Hi,
Introduction: My name is Kevin Chop and I have been airstreaming since I
was a kid with my folks starting in the late 60s. I have a 1976
Tradewind that my wife and I have restored over the past 6 years. We
have been VAC members over the past 3 years.
History: We are now in the process of restoring a 1957 Caravaneer (and
need our heads examined!!!). The trailer was a "mouse house" for the
past 10 plus years resting in a corn field of MN. The frame and outer
shell is in excellent shape, but the floor is in poor condition. This is
where we are at;
1. We have carefully removed all of the original trailer components and
are in the process of restoration.
2. We have carefully removed the bottom sections of the inner skin to
access rivets and belly skin (pan) that were riveted and partially
rapped around the C" Channel.
3. We have removed both sections of the belly skin (pan).
4. The belly was infested with "mouse houses". We have cleaned and
stored for replacement or re-installation. (any suggestions would be
greatly appreciated)
5. We have temporarily randomly riveted the outer skin back to the C"
Channel (where I had to remove rivets to release the belly pan) to keep
everything held together.
6. Now we are ready to remove the rotted floor. HELP
Q: How do we proceed without loosing the integrity of the trailer? More
specifically, the floor appears to be connecting the shell to the frame,
how can we pull out the rotted sections of floor without the gap closing
between the C" Channel and the frame?
Q: Secondly, on our 1976 tradewind, when removing parts of the floor the
seams were bolted down with a floor type bolts/screws with a phillips
type head for removal. This unit has just a flat head, how do I remove
and what do I replace them with???
Your input and help would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin & Valerie Chop
Clinton, PA
#5585