Airstream Subfloor and Shell Installation on our Vintage Restoration

[@garyleblanc2672]

Hi, Thank you love watching and learning

[@michaelperry2446]

best airstream knowledge based channel!!! thanks for your work and learning a lot!

[@lindagoulder8934]

Hi, Miller Garage: Thank you, for all of the helpful tips for restoring a vintage Air Stream. I'm planning a project in the near future and looking at possibly purchasing a vintage RV/Airstream for restoration for my vendor business. Keep on making those great restoration videos😀👍👍👍

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Great videos on the airstream!!

[@MillerGarage]

Glad you like them!

[@mudcrutched1]

Use polar bear hair. Very thermally effective. Polar bears over heat. All the time.

[@drklynoon]

Hey brother, great video as always. Watch out for galvanic corrosion between the stainless and the aluminum.

[@MillerGarage]

Hey thanks! Yea, that's the only downside of the aluminum and having to use any other type of fastener.

[@drklynoon]

@@MillerGarage Yes sir. I was probably a little off, I'm trying to remember stuff from 15 years ago when I was an aircraft mechanic. I love these videos and you guys are doing great work. Thank you

[@MillerGarage]

@@drklynoon You are right, they can react with each other. I think water and rust make it much worse. Glad you enjoy them!

[@robertohernandez3281]

@@MillerGarage @Nathan Metzner so what you guys recomend? thank you

[@lawrenceblue8207]

I did not see you put the water and black, also gray tanks in between the trailer frame and subflooring?

[@andymags232]

Is there a reason why you didnt fill the rest of the subfloor with Insulation? Looks like quite a bit of space left on top and almost seems like you could’ve double layered another bat on to top. Thank you!

[@MillerGarage]

There around 1.5-2 inches left and I could have maybe stuffed another layer in. Its going to be a mobile coffeeshop in Florida so it wont be subjected to extreme weather temps. It still has a good r value with 3 inches of it, around r-10.

[@superspeedway2634]

Ian when do you put the tanks in and the plumbing?

[@BrianHelmingcomp]

Was this year a curved C channel? Or was that U channel on the curved sections I saw... Where do you find the curved U channels for the years that use that?

[@christoffer1973]

Wouldn't the insulation keep and suck moisture? What about mold. That kind of insulation work as a sponge. Is it a reason you chose that instead of styrofoam?

[@MillerGarage]

Mineral wool does not, it repels moisture. It is also a mold inhibitor. Styrofoam can't be formed to fill all the gaps well and sprayfoam prevents any future repairs and will powderize from the motion of the trailer.

[@alii303]

where can u buy the front and back curved c channel pieces

[@shanebono]

Also wondering this

[@keithphillips9654]

I’m concerned about eventual wood rot of the sub floors. Eventually water will find a way in somewhere. What did you use for subfloor and why? Also thanks for sharing your cool building video ideas!!

[@MillerGarage]

I used bc sanded plywood completely coated with marine epoxy. You can get marine plywood as well that's a little better. The only way to completely avoid any wood rot is to use Coosa marine composite board but it is very expensive.

[@gregbarnes1032]

No tanks you lucky bugger! ;)

[@MillerGarage]

The tanks will be above the floor for access and inspection. But yea, it made the subfloor easier. Funny thing, I had them all prepped and ready for instal the week that the deal was done to sell it. So most of the work had been done.

[@stilltuckered]

What would you guesstimate that the shell weighed?

[@mattcano2683]

Hi Miller Garage: Thank you for all of the great content on renovating airstreams. Quick question: Can you replace parts of the subfloor without lifting the shell off the frame? Thanks!

[@MillerGarage]

I know people have done it, I personally am of the idea that if you are going that far into it, just lift the shell and make any repairs to the frame. If a piece of the subfloor is rotted, there is a very good chance the frame has rust damage as well.

[@mattcano2683]

@@MillerGarage thank you!

[@williamsullivan1752]

Any chance you could share where you got the new c-channels? They look great!

[@MillerGarage]

I got mine from DFW Airstream, dealership just down the road from me. I ordered it thru the parts department.

[@casandradean6165]

Is there a reason you couldn't/didn't use insulation boards like on houses?

[@MillerGarage]

They done bend well to fit the curves of the walls and it would take much longer to fill in all the window spots, corners, etc. Rockwool works great, high r value, moisture and rodent resistant and cheaper than the boards.

[@philipstreechon4523]

Hi nice work, I have to wonder why the frame was not made as wide as the shell it would be stronger than that outrigger system, what were they thinking. The sad part this is the way it is still done also now they use about 1/3 of the rivets of course Airstream is owned by THOR AND THEY MAKE JACO JUNK ON WHEELS

[@MillerGarage]

I guess they designed it according the the width of the axle. It is a bit of a strange design especially since the outriggers seem to be a weak spot. And yea, Thor has not helped Airstreams quality at all.

[@philipstreechon4523]

@@MillerGarage NO THEY HAVE NOT CAN YOU IMAGEN BUYING A BOAT TRAILER DESIGNED LIKE THAT WKAT IS UP WITH ALL OF TH

[@superspeedway2634]

Where did you source the C channel? Thanks for the content.

[@PugzofSteel]

25:36 are you going to leave the plywood exposed like that? It will just rot.

[@chase9558]

I was thinking the same thing, I’m sure Ian went back and touched them up before the C channel went on..👍🏼

[@sophieshapeless3901]

Is it necessary to lift the shell to replace the subfloor?

[@MillerGarage]

To do it right, yes it is. I have seen people replace segments or try to do it without lifting but because the subfloor sandwiches between the frame and shell, the correct way where the structural integrity of the shell remains, the shell must be lifted.

[@sophieshapeless3901]

@@MillerGarage That makes complete sense, thank you for the response! I was in denial for a bit there. Not worth shortcuts with a project like this.

[@allenwilson1994]

What insulation did you use for the walls? I can only find rockwool in 3” and 3 1/2” locally.

[@MillerGarage]

I purchased 3 inch rock wool from Home Depot and cut the bats in half making them the correct size for the walls.

[@savydude1]

When hot meets cold , you have condensation......closed cell spray foam eliminates the problem.

[@arniehart8634]

@@savydude1 That's what I thought also, but here's the reply I received from Miller Garage and I think he' right "Its too rigid. When the camper moves then the insulation will break up along the weaker areas, resulting in cracks and defeating the purpose. Im sure at some point we will create some type of insulation that is easy to install, is waterproof, malleable and breathable. We will see it soon I'm sure man. Game changer!"

[@markmahan6768]

Mucho caliente!

[@christineanderson3193]

When I watch this I can’t help wonder why? With this much renovation why not buy a new trailer? It must be very costly.

[@JessicaStCyr]

Is there a specific name to the stuff you used for the c-channel? Is it just called c-channel? lol. We are totally replacing ours so if you have any links or anything so I know what I need that would be great! Thanks so much, and this AS is looking great!

[@MillerGarage]

It is Airstream specific. You can order it thru any dealer, I used DFW Airstream. You can email Trish there, [e-mail]. Its a good idea to replace it!

[@JessicaStCyr]

@@MillerGarage Awesome, thank you!

[@tcollins653]

How did you get the interior so clean?

[@MillerGarage]

Brake clean and scotch brite pads and rolocs. Cleaned well to get good seal with new sealant.

[@lindaannfear9663]

How did you bend the C channel? With the profile of it, is it difficult?

[@MillerGarage]

I didn't bend it, I purchased the curved bow from DFW Airstream. I know people have cut and bend them but it compromises the integrity in my opinion.

[@arniehart8634]

Why not have it spray foamed?

[@danielmoulder7145]

Its too rigid. When the camper moves then the insulation will break up along the weaker areas, resulting in cracks and defeating the purpose. Im sure at some point we will create some type of insulation that is easy to install, is waterproof, maliable and breathable. We will see it soon im sure man. Game changer!

[@arniehart8634]

@@danielmoulder7145 I didn't think about that. Thanks for the insight

[@danielmoulder7145]

@@arniehart8634 No problem! We are community!

[@deanfarina8968]

I still think the pepperoni should go on before the cheese and THEN the onions...

[@MillerGarage]

Well, I agree when making pizza.

[@peterschur6201]

Love your work and appreciate the videos. But too much time with chatter about the weather etc and often you dont show specially how you do something.

[@MillerGarage]

Thanks for the feedback, Peter. We are working on bringing the production quality up but it does take a lot of extra work on top of the renovation process.

[@christinadelrio9011]

😗😗

[@mainlawcafewv7681]

All the air moving around and through the insulation defeats its insulative value.

[@kentland7138]

to much talk, not enough do.

[@hingeman2]

kent land $

[@chrisk8187]

Stop talking and SHOW us!!!

[@TheJiminiflix]

Less talk and just show the work...

[@chrisk8187]

Pt 3. Stop talking and SHOW us.

[@chrisk8187]

Pt 2. Stop talking and SHOW us..................