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A-Merry-Can · 09-09-2008, 03:37 AM

Wow! How did I miss this thread? I'm subscribed now. Looking good man!

JP

Frank's Trailer Works · 09-09-2008, 03:46 AM

I have been following along from the beginning, but have not commented as of yet. I too want to be informed when something is posted on this thread, so this comment will put me there. You are doing a super job, keep up the good work,

2333 · 09-09-2008, 09:43 PM

Marc - Taken from the line-item ticket.........
Axle Part Number 11TF60-655E
Description 76 X 58 X 22.5

I will measure my axle in the morning when it's light out and see exactly what those 76" and 58" were dimensions for. The 22.5 in clearly the start angle.

2333 · 09-09-2008, 09:50 PM

Thanks for the support JP and 62O. I wouldn't have gotten this far without following your threads.

Marc - I had posted the floorplans on a thread titled "Airstream Floorplans", but have added a bit since then. This is the latest, but always subject to change.

richard77 · 09-10-2008, 09:14 AM

Great work! Thanks for the detailed posts of the process!

2333 · 04-08-2009, 11:57 AM

The pics really explain it all. The original bargman 99's are gone. The PO had these "wedding cake" ones on. I think they are used a lot in the aftermarket cuz they are cheap, but I don't like them and tried to find some remakes of the 99's. I've been on the VAS waitlist for 3 years and no luck.

I've always liked the earlier style recessed AS tail lights, but $$$$.
So, these are cheap look-a-little-likes from Grote.

I also filled in the random 17 extra screw holes around the lights using rivets. Seriously, how many times has someone made new holes for aftermarket lights!! So it looks a little interesting, but rivets are cool. I'll buff out the swirls in the polishing phase.

2333 · 02-24-2010, 02:28 PM

I put the inner end caps back on and the upper skins. I only fastened them with 1/5th to 1/6th the rivets as it's all coming back off again anyway. I was amazed that the rivet holes lined up

I then backed it out of the driveway using a friends F350 and towed it to the ranch. My God that thing is powerful.
The new axles with the higher clearance made it easy and there was no chance of scraping the bottom at all. The F350 pulled it easily without sway bars or a load-level hitch. I only went 55mph. I felt no sway and almost couldn't tell the airstream was there. I know it's more truck than I'll need, but it was actually fun.
Hopefully, I'll get at least one picture of the trailer as it's parked on the ranch.

Zeppelinium · 02-24-2010, 09:49 PM

We all wish you Godspeed and a great year in Africa. Maybe you can find a team of oxen and an oxcart to work on over there!

Zep

Bo&Susan · 02-24-2010, 11:50 PM

Love your TROUBLEMAKERS, Too cute! Oh what fun your gonna have LOL. Enjoy! Bo and Susan.

A-Merry-Can · 02-25-2010, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2333

The pics really explain it all. The original bargman 99's are gone. The PO had these "wedding cake" ones on. I think they are used a lot in the aftermarket cuz they are cheap, but I don't like them and tried to find some remakes of the 99's. I've been on the VAS waitlist for 3 years and no luck.

I've always liked the earlier style recessed AS tail lights, but $$$$.
So, these are cheap look-a-little-likes from Grote.

I also filled in the random 17 extra screw holes around the lights using rivets. Seriously, how many times has someone made new holes for aftermarket lights!! So it looks a little interesting, but rivets are cool. I'll buff out the swirls in the polishing phase.

Here's what I did for mine. I put the #9 trim rings and lenses over the recessed lights. Looks great!

2333 · 02-25-2010, 08:24 AM

jp.. that was a great idea with the lights. Looks totally original!

Aerowood · 02-25-2010, 12:14 PM

Good luck in Africa and return back to Colorado safe and sound.

From Ill.
Kip

norskrabbit · 03-21-2010, 12:44 PM

Many thanks Craig for your superb documentation of your renovation. I also have '62 Tradewind. I started removing the belly pan thinking I could just pull it from under the shell. After drilling out several rivets, I couldn't see how it was going to work so back to the forum. Fortunately I found your thread and learned that the pan is wrapped around the u-channel. Big headache avoided because I don't want to remove the shell. For me there many other useful items of information in your thread too. Thanks again.

leahroehl · 09-12-2015, 06:30 PM

How did it turn out????

norskrabbit · 09-13-2015, 10:06 PM

It turned out reasonably well. We started out with the idea of restoring it to the original condition but found out the parts were unavailable and it would have been prohibitively expensive so we renovated it. We replaced the toilet (it was in good shape except for the seals which weren't available), the water warmer which leaked, the furnace, the refrigerator and the axle brake and suspension assembly. I also replaced the water heater and furnace vents with modern vents and made new aluminum surrounds for the vents. We replaced the galvanized water tank with a 20 gallon plastic tank and then also had room for a 20 gallon gray water tank under the sofa bed in the middle of the trailer. And then the sink and shower drains were rerouted to that tank.

Our biggest problem was the 20 year accumulation of mouse debris in and under the trailer. I opened the belly covering and cleaned out the mess. We got an odor neutralizer from a commercial cleaner which worked quite well; its mixed with water and sprayed on. It took 4 application where the urine saturated the wood but one application worked on other surfaces.

We revarnished the woodwork and painted the walls and ceiling with a textured Behr paint. My wife reupholstered the sofa beds and made some curtains. We polished the outside to the point where it is very shiny. However, there are 50 years of dings and scratches and a dent in the front corner which I can't do much about without spending a lot of money. But its very usable and pulls like a dream.

Blockhead · 08-23-2018, 04:40 PM

This is an amazingly helpful thread! It doesn't answer the question I originally was looking for, but inspires me to document more! I hope Craig and his family are doing well!

2333 · 04-06-2020, 04:59 PM

If anything, this pandemic has given me time to work on the trailer.
The whole family is healthy and we're doing great.
I still have the trailer!! I'm definitely one of those lifetime project award winners. Oh well.
Anyway, she sits on a ranch and it takes about 30 minutes to get there.
I'm going through the windows now. I have the Hehr Hall-Mark 12 (C12XX) windows used from 1961 to 1965. I actually need to check the markings next time I get out there.
This thread is helpful...
http://vintageairstream.com/window-repair-1961-1965/
I have ordered parts through VTS and started replacing cranks and seals.
I will need to reglaze most of the glass, never done that!! Wish me luck.

14 years since I started this thread - o m g

Aerowood · 04-07-2020, 03:38 PM

I think my project is about as long as yours or maybe longer.

Slats · 04-07-2020, 03:48 PM

I want to thank all the long-timers for chiming in. I was beginning to feel a gnawing sense of inferiority for how long it is taking me to get our Tradewind on the road.