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.

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.

My Little Secret is Out - and It Holds a Lot of Liquid

Our A-Frame did not connect in line with the main frame rails.  The angle will help make the frame and the connection the tongue more sturdy.  Improvement!  We are moving our vintage airstream from deconstruction back into construction!  Progress!!!

 

Newer deeper cross rails, the frame increased from 3" deep to 4" deep.

BUT - and this is a big one for me - From the sides and back of our 1955 Flying Cloud - the trailer will look like a vintage Airstream!  It will look to only have a 3" frame!  Scott and Colin Hyde have worked together to design a frame that tapers to 4" at the center, while retaining the original look of the shallow frame.  So cool!

Changing the Frame to Fit the Tanks

Above is a photo before the frame change.

The frame is structurally sound, so only surface rust was removed.

The missing outrigger will be fabricated and welded back to the frame.

The frame is cut to make room for the in-frame fresh water tank.

A new front cross rail and out rigger are welded back to the frame.

Here the frame is upside down showing the new A-frame connection to the cross rail.

Soft and Gooey

Oh yes. The faux-wood-look vinyl covered a bit of floor rot. The entire floor is bouncy and the right side is not secure.

Being under the trailer myself, I am better understanding what I've seen in photos of other trailers. Below is my photo taken from the ground looking up into the area normally covered by the belly pan - the underside of the plywood floor. The step should securely attach to the frame here. The step on the right is photographed from the rear of the trailer and looking forward. The 3" deep (aka tall) C-channel frame shown on the left.

Below: As expected there is floor rot at the typical 1950's segmented C Channel. The first photo shows the C-Channel flat on the floor.

The photo below shows a small strip aluminum - remaining when the rest of the belly pan was cut off and removed. This aluminum belly pan strip was pulled down through the rotted floor to below the chasis frame. On the right side of the photo is the segmented C channel.