Airstream Question

69 Avion wrote:

westend wrote:
Hi 69 Avion,
How difficult a job is it to put new flooring in an Airstream? Can you unfasten the top shell, elevate it, and put in new plywood? I would imagine that there are some plumbing and wiring concerns along the way.

I have my eye on a 50's single axle Airstream that will need a total rebuild. It's a cute little rig, good for a couple weekending and will probably pull easy.

Maybe sticking a whole new platform with running gear ala' your C-11 would be a better solution. I can only imagine the state of the axle after sitting for 20 years, although I did rescue a boat trailer that was sunk into a swamp a couple of years ago.

I have never done it myself, but the AirForum shows several folks who have. It requires lifting the entire shell off of the frame, replacing the floor and then putting the shell back on. When the shell is off it is a good time to fix any frame issues, replace the axle, repaint with POR and do all the work you can do while the shell is off. If you seal the plywood, with epoxy, it will be much better than new when you are done.
Don't worry about replacing the axle, they are cheap. Besides, you want new brakes and by the time you buy new brakes, bearings, seals, etc, it is cheaper to buy a new axle and springs and be done with it.

Thanks! Ill look over the situation with the Airstream before I go forward.

tbirds255 wrote:
We were looking at older Airstreams also, until we went into one and it actually felt too closed in for us. We imagined it raining outside and trying to fit our 2 grown sons and us in it comfortably and changed our mind. I then started researching Avions and went into one and was surprised be the amount of room it has. So we now have a 1978 Avion 30'. The cabnitry and flooring are built very well, and with a rear bathroom there is plenty of room to move around. Ours has 2 twin beds and a sofa bed that we plan on replacing with a dual reclining sofa soon.
So I would suggest spending some time in a few different types before jumping in with both feet.

The nice part is that you can use your trailer with full tanks and not have to worry about the frame bending.

We were looking at older Airstreams also, until we went into one and it actually felt too closed in for us. We imagined it raining outside and trying to fit our 2 grown sons and us in it comfortably and changed our mind. I then started researching Avions and went into one and was surprised be the amount of room it has. So we now have a 1978 Avion 30'. The cabnitry and flooring are built very well, and with a rear bathroom there is plenty of room to move around. Ours has 2 twin beds and a sofa bed that we plan on replacing with a dual reclining sofa soon.
So I would suggest spending some time in a few different types before jumping in with both feet.

Not all Airstreams are created equal.The ones before Thor took over are great after that IMHOP all hype.

We would really like to have one too and look forward to your restoration posts. Sounds like a good project

westend wrote:
Hi 69 Avion,
How difficult a job is it to put new flooring in an Airstream? Can you unfasten the top shell, elevate it, and put in new plywood? I would imagine that there are some plumbing and wiring concerns along the way.

I have my eye on a 50's single axle Airstream that will need a total rebuild. It's a cute little rig, good for a couple weekending and will probably pull easy.

Maybe sticking a whole new platform with running gear ala' your C-11 would be a better solution. I can only imagine the state of the axle after sitting for 20 years, although I did rescue a boat trailer that was sunk into a swamp a couple of years ago.

I have never done it myself, but the AirForum shows several folks who have. It requires lifting the entire shell off of the frame, replacing the floor and then putting the shell back on. When the shell is off it is a good time to fix any frame issues, replace the axle, repaint with POR and do all the work you can do while the shell is off. If you seal the plywood, with epoxy, it will be much better than new when you are done.
Don't worry about replacing the axle, they are cheap. Besides, you want new brakes and by the time you buy new brakes, bearings, seals, etc, it is cheaper to buy a new axle and springs and be done with it.

Hi 69 Avion,
How difficult a job is it to put new flooring in an Airstream? Can you unfasten the top shell, elevate it, and put in new plywood? I would imagine that there are some plumbing and wiring concerns along the way.

I have my eye on a 50's single axle Airstream that will need a total rebuild. It's a cute little rig, good for a couple weekending and will probably pull easy.

Maybe sticking a whole new platform with running gear ala' your C-11 would be a better solution. I can only imagine the state of the axle after sitting for 20 years, although I did rescue a boat trailer that was sunk into a swamp a couple of years ago.

I have a 65 safari airstream and love it. It, like any trailer has it's pros and cons. Not many 65 square boxes still on the road. Once you have one, you are hooked.

The Airstream trailers are known for a very weak frame. They have what they call a semi monocoque structure which uses the shell as part of the structural integrity of the frame. The problem is the wood floor is sandwiched in between the shell and the frame and when the wood floor rots, the structures separate.
You may want to consider buying a used Avion which has the best of both worlds, an excellent shell and a strong frame. You won't have to pull the shell off most Avions for a rebuild because the frame is failing. Those old Avions have one of the best frames you can find on a TT. Get one that spent most if it's time in a dry climate and you will probably have a gem. You should be able to get a good condition 1980s Avion for less than $10,000. For that price you can afford to put in a new interior with new appliances.

Okay so they have slideouts. That is a beautiful RV but $55K second hand means that most of us here would pass on it. That said, mine is every bit as beautiful even if I have not even scratched the surface modifying it and making it my own.