Issue #63 of the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine features a 1947 Aero Flite on the cover. We tracked down Michael Rieth of RIETH CREATIONS who fabricated a 1947 Aero Flite in 1/48 scale.
Michael Rieth watched the gas station scene from the 1979 movie “1941” what seemed like hundreds of times to gather information for the diorama. He did additional research online, gathering information on everything from the trailer, the buildings, the 1939 Ford pick-up truck, and even the vintage gas pumps (1939 Tokheim). He spent quite some time on the Gilmore Gasoline and Lion Head Motor oil signs and recreated the artwork that matched the signs in the movie.
Everything is scratch-built except for the Hasegawa P-40E and the cab of the Wespe Models Ford 917, converted to a 1939 Ford pick-up truck. The scene was made from several screen grabs from the movie using known measurements like door height. Michael was able to create scale CAD drawings, which were used to laser cut the buildings, gas pumps, signs, pick-up truck bed, reptile farm fence and cages, and the 1947 Aero Flite Falcon Travel Trailer. He made signage artwork using Photoshop Elements. Click here for more details on the build.
Michael wasn’t going to include the Aero Flite in the diorama, but he had some dead space to fill. Michael said, “I thought, well, maybe if I can find some info on the internet, I’d build the travel trailer.” Micheal found dimensions, patent sketches, and photos of restored campers online, enough to do some CAD drawings and laser cut the parts from .0625” acrylic and .020” sheet styrene. Click here for more details on this project.
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Denver Modernism Week Celebrates Mid-Century Modern Design in Denver Denver Modernism Week, now in its sixth year, is an annual event designed to celebrate the mid-century modern architecture, design and culture in the Denver area. This 10-day showcase from August 19-28, 2022, will feature presentations, tours, parties, and a vintage market. This year’s Denver Modernism Week will also feature home tours and talks throughout the Denver metro area. About Denver Modernism Week Denver Modernism Week was founded in 2017 by three partners, Adrian Kinney, Dana Sednek, and Atom Stevens and is a majority woman-owned business. The vision is to partner with local organizations, businesses, non-profits, museums, neighborhoods, collaborators, and stakeholders to raise awareness of the unique modern era culture and encourage ongoing preservation through education. Home Retrovation Expo at Denver Modernism Week For the first time, Denver Modernism Week will also feature the Home Retrovation Expo, which offers current and aspiring homeowners the chance to learn how to smartly renovate and decorate mid-century modern. On August 20th, from 11am-4pm, attendees will hear from industry-leading experts, designers, brands, and services about how to plan and design mid-mod home renovations. The event will be hosted at the architecturally significant I.M.Pei tower at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel and includes lunch, expert speakers, and a vendor showcase. Mod Vintage Market The Mod Vintage Market, formerly Denver Mod, joins Denver Modernism Week for a second year at the Exploration of Flight Hangar (13005 Wings Way). There will be over 50 of the very best exhibitor booths full of vintage and contemporary modern designs. Vendors will feature furniture, artwork, clothing, mid-century, deco, retro, Eames-era, mod and more. The market begins Friday, August 26th, with a VIP experience 7-10pm. The Mod Vintage Market continues Saturday, August 27th, from 9am-4pm, and includes a vintage travel trailer tour, the Motorama Auto Show and a vintage airplane fly-in. Miss Modernism Pageant The popular Miss Modernism Pageant is back on August 29th, from 7-10pm. Hosted at HQ (60 S. Broadway), get your tickets to watch Denver’s finest mid-mod contestants compete in this legendary talent show. They’ll dazzle the audience with their talent and style as they vie to win the grand prize: the chance to represent Denver Modernism Week at 2023’s Palm Springs Modernism Week! Vintage Camper Show
From tiny trailers to decked-out Airstreams that are to die for, check out all the amazing vintage campers folks have worked so hard to display. Tour these “homes away from home” and explore the world of vintage glamping while swapping stories with our camper folks. We would love it if you would bring your vintage camper, trailer, or RV, even if it needs a little love! Denver Modernism Week denvermodernismweek.com
The book, Scratch-Building a Vintage Camper Trailer brings a wealth of problem solving tricks of the trade, and offers new ways of thinking about old practices and techniques. Author Joe Mirenna brings a fresh look at doing things better, smarter, and less expensive by questioning everything from basic construction methods to choices of materials. Let these clear descriptions and hundreds of photographs become an inspiration for anyone contemplating joining this expanding world of interest. (Available in print and digital formats.)
Learn How To:
Boot Camp presenter,
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Download the actual article from issue #62 of the Vintage Camper Trailers Magzine. |
Report Crime
Be a part of the Solution
- Take responsibility for securing your possessions.
- Be aware of your surroundings and suspicious activity.
- Report concerns and crimes to the park and police.
Will you cancel any planned trips or rallies with your vintage RV in the next 6 months?
YES- 14%
Maybe- 11%
How will your 2022 vintage Travels compare to last year?
We will only be RVing closer to home.- 32%
We plan on doing more RVing.- 11%
We plan on staying longer when we travel.- 5%
We will do less RVing due to high fuel prices.- 3%
How many nights will you camp in your vintage RV this year?
21-40 nights.- 35%
Less than 12 nights.- 16%
41-60 nights.- 5%
Over 60 nights.- 8%
For the most part, today's tires deliver more miles and years of service than ever before. In the 1970s, typical bias-ply tires lasted less than 20,000 miles and were only expected to be in service for about two years. In the 1980s, early radial ply tires offered a treadwear expectancy of about 40,000 miles during four years of service. By the turn of the century, many long-life radial tires extended treadwear to about 60,000 miles during four or more years of service. Passenger car and light truck tire technology and American driving conditions in the past resulted in tire treads wearing out before the rest of the tire aged. That may not always be true of today's even longer-lasting tires that are approaching 80,000 miles of treadwear.
How many years will tires last before aging out?
"Environmental conditions like exposure to sunlight and coastal climates and poor storage and infrequent use accelerate the aging process. In ideal conditions, a tire may have a life expectancy that exceeds ten years from its date of manufacture. However, such conditions are rare. Aging may not exhibit any external indications and, since there is no non-destructive test to assess the serviceability of a tire, even an inspection carried out by a tire expert may not reveal the extent of any deterioration."
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and tire manufacturers are currently studying the many variables. Exposure to the elements (sun and atmospheric), regularity of use (frequent or only occasional), and the quality of care (maintaining proper inflation pressure, wheel alignment, etc.) will all influence the answer. So while tire life depends on the service conditions and the environment in which they operate, the difficult task remains how to identify all of the variables that influence a tire's calendar age and attempt to quantify their influence.
Should You Replace Old Tires Even if Their Treads Aren't Worn Out?
There is the influence of how well drivers maintain their tires (regular cleaning and pressure checks and periodic rotations and wheel alignments). How they use and/or abuse them (drive on them when overloaded or underinflated) and the possibility of irreversible damage from punctures, cuts, and impacts with potholes, curbs, and other road hazards. A tire's original durability will be permanently compromised if uncared for, abused, or damaged.
Therefore every tire's life expectancy ultimately depends on the environment in which it operates and its individual service conditions. The difficult task remains how to attempt to quantify tire life based on calendar age. Arbitrarily replacing tires prematurely based simply on age may result in tires being discarded before their time, contributing to increased operating costs and waste disposal and recycling concerns.
Buy from a reputable dealer.
There are also some occasions where we work with a tire manufacturer to help them clear out their inventory when they discontinue a tire line. While this may uncover some new tires that are several years old, these clearance tires are typically offered at a discount and will wear out before they age out.
Tires are stocked in Tire Rack distribution centers under favorable storage conditions. Protected from exposure to direct sunlight, moisture, and hot and cold temperature extremes, our inventory leads a sheltered life compared to the tires mounted on wheels, installed on vehicles and exposed to the elements, road grime, and brake dust.
Tire manufacturers' replacement tire warranties begin when the tires are purchased and typically last 4 to 6 years from that date. This allows the tire manufacturers' limited warranty to accommodate the time it takes tires to be shipped from the manufacturing plant to the warehouse or distribution center, to the retailer, to the consumer, and the time they spend in-service on the vehicle.
What is the best thing you can do to care for your tires?
Our experience has been that when properly stored and cared for, most street tires have a useful life in service of between six to ten years. And while part of that time is spent as the tire travels from the manufacturing plant to the manufacturer's distribution center, to the retailer, and to you, the remainder is the time it spends on your vehicle.
www.tirerack.com
Starting with the obvious. Shop for inexpensive fuel. We use the GasBuddy app, Good Sam Club/Flying J discount card, and Costco to pay the lowest price per gallon. We don’t drive too far out of our way to save pennies because the extra miles just consume more fuel. We also see value in the amenities and easy entrance/exit that a large truck stop offers. Small, cheap, dirty gas stations with stinky or non-working restrooms and no coffee are not worth whatever I am going to save on fuel.
DROP SOME WEIGHT
Size matters. Many of us have more than one vintage trailer. A smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic trailer may be a better choice if you are making a longer road trip. Do not overpack. Don’t travel with full freshwater or wastewater tanks.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
There are multiple online apps and maps that will help you plan your route. You may be staying closer to home or traveling to another state but either way, you want to get the most bang for your buck. Getting lost or backtracking can add to your fuel costs so make sure you know in advance where you are headed.
BOONDOCKING
You can save a substantial amount of money on your next trip by overnighting for free. Find a Walmart, join Harvest Hosts, or pull off into the wilderness. We broke down on a recent trip and pulled into a church parking lot for the night. If you just need a shower a major truck stop is a good place to freshen up without having to rent a campsite.
SAVE MONEY ON CAMPSITES
Discount cards like Good Sam, AAA, and Passport America all offer savings on lodging. Passport America is the "Original" & World's Largest 50% Discount Camping Club! Apps like The Dyrt can direct you to money-saving options and Campground Views can take you on a tour of the campground before you book your site.
- Keep your trailer and tow vehicle tires inflated to their recommended tire pressure. Every five pounds per square inch (psi) of tire pressure you lose can translate into a two percent loss of fuel economy.
- Oil changes and tune-ups on your motorhome or tow vehicle can result in between a 4% and 40% increase in fuel economy.
- Change your tow vehicle air filters. A dirty air filter can significantly reduce fuel economy.
- Speeding and rapid accelerations will drain your tank. A consistent speed is best. You may give up fuel economy by a whopping 15 to 30 percent if you’ve got a lead foot. 55 to 60 miles per hour is typically the law for towing and will maximize your fuel economy.
Share your money saving ideas and feedback or questions in the comments.
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