1960 Trade Wind

robandzoe · 03-15-2006, 07:15 AM

Well, to get us through the summer of 2006, and beyond (for short trips), we've found our "New to us" Airstream. It is a 1960 Trade Wind 24' trailer, with mid ship twins, rear bath and up front dinette. We go pick it up on 25 March. We are in hopes to be taking it to the WDCU Cherry Blossum Rally April 6-9 down in Upper Marlboro, MD. Here are a few shots of it. This fits the four of us much better than the 65 Caravel does. I'm now looking for that elusive (vertical) door handle! I'll keep you posted on how the trip to go get it goes. Wish us luck! (Now, to sell the 65 Caravel or not - a dilemma I know). This will also give us more time to do the SOTR right and not rush it!

47WeeWind · 03-15-2006, 07:51 AM

Rob: Congratulations on your "new" California trailer with the Land Yacht upgrade self-containment package. We have a few late 50s and early 60s Trade Winds come to our Rocky Mt. VAC Rally each year and they are definitely lustworthy, especially Brad's.

Very nice! I'm sure your familiy will enjoy it.

**flyfshr** · 03-15-2006, 07:59 AM

Yea, another Trade Wind owner! So glad you're getting this trailer. You'll love its comforts and size. Should be perfect for the four of you. Have a safe trip when you pick it up and post more pictures when you can.

Brad
FF

robandzoe · 03-15-2006, 07:59 AM

Yes, it is a California trailer and does have the Land Yacht package. Not too sure what the package upgrade covers. We are very excited to go get it. It needs tires, which I will be swtiching over when I get there to pick it up (has the original split rims on it). I see on www.airstream.net resources there is a California 1960 options list, so I will print it out and study what the LY package consists off. SYDTR!

robandzoe · 03-15-2006, 08:02 AM

Fred, would this have been factory?

**flyfshr** · 03-15-2006, 08:15 AM

Rob ~
I don't believe the wooden box is a factory add on but the two license plate lights and holders are a good clue that the factory added the spare tire holder. A PO must have doctored it up when the box was added. Looks like you need to change your signature by adding the Trade Wind.

Brad
FF

robandzoe · 03-15-2006, 08:21 AM

The BOX will be coming off. I like that it has a spare tire holder. I wish we were going to go get it this weekend, vice next....patience young man! Thanks Brad!

47WeeWind · 03-15-2006, 08:39 AM

Rob:

Brad has it nailed. The 3 sided spare tire bumper bar welded to the rear bumper is factory, but a PO added the box and moved the tire mount from the rear bumper to the spare tire bumper bar. The spare tire originally was mounted above the rear bumper close to the body and protect by the bumper bar as seen here:

http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...nd3/index.html

Easy fix.

robandzoe · 03-26-2006, 05:43 PM

Well, the 1960 Trade Wind is home, safe and sound. I picked it up on Friday am, and traveled all day (made a stop at a local Ohio Lowe's to put a dead bolt lockset on it so that I could lock it - no keys came with the trailer). I also put two new Goodyear Marathons on it. I drove as far as a rest stop between Hornell and Corning and pulled over (it was snowing quite hard), put Vinyl mattress covers on the mattress, pulled out my comforter and REI sleeping bag, cracked the window, fired up my Heat Buddy gas heater, and took a good 7 hour nap. I woke up at 430am (my heater was off), got dressed, started the truck, (there was a smal amount of snow on the trailer..it looked sweet), and drove the next two hours home. The trip was a good one. I've spent all day yesterday cleaning....it was VERY dirty. I've been scrubbing and scrubbing and the interior is looking pretty decent. The only bad spots in the trailer - right at the door step (weak floor) and under the road side front dinnette. This Trade Wind is the Land Yacht model, and a California trailer. From literature found on Airstream.net, the LY model is supposed to have a 12v battery. I just can't seem to see where this would be - under the curb side dinnette possibly? That, and I've got to get into working on fixing the Bargman L-77 door handle - which of course is broken but all pieces are there - it's fixable. Well, SYDTR!

**flyfshr** · 03-26-2006, 06:26 PM

Glad to hear you had a safe and uneventful trip. Nothing like sleeping the first night in your new-to-you trailer on the way home. I remember it fondly. Pictures, pictures...

Brad
FF

Don't forget to update your profile and avatar!

wkerfoot · 03-26-2006, 10:31 PM

Rob,

Like Brad, I am glad you made it home safe and sound. Now get it ready and we will see you and Zoe in Salem.

Bill

robandzoe · 03-27-2006, 08:57 PM

Hey there everyone, I've just uploaded some pictures of our new 1960 Trade Wind to the blog at http://sweetsovereign.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

scottanlily · 04-04-2006, 10:40 PM

Rob ,
Wanted to see if you got your batteriy box isues figured out ? my tradewind has the originsl box on the front behind the tanks. It use a forklift battery . They are available from exide batteries . I use a trickle float charger on mine from carquest auto store . It keeps the battery up and does not overcharge it. Of course dual RV batteries are probably better no doubt, especially at cherry blossom . Do they have 100 ft cords? he he. I use where I can, a honda eu2000 generator . The best purchase I made for boondocking it. It is designed to charge 12 volt batteries as well as you shore power .Maybe this RV person and place I am trying to connect with ... maybe and dont get to excited cause Im surmising here , could have that L 77 handle . Seriously people ,I am on a mission to locate this unobtainable stuff.
Never forget to check garage sales and flea markets etc.

Scott of scottanlily

scottanlily · 04-05-2006, 10:32 PM

Hey robandzoe,

How is the rally at cherry blossom? The travel channel did a show on airstreams I think

But it was at a cherry blossom ralley .. cool

I have a complete bargmann plug and recepticle setup if you want it . I was able to get them at my local RV shop . They are in very good condition so you wont have a tattered plug that i was gonna get to you . I dug thru the old vintage area to get the parts . i have a setup for flyfshr as well .Get back to me when you can so I can get these items sent to you .

Scott of scottanlily