VAL Digest V1 #332

VAL Digest          Saturday, August 7 2004          Volume 01 : Number 332




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Topics in Today's Digest:

[VAL] Fantastic Vent
[VAL] Rims for the 59
Re: [VAL] Rims for the 59
Re: [VAL] Re: Sad Wreck
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Re: Sad Wreck
[VAL] Rims 
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Rims
Re: [VAL] Rims
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires
Re: [VAL] Tires

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

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 06:35:16 GMT
From: "bsshrink@xxxxxxxxxx.com" <bsshrink@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Fantastic Vent

I gather some of you share the problem/situation of a Fantastic Vent not raising & 
lowering correctly.  I would like to tell you that the FV customer service rep is the 
BEST customer service experience I have had in my 50 years.  If you have any inkling re: 
adding a power vent to your unit I would whole heatedly endorse this product. When it 
worked (RBT 6000) it rocked.  When it did not, no questions asked, the unit (out of 
warranty) was replaced.  This due to good will developed with vintage Airstream restorers 
over many years.  Dannon Yogurt is (in MHO) the other Hall of Fame company in standing by 
their product, No Questions Asked.  Let's pass the word about the really good companies 
and support them.
Jeff Miller
KCMO
69 OverTheRainbow w RBT6000
03 Swervarado

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

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 2004 09:39:41 -0400
From: John Sellers <sellersj@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Rims for the 59

Hi, Ed,

I am assuming that your '59 Traveler takes the same 7.00 x 15 truck
tires as our '60 Pacer.  The Pacer didn't come with split rims so I am
still using the original wheels on the trailer, but I went through the
exercise of buying a wheel in order to have a spare.

The wheel is industry size 15x6JJ.  Dexter axle shows them in their
catalog as Part No. 017-118-25.  I bought mine from our local Dexter
dealer, Rim and Wheel Service, Inc.  They had them in stock.  The
counter man commented that it was not all that uncommon a size.  Chevy
used them on their pickup trucks in the 50's.

Now for the bad news.  The wheel that I got was not a Dexter, but
whatever brand Rim and Wheel Service stocks, made somewhere in South
America.  (The counter man said the same company makes wheels for
current production GM cars.)

Quality assurance is apparently less than stellar in the aftermarket
wheel business.  The tire dealer who installed the tire said they
couldn't balance it and said that Rim and Wheel Service would exchange
it without complaint.  (They had seen this before.)  I put the wheel on
the trailer and found that when I spun the wheel there was a good inch
of side-to-side wobble at the tire tread!  The center part of the wheel
was welded into the rim cockeyed.

So back to Rim and Wheel Service for another wheel.  The second wheel
had a lot less runout than the first but still not as good as the
original Airstream wheels.  The tire dealer said it was "OK", so I kept
it for a spare.

Bottom line is wheels are easy enough to find, but you have to do your
own quality control.  As for Made-in-USA wheels--good luck.

Best,
John Sellers
WBCCI/VAC #1587
1960 Pacer
Dayton, Ohio

> Hello All,
> Has anyone replaced the rims on their 59 Traveler (or similar) year? I
> have split rims and need to replace them. I'm looking for the make,
> model, year etc to be able to order them from some resource
> (recommendations welcome!). I'm looking for steel, nothing fancy, just a
> good American made steel wheel! I have the leaf spring axle setup.
> Thanks
> Ed
> WBCCI/VAC 4425
> 68 Sovereign
> 59 Traveler

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

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 10:29:17 -0700
From: "chyde" <chyde@primelink1.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Rims for the 59

 I'm looking for the make,
> > model, year etc to be able to order them from some resource
> > (recommendations welcome!). I'm looking for steel, nothing fancy, just a
> > good American made steel wheel! I have the leaf spring axle setup.
> > Thanks
> > Ed
> > WBCCI/VAC 4425
> > 68 Sovereign
> > 59 Traveler

Ed,
There is a set of four with new tires on Ebay at the moment. No connection
to me.
Colin

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

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 2004 13:35:30 -0500
From: Kurt Anderson <kurt@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: Sad Wreck

John:

I too am sorry to hear of the loss of your Airstream. It makes me rethink a
hurried hook-up to get on the road.

If you could write me offline I would be interested ins some parts you may
have. I am restoring a 1957 Flying Cloud and would be interested if any of
the windows would fit and or could be repaired. Mine are in bad shape. If
the glass is broken out of yours that would not be a problem for me.


Thanks

Kurt

> J.Garrett wrote:
> 
>> In December I purchased a 1959 26' Overlander twin axle and proceeded with
>> the
>> usual checks and upgrades to make sure it was roadworthy and useable. In my
>> rush to attend a vintage rally in Ontario Canada on Friday I had one critical
>> lapse of judgement.  The ball height of the receiver and sway bars were 6"
>> higher than the 19.5" required.  This was the only thing that I had
>> overlooked
>> in the 7 months since working on the trailer.  My decision was to use my
>> regular receiver and forgoe the sway bars.  About an hour into the trip and
>> 20
>> minutes from the rally a tractor trailer put me into an unrecoverable
>> fishtale
>> leading to jack knife and the demise of the trailer.  Thankfully no one was
>> injured but regrettably I've destroyed a beautiful piece of engineering and
>> design history as well as my ego.  The new chains did their job,held and
>> probably prevented a much worse outcome.  I must say I am very impressed at
>> how the trailer held together (though this is one way to check for hidden
>> floor rot, it's not the one I had intended). The ultimate destination of the
>> remains is uncertain until I speak with my inusrance company next week, but
>> given the number of good panels and parts remaining I'd rally hate to see it
>> go to the wreckers.  If any one is interested in the remaining whole or parts
>> let me know, I can send photo's.  The interior has twins with curved mahogany
>> overhead bunks.  My apologies to you all, I feel I've let a large community
>> down, hopefully someone will learn from my stupidity.  John Garrett, Niagara
>> Falls Canada 905 357 3437
>> 
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> 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
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
> 
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
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> 
> 

Kurt Anderson
Arketype Inc
126 Pine St., Suite 301
Green Bay, WI  54301
920-437-3700
Fax 920-437-3701

On the brink of the undiscovered. Arketype Inc
http://www.arketypeinc.com

Evolutionaries in design communications.

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

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 12:39:54 -0700
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

Mark:
    I'm not sure of how I wrote it, but I meant on the truck - 30 psi - 
not the trailer but that brings up another question which I need to 
nail down. On the shake down cruise yesterday, the trailer did feel a 
bit bouncy. I attributed that to the new axle (straight) vs the 
original dropped axle but perhaps I have over-inflated the trailer's 
tires.
      I did get about 4 inches more clearance with the new axle which I 
needed with the addition of holding tanks. The grey water tank is just 
to the rear of the axle and the black water is even farther back - not 
optimum I'm sure but there wasn't a whole lot of choice given the new 
interior configuration with the potty & shower at the rear. I think I 
only have about 10 inches under the valve area of the black/grey tank 
intersection. The angle of attack is pretty steep however so I will 
probably be ok. I hope I hope.
    I will go and check my trailer tires and get back to you. I'm pretty 
sure they are "trailer tires" since they came with the new axle and 
rims and brakes as a package.
Jo Ann

On 5, Aug 2004, at 9:53 PM, Mark wrote


> JW,
>
> Do I get correctly that the tires on your Airstream say 30 psi max on 
> the
> side?  That sounds low to me.  My '62 tandem Tradewind's tires are 
> rated for
> around 70psi...and they're at least five ply and trailer rated.
>
> How many plies do your tires have?  You'll want to be sure you don't 
> have
> automobile tires on your rig.  They should have a load rating on the 
> side.
> The load rating should be not much less than twenty per-cent over the 
> weight
> it has to carry.
>
> Mark
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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, 6 Aug 2004 12:59:40 -0700
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: Sad Wreck

Well John, since we are officially picking bones now, how about the 
door handle and assembly. Wonder if it would fit my '56 Bubble?
Jo Ann
On 6, Aug 2004, at 11:35 AM, Kurt Anderson wrote:

> John:
>
> I too am sorry to hear of the loss of your Airstream. It makes me 
> rethink a
> hurried hook-up to get on the road.
>
> If you could write me offline I would be interested ins some parts you 
> may
> have. I am restoring a 1957 Flying Cloud and would be interested if 
> any of
> the windows would fit and or could be repaired. Mine are in bad shape. 
> If
> the glass is broken out of yours that would not be a problem for me.
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Kurt
>
>> J.Garrett wrote:
>>
>>> In December I purchased a 1959 26' Overlander twin axle and 
>>> proceeded with
>>> the
>>> usual checks and upgrades to make sure it was roadworthy and 
>>> useable. In my
>>> rush to attend a vintage rally in Ontario Canada on Friday I had one 
>>> critical
>>> lapse of judgement.  The ball height of the receiver and sway bars 
>>> were 6"
>>> higher than the 19.5" required.  This was the only thing that I had
>>> overlooked
>>> in the 7 months since working on the trailer.  My decision was to 
>>> use my
>>> regular receiver and forgoe the sway bars.  About an hour into the 
>>> trip and
>>> 20
>>> minutes from the rally a tractor trailer put me into an unrecoverable
>>> fishtale
>>> leading to jack knife and the demise of the trailer.  Thankfully no 
>>> one was
>>> injured but regrettably I've destroyed a beautiful piece of 
>>> engineering and
>>> design history as well as my ego.  The new chains did their job,held 
>>> and
>>> probably prevented a much worse outcome.  I must say I am very 
>>> impressed at
>>> how the trailer held together (though this is one way to check for 
>>> hidden
>>> floor rot, it's not the one I had intended). The ultimate 
>>> destination of the
>>> remains is uncertain until I speak with my inusrance company next 
>>> week, but
>>> given the number of good panels and parts remaining I'd rally hate 
>>> to see it
>>> go to the wreckers.  If any one is interested in the remaining whole 
>>> or parts
>>> let me know, I can send photo's.  The interior has twins with curved 
>>> mahogany
>>> overhead bunks.  My apologies to you all, I feel I've let a large 
>>> community
>>> down, hopefully someone will learn from my stupidity.  John Garrett, 
>>> Niagara
>>> Falls Canada 905 357 3437
>>>
>>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>>> 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
>>
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> 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
>>
>>
>
> Kurt Anderson
> Arketype Inc
> 126 Pine St., Suite 301
> Green Bay, WI  54301
> 920-437-3700
> Fax 920-437-3701
>
> On the brink of the undiscovered. Arketype Inc
> http://www.arketypeinc.com
>
> Evolutionaries in design communications.
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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, 06 Aug 2004 18:35:44 -0400
From: Bob Patterson <bpatt@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Rims 

I had to return two new Dexter rims to the dealer due to wobble and a 
ground weld on the inside of the rim that left a large gash on the edge. 
Are there no inspectors of rims?
I hear GM told suppliers all rims that GM will use in the future will be 
made in China or some other country.


>Now for the bad news.  The wheel that I got was not a Dexter, but
>whatever brand Rim and Wheel Service stocks, made somewhere in South
>America.  (The counter man said the same company makes wheels for
>current production GM cars.)
>
>Quality assurance is apparently less than stellar in the aftermarket
>wheel business.  The tire dealer who installed the tire said they
>couldn't balance it and said that Rim and Wheel Service would exchange
>it without complaint.  (They had seen this before.)  I put the wheel on
>the trailer and found that when I spun the wheel there was a good inch
>of side-to-side wobble at the tire tread!  The center part of the wheel
>was welded into the rim cockeyed.

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

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 17:00:24 -0700
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

Mark:
     My trailer tires are "Nankang Tires". (Stop laughing.) Radial 
ST205/75R15. Tubeless. Load Max Radial. Trailer. Sidewall Polyester 2 
plies. Tread Polyester 2 + Steel 2. Max Load 1820 lbs @ 50 psi cold.
     Since I weighed the Bubble yesterday at the county dump scale, and 
it was 2900 lbs, I guess I'm way over the load limit. I assume the load 
limit is the total weight and not half the weight (one axle, 2 tires). 
Am I in big trouble?
Jo Ann
On 5, Aug 2004, at 9:53 PM, Mark wrote:

> JW,
>
> Do I get correctly that the tires on your Airstream say 30 psi max on 
> the
> side?  That sounds low to me.  My '62 tandem Tradewind's tires are 
> rated for
> around 70psi...and they're at least five ply and trailer rated.
>
> How many plies do your tires have?  You'll want to be sure you don't 
> have
> automobile tires on your rig.  They should have a load rating on the 
> side.
> The load rating should be not much less than twenty per-cent over the 
> weight
> it has to carry.
>
> Mark
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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, 6 Aug 2004 20:13:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: as5368@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

Joann:

     If the tire says  "Max Load 1,820 #, then that's for each tire.  The max axle 
load, as far as the tires are concerned, is 3,640#.   Your trailer's GAWR is probably less than that.

- - Dick
(5368)

- -----Original Message-----
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Sent: Aug 6, 2004 8:00 PM
To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

Mark:
     My trailer tires are "Nankang Tires". (Stop laughing.) Radial 
ST205/75R15. Tubeless. Load Max Radial. Trailer. Sidewall Polyester 2 
plies. Tread Polyester 2 + Steel 2. Max Load 1820 lbs @ 50 psi cold.
     Since I weighed the Bubble yesterday at the county dump scale, and 
it was 2900 lbs, I guess I'm way over the load limit. I assume the load 
limit is the total weight and not half the weight (one axle, 2 tires). 
Am I in big trouble?
Jo Ann
On 5, Aug 2004, at 9:53 PM, Mark wrote:

> JW,
>
> Do I get correctly that the tires on your Airstream say 30 psi max on 
> the
> side?  That sounds low to me.  My '62 tandem Tradewind's tires are 
> rated for
> around 70psi...and they're at least five ply and trailer rated.
>
> How many plies do your tires have?  You'll want to be sure you don't 
> have
> automobile tires on your rig.  They should have a load rating on the 
> side.
> The load rating should be not much less than twenty per-cent over the 
> weight
> it has to carry.
>
> Mark
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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

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

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 2004 19:25:18 -0500
From: Jim Clark <jec1938@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

JoAnn....
As far as I know you should be carrying 50psi. when the tires are 
cold...This is fairly common for trailer tires... I carry 60 psi. in my 
truck tires and sometimes get into problems with oil change places that 
want to drop the pressure to 40 psi...

Jim


At 07:00 PM 8/6/2004, you wrote:
>Max Load 1820 lbs @ 50 psi cold.

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

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 20:39:25 -0400
From: "Tom" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

But, the sidewalls on the tires she's using are only 2 ply.  More plies
could take more air, those might be load range C even.  I've never seen
trailer tires marked less than 50 psi -- but I don't have those famous
Nanking's either. ;)

Tom

PS: where is the *Nan King* from anyway?

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Clark" <jec1938@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2004 8:25 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires


> JoAnn....
> As far as I know you should be carrying 50psi. when the tires are
> cold...This is fairly common for trailer tires... I carry 60 psi. in my
> truck tires and sometimes get into problems with oil change places that
> want to drop the pressure to 40 psi...
>
> Jim
>
>
> At 07:00 PM 8/6/2004, you wrote:
> >Max Load 1820 lbs @ 50 psi cold.
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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, 6 Aug 2004 17:59:28 -0700
From: "Mark" <mark@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

Hi Joann,

Not to worry, you're not in trouble at all.  It sounds like your tires are
within specs, even with the funny name.  The total weight they COULD carry
would be 3640 (total trailer weight) and they're now carrying 2900, or 1450
each, so you're OK there, but I think I'd run 45 psi in them and see how it
tows.

When you buy new tires, I'd suggest a few more plies, but since you said they
were new, I wouldn't rush out and replace them anytime soon.  They'll last a
LOT longer if you cover them whenever possible...it's the sun on the sidewalls
we're worried about, not wearing out the tread.

On the truck, as long as your tongue weight (that's the weight on the tow ball
on the back of the truck) is no less than 10% of the total weight of the
trailer (in your case, it should be a minimum of 290 lbs.), and not much more
than 25%, Ms. Bubble will tow like she had oughta.  You can use good home
scale to check your tongue weight.

One more thing to think about:  when you changed the axle, and in the process
the height, does Bubble still sit fairly level when she's connected to the
truck and ready for the road?  It doesn't have to be exactly level on the
bubble (ha!), but you want it eyeball close.

Do you have the square receiver on your pickup, if so, and you need to adjust
for level, there are lots of over the counter ball carriers out there.  If the
ball is just a little low, you might consider adjustable air shocks on the
truck...they'll compensate for a little change, or heavier loads when you're
just using the pickup to haul heavy stuff for all your friends.

If the ball is too high, you can put your Harley in the back of the pickup, or
maybe a nice Onan generator right over the axle?  Then you'd be completely
self-contained and ready for 'boondocking' with a microwave or AC.  Ah...the
rough life....ain't it grand?

Best regards,


Mark in Modesto

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

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 18:02:44 -0700
From: "Mark" <mark@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires

>Tom asked:  where is the *Nan King* from anyway?