Pipe frame owner.... Whats under you subfloor?

[Sprouty]

We are working on a 1947 liner and built a new frame for it. We recently pulled the shell off the old frame. Here is what we found. Its scary to think I towed it home and to a rally but it seemed pretty sold. We have two other pipe frame Airstreams to restore and I know the frames on those two are far worse then this one.

[Sprouty]

Here is the replacement frame.

[pierrew]

Originally Posted by Sprouty

Here is the replacement frame.

Beautiful job Sprouty. How long did it take to do that ?

[Sprouty]

[QUOTE=pierrew;2148678]Beautiful job Sprouty. How long did it take to do that ?[/Q

I have a local shop build them. I bought an AutoCAD file form a guy and then we tweaked the design with the shop. They cut the metal with a water jet and welded it up on a jig. It then went to a powder coating shop . I had two built and how we have everything in place to build more as needed.

[MsRivet]

Seventy years of rodent dwellings!





The pipe frame is in rough condition. MrRivet knows there is one point of an almost complete rust through. Will know full extent of its condition soon when we do the shell transfer to the new frame. I’m sure at that point we will realize that maybe we should not have towed her home when the purchase was made. LOL

[Sprouty]

That looks very familiar. It’s a great picture of how the ribs where secured to the frame. They just bent brackets out of aluminum sheet and pounded a type of twisted shank spike in to hold it. It’s amazing how well it held up for 70 years!
Good luck with the project.

[Disco Stu]

Wow! Im glad i found this thread Sprouty. I'm building a '49 TW chassis and intent do do something similar. I'll make cross members much the same as original but in steel, and run a pair of 4x2"s right through as you've done, but I'll keep the full length of 4" pipe as well.
I like the way you've tapered the ends of the RHS to stay away from the belly pan.
Thanks,
Stu

[MrRivet]

We are restoring a 1948 Liner and this is what we ended up doing. It gave us the ability to add A 30 gallon Fresh tank and two 16 gallon connected tanks for grey water storage. We used 2x6 tubing and channel to keep the visual depth to the belly pan. Once it was wrapped with aluminum it has the appearance of a pipe frame.
Safe Travels!!
Tim

[Disco Stu]

Thanks Tim, I've been watching your thread and will be referring to it when it comes to belly pan time...

[Gbley88888]

I just purchased a 1948 airstream, 1211.
Are you able to share blueprint/design of your frame? Seeking any and all advice! What have I gotten myself into?!!!

[Disco Stu]

Congrats, it looks great!

My chassis build all went to plan, I can send the file for laser cutting the cross members if it's any help to you.
Stu

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...to-214550.html

[MrRivet]

We would be more than happy to share our frame drawings and any other information that we have. I need to make a few changes to the original drawings that we started with to reflect changes that were made while we progressed through our build. As soon as I have the updated drawings completed, I will contact you for an email address that I can forward the information to. Please feel free to PM us with any questions at anytime.

Safe Travels!!
Tim

[Gbley88888]

Disco Stu and MrRivet, Thank you! I will send a PM to you both. Your knowledge and experience will be invaluable to me in this endeavor.

Gary