elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jun 26, 2015 20:25:34 GMT -8
A little new but interesting still. Especially the 18' 1969. But jeese, just so far away. Everything I find is like at least a thousand miles from here, too big, or way to expensive. Of course when your in Houston the Texas border is a thousand miles. West or north it takes a full day to drive out of the state from here. east is not so bad. He'll end up selling the thing before I could get him the cash. I've lost a couple deals that way already. Wayne I sort of made a ridiculously low offer on something on Ebay that I thought was way to high, but chances are very thin.
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 27, 2015 13:45:53 GMT -8
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 28, 2015 12:33:25 GMT -8
STOP THE PRESSES! Wayne, I found it right in your own back yard! I'll bet, if your wife could have a vintage camper that is BAGGED, she would not care than it did not have a bathroom! And it appear to come with a white Pleather couch too...win-win-win! houston.craigslist.org/rvs/5094574738.html
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jun 28, 2015 13:53:57 GMT -8
On shipping one: $2.50 a mile is basic cost. There may be extras too. So that gets pretty expensive fast. They would have to give me the trailer before that would be cost affective. I've called two sources about that.
Yes, indeed, that one would go with my low rider truck just fine. I've seen another one of those online too. Way cool. Wayne
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jun 29, 2015 18:47:26 GMT -8
Any thoughts on 60's Silver Streak trailers? Very much like Airstreams. Also is there some reason one would want to trade out Axles from that time period? For new ones. Would they be likely to brake?
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Post by vikx on Jun 29, 2015 20:53:00 GMT -8
Airstreams and Argosys sometimes need new axles because they are rubber mounted (torsion) and the ride gets rougher as the rubber hardens. A friend had to replace both axles on her Argosy. I worked on a Bambi II that needs it. Screws were loosening going down the road...
Silver Streaks are related. Do heavy research before going that direction. They are cool and have quite a following, but are different to repair. They also have all the amenities one would want in a self contained trailer.
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 30, 2015 6:11:14 GMT -8
On shipping one: $2.50 a mile is basic cost. There may be extras too. So that gets pretty expensive fast. They would have to give me the trailer before that would be cost affective. I've called two sources about that. Yes, indeed, that one would go with my low rider truck just fine. I've seen another one of those online too. Way cool. Wayne Wayne, I had my Travelo shipped from just south of the Maine border to Gulfport for right at $1/mi. I went through U-Ship and negotiated with a hauler who was deadheading from Daytona Beach to within 100 miles of where my trailer was and had no return load...he really gave me a bargain. I was flexible enough in my delivery that I worked with his schedule. That was when gas was $1 a gallon more expensive than it is now too. Anyway, it might be possible to still find a pull behind shipper at near $1.25/mi. if you shop around. By the by, I know this is really pushing the envelope on being "vintage", but it looks decent and has just about everything you might want to enjoy the rest of this year's camping season at a reasonable price, imho. Put a pair of Ross's wings on her and enjoy. memphis.craigslist.org/rvd/5095843120.html
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jun 30, 2015 7:17:55 GMT -8
Vikx , Nothing fancy about the SS suspension. Just simple leaf springs on each wheel location. I've seen two blogs where the guys replaced the axles during a rebuild. Of course neither said why. one guy did straight axles instead of the drop axles that were original to lift it some, I think. He got a little more clearance for his tanks and plumbing. Wayne
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 30, 2015 16:15:23 GMT -8
Wayne I always thought Silver Streaks and Boles-Aeros were both nicely built campers and if you can find a bargain, I think they are worth considering...another brand that rarely shows up but again I think has had some positive feedback on very good workmanship are Barth campers...again all aluminum. Barth makes RV's too, but I have seen a couple nice pull behinds too. Here is a teaser... campereparadise.com/wp/?page_id=249
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Post by rogerthedodger on Jun 30, 2015 17:42:52 GMT -8
Airstreams and Argosys sometimes need new axles because they are rubber mounted (torsion) and the ride gets rougher as the rubber hardens. A friend had to replace both axles on her Argosy. I worked on a Bambi II that needs it. Screws were loosening going down the road... Silver Streaks are related. Do heavy research before going that direction. They are cool and have quite a following, but are different to repair. They also have all the amenities one would want in a self contained trailer. I have owned several Airstream/Argosys, yes you may have to replace the torsion axle, but if you get a smaller camper, it will have 1 axle. Cost about $500. Do the install yourself. Easy peasy. Roger
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jun 30, 2015 20:21:54 GMT -8
That Barth is cute and seems really well built. I really like the radius corners. Of course they are almost always dented and a very difficult repair. Expensive, I'm sure. Also I've never seen or heard of one before you mentioned it. But that's not all that surprising.
On the axles thing. I think the guys I read about were having problems replacing the older bearings and brake parts from the stock axles, and the expense was just about the cost of new axles and no problems in the foreseeable future if one was to brake something on the road. At least one guy used straight axles instead of the 2" drop axles that came on the trailer. That gave him a little more clearance for his tanks and plumbing.The Silver Streaks come with just common leaf springs, a pair for each axle. No fancy torsion stuff at all. Some owners wish they had gone with a softer suspension, like Airstream, it seems. I wasn't worried about replacing the axles unless there was a big safty concern. Like they might brake in half or something. SS used the old Hadco square drop forged steel axles, may be getting hard to replace parts or may not meet safety codes today for manufacturing with them any longer. I don't know the story.
Not sure yet but I'm about to give up on the whole thing. My wife is way less than supportive on this subject.
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jul 1, 2015 16:40:12 GMT -8
Worked things out with the wife to some degree and I'm leaving in the morning to pick up the Silver Streak. I have been on quite a roller coaster for the last couple months. I've seen a lot of great trailers for sale. Even tried to buy several but have unable to make the deal. I've been back and forth over getting a basket case cheap rebuilding it. something I'm perfectly able to do except for the money. the wife wants to retire soon and "will not be financing any projects for me". though I've never asked her to. In the end I've decided to spend a bit more up front to get a good shell which puts me about where I was with the Lodger.This trailer needs an interior. At their best SS build dog ugly interiors and this one is not in good shape. That's OK I can deal with that. Should end up with a cool trailer when I'm done. Hopefully in retirement we can still afford to go camping once and while.I will start pics as soon as I get back.Thanks for all the help looking for a trailer. Wayne
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Post by vintagebruce on Jul 1, 2015 18:32:28 GMT -8
Glad to read you are getting a Silver Streak. I hope you enjoy it! Look forward to the photos. Have a safe journey.
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jul 4, 2015 9:11:20 GMT -8
We made it all the way back from Oklahoma City, 10 hour drive. The trailer pulled well, although I thought it might have pulled smoother. Don't know what they should pull like, actually. I managed to back it into my narrow drive way with several people watching. Got a big thumbs up. Can't wait to get started. I do have to finish a project for the house before I start any building. Part of a deal with the boss. I will start tearing out the existing cabinetry. I need to check the condition of the floor.Really hoping not to find a bunch of rot. I'm following a blog of another SS where the guy had to lift the body and replace the plywood floor. Not too expensive but a ton of work.Maybe I can just put a layer over mine, glued down real good and leave it a that. I plan to paint the inside aluminum unless my architect (oldest son)comes up with another idea. All the cabinetry will be wood, birch or maybe maple. I want to keep it light but still fairly warm in tone. It needs all new appliances, nothing there now. I'll start another website page for this trailer as soon as I get a minute. Today's the forth of July, people are coming over, so that may not be today. Can't wait to get the grand kids out on a camp out. We have a girl 5, an boy 3, another girl 9 mo and another ? due in this month from the younger son and his lovely wife. I know the Silver Streak is not a canned ham. I hope I'm not considered a sell out. I'm 66 years old and I think I only have have a few more years to do this kind of stuff. A time will come when I just can't drive, pulling a trailer any more. There is not much external work to do on this one and the interior work is what I'm good at. Hoping to have it ready to go by next spring. My brother and his wife are holding me to that so we can go camping with them. They just bought a new Colman trailer this spring. Wayne
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jul 4, 2015 14:07:34 GMT -8
I got a tear, Wayne, reading of your new acquisition. I am pretty sure everything is going to work out to the best all the way around. It sounds like you have a solid plan in mind already for this one. Maybe start by pulling the wheels, so it won't go away without a fight!
I wish you and all of yours a Happy Holiday, and happy restoration from here out.
Behind every cloud is a silver lining...or maybe a Silver Streak!
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