The Vintage Airstream E-mail ListDigest Archive Files
VAL Digest V1 #136
VAL Digest Friday, January 23 2004 Volume 01 : Number 136
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Topics in Today's Digest:
Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
Re: [VAL] Shower curtain glides
[VAL] RE: VAL Digest V1 #135
[VAL] Found filter!!!
RE: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
RE: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #135 - Wheel Bearing Oil Seals
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #135 - Adjustable ball mount
[VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
[VAL] alumi. flooring
[VAL] VAC web site
Re: [VAL] VAC web site
Re: [VAL] VAC web site
Re: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
Re: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
Re: [VAL] VAC web site
Re: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
[VAL] Axle replacement
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Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 00:05:53 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
2. Long drop hitch assemblies can be bought, don't have to be custom
made. I'd go that route. My friend had one such for his 3/4 ton 4x4 Ford
before he went to a fifth wheel trailer. He may still have the drop part
of the bolt together hitch.
I doubt your '77 has much of an axle sag yet. Raising the trailer height
won't improve its lateral stability, especially rocking to the side in
cross winds. If the axle mounts are like those on my '68 Caravel, I
think the axle plates and frame plates the axle plats mate with would
need to be strengthened else they could bend and move the wheels out
into the sides of the wheel wells.
Gerald J.
- --
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 04:20:52 -0500
From: "T o m" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Shower curtain glides
Jeff,
The aluminum floor like in the car trailer might be too heavy for the
Airstream. Have you seen the sandwiched flooring used in aircraft? The
floor is made of 2 pieces of aluminum skin and between them is a corrugated
lightweight material.
Tom
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Fryckman" <fryckman@xxxxxxxxxx.att.ne.jp>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 9:24 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Shower curtain glides
> Hello All:
>
> I've been enjoying the information/exchanges.
>
> I live in Tokyo, but I have a '52/'53? Flying Cloud (rectangular tail
> lights) that I and my father are trying to restore in CA. It is in very
> good shape, except for the floor, which we have removed. I have been
> reading up on "shell on" vs "shell off" replacements and would like to
> do the "shell on" type. We purchased "good" plywood and started the
> process, but my uncle has suggested that we use aluminum plating (like
> in his car trailer). Has anyone tried/considered this? It seems
> logical, but...
>
> Thanks in advance for your help/suggestions.
>
> Jeff
>
> P.S. The bug is spreading. Check out a Japanese fan's site:
>
> http://www.airstreamcafe.jp/
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 07:20:09 -0600
From: "David Beard" <dbeard@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] RE: VAL Digest V1 #135
To AlanT... Thanks for the encouragement. I can only hope that my black
water tanks holds up as well as yours.
About LED lights... I'm using a couple of the red ones in the back room
of my trailer. I have a tiny enlarger and other small film processing
items. Makes a little darkroom-to-go.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 08:23:46 -0700
From: Marc Bossiere <mbossiere@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Found filter!!!
For all those who have been tormented by not knowing exactly what filter
will replace the extinct original in a mid-70's "industrial hangup" central
vacuum filter found in some of the larger models of that era, I have found
it. Apparently, Shop Vac corporation was responsible for the manufacture of
these machines for Airstream in some way, and the original part number
(listed in my A/S Service Manual) for the filter was 915-01. Shop Vac tells
me it was superseded years ago by part number 903-19. Nobody (but nobody)
seems to have them in stock except Shop Vac. They are $10.70 apiece if you
buy online at
http://www.shopvac.com/dev/catalog/detail.asp?partnum=90319&Submit=Go%21
and a little more if you order by phone at
570-326-3557
Marc Bossiere
10195 S. Houghton Rd. #153
Tucson, AZ. 85747
1978 Excella 31'
tel. 703-282-6063
mbossiere@xxxxxxxxxx.com
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Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 09:28:05 -0600
From: "William Durkee" <bdkli@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: RE: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
>-----Original Message-----
>From:eswihart@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com
>Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 3:39 PM
>To: 'VAL List'
>Subject: Two Questions
>2. I recently purchased a new truck (Ram with Hemi) and the hitch receiver
>is 3" higher than my old truck. I will have to have a custom drop bar made
>to accommodate my Reese hitch. I also have a problem dragging the rear of
>the trailer when I park it at home because of the sharp rise of the
>driveway/parking area. This has also been a problem in some places where
>there is a deep gutter at the exit of a filling station. I tend also to use
>remote campgrounds that don't have easy terrain. I thought that another
>solution to the problem would be to put a 3" spacer between the axels and
>frame with a bolt welded in for the shocks. This would give me 3" more
>ground clearance and probably not affect towing stability.
>Any thoughts?
>Thanks,
>Ernie Swihart
>Minnetonka MN
To correct the problem with the hitch go to this web site and look at item
R54917 I added this to my new hitch and am able to adjust as I need to.
http://www.reese-hitches.com/hi_pef_trunnion_bar_wd.htm
Tuna (Thanks Tuna :) ) turned me on to this web page:
http://inlandrv.com/articles/dura-torque-axle-92001.htm
When I compared information on this page to my axels I learned that my rear
drag was an axle problem. When level with the old axles the unit sat 13
inches off the ground. Now I have 17 inches with the 45 degree axles. I
hope this will help you!
Bill Durkee
1969 Sovereign
03 Ram 1500 Quad
_________________________________________________________________
Let the new MSN Premium Internet Software make the most of your high-speed
experience. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us&page=byoa/prem&ST=1
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 11:20:49 -0600
From: "ERNEST SWIHART" <eswihart@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: RE: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
Thanks Daisy--just the answer I was looking for. Where did you get your
cork?
Ernie
- -----Original Message-----
From: valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com [mailto:valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com]
On Behalf Of Daisy Welch
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:13 PM
To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
Hi Ernest
ERNEST SWIHART wrote:
> 1. I am considering putting in a cork floor but I live in Minnesota
> and worry that the extremes in humidity might cause difficulty with
> buckling of the cork tiles. The salesperson at Dodge-Regupol, though
> and Airstream owner herself, could not be sure I wouldn't have a
> problem. Do any of the people who've put in a cork floor have
> experience with extremes in humidity comparable to MN? What season of
> the year was the installation done? Do you see significant
expansion/contraction with humidity cycles?
I have a Cork floor and it survives the humidity of a NE Summer, NC Summer,
and totally frozen Winter. The material is more flexible and adabtable than
any other flooring. I have it everywhere, even in the bathroom where
sometimes the whole floor gets wet . Not a problem.
http://home.tiac.net/~jtdjtd/aspix/floor.html
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 02:48:52 -0600
From: waymark1@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #135 - Wheel Bearing Oil Seals
Triple lip agricultural machinery oil seals are available in a wide range
of sizes. Perhaps a little overkill?
The usual automotive oil seals are double lip.
Just fill the grooves between the lips with grease, and a thin smear on
the seal surface on the spindle - they aren't intended to run dry.
The space between the bearings inside the hub should not be filled with
grease (except for the boat trailer hubs). A $2.99 (Harbor Freight
Chinese) or $9.99 (K-D or Lisle from Auto Zone) grease packer will fill
each bearing with all the grease that is needed. Just set one grease gun
aside loaded with disc brake wheel bearing grease. Don't, of course, use
ordinary chassis grease in wheel bearings - it will melt from brake heat
on those long mountain downgrades.
My Spartan with Warner brakes has felt wheel bearing seals, probably the
original 1952 ones from their looks, and there was no sign of leakage out
into the brake drums. The felt had oil in it but not even any oil on the
face of the seal.
Al
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 15:31:24 -0700
> From: Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #134 - Wheel Oil Seals
>
> One thought to keep in mind.
> Airstream uses a double lip wheel seal, never a single lip seal. A bit
more expensive, but what is losing your brakes on the road due to seal
leakage worth??
>
> Charlie
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 02:59:06 -0600
From: waymark1@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #135 - Adjustable ball mount
Somewhere I saw a ball mount (WD) that could be raised and lowered. It
had an electric motor on it to run the hitch head up and down. This would
allow you to tilt the trailer up and down to get thru those
whoop-de-doos.
Of course once thru the WDD you would want to run it back to level,
especially with 2-axle non-equalized rubber suspension.
Much cheaper than a fancy ball mount is caster wheels at the rear of the
trailer frame. As long as the rough spot is paved these casters will
support the tail of the trailer. Just go real slow - you don't want to
bang the tail of the trailer on the pavement or ground.
Al
> 2. I recently purchased a new truck (Ram with Hemi) and the hitch
receiver is 3" higher than my old truck. I will have to have a custom
drop bar made to accommodate my Reese hitch. I also have a problem
dragging the rear of the trailer when I park it at home because of the
sharp rise of the driveway/parking area. This has also been a problem in
some places where there is a deep gutter at the exit of a filling
station. I tend also to use remote campgrounds that don't have easy
terrain. I thought that another solution to the problem would be to put a
3" spacer between the axels and frame with a bolt welded in for the
shocks. This would give me 3" more ground clearance and probably not
affect towing stability.
> Any thoughts?
> Thanks,
> Ernie Swihart
> Minnetonka MN
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 16:39:28 -0500
From: "Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
Hi Restorers,
Just got the mother heavy axle from Dexter. It came in a 60 footer and had to
be dropped on the highway out front. Took about a half hour for me to wrestle
it from the highway to my back yard. Certainly is a massive axle with hubs,
emergency brake, drums, etc. Think I'm going to like it when I can get a bit
of help to push it into position after removing the original Henchen. Of
course, once the old axle is removed, I can make comparative measurements to
be absolutely, positively sure it fits! :)
Hope this is the beginning of orders from Dexter for replacement axles for the
older airstream restorations. If all works out OK, it's nice to know that the
replacement can be done for less than half the cost that Inland has foisted on
restorer's.
In addition to the emergency brake suggested by Dr. G.J., I ordered the 32
degree down angle, 10% increased weight, the larger drum, oval brakes, and the
inverted shock tabs, etc. that will modernize the axle. Hopefully, the rear
will ride a couple of inches higher with the increased down angle of the
torsion arm.
If any of you order an axle, DO NOT ALLOW it to be shipped COD. I had quite a
heated discussion with Dexter about my order. $460 for the axle, $350 for the
shipping? :( The $460 for the axle is OK and possibly a bit over $100 for the
shipping, but $350 is right out gouging, so to say then there's Inland and
Airstream to serve as the standard.
Might take some pictures and have them available, but . . .
Regards,
'69 Safari, Joy
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 16:55:04 -0500
From: Daisy Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
Go to My website, the link is on the cork page.
http://home.tiac.net/~jtdjtd/aspix/floor.html
And you're welcome. You're gonna love it!
Daisy
ERNEST SWIHART wrote:
> Thanks Daisy--just the answer I was looking for. Where did you get your
> cork?
> Ernie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com [mailto:valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com]
> On Behalf Of Daisy Welch
> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:13 PM
> To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Subject: Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
>
> Hi Ernest
>
> ERNEST SWIHART wrote:
>
>
>
>>1. I am considering putting in a cork floor but I live in Minnesota
>>and worry that the extremes in humidity might cause difficulty with
>>buckling of the cork tiles. The salesperson at Dodge-Regupol, though
>>and Airstream owner herself, could not be sure I wouldn't have a
>>problem. Do any of the people who've put in a cork floor have
>>experience with extremes in humidity comparable to MN? What season of
>>the year was the installation done? Do you see significant
>
> expansion/contraction with humidity cycles?
> I have a Cork floor and it survives the humidity of a NE Summer, NC Summer,
> and totally frozen Winter. The material is more flexible and adabtable than
> any other flooring. I have it everywhere, even in the bathroom where
> sometimes the whole floor gets wet . Not a problem.
>
> http://home.tiac.net/~jtdjtd/aspix/floor.html
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 07:31:53 +0900
From: Jeffrey Fryckman <fryckman@xxxxxxxxxx.att.ne.jp>
Subject: [VAL] alumi. flooring
Thanks to those who offered ideas/advice on aluminum flooring. I will
check the weight/strength. The composite/layered alum. sounds expensive
and defeats the purpose if there is wood in it. I was hoping for a
floor that would last as long as the skin?? Again, thanks for all the
help and I will let you know what happens/I decide.
Jeff Fryckman
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 18:15:00 -0500
From: "Jim Stewart" <9stewart@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] VAC web site
Is the Vintage Airstream Club web site down? I am getting an account suspended
message when ever I try to open it.
Jim
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 17:47:34 -0600
From: "Tom Patterson" <tomp@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] VAC web site
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:56:05 -0800 (PST)
From: Toby Folwick <toby_folwick@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Vintage Airstream Club Website.
Hi all - just wanted to let you know that the Vintage
Airstream Club website will be down temporarily for
maintenance.
Thanks for your patience!
Toby Folwick
VAC Webmaster.
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Stewart" <9stewart@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 5:15 PM
Subject: [VAL] VAC web site
> Is the Vintage Airstream Club web site down? I am getting an account
suspended
> message when ever I try to open it.
>
> Jim
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 16:11:40 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] VAC web site
Jim,
Yes it is. He sent me an email to advise that he was doing some repairs
and that it'd be down for a short while.
Glyn Judson
1969 Caravel
Santa Monica CA
> From: "Jim Stewart" <9stewart@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 18:15:00 -0500
> To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Subject: [VAL] VAC web site
>
> Is the Vintage Airstream Club web site down? I am getting an account suspended
> message when ever I try to open it.
>
> Jim
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 19:38:44 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
My Dexter literature doesn't show a 32 degree option, only 22.5 and 45
degree options. And the 22.5 degree option has the trailing arms level
with the rated load. Better suspension than my old stiff sagged axle but
no greater ground clearance. 32 degree angle would gain some clearance
but not as much as a 45 degree angle.
I think you will like the parking brake.
Gerald J.
- --
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 21:07:29 -0500
From: "Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
The parking brake is not an option on the 45 degree down!
'69 Safari, Joy
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Cc: "Jon Fitz" <fitzjo1@xxxxxxxxxx.com>; <JSmith1805@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
> My Dexter literature doesn't show a 32 degree option, only 22.5 and 45
> degree options. And the 22.5 degree option has the trailing arms level
> with the rated load. Better suspension than my old stiff sagged axle but
> no greater ground clearance. 32 degree angle would gain some clearance
> but not as much as a 45 degree angle.
>
> I think you will like the parking brake.
>
> Gerald J.
> --
> Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
> Reproduction by permission only.
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 21:12:09 -0500
From: Daisy Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] VAC web site
yes, Toby says it got spammed and he's working on it. The Message is an
automatic generic one because the server is down.
Yeah, Toby, our hero !
Daisy
Jim Stewart wrote:
> Is the Vintage Airstream Club web site down? I am getting an account suspended
> message when ever I try to open it.
>
> Jim
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 22:16:28 EST
From: JSmith1805@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Dexter Axle replacement on a '69 Safari 22
Joy I am defently intrested in the dexter axle replacement for my 65
Tradewind. Please keep us informed as to how it goes. I have a feeling that the
mounting masurements will be the same for most of the vintage trailers. Frames were
probably all made in the same gig so width and mounting brackets will
probably be the same the only real differance would be for tandom or single axel
brackets. I need to replace the axles on my tradewind. Who was your contact at
dexter? Jim Smith
1965 Tradewind (The Silver Abaltross)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 20:43:53 -0800
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
But Daisy - you're place is huge! I am green with envy or maybe the
chile relleno burrito got me.
Jo Ann
On 22, Jan 2004, at 1:55 PM, Daisy Welch wrote:
> Go to My website, the link is on the cork page.
>
> http://home.tiac.net/~jtdjtd/aspix/floor.html
>
> And you're welcome. You're gonna love it!
>
> Daisy
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 20:59:02 -0800
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE: Two Questions
Um, that would be "your" place. jw
On 22, Jan 2004, at 8:43 PM, jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu wrote:
> But Daisy - you're place is huge! I am green with envy or maybe the
> chile relleno burrito got me.
> Jo Ann
> On 22, Jan 2004, at 1:55 PM, Daisy Welch wrote:
>
>> Go to My website, the link is on the cork page.
>>
>> http://home.tiac.net/~jtdjtd/aspix/floor.html
>>
>> And you're welcome. You're gonna love it!
>>
>> Daisy
>
> --
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 22:40:48 -0700 (MST)
From: forrest@xxxxxxxxxx.org
Subject: [VAL] Axle replacement
For all of you replacing or thinking of replacing your axle (s) keep in mind
that an increased angle for the purpose of gaining more ground clearance
might be more than you want. When I replaced the axle on my '66 Globe
Trotter I gained an inch more than anticipated because the new axle's
mounting is somewhat different from the old design. So, not only is there a
gain in ground clearance because it is a fresh axle, but additional
clearance is gained in the mounting itself unless you grind out a deeper
slot in the mounting plate. I replaced my axle with a new Henchen -- results
with a Dexter might be different.
Forrest
------------------------------
End of VAL Digest V1 #136
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