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BradS · 03-14-2010, 06:55 PM

A few weeks ago I brought home a 1957 Overlander. Tandem axel, 13 panel endcaps and most of the original interior. I expected to find rotten wood in the floor and a few other blemishes. I was ready to take on a shell off remodel and I was eager to start work.

This past week in Minnesota it rained and rained and rained. I guess it was as good a time as any to search for leaks.As you can see in the photo I have at least one that needs to be addressed.

Its my understanding the damage was caused by a tree. And yes I bought it this way.Someone else went through the heart break of finding the trailer with a tree on it.I get the pleasure of making it better.

The first task has been taking out enough interior to get to the damaged ribs.I look forward to putting it back together. Once the first two ribs were exposed it was just a matter of jacking, pounding and prying them back into shape. The next step will be to start replacing the damaged segments on the front endcap. Once that is done I will start on the back end. Apparently the tree that damaged the front end had a friend.

Im looking forward to seeing how this all ends up

wahoonc · 03-14-2010, 07:05 PM

UGLY!

But at least you have the segments that are made from flat metal

Have fun with the rehab. My '75 is STILL undergoing it's 120 step...

Aaron

BradS · 03-14-2010, 07:11 PM

I was looking at a 1964 that needed alot less work. Because I could make the segments for the 57 I became very interested. I do carpentry for work so I have some experience in remodel/rebuilding.

I got the ribs back into shape today so Im just looking forward now

tinman54 · 03-28-2010, 02:43 PM

Jan and I are looking forward to watching your work as well. Your excitement is very motivating, I really want to get back at the 54.

Silverfoxrae · 03-30-2010, 12:22 PM

How is the rest of the trailer? More pix please :-) Looking forward to watching this one come back!!

Rae

DaveFL · 03-30-2010, 03:28 PM

Easy leak solution, look for the duct tape. ;-)
How will you seal new panels in place?

BradS · 01-01-2011, 02:43 PM

After letting this trailer sit all summer I just started fixing the leak I found. So far this project has not been to bad. I took a few segments off and Ill try to flatten them to use as templates.The right side segments appear to be mirror images of the left side segments.

Becky B. · 01-01-2011, 05:54 PM

Wowie! That's a big job & a BIG leak! Good luck with your project!

tinman54 · 01-01-2011, 08:55 PM

Looks good Brad, let me know if you want to borrow the bead roller for a while!

ts8501 · 01-02-2011, 08:24 AM

It seems to me that your trailer looks very farmiliar........

mello mike · 01-02-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ts8501

It seems to me that your trailer looks very farmiliar........

Man, I'd love to have a garage like that to work on mine!

ts8501 · 01-02-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

Man, I'd love to have a garage like that to work on mine!

So would we Mike! We are renting this space this winter (6 months). The owner heats it to a perfect working temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the temperature outside is a balmy 7 degrees (-5 degrees wind chill), it is the only way to work on an Airstream in Minnesota in winter.
-Tim

345bill · 01-02-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

Man, I'd love to have a garage like that to work on mine!

Mike- Those exact thoughts were going thru my head when I scrolled down and saw your reply.
Not having a shop that it will fit inside sure limits what I'd like to do on the motorhome.

Can't wait to see both of these when they're finished.

BradS · 01-14-2011, 08:12 AM

Last night I picked up the first 8 segments from the sheet metal shop.
I cut out oversized blanks using the old segments as templates. Road side is a mirror image of the curb side so I was able to fabricate close replacements even for the most damaged segments.
I chose to have a local shop form the edge bead and they did a great job. Now I need to cut the segments to length and start drilling holes. I hope to start putting the endcap back together within a week.

mello mike · 01-14-2011, 09:09 AM

Awesome! Please post pics of your progress.

tinman54 · 01-15-2011, 09:11 AM

Good to see you and Tim are having fun over there! If the heating business lets me have a day off I will have to come over and check things out. I haven't hardly even said hello to the cruiser in 6weeks but I have been ordering parts from Vintage Trailer Supply for the next go around.
Doug

BradS · 01-15-2011, 09:45 AM

Hi Doug

I havent had work in a while and the trailer gives me something to think about and do.My wife is spoiling me and letting me enjoy some time off

I picked up 8 of 11 segments for the front endcap on Thursday. Im meeting Tim at the trailers today to work for a while. As you can guess I have many , many , many holes to drill now.I just received another coil of aluminum this week, 25' worth, so I can make some more segments.

Thank you for your offer of the bead roller!!!!!!!!!!

That was very generous. I chose to have a local sheet metal shop form the bead on the segments. They did a great job! Ive noticed one benefit of the bottom dropping out is that the craftsmen are still in the trades. Marginal workmanship seems less common now.

I will make sure to post some pictures once I have done something noticeable. Up to now I have just been taking apart and learning. Last week Tim and I started buck riveting on his trailer. It felt great to go forward.

I know both Tim and I would enjoy seeing you. As well I would enjoy stopping by your place to look over your trailer when time allows.

BradS · 01-15-2011, 07:34 PM

I wasnt sure if today would ever come. It did!!! Tim and I went to our trailers today and everything started to come together. After today I have no doubts that Ill have the trailer I want when Im done.

After bringing the trailer home last winter and repairing the damaged rib , I let the trailer sit until the end of October. Thats when Tim and I started renting a building for the winter.

November and December were spent dragging my feet and removing the damaged front endcap. I took off 11 of the 13 segments. After doing my best to flatten each piece I used the old segments for templets. It seems to have worked.

Today I fit the first two new segments onto the trailer. I know Im in for a lot of work and a few headaches but today it also became a lot of fun.

The first photo was when we started at about 1:30. The second one is 4 hours later

tinman54 · 01-16-2011, 06:30 AM

Looks good Brad, a little polishing on the back 22feet and she will be as good as new! You should make those segments retractable so you can sleep under the stars?