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Old 06-17-2014, 08:49 AM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
1961 24' Tradewind
1967 26' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
Savannah , Georgia
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 152
1961 Tradewind International

Made it home last night with my new addition - a 1961 Tradewind International. It had been sitting on a farm in Iowa for some 15 years. Shell is near perfect. Missing the front window frame (any ideas???), two pieces of glass and two roof vents. Vents were covered by plywood weighted down by rocks and a car battery. Arrived to the farm for pick up with all "necessary" tools for pick up. Had two new wheels and GYM tires. Pulled the brand new floor jack out of the box and guess what - it did not work. Ran into town to get a new one. Got back and could not get enough clearance to safely jack up one side. Finally inflated one of the very, very rough tires and it held enough to raise the trailer. Tire change one complete. Second side went much smoother. Now about two hours into it. Moved to the front. PO had attached the front end of a small tractor to the hitch assembly so they could roll it around the farm. Very ingenious, but meant that it could not be hitched. I thought a couple of bolts and we would be good. Nope. Luckily, a gentleman came by who was working to clean up the farm who had a cutting torch. He offer to cut it off. Oops, he was out of gas for his torch. Had to run back to his farm for more. Three hours into the pick up. He came back, fifteen minutes later and front assembly fell to the ground. $30 and a handshake made my day! Pulled the trailer off the farm for the first time in two decades. Was going to have the bearings packed. Called the local place and they told me they could no longer get to it, but maybe tomorrow. I hauled it there so we could just look to see how bad they were. Opened the dust covers and (knock me over with a feather here) they had just been repacked - fresh lithium grease, no dirt, nothing. Ready to roll. Set off on my 400 mile trip back to Indiana. Rolled slowly at first and rechecked the bearing covers for heat - a little at first, then after 30-40 miles cool as a cucumber. Trailer hauled like a dream. Made it home without incident - except for one REALLY big rain storm, which is nice when you are missing a window and roof vents. But the interior needs, um, work and section of the floor needs replacing, but more on that later. Will be evaluating more later this week. Just really excited for this one. Such a classic with beautiful lines. Looking forward to getting it back to use.
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Old 06-17-2014, 08:57 AM   #2
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1957 22' Caravanner
Port Hadlock , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 864
Just your normal trailer rescue!

Congrats.

-steve
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Old 06-19-2014, 07:50 PM   #3
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1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg , Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
Congrats on your 61 Tradewind. Looks like a great find to me with a near perfect shell and most all the windows and hardware intact. Maybe you can find a front window from a donor trailer. Good luck on the search.

Nice job on the rescue. Looks like you hit all the curve balls thrown at you.

Dan
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Old 06-22-2014, 09:17 PM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
1961 24' Tradewind
1967 26' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
Savannah , Georgia
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 152
So ran into some confusion and need advice. It is (by serial number) a double bed model and an International. However, it has a single bunk, with the cabinets that were standard for the double bed. The bunk does not convert like a gaucho into a double. It is factory original and not a conversion. Was this a customization by the original purchaser? Also, it lists a Dometic propane/electric as standard for the International. I finally got the locked access open and found the burner (all in good shape, but see no plug or electric heater assembly. It looks to be an all propane. I cannot find a serial number or model number. Any advice?
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