Getting ready for an Alaska trip has added a little more work. I decided our 1973 Overlander needed solar panels installed on top, as well as an electrical overhaul. I ordered two more 100 watt solar panels, and was looking at the Airstream trying to figure out where to put them. I decided the antenna was just wasted space, since we've only used an antenna a few times in fourteen years. That was the easy part. While waiting for the solar panels to ship, I noticed the fresh water tank from the wrecked 2003 Airstream was just sitting behind the barn, looking lonely. We need a gray water tank on ours, and this one is 45 gallons! I measured it and found I could mount it behind the axles, but I had to move one frame crossmember. We still have two weeks before we are going to Dublin for St. Patrick's day rally. Inside our Airstream, I realized moving the drain lines from the bathroom to the gray water tank would be easier to accomplish with the bathtub and sink removed. They need to be refinished anyway, and hey, we still have two weeks. I cut the belly pan out, and cut the frame to fit the tank in place. I welded a new crossmember about an inch forward of the old one. The tank fits good, so I riveted the belly pan in place, and bolted the tank support in place. I took out the entire bath, which only took about four hours, and cleaned all the dust and dirt as I went. I knew the subfloor was rotten along the back edge, so I was able to replace the plywood, and make it sturdy again. Shelly is slightly freaking out seeing the entire back of the Airstream wrecked, but I assure her we still have a week and a half left. I was able to replace several pieces of flooring that got wet, and looked bad. We sanded and repainted all of the plastic pieces, including the tub and sink. They now look much better. I cut the drain line from the kitchen, and ran it into the front of the gray tank. The bath tub and sink was run into the back of the tank. Each line is connected to a separate vent, so one will act as a vent, when the other is in use. Now we're down to less than a week, but I can start putting the pieces back together again. The bathroom was back in place I less than a day. I mounted the solar panels, and ran the 6 gauge wire down through the kitchen vent, and out under the kitchen cabinet.
I had ordered a Trimetric battery monitor to be able to keep track of the batteries better. We only have room for one battery, and I want to add a second one. The one outside storage compartment is the logical spot for a second battery, but it is open to the inside of the Airstream. I will need a sealed battery box, and a place to vent it outside. With hours to spare, we got the Airstream ready for the rally. The rally was great, as usual, but we chickened out on Saturday when they called for a good chance of severe thunderstorms that afternoon.
Back to work on the Airstream. I have been hearing the horror stories on rock damage to the fronts of trailers on the Alcan highway. I read Mike and Terri Church's suggestion to cover the front of the trailer with cardboard and tape, but didn't like the mental picture I got. This is my version of an Alaska rock guard.
I wanted a clear window guard, so I can see through the Airstream, but all I have found are the solar tinted ones. I think it looks better than cardboard and tape, and it is only temporary. I added an outside shower, which will come in handy in isolated campsites. Very isolated.
We used the radio and CD player from the wrecked 2006 and replaced the original radio and 8 track player which did not work.
The radio also has a DVD player.
I think we're almost ready. I still need to build a canoe rack. When did I have time to work?
