Posted 2010-08-21 12:28 PM (#123886) Subject: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Member
Posts: 22
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
We just purchased a 1986 Featherlite 3-horse gooseneck. The thing is built like a tank! My husband went on and on about the "amazing tick welds" and how the trailer is like the horse equivalent of an old Airstream.
However, the trailer has small bus windows both head and tail side. We'd like to look into improving the ventilation in this thing. Is it possible to replace the bus windows with small drop-down windows OR (even better) enlarge the holes and replace them with larger drop downs? Do people ever bother with such major modifications? The trailer is so beautifully built that it seems worthwhile to invest in some good upgrades.
Posted 2010-08-21 3:21 PM (#123888 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
I think you can. When I had a trailer window get broken, they (of course) no longer made the same size anymore. My trailer repair guy had to put in a slightly larger window and cut the opening a bit bigger for it, so I don't see why not.
Posted 2010-08-22 3:30 AM (#123903 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Posted 2010-08-22 5:20 AM (#123904 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Posted 2010-08-22 6:39 PM (#123917 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Member
Posts: 22
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Thank you for the links. I really like the long windows on the shadow. I can't go that wide without big expense as it would mean major re-framing of the wall.
The answer I got is "yes." But it can be expensive. The less you deviate from the existing hole, the cheaper. Just like a house.
Yesterday I took the vintage Featherlite to a man recommended by the Featherlite dealer for repairs and modifications. He is going to replace two bus windows with drop-downs of the same size.
Posted 2010-08-23 2:06 AM (#123927 - in reply to #123917) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
watermarkfarm,
wow, that is exactly what I was thinking when I went and looked at the same trailer you bought. How much and can it be done.( drop down windows) Awesome for you! Let us see pics when your done with the window installation.
Posted 2010-08-23 2:10 AM (#123928 - in reply to #123917) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
watermarkfarm,
Forgot to ask you, did the lady you bought your trailer from have the original stinger/coupler for the nose of the gooseneck or did you have to purchase one? The husband showed the trailer to me and didn't know if the trailer came with the regular model.
Posted 2010-08-23 10:12 AM (#123941 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Might be to late, but what I did on one we had several years ago, was just to put in additional pop up roof vents. This seemed to "grab" more air and help when moving. Did not help when stopped or slow speeds.
Posted 2010-08-26 4:38 PM (#124096 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Member
Posts: 22
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Spin doctor, that is a really good point. The trailer has 3 vents now but 6 would be better (can you tell I'm a ventilation freak? I haul sometimes in 100+ degree heat in slow traffic).
Jackbrat, it will run about $250/window to replace the bus sliders with small drop downs. It's not so expensive because the trailer man could order windows that nearly match the hole size. If I'd had him cut larger holes for larger windows, it would push $500-600/window. Ack.
I've taken it to a guy in Sebastopol who was suggested by the Featherlite dealer in Fortuna. This guy services trailers but seems to specialize in doing modifications. He's fabricating a gate with aluminum bars to go over the side ramp so I can haul with that door open, among many other mods. I fugure I can dump $1500 into this trailer (service, acid wash, lots of changes) and still come out cheaper and get exactly what I want. Hopefully!
Oh, and I purchased a new gooseneck coupler for the trailer and the seller reimbursed me for it. Nice to have a new one!
Posted 2010-08-27 2:33 AM (#124112 - in reply to #124096) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
watermarkfarm,
would like to get that guy's name and contact # if it's o.k.? (the guy in Sebastopal)I would love to get a lower aluminum partition for my stall divider. I horse-camp and want to start using the front stall for storage.
Posted 2010-08-28 9:50 PM (#124157 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
Posted 2010-09-14 11:33 PM (#124881 - in reply to #123886) Subject: RE: Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
New User
Posts: 2
Originally written by watermarkfarm on 2010-08-21 1:28 PM
We just purchased a 1986 Featherlite 3-horse gooseneck. The thing is built like a tank! My husband went on and on about the "amazing tick welds" and how the trailer is like the horse equivalent of an old Airstream.
That must be quite a trailer for a comparison to an airstream. For the record the early airstream trailers did use Hehr windows from the factory as indicated by a previous poster.
Modifying the "vintage" Featherlite: Can you replace bus windows with drop downs?
