I am looking to purchase a 1962 Trade Wind with Dual axles. The flooring has been replaced with Pergo. The countertops and kitchen sink have been replaced. A Siemans solar system has been installed with 2 panels and 2 batteries. The exterior I would rate as a 6 and the interior a 6. It has a double bed and a booth in the front. Also, the plumbing for the water has been replaced but not the drains. Any ideas on what I should pay for this?
I don't think the Tradewind went to a dual axle until around 1965. Either this AS is 65 or newer, or you are mistaken about the number of axles. I had a 63 Tradewind and there's some pics of it in my profile.
Be sure you carefully check the floor for soft spots. You can do this best with an icepick. If they replaced the plumbing it could have been leaky at some point and the floor may need a lot of work.
There's lots of other stuff the check: axle wear, shell separation, etc.. that can cost lots of money to fix. Spend a few hours searching the archives here. You've come to the right place!
Thanks for the information. As far as the year of the trailer goes. The only refernece we could find was by the door. It had the number 62 on the I.D. plate. As far as the axles go it does have two.
What do I need to look for as far as shell separation and axle wear? I am new to the A/S life.
If this is a 65, Does anybody have an idea on Price?
You may want to check out these links to the '62 Tradewind and the '65 Tradewind vintage archive websites to see which one of these looks most similar to the one you are looking at.
Also, here's a link to a Price vs Condition which may help you determine a fair price.
O.K. Now I'm confused. This particular A/S I'm looking at is different than both the 62 & 65, at least in the interior. Did they have different floor plans for each years models? Do you know when they started to put the dual axle on the Trade Wind? Also, if I get all the information off the panel by the door who can tell me what this thing is?
If you get the full VIN off the door plate as well as the date of manufacture there is a member that knows how to decode it.
Typically in the late 60's a dual axle trailer will be an Overlander or an Ambassador.
Now to completly confuse you. Airstream would make the floorplan just about any way you wanted back in the 50's and 60's so you may not find a match. Normally these had a custom tag by the door. This also goes for the dual axle setup. Special orders could come from the factory at 22 feet long with a dual axle even though the "norm" was a single axle.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan
Wise men talk because they have someting to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
In politics, absurdity is not a handicap— Napoleon
The shell separation issue happens most often with rear bath models and some say it is the 70 models usually affected (the interior got heavier, but the chassis support remained unchanged). The only way that I know of to test for this is to bounce on the rear bumper while someone looks at the rear section to see whether the shell moves along with the chassis.
Axles wear from within. Here's a good thread about that.
My opinion is if this is your primary rv, you don't have a stash of money for possible problems and you don't have a lot of time on your hands, buy an airstream with little or no problems. With older Airstreams sometimes it seems like when you fix one thing something else breaks. So, don't buy one that has several problems already. Yes, it will cost more but you will be camping comfortably and not getting by or waiting on a necessary repair before you can go camping. Maybe this Tradewind fills the bill. If so, go for it!
The VintageAirstream.com site has a good PriceVsCondition page that you should check out. The demand for Airstreams is higher now than in recent years IMHO, so this guide may be a little out of date.
If somebody can tell me what this means that would be great.
The guy who is selling this is going to bring it to my house for a few days so I can give it a good shake down. If anybody can tell me the things I really need to look at besides the axles and the shell separation it would be greatly appreciated.
I thought there was a decode before 66 that was available, but upon further review I was wrong. The vin before 67 means whatever you want it to mean. I.E there is no real description buried in it.
Pictures will go the furthest in getting you an accurate model/year.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan
Wise men talk because they have someting to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
In politics, absurdity is not a handicap— Napoleon
I think the first digit indicates a '65 model.
My S/N is 24 9082, a 24ft TW built in 1959 (and unit number 082 of that year) at Jackson Ctr. I believe CA models used a different method.
Scot and Mark - let me give this a try. The 24 obviously indicates a 24' Trade Wind, the 'D' signifies double bed, I believe the first 'S' indicates sleeper or bunk option, the second 'S' I haven't a clue, and the 0829 refers to the 829th Trade Wind built this year. The 6206 is the year and month of manufacture. A dual axle was available by special order, mostly for overseas caravans. I would bet this Airstream went overseas and there could be ghost of a rectangular decal over the front window that said "Wally Byam's CARAVAN". Scot, take a closer look once you get it to your house. Better yet, post some pictures.
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