elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jul 6, 2015 12:54:10 GMT -8
After a lot of deliberation I decided that with limited funds and a loss of $4,000 on the stolen Lodger, it was probably better that I did not start again with a trailer that needed a total rebuild. Time is becoming an issue too. Also I have no place to work indoors here in Houston. It would be difficult to do a total rebuild outdoors. I would have to build some sort of shelter over the trailer just to stand the heat. We have had a very rainy spring and summer so far as well. So after looking at a lot of wonderful trailers, most of which were too far away, trying to make deals on several which fell through, and deciding some were just too expensive to buy and repair, I decided to go with one with a good shell, leaving me where I left off with the Lodger, ready to start the interior rebuild. A few months ago I'd have said I didn't like the Silver Streak based on it looks. It has grown on me though. Right after the Lodger was stolen I ran across a Yellowstone 19' with two doors on the curb side. I fell in love with these long canned ham trailers from the late 50's. I found a Yellowstone 19' and a 24', a Fan in both sizes too. Then I discovered the Boles Areo in a similar design. All needed a lot of work because of leaks and rot. Total redo trailers, each. Then I ran across this Silver Streak for just $4200. About the cheapest I've seen of the aircraft type silver trailers. In decent shape, that is. It was a decent price, relatively close (in Oklahoma City), and the interior was trash so I didn't have to pay for a decent interior just to trash it anyway. SS did most of their interiors way too dark for the size space in a trailer. That just sucks up all the light. I think they were dog ugly as well. This one was in bad shape too, so no loss. I plan, with the help of my wife and Architect son, using all my furniture and cabinet skills, to rebuild this thing as a very high end trailer. That's the plan anyway. I'll repaint the aluminum interior walls, do a nice floor, and replace all the woodwork with birch or maybe maple, and keep fabrics colorful and cheerful. IT will get all new appliances, as there are none in it now.It needs tires and new axles/brakes, and some dress up on the outside. Should be fun. I'll keep pictures coming. I hope to finish next spring.] Wayne Pictures are at www.silverlodger.com/ Bottom navigation button. Maybe someone could transfer one here for me. I'm going to keep the Silver Lodger site up just in case someone sees the stolen trailer. I'd like to at least get back my $4,000.
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kathleenc
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Post by kathleenc on Jul 6, 2015 14:04:03 GMT -8
I clicked on the link and just get "blank page." Congratulations on your find!
update: if I type in the address, it works. So where are the pictures of the bad bad interior?
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Post by vintagebruce on Jul 6, 2015 14:06:06 GMT -8
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 6, 2015 15:37:41 GMT -8
Hamlet thinks it will turn out just gorgeous - Congrats!
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jul 6, 2015 16:43:30 GMT -8
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jul 6, 2015 20:28:13 GMT -8
Thanks, I was hoping someone would do that. Wayne
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Jul 7, 2015 4:55:35 GMT -8
I've got a soft spot in my heart for Silver Streaks. I'm a tiny bit jealous.
B
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Post by vintagebruce on Jul 7, 2015 5:12:05 GMT -8
OK, ok...so the interior does not make it "move in ready", but you have some good patterns for the curves and contours as well as proper heights of benches/bed frames. Plus it looks like you have at least one excellent period wall sconce/light fixture, and hopefully more. Beats the bejeebers out of a finely crafted but gutted shell.
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jul 7, 2015 7:54:48 GMT -8
Your right Bruce, Having all the pattern pieces will make it all easier and faster, even though I am capable of figuring all that out for myself. I don't have any big problem with the layout and will probably keep the plan, just use much nicer materials. I will set up removable bunk beds over at least one of the singles in the middle. I need to be able to sleep two adults and three kids, (small at this time), for either the parents, or my wife and I, with the kids.I need for this project to move along as quickly as possible. Yes, I love the gas light fixture. There is not much else in the way of fixtures though. Another thing I like a lot is the curved windows in the front. The air works but there is no heater. I'll get all new clean hardware for the doors. I have to clean the shop before I can start the strip out, so I have a place to put stuff. Dreading that. For the two years I've been back in Houston we have worked on the house so the shop has stayed a huge mess since I have not needed to really do any production out there, like when I ran the cabinet shop. so much stuff needs to leave so I can handle a piece of plywood onto the saw. Starting this week, sigh. The architect son is so excited about the Silver Streak. He really wanted me to get one of the aircraft style trailers but I kept saying I thought they were too expensive. IF I found one I could afford, it needed too much work on the sheet metal. That's about the only reason you find a good price on them. Silver Streaks don't hold quite the same value an Airstream does. Airstream's marketing was overwhelming. So far I pretty happy with the purchase. I did spend some time worrying over this one though. I just hope the floor is in reasonable shape under all the cabinets. Also hoping there is not a lot of frame rot under the aluminum belly pans. we'll see. All can be fixed but it can be a real job. Wayne
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Aug 1, 2015 9:02:05 GMT -8
OK, in the planing stages of the rebuild. Looks like the floor will indeed have to be replaced, not a small job. I will have to remove at least lower inside aluminum panels, so I might as well redo wiring. What do I have to know to do all the lighting in LEDs? does that mean different fixtures of just bulbs. Anything else I might need to know? I don't really have any nice fixtures in the trailer now, except the one cool gas one. Wayne
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Aug 1, 2015 13:13:29 GMT -8
Wayne, I really had to laugh at your comments about your shop... in my opinion it is perfectly stocked, with everything you'll ever need (except floor space) immediately at hand, or at foot. Actually as the old bard said "put 10 things away before you start work everyday; doesn't matter how big they are, just 10 things". Amazing how quickly you can uncover that table saw, etc, although in your case, maybe not quite so quickly. Ha.
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Sept 5, 2015 7:06:07 GMT -8
I have just started some clean up on the outer shell and posted a few pics of that process on my website. Fortunately most of you don't have to worry about anodized aluminum skins. What a pain. Wayne
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stanley
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Post by stanley on Sept 5, 2015 11:39:31 GMT -8
I'm very interested to read this thread going forward as I love the look of these trailers and would really like to take one on in the future. I see lots for sale here in NorCal.
Good luck!
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Sept 5, 2015 15:13:38 GMT -8
Thanks, they are a great trailer. Probably put together better than an Airstream. They have a stronger frame and a better body to floor attachment method.The problem with most of these Aircraft trailers is that the body assembly allows water, that gets in, to travel down to the plywood floor and rot out the floor around the edges. All under the cabinets where you never see it. Plumbing leaks do the same thing. It's a big job to fix, but then there is very little body frame problems since the whole framework is Aluminum. A huge plus there. Even though it's really not a "canned ham" the look is growing on me. Even my wife likes it. It goes with her restored 1916 Heights bungalow, and her BMW. Though she would swear up and down that she has never been into image.
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stanley
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Post by stanley on Sept 5, 2015 21:50:45 GMT -8
So it's hard to check for that floor rot when inspecting a trailer? You need to actually lift up cabinets and dinettes to see if it's present? Here's an example of what I see regularly on local CL. goldcountry.craigslist.org/rvs/5208149864.html
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