I've done some searching in the archives, and it sounds like someone here can advise in my situation.
I've bought a completely stripped out 24 ft Airstream Argosy. The previous owner bought it for restoration, but then found that the floor was totally rotten, so had to strip out the entire interior and floor. At which point he lost heart and sold it as is.
I plan to convert it into a trailer for carrying an ultralight aircraft. It seems that it would be ideal for that purpose, since it's light and easy to tow. The only other enclosed trailers big enough that are readily available are car haulers, but they're heavy, and sprung for a 4000lb load, which would be too rough for the less than 500 lb load that I will be carrying. It will mean making a large opening door in the rear. It looks like we would have to swing the entire end 'cap', since it is a critical structural element. I think I could do that and still maintain structural integrity with the use of locating pins and strong latches. I have considerable experience with monocoque aircraft construction and repairs, so the Airstream structure would be familiar.
The trailer is in New Mexico, and I need to tow it to Houston to do the work on it. The shell and frame are reportedly in good condition, and the shell is temporarily bolted to the frame. I haven't seen the inside construction of an Airstream yet, but from the forum it sounds like maybe the floor is bolted to the frame, and then the shell is bolted to the floor? Or is it bolted through the floor to the frame? I'd like to install the new floor in Houston.
Now my question is, can I tow it that distance just by bolting the shell more securely to the frame, with no floor in it??
JG
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