A trailer is like a miniature of a house – all the same systems but concentrated in a 29 foot by 8 foot “small” house. Kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, closets, doors, windows, roof, floor, appliances, sinks, toilet and shower. Harder than it first seems.
First, reality check. Remember I said the trailer had no leaks? Well, wishful thinking. So far, we’ve found four leaks – one from the water tank, one from the air conditioner, one from a tap and another from the pump. All fixed. I strongly suggest anyone read up on those Airstream forums on how to inspect a trailer for leaks.
What has happened so far?
Wheel axles checked and bearings greased
We still have to see how old the tires are but they are holding up the trailer right now and it’s not a panic.
Sewer hookups checked and working
Whew.
New roof vents and re-sealed
We called Airstream in Ohio and then they shipped the vents to an RV place in the US just over the border from us. We picked up the roof vents and had to figure out how they affixed to the roof of the trailer. They sell you the vents but nothing to attach it with.
A/C unit sealed and checked
Exterior seams re-sealed
New LED lights inside and out
I love LED lights. Environmentally friendly and cheap to run. Lasts for ages.
Carpet pulled up, new subfloor out of ¾” plywood not particle board which Airstream had used, floor insulated under trailer between floor and underpan, underpans sealed to keep from water penetration
My husband was actually really surprised that Airstream, the Rolls Royce of trailers, used particle board instead of plywood. Gasp. Really a cheap move. But I guess you can’t see it, so what the hell.
New eco flooring installed
I found this through someone else who had restored an Airstream. It’s light, sharp looking and lays down beautifully. A little glue along the edge of the room and just butts up next to each other. The hardest part was the curve at each end of the trailer.(See the photos below!)
Checked all seals: toilet gasket replaced, shower seals checked, pump seals replaced
Hot water tank checked, taken out and re-sealed so watertight
A little tip here. As the Airstream whizzes down the road, it vibrates and the tap on the tank can loosen. Our maintenance fellow attached something to the tank so it doesn’t vibrate and the tap won’t work loose. Genius.
Replaced pans under trailer with new galvanized metal and then undercoated the metal supports
Next step is painting all of the cupboards. There is a mountain (forest?) of oak in this baby. Don’t judge. I want the oak painted.
Below you can see some of the progress. From the plywood underneath to the new Eco Flooring:
