FREQUENT AIRSTREAM QUESTIONS... FAQ's
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First I thoroughly cleaned down all the wall surfaces, and any areas that I was going to paint. I don't remember what cleanser I used, but it was something strong. I sprayed the interior of my trailer with Kilz stain sealer, then sprayed again with a good quality latex paint. I masked all areas I didn't want painted. I really did not want the dark fake walnut look of the 70's. It has been almost 4 years that the paint is in place, and it has held up very well, and looks much better than the original appearance. Although I came of age in the early 70's, dark fake walnut interiors was never my thing.
The kitchen sink cabinet is original. I created new doors in place of the tambour by using lightweight 1" x 2" pine frames with foam panels in between, then laminated over it. That is the simplified version. It is a lot more complex in reality. In addition, I put new laminate on the old counter top, and painted all the aluminum framing an anodized aluminum paint to modernize it. All the other cabinetry and the couch in the front half of the trailer I designed and built myself from scratch. It was a lot of fun, and a lot of work to do what I did, but now I am starting to enjoy using the trailer. That's what it is all about, right?
The axles were actually very simple to replace. On my trailer, the replacements went back in to the exact same holes and aligned perfectly. The real trick was doing it safely. Just take your time, have lots of support jacks, and THINK! I got my axles through Inland RV in California. They are the exclusive distributor for Henschen replacement axles.
I used Armstrong Beech Laminate for the flooring, purchased at Lowe's. I also used the heaviest padding they sold. The installation was really not difficult, just time consuming to do all the notching on the first side, then easy going in the middle straight pieces, then back to notching on the finish side. It has only been in for about a month, and has held up well with the Florida sand being tracked in. Total cost was about $230 with the padding. The aluminum trim I used for edging was extra. I used the aluminum to match the "theme" of my trailer. Putting in the flooring changed the entire appearance of the trailer. I think it was the most spectacular modification of all the things I have done. Or I might say that it totally pulled the whole "theme" together. I highly recommend the laminate flooring. Carpeting is too easily tainted and difficult to keep clean in a camping environment.
First you need to get a full length mirror. Stand in front of it, and as the old saying goes, "Watch your ass." Kidding of course. Rear end separation on my trailer was caused by the wood flooring rotting away on the perimeter of the back of the trailer. The flooring is part of the construction of the trailer, and if it is missing or rotted away, the shell bounces up and down on the frame. If you look closely at the back of my trailer, you can see where the aluminum has "sandwiched" a bit due to this process. This is a critical repair for the longevity of your trailer and all the work you may be doing to it..
YES! This trailer has been quite an addiction for me and has become an integral part of my life. My friends and family would say that I am insane. Perhaps even insist on it. My trailer represents a feeling of freedom for me, just knowing that I have an escape pod. While I haven't done all that much escaping yet, I certainly plan to in the future. It is time to spend more time working at living, and less time living at work... if I can of cour$e.
Answers to every question you could possibly have related to Airstreams or Argosys can be found at www.airstreamforums.com It is free, and invaluable! Check it out.
Home / Kitchen / Bathroom / Bedroom / Living Room / Axles + wheels / Rear end repair Spare Tire Carrier Air Conditioner Installation
Flooring / Water Heater / Dehumidifier / Exhaust fan / Frame and Belly Skin work / Rock Guard / Hitch / Dump Valve / IntelliPower
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