It's Been A Long Time Since I Rock And Rolled

Haven't had much time for blog posting, and for that I apologize to you, my faithful readers.

Yes, both of you, Mom AND Dad!

But that doesn't mean I haven't gotten some work done. After he found out that my Airstream had suffered some damage in a recent hail storm here in Austin, my buddy Frank sent me a lens cover for a marker light that was shattered by the hail. This is all that was left:


And then the package arrived from Frank's Trailer Works:

And, installed:

Thanks Frank!

But then I just noticed this one is busted too, not sure how I missed it:


And also, the refrigerator vent cover has a couple of holes in it. I was so worried about the A/C and astradome, that I didn't notice these other issues. Oh well, there will always be more repairs and modifications to make.

For my next modification, I decided to ditch the old hard-wired 110VAC 30A power cord and its associated gnarly, beat-up storage hatch door, and install a stainless steel Marinco power inlet instead.


I test-drilled a piece of scrap aluminum to see how my hole saw handled it, and to make sure it was the right size for the power inlet:




And then I had to do the most terrifying thing I have yet attempted during this long renovation-- I had to cut a gaping 2 3/8" hole through the exterior skin of my trailer!

First I polished the surface a bit since it will be more difficult to polish around when the inlet is installed. Then I drilled a small pilot hole from the outside and checked to make sure I liked the placement on the inside.


Then it was time to do the deed!


(I just realized how funny that picture looks!)

Then I drilled the 4 screw holes and attached the inlet:



And finally, with the last of the exterior skin work complete, it was time to move inside. I have been itching to get the insulation in, and the interior panels installed.


I salvaged as much of the old insulation as I could, and then I used the pink stuff to replace the old insulation that was too dirty and smelly to keep. I know a lot of folks use the Reflectix or other systems, but this was cheap and quick and easy for me, if a bit messy and scratchy...

Clecoed in place:


Then riveted:


And then the same process for the final, center panel:





And, Voila! The interior skins are back in, the shell is put together, and the trailer is finally truly roadworthy for the first time in about 4.5 months. I can't express how fantastic it feels finally to be putting things back into the trailer that have been out for so many months.

Frank says this is the point where so many restorers give up and try to sell their projects. I can certainly understand why.

Anybody want to buy an Airstream....


....ahhh, NO WAY! It's just now getting interesting!