'49 Trailwind resto

[57Vintage]

The seat bases I used .052 Aluminum sheet. I riveted pieces of .75'X.75"X.125" aluminum angle to add rigidity and to help center in each opening. Cut the ends of the braces at a slight angle to make it easier to align when installing. Used a dimple die to punch a finger hole to lift out.

Don't have a photo handy, I'll try and take a couple tomorrow.

After using the trailer, after the banquette was finished, we've decided to add velcro to the bottom cushions to keep in place.

[Disco Stu]

Huge thanks to Joe for the 'Research by WBCCI Number' thread help.
I think he's right, this appears to be a 1951 Clipper!
It was sold to us as a '49 so I never thought much about the build date by serial number.
The seller stole our original serial plate and also the Airstream emblem unfortunately, but we have photos. The second digit can only be a 0, right?

[57Vintage]

Here's the scrap pieces I used to reinforce/center the seat bases.

Here's the brace and pieces to center the base. This is the largest base so it needed the bracing.



The brace is beveled a few degrees on each end to make it easier to center it back into the opening.



This one just needed something to locate the base. There is a brace in the center of the seat frame so a brace wasn't needed on the base. The lines show me where the seat frame is.

[Disco Stu]

Thanks for the pics! The dimple and grommet are a neat little feature. I think I'll have to use 1/2" plywood, the motor trimmer will staple the leather onto it.

A little more progress today, most of the simple 12V system is done, an 85AH AGM battery, DC-DC / solar charger, fuse block to run fridge, FW pump etc.
The charger needs power from an ignition wire for smart alternators to begin charging, I used the tail light circuit for this. I'll drive with the parking lights on.
I just need to make up a battery tray and add another Anderson plug under the body for the solar input.

[Tucker74]

Don’t forget you’ll need to vent an AGM battery, the only ones you can seal inside are lithium. Looking good ��

[docflyboy]

Stu- How did you make the corner like that on your fuse box door? Nice look. Jerry

[Disco Stu]

Thanks Tucker, I wasn't aware of any need for that, will look into it.

Jerry, just a little brake on three sides, and a couple of taps with a mallet on two corners. I don't like seeing a plain cut flat sheet in a patch or a panel, a little brake on the edge looks much better IMO.
Stu

[Disco Stu]

Lately I've been mucking around with "electrickery" mainly, also I have the seat bases finished. We're off tomorrow for five nights of mountain biking and talking shite around the campfire!

[dbj216]

Electrickery is a wonderful thing. It makes a lot of things work good. I'm guessing your trailer is 240 volt service and of course 12v DC. After many years of sparks and shocks, I think I got if figured out. As you suggest, it can be tricky at times.

I learned this new word from you and use it all the time now.

David

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by Disco Stu

Lately I've been mucking around with "electrickery" mainly, also I have the seat bases finished. We're off tomorrow for five nights of mountain biking and talking shite around the campfire!

Sounds like a lot of fun, although in your summer, not in our winter up here!
You've been working really hard, doing absolutely amazing things, so you definitely deserve a good break, IMHO.

ENJOY!!!!

Vivian

[DMill911]

Looks like the electric is on the Santa Cruz. Glad to see you use the silver sausage while it is being restored verse waiting till it is done completely. We did that with our Airstream and it made me all the more motivated to finish the plumbing, get the house electric completed, finish the bathroom, etc. Have fun.

[Tucker74]

How was the camping?

[Disco Stu]

Thanks peeps, the camping was great. After three months full time working on this thing I'm going to take it a bit slower now. Next job will be the top centre roof panel replacement, fitting the new roof vents and then some 240V electrickery. Camping again soon.....

[MrRivet]

The Trailwind is really coming together. It’s great to see it back on the road and being used as it should be.

Safe Travels!!
Tim

[Disco Stu]

I've been busy with other things lately, but found time to get that roof panel replaced. It was pretty badly corroded and had to go. I can't wait to see those new roof vents in place.

[dbj216]

Your Trailwind will be a lot more comfortable with a roof on it. Maybe you are building a new trailer using the old one as a pattern? That puts you at a very high skill level. Those new vents will require some electrickery.

David