mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Aug 30, 2015 4:59:12 GMT -8
The J rail on my Compact stops at the wings and starts up again after the wings. When I rebuild the wings I plan on installing them with the spacers so that I can have continuous J rail under them.
So I'm just not sure if that means I can add in a small piece of J rail?
Or if that means I have to get all new J rail? which would be a bummer because the stuff I have looks fine
Or maybe I should leave the wings close to the camper?? any benefits to that? or cons?
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Aug 30, 2015 6:17:51 GMT -8
Mel, I would put them back like they were originally. Yours is a '61, correct? For one thing, that helps date your trailer (just my opinion) because obviously in '62 they put them over the rails. And then I could be wrong about that because some '61's didn't have the front side marker light and my '62 didn't, either. Secondly, that space creates an opening for debris to collect. And easier and cheaper than buying new rails.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Aug 30, 2015 6:18:06 GMT -8
J-rail: There really is no reason that you could not splice a piece into the gap, with the problem of making the butted ends match up tightly and square. The splices would actually be MOSTLY hidden by the edges of the wings though, so it is not all that critical a fit.
Wings: I am not any kind of expert on this type of wings, as I haven't had any to work with yet.
The only drawbacks I can think of would be the exposed wood on the backside, which is somewhat protected by the siding of the trailer. It would not be visible, but would need a protectant from the elements. The other thing you may want to watch is the weight of the wood-core and the extra little bit of torque it will put onto the mounting screws with the distance out beyond the j-rail. You would need a really good solid mounting base for the screws to grab. The ride over the road can be violent at times, and there is always wind resistance too.
P.S. Agreed with SusieQ on the "originality" factor, but that comes from the 52% purist in me....
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Aug 30, 2015 6:21:48 GMT -8
The other thing you may want to watch is the weight of the wood-core and the extra little bit of torque it will put onto the mounting screws with the distance out beyond the j-rail. You would need a really good solid mounting base for the screws to grab. The ride over the road can be violent at times, and there is always wind resistance too. Ten, my son would like the way you think. The first thing he said after mine were mounted was that they would create extra drag when the trailer was moving. I told him he was correct but I didn't think my tow vehicle would notice. |
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azshastanut
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1957 Kenskill 16T
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Post by azshastanut on Aug 30, 2015 11:30:45 GMT -8
The design of wings in 1961 was changed to an all metal configuration. That eliminated the wood core and the return over the body at the tail. My 61 has a 1/2 spacer and the J-rail is cut out for the wings. The weight problem was eliminated with the redesign. Of course they would have used up any inventory of wings that were on hand that were of the old design , so some early 61 trailers could have had wood core wings.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Aug 30, 2015 12:53:29 GMT -8
The design of wings in 1961 was changed to an all metal configuration. That eliminated the wood core and the return over the body at the tail. My 61 has a 1/2 spacer and the J-rail is cut out for the wings. The weight problem was eliminated with the redesign. Of course they would have used up any inventory of wings that were on hand that were of the old design , so some early 61 trailers could have had wood core wings. Know somethin'? It is really really cool that you know this. To the untrained eye (mine) they were about the same till the canned ham gave way to the toaster. Shining example of the beauty of this group of folks!! |
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