Airstream Life WINTER 2012

40-FOOT “WESTERN PACIFIC” • REPLACEMENT FLOORING • AIRSTREAM CLASSIFIEDS

O ­ nline Edition traveling well

Winter 2012 AIRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | A IRSTREA ML IFE .CO M

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

traveling well

The official Airstream lifestyle magazine

Winter 2012 4

EDITOR’S PAGE

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INBOX

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40-Foot “Western Pacific”: A Vacation Residence

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1960 Glamour Girl

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Choosing Replacement Flooring

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INTERIORS

FROM THE ARCHIVES

TECH TIPS

CLASSIFIEDS Choosing Replacement Flooring, Page 19

The 40-Foot “Western Pacific”: A Vacation Residence, Page 11

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EDITOR’S PAGE

One Of The Last Real Factory Tours

ABOUT OUR COVER The photo featured on this issue’s cover is from Frank Hallam Day’s “RV Night” series, which won the prestigious Leica Oskar Barnack Prize in 2012. A fine art photographer in Washington, Frank Hallam Day has taught at the Smithsonian Institution and his work is in numerous museum and private collections around the world. His artistic interests revolve around the themes of culture and history, and humanity’s footprint on the natural world. His recent projects include the erasure of personal and cultural memory in East Berlin, and on the impact of globalization on African identity.

WHAT’S COMING • ALCOA Aluminum Houses • An Airstream Space Ship • 1961 Airstreams

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After my family acquired its first Airstream, it became a goal to get to Jackson Center, OH, and tour the factory to see how it was built. For some reason, seeing the production of new Airstreams helps you bond with the one you have. I know a lot of other people feel the same way, because the factory tour is popular yearround, and during Alumapalooza we have to run the tour twice a day.

If you haven’t gotten to Ohio to see the factory, you’ll love the feature in our full printed issue (available through our online store or by subscription). I had the pleasure of escorting writer Paul Hahn and photographer Alison Turner through the manufacturing plant last May, and then upstairs to the office of Bob Wheeler to talk about how Airstreams are made.

No matter how many times I’ve been in that big blue building, it’s always a thrill to go in again and hear the roar of machinery and see all the people working. It’s not just a marketing tour with a video, you get to stand right next to (and sometime even inside) the Airstreams as they are built.

Watching them go from sheets of aluminum to finished product, you just know that each one is destined to have an incredible life roaming the roads and giving some lucky folks wonderful new memories.

We’ll be running twice-daily factory tours again next May at Alumapalooza, but feel free to drop in any working day. The folks at Airstream really enjoy sharing their factory with visitors, and it’s one of the few real factory tours left in America.

With this issue of Airstream Life we’re trying out a new section: classified ads. People have been asking for years if they can advertise their Airstreams in the magazine, and until recently we didn’t have a good way to handle it. Now, you can advertise for free on our website at http://classified.airstreamlife.com.

And, for just $75 you can also have your ad appear in the next issue of the printed magazine, with one color photo and up to 650 characters of text.

Even in an Internet era, there’s still nothing like print for advertising your great Airstream. Print means credibility, repeated exposure, and it reaches people who wouldn’t normally shop for a vehicle online. It’s the best way to advertise an exceptionally nice, rare, or specialized Airstream. Give it a try, by visiting classified.airstreamlife.com.

Most of you in the north have probably already winterized your Airstreams, but for those of us in the south the great camping and traveling season has just begun. Winter is a great time to visit the desert southwest, where sunshine is abundant and the temperature is ideal for outdoor activities. In particular, we’re looking forward to Alumafiesta in Tucson, February 5-10, 2013.

A I RST R E A M LI F E O N LI NE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M

traveling well

If you haven’t already heard of this event, check out the details on page 18 of this issue. Alumafiesta is a premium full-hookup, actionpacked Airstream event designed to show you the best of Tucson during the world-famous citywide Gem and Mineral Show season.

We’ll have catered meals, lots of guided tours, bicycling and hiking, evening presentations, and a concert by Antsy McClain of the Trailer Park Troubadours!

We have room for just 100 Airstreams, and already many of the spaces are reserved, so if you’d like a warm break from the frozen north, you’ll want to grab a space at Alumafiesta before they’re all gone. Check it out at alumafiesta.com.

Wherever you decide to travel, as always, I hope to see you on the road.

Happy travels,

Rich Luhr Editor & Publisher

The official Airstream lifestyle magazine Editor and Publisher: Rich Luhr

rich@airstreamlife.com Associate Editors:

Tom Bentley

Becky Blanton Layout and Design: OneTree Marketing

lisa@airstreamlife.com Advertising Sales: Brett Greiveldinger

brett@airstreamlife.com

(802) 877-2900 Ext. 2 Editorial Illustrator: Brad Cornelius Culinary Consultant: Eleanor O’Dea Customer Service: David Winter Associate Contributors:

Jody Brotherston

J. Rick Cipot

Fred Coldwell

Renee Ettline

Bert Gildart

John Irwin

Forrest McClure

Charles Spiher CONTACT Airstream Life 411 Walnut St #4468 Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Telephone: (802) 877-2900 Fax: (802) 610-1013 www.airstreamlife.com AIRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION You can get Airstream Life online, for free! Each issue we select 15-20 pages of the upcoming magazine and make it available on the Internet to readers who sign up at www.airstreamlife.com/ online. It’s a sneak peek, with no cost, no obligation!

CUSTOMER SERVICE Airstream Life’s world headquarters are the dinette table of a 2005 Airstream Safari 30 We’re always glad to hear from you, but if you have a simple ­question, please check our ­­website for help first. There you can subscribe, renew your subscription, change your address, get advertising information, download writer’s and photographer’s guidelines, ­notify us of an address change,and get answers to frequently-asked questions. See www.airstreamlife.com or call (802) 877-2900.

Airstream Life (ISSN 1550-5979) is published quarterly

by Church Street Publishing, Inc., 411 Walnut St #4468, Green Cove Springs FL 32043. Subscription price is $24 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Ferrisburg VT and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Airstream Life, 411 Walnut St #4468, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 © Copyright 2012 by Church Street Publishing, Inc. AIRSTREAM® is the property of Airstream, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in CANADA.

INBOX

Thread On Wheels Dear Editor, We LOVE our “new” airstream purchased from P & S Trailer Service in Helena, Ohio!

My sister, Miranda and I recently opened a women’s boutique called Thread on Grandview in Columbus, Ohio. As we were looking to bring a little Thread to our customers, Thread on wheels was born!

We refurbished the interior of the Airstream and off we went.

We wanted to share with you all of the amazing feedback we have received. Yes, for the boutique, but more for the Airstream!

People love the look, the feel and ultimately the purpose of the Airstream—a way to see the country while sharing your experiences with others! We imagine Wally would be proud to see the Airstream’s rise into popular culture again and we appreciate your publication continuing to support that growth!

Many thanks, Sara Guice and Miranda Boyle Columbus, OH

We wanted to share with you all of the amazing feedback we have received.

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A I RST R E A M LI F E O N LI NE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M

Vintage 1955 Airstream Makeover Our 1955 Airstream Safari went through a full shell-off restoration. We kept it all 1955 original on the outside with a new diner look inside.

All of the work was done by me and my wife.

I undertook the full shell off restoration that included a repaired frame, new floor, new tanks, new axle and electrical system.

Four layers of paint were removed to bring the interior to a mirror finish. Gail gets all the credit for the 1955 diner-style interior design. The fully operational 1948 Seeburg table top jukebox plays a concealed iPod through the Seeburg wall speakers and outside drive-in speakers.

Steve and Gail Powell

The Collected Silverglide Customs

Adventures of

Dear Editor,

Tin Hut VOLUME I

I have started a new company in Ventura called Silverglide Custom trailer company At last the my complete story ofcareer Mr. and Mrs. Tin Hut be told! and have finished first custom.

My as boat builder over can 40 years recently led If you love the Huts, or haven’t read all of their memorable up to doing custom vintage trailers. I had great response recently at the vintage trailer adventures, here’s your opportunity to get 22 stories in a rally insingle Pismo volume.

Beach.

From nightmare trailer park We did a family two dayreunion photo shoot with Kevin Costner for his clothing to recently traumatizing to disastrous Now Available company. brought in a World War II vintage prop plane for the shoot along, with Mr. They Ed Convention, Mr. Hut somehow manages to find the silver lining in every my trailer. episode. His lifelong love, Mrs. Hut, tells her Thanks, story too, while standing by her man as best she can in the wake of enraged farmers, insulted Mike McFadden performers, horrified fellow campers, bewildered Ventura, CA contest judges, and pierced in-laws.

in Print!

Long a favorite of Airstream Life magazine readers, this is the first collection of Tin Hut stories ever published.

It might be the last, too, considering that in this collection he manages to get stuck in a horse costume, hung from a tree, nearly electrocuted in bed, diagnosed with Fainting Goat syndrome, and set on fire. Includes all the hilarious illustrations by Brad Cornelius!

Order your copy now from www.airstreamlife.com/store, just $14.95

Also available as an ebook for Kindle and iPad. AIRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | A IRSTREA ML IFE .CO M

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INBOX

Mobile Acupuncture Hi Rich, I am an Airstream owner and a graduate of the Jung Tao School of Chinese Medicine. Over the last year my 1970 Airstream Overlander was renovated into a mobile acupuncture clinic by Dan and Lisa Matthews at Capitol City Customs. Now it is an oasis of healing, operating as Silver Current Acupuncture.

I specialize in one-of-a-kind treatment programs for my patients. We each deserve the gift of glowing health, and I want to make acupuncture and Chinese medicine accessible to the entire community. My goal is to partner with my patients to achieve optimal well-being, and it makes sense to me to do so in an environment where they are most comfortable, the Airstream.

Christina Fish Durham, NC

Vote Aluminum! y! to Victor

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We met those folks with the Silverstreak [see Airstream Life, Fall 2012] at Pismo.

He does absolutely amazing work.

Pismo had about 55 vintage Airstreams and a couple of Curtis Clippers and a Wally Byam Holiday and a couple of Silverstreak Clippers including the one you featured. There was a pretty good size vintage Airstream rally by itself.

Attached is an image of a campaign button by a candidate for State Attorney General. Pam Bucy (D) has several neat buttons but this one shows our ‘49 Curtis. One just has to vote for someone with a vintage trailer and truck on their pin, don’t you think?

Yours, Dal Smilie

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Silverglide Customs Dear Editor, I have started a new company in Ventura called Silverglide Custom trailer company and have finished my first custom. My career as boat builder over 40 years recently led up to doing custom vintage trailers. I had great response recently at the vintage trailer rally in Pismo Beach.

We recently did a two day photo shoot with Kevin Costner for his clothing company. They brought in a World War II vintage prop plane for the shoot along, with my trailer.

Thanks, Mike McFadden Ventura, CA

Your “quick start” guide to traveling, camping, and owning an Airstream travel trailer!

This fun guide is filled with succinct, practical and tested answers to the most commonly-asked questions and typical new owner challenges. Includes sections on all kinds of “newbie” topics: understanding all the systems, camping, towing, solar & generators, maintenance, winterizing, simple repairs, packing, backing, dumping, filling, winter travel, Internet, cleaning, tools, myths, and sample checklists.

Makes a great gift for new Airstream owners, and a handy reference even for experienced owners. Includes over 30 illustrations, and an indispensable eight-page “Jargon Guide” with definitions of commonly used Airstreaming terms.

Spiral bound (so it lays flat while you're reading it), and 6x9" paperback format so it will fit on Airstream shelves. 104 pages. Written by Rich Luhr (Editor of Airstream Life) with contributions by Airstream Life staff. $9.95 at the Airstream Life store at www.airstreamlife.com/store and Amazon.com.

Available as an eBook for Kindle and iPad/iPhone too!

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INTERIORS

The entire interior space of the Western Pacific is long, open, and without doors (except the head). Exposed aluminum walls and windows without curtains maximize interior light.

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THE 40-FOOT “WESTERN PACIFIC”:

A VACATION RESIDENCE Although it’s commonly thought that Airstreams have always topped out at 34 feet, this extremely rare 40 foot Airstream proves otherwise. Built in 1962 for the Western Pacific Railroad, it is one of only ten made, of which only two are still known to exist.

The Western Pacific Railroad was initially organized to compete with the larger and more powerful Southern Pacific Railroad for traffic from the west coast to Salt Lake City. Perpetually strapped for cash, the railroad rarely had surplus passenger equipment for the maintenance-of-way (MOW) department to use. During the late 1950s through the mid-1970s the railroads experienced a particularly rough time with crushing regulations and increasing competition from the trucking and airline industries.

Finding itself with far more miles of track requiring maintenance than paying customers, the company was looking for innovative ways to save money. In 1962 the Western Pacific approached Airstream to custom-build ten trailers measuring 40 feet in length, for dual use as living quarters for Bridge and Building Foremen, and as a kitchen and dining area for their men.

The trailers were built in Airstream’s California plant and moved on the highway a short distance to the nearest Western Pacific rail yard, where they were mounted on 60-foot railroad flatcars. These Airstreams were never intended to move very far on the highway, and with very short tongues just under two feet, turns were extremely limited lest the combination jackknife. Another detriment to roadability were tandem axles mounted in the very center of the trailer’s length, which resulted in a very wide tail swing on turns. The dearth of road miles was evidenced decades later when Western Pacific Airstream #6002 arrived at Timeless Travel Trailers in Colorado, still bearing three of its four original tires.

Unlike other Airstreams of the period which had sloping tail end caps, these units had identical end caps in the front and rear, which were the flat front end type. The trailer had three doors on the curb side: one for the entry into the dining area, one for entry into the Foreman’s quarters, and one for access to the fuel oil-fired furnace. Fuel oil or #2 diesel was chosen over propane for the furnace, since it is very commonly available in railroad terminals. The cooking range in the kitchen was also designed to burn oil. The interiors were relatively utilitarian with plywood cabinets, exposed plumbing, a yellow Zolatone paint finish on the walls, and wood floors.

The Airstream trailers were used until 1983 when the Western Pacific Railroad was bought out by the Union Pacific Railroad. Airstream #6002 was assigned to service on the Utah-Nevada mainline subdivision where it appears to have remained in use until the merger. After the Airstreams were retired, they were auctioned off at Elko, NV. One unit was donated to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, CA where it is awaiting restoration to its original appearance and configuration inside and out. Number 6002 was used as a storage shed in Elko and subsequently restored by Timeless Travel Trailers. The disposition of most of the other Western Pacific Airstreams is unknown.

Incidentally, the Southern Pacific Railroad also ordered several highly experimental 40’ Airstreams with fiberglass end caps. None of these units have re-entered the market place and their disposition is also unknown.

By Jody Brotherston, ASID

Built in 1962 for the Western Pacific Railroad, it is one of only ten made, of which only two are still known to exist.

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INTERIORS

The client requested a bedroom and workplace with an unobstructed view

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Brett Hall, President of Timeless Travel Trailers, began the restoration and customization of Western Pacific Airstream #6002 in 2007, after purchasing it for Ken Christie, a client that was looking for a unique vacation residence. He requested a mid-century modern interior design.

Since Mr. Christie’s work is often outside of the United States, his visits to the Airstream’s reconstruction location were infrequent. The interior design was initiated by Timeless Travel Trailers Project Designer Brandy Dobin and completed in 2012 by Danielle Garrison, Design Director for Timeless.

The entire interior was customized for an absolutely over-the-top modern design, using color and style icons from the 1950s. New walls in aluminum provide light reflection and windows remain open without coverings to further maximize the light. Flooring is 3 ¾” X 24” Teragren Synergy MPL strand bamboo solid-strip which offers a random multiple in various lengths. The exclusive Xcora technology makes Synergy perfect for high traffic residential and commercial use.

It is produced in a process that fuses the bamboo fibers with an environmentally safe adhesive under extreme pressure to form homogenous, high density sheets that are sliced and milled into flooring planks.

The sofas in the main seating area are covered in a fabric by Architex, in a crepe style and Portland grey color. Accent pillows include white and gray stripes by Knoll, in Fibra natural and silver colors.

The sofa design by Danielle Garrison was fabricated by Ramos upholstery. Pendant light fixtures in Aurora green ceramic, made by Rejuvenation, provide focused light in the Astron style.

The galley is completely open and full of more than just all of the comforts of home! Cabinetry is a combination of walnut veneer and laminate enclosing the drawers and built-ins. The U-Line Energy Star 5.3 cubic feet refrigerator is operated by a touch pad digital control that manages key functions and provides information such as a “door open” alert. Temperature setting from 34 to 45 degrees provides flexibility for preserving a wide variety of foods and beverage items.

The galley sink by Kohler is an undercounter mount in 16 gauge stainless steel. It includes a wood cutting board, and single compartment wet surface work area.

The faucet by Elkay is an Arezzo single handle in chrome finish with a 180 degree swing spout and stream pull out spray. The galley cooking surface is GE’s Profile 30” downdraft, electric ceramic glass cook top design featuring four circular hot surfaces.

The down draft vent with a 3-speed fan helps remove the smoke, grease, odors and moisture created when cooking. An under counter wine cooler also made

by U-Line, with a glass door, provides a substantial amount of wine storage at the perfect temperature. Counter tops are Staron solid surface in white to provide a reflective surface. Lighting providing fill light are LED’s installed in the ceiling.

The galley is completely open and full of more than just all of the comforts of home!

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INTERIORS

One-of-a-kind glass enclosed shower, finished with ceramic tile.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Kohler ceramic sink and Grohe chrome faucet are just two of the many details in this unique Airstream.

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The vanity shares a common wall with the galley, and features walnut veneer on the walls and cabinet. A Kohler round ceramic sink sits on the counter top with a Grohe chrome faucet. The vanity lights feature elliptical glass shades with metal band details, providing task and ambient light that is dimmable with incandescent low voltage electronic dimmers.

The toilet is a Kohler dual flush in vitreous white china, polished chrome push buttons, and an elongated bowl. The unique shower is covered in Ann Sacks ceramic small tile in Savoy, cottonwood color, with an accent stripe in bronze, and a partial glass corner wall that looks into the bedroom. The shower head is flexible on a stainless steel hose, all made by Grohe.

The bedroom located at the end of the Airstream is open to the living areas.

Storage under the bed is sizable, and can be accessed by lifting up the hinged platform. George Nelson bubble lamps, icons of the 1950s, hang on both sides of the bed. The lamps were originally produced by Herman Miller in 1952 by spray coating a skeleton of steel wire with a layer of translucent plastic that allowed light to shine through while protecting the eyes from glare. The lamps are now produced by Modernica.

Design is about choices, and this interior pays homage to the 1950’s while adding the technology of the 21st century for a totally comfortable and unique vacation residence. The Airstream will be permanently installed in Canada within a large window-filled building for vacationing in any type of weather. Turn on the tunes and let’s applaud Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman, with music for a perfect grand opening celebration!

This interior pays homage to the 1950s while adding the technology of the 21st century.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

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1960

Glamour Girl A shiny 1960 California-built 28' Ambassador Land Yacht serves as a mirror for applying lipstick while parked on a country road, thus perhaps starting the glamping (“glamorous camping”) trend that survives today.

California construction details abound on this Airstream: the vent pipe piercing the rear end cap, the rivet line above the tandem axle wheel well, the oblong refrigerator vent behind the twin-topped heater vent and the pair of stacked louvered windows forward of the door. Or you could just read the California Trailer Manufacturer’s license plate. The deco AIRSTREAM name plate beneath the rear window was last used in 1960, telling us (in combination with other features) the year of this trailer.

If you look closely at the roof above the side window, you will see the reflection of an air conditioner that has been air brushed out of the photograph because it was not standard equipment. The Land Yacht badge forward of the stacked louvered windows is subtle enough to leave in place and still have this trailer represent a base model Standard Airstream, which was usually the series trailer shown in sales literature.

This wonderful photograph bears the unmistakable quality of an Ardean Miller photograph, which typically included people demonstrating how an Airstream can be used in a beautiful setting. Glam on!

Fred Coldwell

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AIRSTREAMING

RST AI

REAM LIFE P RES

AlumaFiesta

ENTS

February 5-10, 2013 Lazydays RV Campground Tucson, Arizona Our newest and most “premium” event! Join fellow Airstreamers in sunny Tucson this winter for a fantastic five days. You’ll experience the best of Tucson with a full program of escorted tours, outdoor activities, great meals, music, and the city-wide Gem and Mineral Showcase.

You’ve never been to an Airstream event like this one!

The Tucson daily high temperature in February averages 68 degrees, with sunshine nearly every day.

We guarantee you won’t have to shovel snow!

é Five night full hookups plus cable, wi-fi, and two swimming pools

Space is limited to 100 RVs, so don’t delay!

Tucson campgrounds are always sold out this week because of the popularity of the annual Gem Show.

é Daily guided explorations of Tucson’s culture, architecture, and shopping é Daily Active Adventures: photo safari, hikes, bicycling, walking é Two catered breakfasts, one catered dinner, plus optional lunches at great Tucson locations é Special performance by Antsy McClain of the Trailer Park Troubadours! é Evening presentations by local cultural and historical experts é Daily Happy Hour (with door prizes, of course) and other opportunities to meet fellow Airstreamers

$465 for two adults and five nights premium camping, meals, seminars, door prizes, tours, and the Antsy McClain concert.

“Walk-in” tickets (no campsite) available for $120 per adult ($55 for kids)

All activities and events are subject to change before event dates.

Visit www.alumafiesta.com for full details and online registration. Or call 802-877-2900 ext. 4 Register now with your smart phone by scanning this code 18

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Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/alumaevents Be a friend of RB Alumafiesta on Facebook for regular updates

TECH TIPS

Choosing Replacement Flooring

By John Irwin

PHOTO: JEFF KATZ PHOTOGRAPHY

When refurbishing an Airstream, a major step is replacing the flooring. The flooring establishes the “foundation” of your interior design and it’s a big job, so it makes sense to take some time to consider your options.

Installation difficulty is one factor to consider. Flooring may be self-adhesive, “floating,” glued, nailed, or stapled to the plywood Airstream subfloor. Interlocking floating flooring such as Pergo™ is forgiving, since any piece may be easily replaced and alignment is nearly automatic. More difficult are materials, such as glued cork tiles, that must be perfectly aligned. Allowing a tile to touch contact cement prematurely will result in a destroyed tile.

For vintage units or units with a small useful load, weight is a key consideration. Engineered wood or laminated products can be heavy; other materials such as cork or vinyl are lighter than the carpet and pad they replace.

Cost is not usually the deciding factor because of the modest floor area in an Airstream. But take package size into account, since many products are only available in full packages.

If you must cover 40 square feet and the chosen product only comes in 19 square foot packages, it is discouraging to buy a full package for only a plank or two.

Look at the floor already in your trailer. If the original tiles are 9" by 9", they are almost surely asbestos-based and appropriate health precautions must be taken when removing them. When asbestos tiles were banned, the industry changed to 12" by 12" tiles; 12" square tiles will not be asbestos based. It is difficult to find 9" replacement tiles today. Some vintage owners cut down 12" tiles to maintain the original appearance.

The condition of the wood subfloor must be taken into account. Most Airstreams have subfloor seams that may “print through” thin flooring. Sheet flooring, vinyl tiles, and thin cork tiles show more subfloor irregularities than other materials.

The bolts that attach the subfloor to the frame may need to be countersunk and caulked. Staples connecting plywood sheets may protrude slightly and require embedding with a hammer.

Many glue-down materials require contact cement. Some contact cements emit dangerous and extremely flammable fumes. Water-based contact cements are much safer to use within the confines of a trailer. If you must use non-water based contact cement, plan on wearing a respirator, protective clothing, and using fans to provide air circulation.

Flooring Options Vinyl and linoleum sheet are excellent choices from a cost and wear standpoint.

Linoleum (sold today under the Marmoleum™ and Harmonium xf™ brands) is a “green” material, composed largely of oxidized linseed oil mixed with pine resin, and wood flour to form sheets on jute backing. It is available both as tiles and sheets.

PHOTO: RICH LUHR

Before You Start

TOP: Laminated flooring offers a wide range of color and style choices. This laminate plank floor helped give a 2005 Airstream Safari bunkhouse (featured in our Spring 2012 issue) the clean and sophisticated look that the owner desired. BOTTOM: Carbonized bamboo flooring set the tone for this 1954 Silver Streak featured in the Fall 2012 issue.

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TECH TIPS

Sheet flooring is not usually glued down. This makes sheet materials most suitable for vintage trailers that have been gutted. Do-it-yourself installation of these materials can be tricky unless a rectangular area is being covered or the unit has been gutted. In a gutted trailer, the material can be laid wall-to-wall and the furniture installed on top of the flooring as in new Airstreams.

Vinyl tile is easy to install. Each tile can be individually cut to fit and a cutting error results in a minor waste of material. The majority of patterns can be installed in any orientation so that cutting waste is minimized. Most patterns are available singly, so that package size usually does not matter. Thin vinyl tile will show subfloor irregularities more than many other materials and requires careful preparation.

Much vinyl tile today is self-adhesive. Simply pull off the paper strips on the back and press the tile in place. Going over the floor with a mallet and a short piece of 2 by 4 will smooth out any irregularities and insure a good adhesive bond. Buy a spare tile or two to repair any future damage.

Laminated flooring, such as Pergo™ or Armstrong™, utilizes a printed wood-grain surface on a fibrous backing, and may include a soft backing layer for noise reduction. They are easy to install with basic carpentry tools. Virtually all laminated flooring is tongue and groove an all four sides. This limits where any particular piece may be used and may require extra material to compensate for waste.

Most laminated floors are “floating,” i.e. not attached to the floor underneath. A small clearance should be left at the edges for expansion and concealed by the peripheral molding.

Engineered wood products utilize a surface of real wood veneer on a wood backing, and may include a soft backing layer for acoustic purposes. Like vinyl tile, many engineered wood products are now selfadhesive. Engineered wood is available in many thicknesses. A thickness of ¼" to 5/16" will very nearly equal the weight of the replaced carpet and 20

PHOTO: DAVID WINICK

Airstream specialist David Winick often uses flecked Marmoleum floors for dramatic effect, as in this 1958 Flying Cloud recently restored for Anthony Kiedas (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers).

pad. Thicknesses of ½" or more are quite heavy and are more suitable for your dining room than for an Airstream.

Cork tiles or planks are a natural material and may be cork throughout or a cork surface mounted on a backing. The lightest cork flooring, 3/16" thick glue-down tiles, will be lighter than the replaced carpet and pad. Thin cork tiles will show more subfloor irregularities than any other materials except vinyl.

Bamboo flooring has a distinctive pattern from the nodes in the stalks and may be natural, carbonized, or stained. Natural colored or blonde bamboo is as hard as maple and is more stable than oak.

Carbonized bamboo, in shades from honey to dark amber, is treated with a steam process that makes it slightly softer than the natural product. Stained bamboo is available in more than thirty colors. Bamboo flooring products range from $4 to $8 per square foot, making them a bit more expensive than flooring from domestic hardwoods.

Carpet tiles are easily installed and are easily replaced in case of damage. Commercial quality carpet tiles, such as are used in restaurants, wear like iron and are impervious to most spills. Carpet tiles can be cut with a shears or sheet-rock knife and are perfect for irregular areas.

Carpet presents some of the installation problems of vinyl sheet floorings, but it is much more forgiving in that a bad cut can usually be invisibly repaired. Judicious choice of carpet type and pattern will hide soil; multi-colored carpets such as Berber are especially good in this respect. Carpet that does not have an integral pad should be laid with a separate pad. Where carpet replaces a tile floor, there may be clearance problems with doors and drawers.

Trimming Out When you’ve finished installing the floor, you’ll need to trim the edges.

Pre-finished moldings to match manufactured flooring are expensive, often equaling the cost of the flooring for small areas. A cheaper option is to stain common hardwood quarter-round stock to match. Prefinished moldings work well with hard-to-match materials such as cork.

Flexible, self-adhesive, plastic moldings are an alternative to wood and are good for handling the curved surfaces in some Airstreams.

McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com) is a good source for moldings.

A well-done replacement floor can completely revamp the interior look of your Airstream and it’s a job many owners can do themselves.

Take your time to consider all the possibilities both in materials and appearances before beginning, and you’ll enjoy a very satisfying upgrade once the work is done.

A I RS T R E A M L I F E O N L INE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M

is on call 24/7 if they should ever need help. will call the road their home this weekend.

24/7 roadside assistance. Your weekends are spent on the open road. What makes it even easier is knowing that with Progressive’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance you will never be stranded. In fact, Progressive will tow your RV and your vehicle, even if your vehicle isn’t insured by us. Drive comfortably. Call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, go to progressive.com or call an independent agent.

ProGressiVe.coM

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and its affiliates, Mayfield Village, OH. Roadside Assistance is subject to policy terms.

10D00070 (06/10)

A IRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | AIRSTREA MLIF E .CO M

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CLASSIFIEDS WIDE BODY AXLES, 3800 LB RATING Airstream has axles that were removed from new trailers at the factory. These are wide body axles with Nev-R-Lube bearings. The weight rating for these axles is 3,800 pounds. $250 each. Rick March, 937-596-6111 x7416, rmarch@airstream.com

1968 24' TRADEWIND TOTAL RESTORATION 3 year full restoration. 90% original, new foam and distressed leather sofa cushions, Surround sound system with subwoofer, plasma HDTV and all new Airstream Factory appliances (except AC which has been serviced). Frame repaired, with new internal rear bumper bike rack. AGM batteries, new electronics. All original plastic coated interior walls, original curved window privacy screens. Trailer bottom re-foamed. New ZipDee awning. Over $25k spent in parts. Plasticote stripped and polished. This is the kind of trailer that will go up in value. Axles, tires, brakes all serviced and 100%. Plumbing all 100%, new bull dog hitch and electric jack. Ready for cross country trip. $28,900. Jim Flint, 303-796-8581, jim@150sports.com

COMPLETE CUSTOM VINTAGE BY AIRSTREAM This is a 1966 trailer on the outside but brand NEW on the inside, completed by the Airstream Service Center.

All new plumbing lines, all new LP lines, all new electrical wires, all new underbelly aluminum, all new insulation, full polish, BAL jack leveling system, new tires, wheels, propane bottles, axles, more. Custom interior, LED lights, twin beds, convection microwave, 19" flat screen TV. 19 gallon black, 18 gallon gray, 30 gallon fresh tank. Weight: 4,609 lbs. 6 month warranty.

This is the best of both worlds, with the looks of a beautiful shiny vintage Airstream with all the modern comforts of a new trailer. $65,000. Rick March, 937-596-6111 x7416, rmarch@airstream.com

1985 AVION 30-P Stunning, as new, original Avion. Complete history, documentation from new, all books, manuals, receipts, from verified 3 owners. Ready-to-ride. Rear bath, porcelain sinks, new Dometic refrigerator. GVWR 8550 lbs. requires 3/4 ton tow vehicle. Features: working Duo-Therm A/C, Magic Chef Range, Zip-Dee awnings (4), original interior in superb clean condition, as new unmarred birch cabinetry, stereo, gilded flocked mirrors. No disappointments, no leaks, nonsmoker, currently stored indoors. Fairly, but firmly priced, lowball offers will be ignored. Never in an accident, no major dents, and very few scuff marks after three decades of service. First time offered, never a craigslist or eBay reject, owner is elderly and downsizing. $7,800. Charles Spiher, 630-986-7667, cspiher@aol.com

How Can I List My Airstream Here?

To submit an ad, visit our website at http://classified.airstreamlife.com and click the orange button that says “Post An Ad�. Ads on our website are always free for 90 days, with up to five pictures (limit 5 free ads per customer).

Ads submitted on the website will appear after approval, usually within 24 hours, and will be automatically removed after 90 days.

For $75, your ad will also appear here in Airstream Life magazine. Paid ads which are active as of the dates below will appear in print:

January 1: SPRING issue April 1: SUMMER issue July 1: FALL issue October 1: WINTER issue You can cancel your ad at any time by marking it as SOLD on our website. To prevent publication of a paid ad, just cancel before the deadlines above. There are no refunds for print ads cancelled prior to publication. IMPORTANT: Only the first 650 characters of your ad and only the first photo you upload will appear in print. Print ads over 650 characters will be edited by our staff.

Print ads will appear in only one issue unless renewed.

Airstream Life accepts classified ads for Airstreams, vintage travel trailers, tow vehicles, Airstream-related parts and accessories. We reserve the right to review and approve ads before publication.

No goods or services advertised here are endorsed by Airstream Life or Airstream Inc.

SEE MORE PHOTOS ON CLASSIFIED.AIRSTREAMLIFE.COM

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traveling well

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY to get the complete Winter 2012 print edition of Airstream Life! See what’s inside...

TABLE OF CONTENTS

traveling well

Winter 2012 4

EDITOR’S PAGE

6

INBOX

Family Road Trip Celebrates 145 Years of Beer

RIVET BIT

12

From Rivets to Road Under One Roof

FEATURE

21

Cutting the Hair of Corporate America

RIVET BIT

10

PHOTO: ALISON TURNER

The official Airstream lifestyle magazine

From Rivets to Road Under One Roof, Page 12

Center Of Gravity and Steering

28

1960 Glamour Girl

30

1960 Airstream Trailers

36

Grand Portage: No Life So Happy As A Voyageur’s

42

TOWING

FROM THE ARCHIVES

OLD ALUMINUM

NATIONAL PARKS

The 40-Foot “Western Pacific”: A Vacation Residence

48

Divine Dining on Wheels, Euro-Style

55

Choosing Replacement Flooring

58

Board Games To Go!

60

Airstreams Broaden America’s Cuisine

INTERIORS

The 40-Foot “Western Pacific”: A Vacation Residence, Page 42

AIRSTREAMING

TECH TIPS

MOBILE TECH

AIRSTREAM FOOD

64

CLASSIFIEDS

PHOTO: IVAN SHISKIN

24

Divine Dining on Wheels, Euro-Style, Page 48 2

AIR ST R EAM L IFE | WI NTER 2012 | A I RS TREA M L I FE.COM

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