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F.A.Q.'s
Parts
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A: In general, no. Few parts
of an Airstream (outside of the body itself) were of special
manufacture. Therefore,
a suitable substitute can usually be found at RV dealers, trailer
supply houses, or the hardware store. Most parts and materials
were high-end RV and home construction. Don't expect "one-stop-shopping" or "at
your fingertips ordering", it will sometime be as much work
finding usable and correct parts as installing them.
A: The very first thing to do is get a copy
of the RV Parts and Accessories catalog from your RV dealer,
cost is about $4. This 500 page catalog contains almost every
part still made for trailers and motorhomes. This way you can
identify what is still available, and order it from your dealer.
Even many 1950's parts are still made, and can be ordered in
by your RV dealer, or shipped from anyone of dealers that ship
nationwide.
Second thing to do is find your closest Airstream dealer. Many of the
post 1968 parts and some of the pre 1969 parts are still available.
Third, develop a list of what you need, and then watch for RV salvage
yards and junked trailers during your travels. Garage sales and building
material salvage companies are also good sources.
Don't overlook wrecks/hulks of other brands (non-Airstreams), as the
parts used on them will be usable for same era trailers. It is not uncommon
for folks to keep such a "parts trailer" around in addition to their
usable trailer.
Fourth, some items are still available from the manufacturer, and reproduction
parts are starting to appear from small companies and private individuals. I
try and track as many sources as possible in the Supplier
Section.
A: What little was left
of the inventory of 1968 and earlier parts were sold to Inland
RV about 1990, most of which has been sold. This
was long after the California plant closed. The parts inventory
that California had on hand was shipped to Ohio in the 1980's.
So, I guess that makes the answer "no".
A: If you have a vehicle in perfect
working order and condition, the upkeep associated with it is considered
maintenance. What happens is that over time, people stop doing
that maintenance, and the vehicle (trailer) falls into disrepair. At
a point you come along, acquire the trailer, and then a decision gets
made, do you use the trailer as is with all its faults, or do you reset
the condition back to the point where you are just having to do maintenance
again?
Restoration means going way beyond mere fixing or patchwork repairs,
it means improving each item to an as-new or original condition. The
pleasure comes from working with tools and materials, and can be considered
an art or the preservation of something unique and desirable.
A: As
applied to Airstreams, restoration is returning the trailer's appearance
and operation back to looking like it was when new, or could have looked
for the era. Hidden
systems might be updated and subtle changes made to the existing configuration. High
quality, era appropriate looking materials and styling are important.
restoring, yet with some degree of customization works because very few
vintage or classic era Airstreams were
built exactly
alike when made, owing to buyer options and variability from one trailer
to the next.
Renovation
on the other hand, makes no pretensions about being sympathetic to originality,
and reflects the current tastes or desire of the owner. Modern
design or materials that would never have graced an Airstream can be
used, but the end result is still necessary - it must be functional and
show thought and design. Renovations are not considered a bad thing
as long as they are done
well. Here are some examples of
renovations.
The key to both is that they get completed.
- a "renovation" in progress is just a messed up trailer. There
show up on eBay plenty of examples of these....
A: There is a certain satisfaction
in saving something old and making it usable again. The usual attraction
is the unique styling of the Airstream, nostalgia for the golden
era of travel and camping, and the pride one has in not only
having a beautiful trailer, but also something that is practical
and useful. If you do the work yourself,
it can also result is an object with high resale value, or a usable item
at less than the cost of new.
A: If you are not mechanically inclined,
or have never rebuilt a house or car, restoring an Airstream is not for
you. It's equivalent to taking apart the toaster - anyone can do
it, but very few can put it back together. This one failure to
understand is the most common cause of all the stripped-out, partially
finished Airstreams out there. You will lose lots of money, too. If
you are unfamiliar with fixing things up, I must strongly suggest get
a "ready-to-go" newer airstream, learn from it, and then after you've
gained skills and knowledge, then get a restoration project.
A: Depending on how much
work you do yourself and the initial condition of the trailer,
with luck under $6,000,
but usually under $10,000 to get a trailer back to something
safe and more than an aluminum tent. A complete restoration or
renovation can easily cost $12,000 to $18,000 in materials in
addition to labor and the initial cost of the trailer. Few
people have all the skills and all of the necessary equipment
for everything; for example welding or spray painting. This runs
up costs, but can hardly be avoided. The working hours required
could run from 800 to 4,000, once again depending on condition.
A renovation, with a custom interior, can run even more, depending
on how much work you can do yourself and how skilled you are.
A: Well, I'm not going to
lie to you and say yes and set you up for failure. If you are
familiar with building
and renovating houses or restoring automobiles, you should
do just fine. If you have a good selection of power and hand
tools,
you will be able to many of the basic restoration functions.
Otherwise, it is best to get an trailer in the best condition
you can find, picking up tools and experience maintaining a
classic Airstream. Another option is to pay someone to do
the work (see below).
A: That would be a place
to work on the trailer. Fixing or restoring a trailer requires
it to out of the elements so you can work on hot or rainy days,
a clean, dry, and protected place to work and keep your tools,
and a place to store the removed parts while you work on the
trailer, plus a roof over your head when it comes time to polish.
A: Very few, about a dozen
in the US, and all are very expensive for full vintage trailer
restorations. Many people pay upwards of $25,000 to $80,000
to have one restored. Restoration and repair work is very
labor intensive, and the end cost reflects this. Airstream
restoration is still the realm of the handy-man do-it-yourself
er. This
is not to say you can't hire out some specialized work, but the
cost will add up in a hurry. A list of companies can be found
in the Suppler section.
A: The best bet is to review
the many web sites of those who have done it, and learn from
their mistakes and
successes. Demonstrations are given at many rallies, and
people that have polished their trailers are always willing to
share
their techniques and tips (including
me). Also check the FAQ
section on Polishing later on.
A: Many people’s first
instincts when getting an older Airstream is to start polishing,
paint or replace
the upholstery. Just as with an old house, that won't suffice.
You must address the hidden, less glamorous aspects first.
The ideal order is:
-Running Gear - axle, brakes, tires, shocks, suspension
-Trailer/Tow Lighting
-Weathertight the exterior - fix vents, A/C, windows and doors
-Floor repairs - remove cabinets and furnishings if required, replace or repair floors
-Address all frame, bumper and tongue issues
-Fix Belly pan
-Remove interior skins if required
-Replace insulation if required
-Route and install plumbing, gas and electrical provisions
-Install choice of flooring
-Interior wall finish - clean and/or paint the Zolatone
-Reinstall cabinets and furnishings, repairing as necessary
-Repair and check the appliances
-Install appliances and fixtures
-One last pass over the exterior, making sure all work is done
-Seal and Polish trailer Paint the steel parts - tongue, bumper, steps, etc.
-Replace cushions and curtains
The steps involved in your situation will depend on the condition and era of your trailer but generally follow the same guidelines.
A: It can be very overwhelming. The key is to
breakdown the over-all project into smaller chunks, and then
put them together into a master plan. Establish priorities and
work them, avoiding the temptation to bounce around. Use lists
to track needed parts, upcoming activities and to remain focused
on your plan. Become totally familiar with your trailer before
wielding the crowbar, understand how it all fits together and
have a definite goal in mind before you start ripping and tearing.
A: As long as the alterations
are sympathetic to original design and materials, it is quite acceptable
to adjust and repair the interiors of these older trailers without
affecting the value. Well thought out improvements will actually
increase their appeal - and value. No two Airstreams were really
the same from the factory to begin with.
It is also quite acceptable to use modern systems, disguising or
hiding them as appropriate. Examples are rewiring the electrical
on a 1950's trailer with a converter to supply 12v to all the lights
instead of the old 110V, or replacing a worn-out hot water heater with
a new unit, but modifying and reusing the old exterior shroud,
or replacing
a damaged cabinet, but using similar veneer plywood and finish
and reusing the hardware. There are many new materials that
would look appropriate in a vintage trailer - they are usually well
made
using
basic materials - chrome, aluminum, wood and glass.
A: The key is to look at an
Airstream as it were a car. If you would not have second thoughts
about buying a similar aged car and fixing it in your barn or garage,
then you will be OK.
On a 1950's trailer, expect to have to do a
full frame-up restoration. The floor will be rotted in many
places, structurally weakening the trailer to the point of being
unsafe, the frame and skin will be corroded in areas, most of the
mechanicals and gaskets will be worn out, and the appliances will
all need to be gone through and overhauled to be usable again. The
wiring insulation and splices have all deteriorated and will need
to be replaced. The axle most likely will need to be replaced, as
will much of the LPG system. Some
of the cabinets may have water damage, and there is the inevitable
60 years of prior owner modifications that will have to be overcome.
This is no different than what you find on an automobile from the
1950's.
Moving into the later 1960's, things may not be so drastic. The
wiring is newer Romex, floor rot may not be as extensive, but you
will still need to replace the axles and LPG tanks/regulators, and
the appliances will need to be gone through and checked out & repaired
for safety reasons. Many shops will not work on appliances this
old, so you will need the skills to do so.
Just as you may still find some 1970's cars
still usable and drivable, so can you find 1970's Airstreams that are
usable with just a good going through, and parts are still around. This
is the vintage of trailer that the average handyperson can acquire and
get into Airstreaming.
1980's trailers (yes the are 25+ years old now) are going to be your best
bet to get up and running as soon as possible, usually with just an inspection,
correction of any safety problems, and replacement of worn and tired soft
goods (cushions, carpet & curtains).
As with any Airstreams, there are going to be the exceptions, there are
some 1980's trailers out there that are ready for the scrap heap, and occasionally
you will find an 1960's trailer that has been stored inside all its life. Comes
back again to condition, condition, condition...
A: Store it out of the elements.
