Home Sources - More Info

The Project Polishing Tips Globe Trotting Sources - More Info

With an old trailer, learning how things work and how to fix them is essential - from both a financial as well as a functional point of view.  For example, Camping World wants $70 just to take a look at your refrigerator.  If they think it needs parts (they don't have them of course) their recommendation is a new refrigerator.  Same scenario if it is an old toilet, heater, water pump, or any other "obsolete" part regardless of the generally good condition of the item in question.  Finding an expert who knows everything about old trailers is a very difficult task - it generally means teaching yourself to become your own "expert".  Of course it will take you four times as long to do a job and you will have to do it twice - but a good education is never inexpensive. As I have found useful information and solutions to my needs, I have documented these sources as well as my own solutions that I think would be useful to others. 

Though my searching I found sources and information on many products.  The list below is provided simply for your reference - Please verify all validity regarding your own applications! There are many Airstream websites and they have all been VERY helpful.  All references on this page apply to our 1964 Globetrotter, although many products are good for any Airstream.

Also, if you know of other sources or other products,  I would love to expand this page.

The Airstream Company has FAQ online (Hidden quite deep on their website).  This covers trailer weights (all the way back to 1954), VIN numbers, vehicle towing capacity, various plug styles and MORE!
http://airstream.com/product_line/customer_service/faq.html

Polishing Information

RJ Dial's Restoration Resources page lists many many helpful resources and other Airstream related links.  

I occasionally get questions from people asking "what's my trailer worth?".  RJ Dial has a nice list of considerations to help one evaluate the value of a vintage Airstream.  Please don't ask ME to tell you what your trailer's worth! http://vintageairstream.com/rr_topics_pricevscondition.html

Lots of Airstream Trailer and other RV Links - Great resource!  http://www.airstreamtrailers.com/

A 1964 Airstream Brochure is on the VAC web page (airstream.net).  The members archive also has a 1965 owners manual - much of the information is the same or similar to 1964.

Older Model Service/Owner Manuals (I believe 1964 is the first year that they have)
Secretarial Services 937-492-8885.  The Owners Manual for my 1964 Globetrotter was $30.00
(There is also a 1965 manual that you can download from the VAC website in the members only section)

Foam

Before shopping for replacement foam it is good to know how foam is rated.  The two sites below give nice descriptions on how to select the foam you need.  I did not purchase from them but found their information helpful! 
Information:
General Foam information
Foam Ratings

We purchased: grade FV250-45 (same as Sears 10 year foam mattresses).  This foam is very stiff especially when new - perhaps too stiff even after "breaking in".  If I were to purchase foam again for this application I would consider 3" of  FV250-45 and a softer foam for the top 2" (Perhaps FV250-35)
We purchased from Mattress Factory Sacramento CA
They order just what you need and it comes cut to your specifications (square only - no odd shapes).

Flooring Commercial Vinyl Composition Tile 12X12 (can be cut down to 9X9) 
Home Depo Special Order was very reasonable ( $0.59 per 1 ft squares as of  7/00). They have Armstrong and Congoleum and perhaps others.

To see samples of many manufactures visit the Floor Specs Web Site (If you just visit choose that you are an "Architect" so you can view the samples)

Electrical
Inland RV in Corona says they have original style covers for some lights.

Thin Lite #746 30 watt (recessed mounted)

Great place to purchase Thin lites
http://www.windsun.com/Misc_AE/Thin-Lite.htm

Replacement for old Univolt - Why/How we replaced our Univolt with the Intellipower 9100 and charge wizard.

Info on Intellipower - choose Hot Deals or Power Converters on the frame on the left for factory reconditioned units or info

 

Sealing
Airstream now sells Vulkum and several other sealants and rivets on their website
http://www.airstream.com/shop/parts_maintenance.html

From Airstream "On the roof and above windows, we typically use gray Vulkem or gray Sikaflex.  Along body seams, we use a silver or clear Ten-x."

Airstream Dreams posted the following information on Sealing (from Airstream and the Vulkum Manufactures)  http://www.airstreamdreams.com/generic.html?pid=29

We found gray Vulkem at a local ACE hardware store for about $6.00 a tube.

Many people also use Alcoa gutter seal for the body seams.  We used a gray gutter seal (no silicon) purchased from Home Depo - Seam Mate by Amerimax.  It is very thin and flows into the seams well.  We used a technique of laying down two strips of masking tape with the seam area between them, applying a length of sealant, and then pulling the masking tape away very soon after applying the sealant (before it skins over). It is also very important to clean the seam area as well as possible before sealing.

We used Vulkum above the windows to fill a large gap and around the vents on the roof.  The Vulkum is very thick and fills gaps well. It is also rougher in appearance and more difficult to work with. The Amerimax (or Alcoa Gutter seal - - see below) is very thin and smooth and finishes the seams very nicely.

We will see how this sealant holds up.  

Alcoa Gutter Seal
Rocky Mountain Wholesale Inc.
1901 Broadway
Alameda, CA 94501
800-339-9262
I believe it was  $3.95 a tube.

Refrigerator Information - Tech tips for keeping your old refrigerator running
http://www.rvmobile.com/

RV Stores
RV Parts Outlet

Metal Working Information
Tin Man -  If you have to do any metal work you should look at this man's work. 

Wheels & Tires
If you have the original split rims, I would suggest that you replace them with NEW RIMS.  Some people have used vintage Chevy truck rims but these are NOT rated for the weight of your trailer - and they are OLD besides. They have been known to break with disastrous results.  Current trailer rims are rated for 2600 lbs.  We replace our old split rims with the following steel wheels that we bought from Southwest Wheel.

Size 15X6, bolt circle 6-5.5, Type single, Center Hole 3.670, Load Rating 2600, Part Number 91905 or 91905T (the T is the silver one I think), price was $38.75
Southwest Wheel
1-800-866-3339
southwestwheel.com

TIRES
These are a bit of a problem.  Most metric size tires are a low profile design and are too wide to fit up into the wheel wells.  The tires we choose to use are a 7.00X15R load range "D" tire made by Bridgestone. 

 

License Plate light & cover
Bob Drake Reproductions Inc. 800-221-3673 part number HR-13550.  All Stainless steel with rubber gasket. (some modification to light cover required- see link)

 

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