Refurbishing Plans

Chapter 2

The restoration / refurbishing plans.

The original floor plan will be maintained during the restoration/refurbishing process.  Updating the appliances will be a priority.

Restoration plans evolve.

To maintain the "vintage look," I plan to remove the air conditioner from the roof and the after-market awning.  Also, the spare tire and carrier will definately need to be removed from the rear bumper to save weight.

As the dismantle process evolved the decision was made to do a "Full Monte" (complete restoration/refurbish) on the trailer. This will require a complete dis-assembly of the trailer.  The shell will need be lifted off the frame.  The frame will need to be taken out to a local welding shop for repair. The frame will then be painted.  The interior will be improved with new wood floor, insulation, paint, all new furniture and electrical service and plumbing.

When it is all put back together we will have essentially a new trailer. Camping will be fun!

See More arrived home.

Removal of the carpet and original flooring!  Looks nice but "not so good."

Big bathroom space.

Front couch / bed.

Overall, the trailer was in tact with the original furniture and appliances.  

The trailer was very dirty and furniture was weak with some broken pieces. Everything needs to be removed, cleaned and/or rebuilt. All the appliances will need to be updated.

Kitchen galley.

Every item inside the trailer had to be removed.  All the large aluminum panels were removed from the walls and ceiling.  Some were rolled up smaller and tied to facilitate their exit through the front window.

This technique was used at the Airstream factory when the trailer was built. 

For simplification, everything went through the front door or windows.

All the interior walls were removed exposing the nasty mice infected insulation.
As the ceiling panels were brought out through the front window we were carefull so as not to bend or dent the aluminum.

The inside was finally all cleaned out.  Dis-assembly did not take much time.  I took many pictures to document the progress.  I am sure that refering back to them during the rebuilding process will be necessaery.

The frame finally appeared and the old insulation and nasty stuff from the belly pan was removed. After 54 years the frame was not all badly rotted out and didn't look too bad.  However, the frame will need some work. The rear cross-member will have to be replaced. The spare tire carrier on the back will have to removed.  The carrier looks cool but it adds unnecessary weight at the rear.  These frames were built with very light weight materials but are sturdy.  Some new metal will have to be added to provide stiffness for the installation of new axles.

In my opinion,  after inspecting the bare frame it appeared to be weak for this sized of trailer (28 feet). 

It was indeed manufactured with light weight materials to be sturdy and to save weight. 

 

A decision will now need to be made on how to strengthen the frame.