VAL Digest V1 #185

VAL Digest           Friday, March 12 2004           Volume 01 : Number 185




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Topics in Today's Digest:

[VAL] Re: Door Hinge Question
[VAL] Re: Door Hinge Question
Re: [VAL] Surfing Safari 1969
Re: [VAL] Paint; 1956 Caravanner
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184
[VAL] RE: lots of old pictures here
[VAL] RE: Paint; 1956 Caravanner
[VAL] RE: Surfing Safari 1969
[VAL] Andy@Inland
Re: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #183 - Drum/hub balancing?
Re: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184
[VAL] hub & drum balancing
Re: [VAL] frame repair
Re: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184
Re: [VAL] leak
[VAL] Legendary Airstream trailers get a hip interior makeover 

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Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 22:31:52 -0800 (PST)
From: John Leggett <pklhead2@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Re: Door Hinge Question

Alex-
When my '68 Safari exhibited the same sort of sagging symptom, it ended up that the bolts 
inside the door that secured the door to the hinge had rusted thru.  Before you do anything 
extravagant to the hinge pin, you might want to remove the inner skin of the door and 
inspect the connecting bolts.  Just my experience.
John Leggett
San Fran
WBCCI #1154
- ------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 12:07:32 -0500
From: Alexkensington@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Door Hinge Question

Hey Gang-

I have some slop in my front door hinge on my 1966 Safari. The Door is 
begining to sag clockwise when shut. 
How have folks handled this?
It looks like I will have no trouble drifting out the roll pin and 
hinge pin as they seem to yeild easily, but haven't disassembled it all 
yet. 

Where does the wear seem to occur most? The Hinge Casting or the Hinge 
Pin? Any advice?

Thanks in Advance

Alex in Indiana (wintering in Melbourne, FL) 
WBCCI # 8728 '66 Safari & Overlander




- ---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Search - Find what youre looking for faster.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 07:07:26 -0500
From: Alexkensington@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: Door Hinge Question

Thanks every one for the good and thoughful ideas on this issue!


Alexander Kensington
66 Safari & Overlander
TCT & VAC WBCCI # 8728 

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 08:46:19 -0500
From: "Myrna Warren" <uncleneal@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Surfing Safari 1969

A good source of information is airstreamforums.com.


- ----- Original Message -----
From: <Hmcsteph@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 9:02 PM
Subject: [VAL] Surfing Safari 1969


> Hello, my wife and i just purchased a 1969 23ft Safari. It is our first
> travel trailer.
> It is in needs a lot of love and work. I am currently  replacing the
flooring
> and repairing the cabinets.
> We have ordered an owners manual, but we cannot find any airstream parts
> catalogs, a "How to restore an Airstream For Dummies", or a detailed parts
> website. I may be looking in the wrong places. I called our local AS
dealer (4-hours
> away) who asked me to bring him the parts i would like to replace for
proper
> matching and identification. Is this the only way?
>
> I also need replacement furniture. My "local" dealer can only offer
furniture
> that is available in the new models..
>
> Suggestions on door & window seals, caulking, and polish for a badly
oxidized
> skin would also be helpful.
>
> I have already learned a great deal from just reading the last two days of
> replies and questions. This posting system is great.
>
> I am sorry if I am asking for too much in one email, any replies, no
matter
> how small, would be helpful. My wife and I are just anxious, and excited
about
> getting our new baby on the road to the beach!!!
> Thank you!!
> Chris & Monica
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
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>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 09:29:12 -0800
From: "chyde" <chyde@primelink1.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Paint; 1956 Caravanner

> 2. Should we just strip the acrylic paint and paint over the original
> paint or should we strip it all of the paint off the skin?
>
> 3. What type of paint is recommended once the paint is stripped?
>
> 4.  Should we paint prior to re-installing the skin, or should we paint
> once the skin is re-installed?

Kevin,
It might be easier to strip it while it's out, probably down to the original
zolatone as it is a very tough paint. I would re-install it then re-zolatone
the whole interior before re-installing the wood work.  Zolatone is still
available today. That's how I'm doing my 57 Sovereign of the Road. That is
also how the factory did it way back.
Colin

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 10:29:47 EST
From: Inlandrv@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184

Hello to all.

I didn't disappear, but I have been extremely busy for almost a year and a 
half, which limits my on-line time.

However I do post on the airstream forums site when I have a chance.

It is interesting to read the last two days of posts on this site.

It will take a while to try to correct some misquotes.

To start, axle problems are from 1974 on back, not 1969 as Joy quoted.

Andy

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 07:31:23 -0800
From: RJ.Dial@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] RE: lots of old pictures here

Airstream has been thinking about getting involved with an Airstream
model made in Europe to capture the European Caravan market for some
time.  Anthony Slocock from Great Britain has been involved to some
degree, using a 1948 Liner as a test bed.  The width, weight, LPG,
electrical, brake requirements and consumer sophistication will result
in a much different trailer than the modern US versions.

I really don't have much heartburn over older Airstreams being shipped
overseas, as after the expense and trouble involved and the strict EU
road requirements, each one is made to operate and shine like new. I've
received pictures back of some pretty sad ladies rebuilt to very proud
carriages. Plus, the PR ain't bad, and it is very interesting that they
find such American iconism fascinating.

Later,
RJ
VintageAirstream.com

>
> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 02:59:58 -0500
> From: "Tom" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [VAL] lots of old pictures here
>
> I don't think we as Americans have anything to fear about
> Europeans buying
> up *all* of our cherished Airstreams at any price.  Like
> everything else we
> only get to use these 'things' while we or our heirs are
> alive - sort of
> like housing which we buy only to sell one day down the road.
>
> That site featured an overseas Airstream broker who even
> stated in their
> Forum that in short order Airstream will be building trailers
> "over there".
> I never heard THAT before!  Have you?

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 07:37:20 -0800
From: RJ.Dial@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] RE: Paint; 1956 Caravanner

Ideas here:
http://vintageairstream.com/FAQ/FAQ_5.html

Best of luck,
RJ
VintageAirstream.com


>
> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 20:39:44 -0500
> From: Kevin Chop <kevinchop@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> Subject: [VAL] Paint; 1956 Caravanner
>
> Hi,
>
> We have just completed removing the inside skin of our 1956
> Caravanner.
>   A previous owner had painted over the original Zola-Tone
> paint with a
> few coats of acrylic paint.  We would like to strip and re-paint the
> interior.
>
> 1. What is best way to strip the paint off the skin?  Stripeze?
>
> 2. Should we just strip the acrylic paint and paint over the original
> paint or should we strip it all of the paint off the skin?
>
> 3. What type of paint is recommended once the paint is stripped?
>
> 4.  Should we paint prior to re-installing the skin, or
> should we paint
> once the skin is re-installed?
>
> Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank You
>
> Kevin & Valerie Chop
> #5585

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 07:39:20 -0800
From: RJ.Dial@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] RE: Surfing Safari 1969

No one stop shopping for parts or info I'm afraid.  Many sources exist
though:

http://vintageairstream.com/rr_topics_suppliers.html

Best of luck,
RJ
VintageAirstream.com

> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 21:02:46 EST
> From: Hmcsteph@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Subject: [VAL] Surfing Safari 1969
>
> Hello, my wife and i just purchased a 1969 23ft Safari. It is
> our first
> travel trailer.
> It is in needs a lot of love and work. I am currently
> replacing the flooring
> and repairing the cabinets.
> We have ordered an owners manual, but we cannot find any
> airstream parts
> catalogs, a "How to restore an Airstream For Dummies", or a
> detailed parts
> website. I may be looking in the wrong places. I called our
> local AS dealer (4-hours
> away) who asked me to bring him the parts i would like to
> replace for proper
> matching and identification. Is this the only way?

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 10:50:27 -0500
From: "Ron Ainsworth" <rainsworth8@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Andy@Inland

Good to see from you Andy. We were concerned about you.

Ron and Barbara Ainsworth
and General Forrest
'72 Ambassador International 29'

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 12:14:01 -0500
From: <Balloon@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184

Andy,

I love ya!!

Paul Waddell
WBCCI/VAC/WDCU 1270
66 Overlander


- ----- Original Message -----
From: <Inlandrv@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 10:29 AM
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184


> Hello to all.
>
> I didn't disappear, but I have been extremely busy for almost a year and a
> half, which limits my on-line time.
>
> However I do post on the airstream forums site when I have a chance.
>
> It is interesting to read the last two days of posts on this site.
>
> It will take a while to try to correct some misquotes.
>
> To start, axle problems are from 1974 on back, not 1969 as Joy quoted.
>
> Andy
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 19:26:28 -0600
From: waymark1@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #183 - Drum/hub balancing?

Balancing the hub/drum is not quite as important as balancing the
tire/wheel as it describes a much smaller radius (a 12" OD drum is a
pretty big one on travel trailers - many are 10") than the wheel and
tire, which is 26" diameter or larger. also the tire is much heavier than
the drum, and its weight is concentrated in its tread.
Nevertheless the hub/drum should be well balanced.
How does a drum get out of balance, anyway, if it was balanced accurately
when new? The only way I can think of is if a welded-on balance weight
came off the drum. Even if a drum is refinished ("turned"), only a few
hundredths of an inch of iron comes off, and it is evenly removed all the
way around. If a drum was so ovaled as to not be like this it should be
discarded. All of the travel and utility trailer drums I have seen are
too thin when new to stand much if any refinishing.

The hub/drum assembly should come already balanced from the mfr. of the
hub/drum. If it is out of balance it should be balanced before a
wheel/tire assembly is mounted. That way the wheels, once balanced, can
be interchanged or mounted without regard to position on the trailer or
the individual hub/drum.

Racing cars that go 220 mph do not have their tires/wheels balanced with
the hubs/brake rotors. The hubs/rotors are balanced by themselves, as are
the tire/wheel assemblies. Any tire/wheel can be mounted on any
appropriate hub without regard to positioning on the studs or splines
(knock-off type). Each part or permanent assembly is balanced by itself.
You won't see NASCAR, Indy or Formula pit crews installing wheels and
then balancing them before the car leaves the pit.
Al
> 
> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2004 21:02:20 -0800
> From: William Kerfoot <wkerfoot@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [VAL] balancing of tires, wheels hubs and drums
> 
> Stan Truitt wrote:
> 
> >how important is hub and drum balancing?
> >does it need to be done?
> >  
> >
> I have followed this thread from the beginning, but no one answered the
question.  For those of you who have either replaced tires or packed
wheel bearings, did you balance the tire/wheel combination with or
without the brake drum?
> 
> Bill Kerfoot

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 11:47:51 -0500
From: "Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184

Sorry Andy,

My senior moments are getting more serious.  I know that I have bad torsion
axles in my '69 Safari and in my '74 Argosy!

Regard,

                                                              '69 Safari,
'74 Argosy, Joy
- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Inlandrv@xxxxxxxxxx.com>

> It will take a while to try to correct some misquotes.
>
> To start, axle problems are from 1974 on back, not 1969 as Joy quoted.
>
> Andy

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 15:00:59 -0500
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: [VAL] hub & drum balancing

The quick answer is, we really don't know how important it is. Until Andy
from Inland brought it up I doubt that any of us gave it a thought. If I
remember correctly he claimed it to be the main cause of the body/frame
separation of the 31 footers. He may have a point, but as far as I know it
has not been substantiated by the factory.

Scott
> > Stan Truitt wrote:
> >
> > >how important is hub and drum balancing?
> > >does it need to be done?
> > >
> > >
> > I have followed this thread from the beginning, but no one answered the
> > question.  For those of you who have either replaced tires or packed
> > wheel bearings, did you balance the tire/wheel combination with or
> > without the brake drum?
> >
> > Bill Kerfoot

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 04 14:13:10 -0700
From: Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] frame repair

My '56 Bubble has a double frame from the front back to the axle. It 
consists of two 4 inch C frame pieces stacked one on top of the other and 
welded together in several places This I believe was done when unit was 
built as the pan is bui lt around constructed as the frame pieces are 
each 4 inch whereas the other bubble of that year I have seen had a 
single 3 inch frame. My understanding this 16ft unit was built for a 
geologist who used it as a field lab.  It had no cabinets and contained 
only a work bench one one wall and sink on another.  The  units had a 
large generator on the front portion of the frame and the mounts were 
still in existence when I acquired the trailer.  It was to carry this 
weight that I believe the frame was reinforced.  The rear portion of the 
farm from axle to rear is the 3inch frame I have noted on other trailers 
of this year.   two 4 inch pieces stacked and welded together.

Roy Lashway
'78 Argosy,'56 Bubble
WBCCI 1610     VAC
rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx.com
web site: www.zianet.com/rlashway
   (polishing report included)  

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 17:29:06 -0700
From: "Earl Peck" <earlpeck@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #184

Hi Andy,
Thanks for all the help with everthing from black water tanks to replacement
compartment doors and everthing in-between.  Also thanks to your friendly
staff (Bear).

Earl in Idaho

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 21:45:07 -0500
From: Daisy Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] leak

Hi Faith,

First I have to roll my eyes about himself.

Then, I agree with the folks who said just caulk the whole thing , it's 
all gonna leak sooner or later.  That was the first thing I did on mine. 
No point in fixing stuff until it's dry in there. I caulked around the 
vista view window's frames, but also did around the glass. The water 
sits on them and if there is any hint of a leak, it will.

The only other thing to look at is the window gaskets. Mine are pretty 
shot and a got the new ones, just waiting for good weather. I have a 
leak in my living room window which is the gasket. Boring job.

As far as level goes, the gas fridge needs to be level or it gets colic 
and dies. When its working, anyway and while it settles after you've 
used it and are storing the trailer. Most people have a round level in 
the freezer part, and check it when setting up.  If you aren't using the 
fridge, level is only for comfort. Airstreams don't twist sideways like 
stickbuilt  RV's do. But you might have a window frame that got knocked 
out of alighment.

Most likely it's just caulk, caulk, caulk.

Daisy

Faith Navarro wrote:

> We have a very small leak in our 1974 A/S that only happens when it rains. The
> only place it shows up is on the floor, under the bookshelves, at the left of
> a main window in the living room.
> we have tried taping and putting plastic around the main window, the small
> window below it, and on top around the vent window and TV antenna. the only
> place we haven't touched on that side is the sunlight window at the edge of
> the ceiling . One problem I notice is that the trailer is setting a little out
> of level leaning to that side and the window that we didn't do anything to, is
> slightly difficult to raise the inside cover and the frame around it is not
> fitting secure.  I just feel sure it is all because the A/S needs leveling as
> I know in a regular mobile home that is unlevel, the cupboards don't shut well
> as well as the entrance doors and the windows are hard to raise.
>   Could I please get some feedback? My husband doesn't seem to think I know
> what I am talking about and if I am wrong, I don't mind admitting it and if
> I'm right, I won't gloat. My A/S
> comes first and foremost with me before pride.
> Faith Navarro
> 
> 
> 
> ---
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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 22:33:32 -0500
From: "GAnderson" <g_anderson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Legendary Airstream trailers get a hip interior makeover 

By Brett Prettyman 
The Salt Lake Tribune



http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Mar/03112004/thursday/thursday.asp

------------------------------

End of VAL Digest V1 #185
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