Laying Frame on an Airstream

[aerotruk63]

I'm going to be shortening an Old Airstream I have and just thought how nice it would be to be able to lower it to the ground when in a Camp Ground or at the Railyards I work from. I've built trailers before but always to keep them up not to lower them. The floor section above the axle would have to be higher, that I understand, unless I did a drop member like I see on the front of the trucks,the bed would be there anyways. Presently running a straight Dyna Torque Axle, but I have some drop axles I could substitute. Looking for something easy and cheap. Seen this done before? I have to support the side walls as well. Any Idea's?



Dyna Torque


PHOTOCHOP courtesy of desertrat

[Shane]

do away with the torque-tube axle and build a a straight axle on air bags using spindle stubs.

this has nothing to do with spindle stubs, but check out some of these pics ... http://www.layflattrailers.com/gallery.html

[aerotruk63]

That's really low, and there's no cross tube in the way. I used to haul boats and the company had a similar design for lifting and lowering but not for long distance travel.

[summerj]

Shortening an Airstream? Interesting. I never thought about doing this? I have shortened utility trailers and have seen Fleet side 8' Chevy trucks shortened to 6' . Never thought about shortening an airstream? I have seen several 22'-28' vintage Airstreams for $2500-$3500 average shape around here for sale but I cant find the 19' That I want w/o paying 15k+ for it.

What about sealing the aluminum? roof etc.

[no moa]

That's a beautiful airstream. What's happens if you mess up shortening it, it will be ruined.
Posted via Mobile Device

[aerotruk63]

The trailer is ratchet strapped on the inside to prevent the walls from falling off the ill repaired floor and frame I had to have fixed while on the road. Now the A frame at the front is not parralell to the main frame rails.
It leaks from the roof vents for the fridge and stove . The water also comes in from the side inspection door for the hot water tank. The frame is rotted in front of the drivers side wheel. I've gutted the trailer so it's not to far off from being ready to shorten.

Airstream did not produce many short trailers as the marketplace demmanded spacious living quarters pulled by guzzling powerful trucks. So there's a glut of cheaper long trailers for sale while the shorties are high in demand and resale priced according to the highest biddder.

My job requires me to be on the road from April to November and having the trailer makes life so much easier. It's my office as well as my living quarters anywhere I chose to be or moreso not asked to leave. But it's more trailer than I need. So seperate it and make it shorter.

They sell aluminum for tractor trailer roofing in roll form. The plan is to purchase a single nineteen foot length and cut it to 68 1/4 inch width. Then using aluminum adhesive for trailer panels as a sealer, rivet the two end sections to the new center section.The adhesive takes 24 hours to cure so I should be able to Cleco, dry fit, the assembly together and then apply the sealer and rivets.

Which leaves me with the lowering issue. Thinking of cutting a drop axle I have, which will allow me to keep the electric brakes, and converting it to an A frame design like a lower table of todays SUV's. Pivoting from the center of the frame of the trailer the arc should not be that radical. Air bags mounted between the channel frame and wheel will create the suspension.

[broey]

here is some inspiration!!

CAMP AND DRAG 2011 ** bagged camper ** -...

[summerj]

Sounds very cool. I just bought a '66 C20 and I too will be pulling a custom built Brick wood fired oven pizza trailer for my business. I am finishing the oven now. trailer has shocks on it and new electric brakes on both axles. (It was a 22' holiday ramble travel trailer with 4 monroe shocks on it. I cut it down to 10' and used the frame and axles.

I was behind a semi last night on the road and though to my self: If those airbags are strong enough for that Kennworth...They should work fine on a 3000 lb pickup or utility trailer. Airbags and the quality of ride appear to be far superior that a metal spring or Torsion Bar trailer axle.
FYI I have had my eyes on a few 19' Airstream Bambis and I can not believe how %^& $ expensive they are on ebay!. 19' is all you need. the vintage 22-28's are way too heavy to pull (I Can find the larger ones 68-78 all day long in the south for $2500-3500 but they need work.) When you are done with yours, you will have something worth something. suggestion: get on the vintage airstream site and ask a lot of questions, look for parts you need too. Those guys over there are very knowledgeable and helpful too. Since you are pulling with your old chevy like I -We should stay in touch. What Transmission and motor will you be running?

[aerotruk63]

My 63 has a 250 and powerglide with 3.73 gears. Won't be going far with it. The company truck is a 2500 diesel, that I'll go far with.

Thank's for the video, looks like the family dog getting up, stretching and moving out of the way.