End Cap Panels - Dent Be Gone!

When we first looked at buying an Airstream, we were offered a small discount on a new trailer with a basketball sized dent in the rear drivers-side end cap panels.  The dealer had backed into a tree branch when parking at the RV show at their fairgrounds.   Not knowing the work involved with end cap replacements we wisely passed on that opportunity.  Whew!  Good decision for us.

Two years later, we decided that our ideal vintage Airstream trailer was a 22 foot 1955 Flying Cloud.  One year after that we found our vintage Flying Cloud...perfect with a twin bed layout...and a basketball sized dent in the rear drivers-side end cap panel.  Guess that we were meant to buy a dented Airstream.

Now that has all changed.  Colin tried to remove the dent but the aluminum was stretched and could not be reformed.  As we were doing a full restoration with the interior skins removed, it was decided to replace the panels...One of those one time events in our lives, so "do it right" things.

With beads rolled at the bottom of our two new end panels, the panels were fitted with clecos before being buck riveted into place.

The final window frame was also buck riveted to the shell and end cap seam.

All Jacked Up - Restoration Starts

Our 1955 Airstream jack was not in good shape.  Ruined.  Toast.
So bad that Colin replaced it just to be able to move the trailer around.
















When we were on our way to the fabulous fun and also first ever Alumapalooza in Jackson Center OH in 2010, we stopped at VintageCampers.com in Peru In and bought an old but new-to-us jack.  It needed a lot of work.

On the frame, the jack plate was attached to the A-frame, but was rusted beyond repair.  A new jack plate was welded to the steel.

The handle is now sand blasted.

Propane Tanks Support Updated Post

Rather than leave it alone, I've decided to update the March 1st 2014 post.  The photo of just this old rusty as found tank support was too short and not helpful.  The old 3/1 post photo.

We have new aluminum propane tanks to replace the PO (previous owners) old rusty steel tanks
While we purchased new propane tanks from Vintage Trailer Supply, or original propane tank support bracket survives and got some attention.

This is the original rod, and also the crank handle for the trailer jack.

Love seeing photos that Colin sends.  And it is a great to see the 55 FC written on all our parts.  Colin has organization as well as knowledge and creativity to solve problems.  Yeah!

With the rust rod removed and the bent base straightened, then it was cleaned up - sand blasted.

I wonder if Colin is still using the sand blasting cabinet that he bought in "Mary Tyler Moore" Minnesota VAP Episode 26 on a hot humid summer day...

A steel reinforcement was welded to the base of the propane tank mount before the rod was installed.

Propane Tanks Support

While we needed to purchase new propane tanks  from Vintage Trailer Supply, or original propane tank support bracket is surviving and will soon get some attention.  It will be straightened out and sand blasted.

Door-in-a-Door Rebuild - Part 1

Airstream's door in a door is such a cool feature of our 1955 Flying Cloud.  When we first started looking to buy a travel trailer, we were quick to choose an Airstream.  The streamlined beauty of all Airstream trailers and the silver motorhomes is classic, iconic, and appealing.  Made in the mid-west (Jackson Center Ohio) the durability and long life of Airstream made our decision an easy one!

When researching vintage Airstream trailers, one feature that I wished to have was the door in a door.  Got it!!!
Like many things that 59 year old, our door needed a bit of work.

The inner door within the door was removed.

The rivets were drilled out and the outer skin was removed from our main door.

The original deadbolts that hold the smaller door will be sandblasted and painted.

Seeing the World Shine!

 Leaning on the ShopSmith are our original windows - removed from the shell December 14th 2009.

 The old caulk, Volkem, and seals were removed before the polishing was started.

 Shine is coming!

Oh so very shiny!

All is Well!

The bottom flange of the wheel well was rusted and needed replacement.

The balance of the wheel well is in good shape. 
We are fortunate to have a vintage Airstream with metal wheel wells.  Changed sometime in the 1970's, some later model trailers have wheel wells instead made with a thermoform plastic.  Some of the thermoform plastic wheel wells have over time cracked or degraded.

New galvanized steel was used to form the flange.

Positioned on the trailer for size.

Clamped and attached. 

Our new wheel wells are positioned on the frame, ready to be sealed with Vulkem, caulk, and then painted.  The hold-down plate is ready for the C-Channel, and then the shell!

Rust off the Glide-A-RIde Steps

I think it is so cool that our vintage airstream Flying Cloud trailer was built with the then new retractable step.  1955 was the first year for Airstream retractable steps - called the Glide-A-Ride.

Old Steps - See the Rust

 

 The front edge of the step is slightly rusty.  The back edge is barely holding together.  Improvements needed!

More A-Frame Improvements

 Around the jack there is rust, and structure missing.  Improvement needed.

 The bottom of the A-Frame is only 3" deep, so that will be strengthened to match the rest of the new deeper 4" frame.
The new metal hold-down plate is now welded to the frame.  It will be riveted to the front aluminum skin - strength and stability the old Airstream way!  Actually the 1950's trailers often had the hold-down plates bolted to the frames.  The welds are much stronger and another Colin Hyde improvement.

 New tube Steel to be welded on to reinforce the A-Frame.

New tube welded with a new jack plate.

Frame was 3" - Now 4" Deep - Or is it???

Prior to 1955 Vintage Airstream Frames were 3" deep.

The change to a stronger 4" frame was started in 1955.

Unfortunately, our Flying Cloud was manufactured in California with the 3" frame.  Our gray water and fresh water tanks from Vintage Trailer Supply are 4" deep.  As planned - to fit the tanks into the frame, Colin Hyde changed our frame to be 4" deep.

The longer frame will allow us to add a bumper trunk also.

With the small angle cut from the frame, the 3" bumper remains the original depth!

Welded closed, this also prevents water from sitting inside the frame causing rust.

And eliminates a way for mice and other critters to enter the trailer.

In 1955 and many other years, Airstream built trailers with  no rear cross member.  So the plywood floor was not directly supported by the frame, rather the floor was cantilevered from the next forward cross member.  And the plywood was originally attached through the C-Channel only to the aluminum shell.  

No wonder that attaching accessories to the back of an Airstream is a bad idea.  Spare tires, generators, even bike racks should not be attached to the trailer rear without significant frame work.

Colin beefed up our structure by adding a rear cross-member.  The aluminum shell, plywood floor, C-Channel, and shell will all be securely attached together with elevator bolts.

 

 

 

Rotisserie!

The front hold-down plate was removed, but will be replaced.  The hold down plate strengthens the connection of the frame to shell at the higher stress front area.

I Want My MTV - Mobile TV

 

My dad used to own a TV repair company, but does not have any of these antenna wire fixtures. Too bad as this Braund deteriorated considerably since installed on our vintage airstream. Anyone know where I can find new old stock?

 

This antenna controller just makes me smile.  It will be cleaned up, and checked to be sure it is still working.

And normally under a protective box, the antenna gear is outside the trailer.

Rotted Floor Be Gone

Reid removed the plywood floor from the frame.

The frame is attached to the rotisserie. 

Below you can see the missing rear outrigger

And the frame is rotated!