Dometic fridge from '66 Overlander {By Kelly}
We recently made a trip to the Tampa area to obtain parts for our 1960 Airstream Overlander, The Riveted Roost.
We met our new friends, Jean and Suzie, at the Florida State Rally in Sarasota in mid-February. Jean had offered us the Dometic refrigerator that he had removed from his 1966 Overlander.
We left Stuart at 5:30 a.m. and met up with them in Largo, excited to learn they also had a ceiling vent frame with lifts and a screen they no longer needed.
Thank you, Jean and Suzie – your Overlander has saved our Riveted Roost with this generous “organ donation.”
We recently made a trip to the Tampa area to obtain parts for our 1960 Airstream Overlander, The Riveted Roost.
We met our new friends, Jean and Suzie, at the Florida State Rally in Sarasota in mid-February. Jean had offered us the Dometic refrigerator that he had removed from his 1966 Overlander.
We left Stuart at 5:30 a.m. and met up with them in Largo, excited to learn they also had a ceiling vent frame with lifts and a screen they no longer needed.
Thank you, Jean and Suzie – your Overlander has saved our Riveted Roost with this generous “organ donation.”
We also had an appointment with Frank Bates, owner of Bates RV in Dover - Frank is another contact we made at the Florida State Rally. He’s planning an art installment made from totaled Airstreams and he offered us the opportunity to see if we could salvage any parts from a 1980’s model.
While we didn’t find much that would jive with our 60’s trailer, Justin was able to remove the breaker box and wiring from the closet in the rear bathroom. Ours was missing since the last owner hooked up directly to shore power. We were pleased to find a grounded, three wire set up, since ours was only two wire originally – and not very safe! We also purchased some Acryl-R sealant and an applicator to keep Riva’s seams sealed and her interior dry.
While at Bates RV, we had to get a closer look at the infamous Airstream Ranch that we passed on our way in. Inspired by the Cadillac Ranch in Texas, Frank Bates engineered the Airstream Ranch in 2007 to pay homage to Airstream’s 75th anniversary.
While we didn’t find much that would jive with our 60’s trailer, Justin was able to remove the breaker box and wiring from the closet in the rear bathroom. Ours was missing since the last owner hooked up directly to shore power. We were pleased to find a grounded, three wire set up, since ours was only two wire originally – and not very safe! We also purchased some Acryl-R sealant and an applicator to keep Riva’s seams sealed and her interior dry.
While at Bates RV, we had to get a closer look at the infamous Airstream Ranch that we passed on our way in. Inspired by the Cadillac Ranch in Texas, Frank Bates engineered the Airstream Ranch in 2007 to pay homage to Airstream’s 75th anniversary.
Airstream Ranch, Dover, Fla.
While some Airstream devotees see the buried trailers as a sacrilege, it is intended to be a work of art and tribute to the iconic aluminum trailer. Mostly salvaged from junkyards or beyond repair, the Airstreams are buried 6 to 8 feet deep at a 20-degree angle and the models range from 1957 to 1994 and 16 to 34 feet in length.
The eight precarious trailers are visible from I-4 between Plant City and Tampa, near exit 14 in Dover. Stop by Bates RV and they can give you instructions to safely view the Airstream Ranch. I actually thought the cows in front of the Airstreams were real at first glance, but they turned out to be wooden cutouts, ha ha!
The eight precarious trailers are visible from I-4 between Plant City and Tampa, near exit 14 in Dover. Stop by Bates RV and they can give you instructions to safely view the Airstream Ranch. I actually thought the cows in front of the Airstreams were real at first glance, but they turned out to be wooden cutouts, ha ha!
Our trip was short and sweet, as we both had to get back to Stuart for 7 p.m. engagements. It felt good to find some of the key items we need to get Riva functioning and travel-worthy. Next on the list: tires, new windows and plumbing!
Follow our Airstream adventure on Twitter @RivetedRoost, and find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Follow our Airstream adventure on Twitter @RivetedRoost, and find us on Facebook and Instagram.
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