like this one to ask all the questions, as it was bought site unseen. Following that it was on a boat out to Melbourne Australia. Yep pretty much did everything wrong with the purchase phase so all up hill from here.

Anyway, still think the Airstream is the coolest thing I have seen. The neighbours think the Jetsens have arrived from outspace and less than 5 or so of these airstreams are in Australia so not many people to ask for help.

I have really started to get into the renovation but hit one small snag. I need to relocate the outside door to the other side of the trailer to meet the road regulations (woops should have checked that one!).

Any way before I start the process I thought I just would check couple of things.

1. Will the new entry door need special ribbing between the skin to reinforce the entrance further or can I place it just near an existing one?
2. Any ideas on the best tools to use to cut a new entry?
3. Anything else you think I should know please let me know.

Thanks heaps!

[BradS]

Hello and welcome to the forums

Im no expert but I moved the door in a 57 Overlander. The first photo is how it was built and the second is what it has become. I didnt put in any special bracing. I cut the new door hole with a router, aluminum cuts great with a carbide bit. make sure to attach the bottom of the door frame to the floor. Good luck and enjoy.

[Aussie]

Thanks Brad

Thats awesome!

[captmatt]

Thanks Brad!
I feel a little less intimidated by my very small, by comparison, repairs. Aussie, you ROCK! You have a piece of 'Americana' (what ever that means). That Travel trailer is an iconic bit of human leisure history. Good luck and enjoy!

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by Aussie

Thanks Brad

Thats awesome!

Just found this post. Make sure to keep us updated on your progress. I also have a '59 Pacer, and would love to hear more info and see pics of yours.

[Aussie]

Thanks Peter, I will try and post some photos over the weekend. It is a slow process but coming together. Much bigger job than originally thought!

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Aussie

Much bigger job than originally thought!

ıɹɐɥS

~ ʞɔnl pooפ

¡ǝɹǝɥ punoɹɐ ʇol ɐ dn dod oʇ ɯǝǝs sʇsod ǝdoɔs ʇɔǝɾoɹd ƃuıpuɐdxǝ-ɹǝʌǝ 'ʍoɥǝɯoS

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

ıɹɐɥS

~ ʞɔnl pooפ

¡ǝɹǝɥ punoɹɐ ʇol ɐ dn dod oʇ ɯǝǝs sʇsod ǝdoɔs ʇɔǝɾoɹd ƃuıpuɐdxǝ-ɹǝʌǝ 'ʍoɥǝɯoS

I'm very intrigued.... Either a lot of character mapping or you've got something up your sleeve.

Also, are you called InsideOut or UpsideDownBackwards now?