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MarkR · 08-22-2006, 03:55 PM

Okay, I've tried to find answers to these two questions by using the "search" function and am not getting anything.

Our new to us 1960 Tradewind has somekind of Floor Vent on the street side wall near the Gaucho (see photo). Any idea what it's purpose is? I'm sure someone has asked this question before as I have seen photos of other 1960 models with the same vent.

And then the Door Handle, Bargman L-77, is shot. Gutted and the handle is broken. Is the most realistic option to rivet an aluminum patch over the old rectangle hole - and use a more traditional door knob? I have determined (correctly?) that there is no source for a replacement.
Thanks,
MarkR

Safari Tim · 08-22-2006, 04:01 PM

Mark, I think that *vent* along the wall is just a trim peice to hide the fresh water pipe coming from the tank under the front window.

I had that on my Ambassador as well.

I'm not sure about the door lock. Luckily my handle is operational.

MarkR · 08-22-2006, 04:10 PM

doh!!!
should have looked closer, it's an attractive "punched metal" screen and it's dark behind it and I'm imagining some kind supply or return air vent (which didn't make sense) . . . thanks.

CaddyGrn · 08-22-2006, 06:20 PM

Can you post a pic of your door handle? I have seen Bargman handles on ebay for sale... on occasion... if it is the "typical" 60's type I recognize it seems to be you can get new ones??? I would contact the vintage trailer folks before you give up. Anyone else know?

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

Safari Tim · 08-22-2006, 07:05 PM

What I understand is that style of lock was only used for a couple of years. And to top it off they break farily easy. So if you have one that works be extra careful with it.

I have heard about a lot of people saying they are going to have a repoduction made, but I never seen one.

safari57 · 08-22-2006, 08:09 PM

Hey Mark, post a pic of the door handle assembly and I'll check around the local repair guys and see what they have. Also intending a day trip down Seattle way and will be checking into a few of the RV dealerships for some parts for my neighbors Silver Streak so can inquire about handles for you at the same time.
Barry

MarkR · 08-22-2006, 11:01 PM

I think Safari Tim is correct - there isn't anything available, the Vintage Trailer Supply people have a similar but significantly different one available (it's horizontal and won't work . . .). And there are threads that talk about possibly talking a machine shop into making a reproduction.

Here's a photo, as you can see the PO built a "splint" to hold the handle together and then at some point interior parts started disappearing. So I think it's past being salvageable.
Thanks, Mark

MarkR · 08-22-2006, 11:05 PM

This photo is courtesy of VTS. They don't sell the unit, just a cylinder and keys for it.

scottanlily · 08-22-2006, 11:38 PM

Hello MarkR,

We have a 60 trdwnd also with the bargmann L77 like that ,not broken
thank goodness ,you are missing much of the guts of the mechanism .
don't throw it away though ,I or someone may need the inside piece
with the small handle .I bet some old RV shop somewhere has one ,but who knows where that would be .Mine trailer has the vent decorative strip to
hide the water line ,but I thought it was a vent at first glance so don't feel too bad there.The L66 is the horizontal model and cannot work .I tell everyone in my beloved family ,DON'T yank on the handle ,or the door is locked ,DON'T pull on it .I will open it ,they hate that ,but hey I have to
ensure it safety you know .Do you have a whole bunch of photos you can share of your trailer?

Scott of scottanlily

MarkR · 08-22-2006, 11:48 PM

Scott, it's Tradewind #6 on the Photo Archives, here's a link.
http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...nd6/index.html

I didn't take these, they were taken just before I bought it. And I haven't taken anymore since it arrived (just a couple of days ago). Seems like I've seen yours on another thread, what is your trailer's serial number?
Mark

MarkR · 08-23-2006, 12:02 AM

Scott, found your number in the other thread . . . 10 digits earlier than mine. Mark

safari57 · 08-23-2006, 09:47 AM

Mark,

We are heading out this morning to the Seattle area for the day and a trip through several smaller/older RV dealer-repair shops. I'll see what I can dig up on a door handle.

Barry

scottanlily · 08-24-2006, 12:48 AM

Hello MarkR,
cool pics ,looks like mine .I had the same upholstery as yours has ,but it
needed to be replaced .except for the twins and the toilet/ shower pan ,
mine has the tub on the streetside ,.they are close ,sugarfoots 60 looks just
like yours inside ,and mostley outside .I think i have the same window
arrangment on the streetside .mine are 3 in a row and equally spaced.I
really like that look ,lots of light in any part of the trailer.anyway ,hold on
to those handle parts .I had a line on a guys old RV parts,made contact
a few times ,but he wouldn't commit to sell anything ,still trying though.
Nice airstream you have ,I just really like these things!

Scott of scottanlily

Sugarfoot · 08-28-2006, 04:18 PM

Mark, I'm glad your Tradewind is finally in your hands. Yes, I have the the punched metal screen streetside of the gaucho. And I'll keep my eyes peeled for a door handle, ours is the same but I don't know anything about the mechanism or how to repair one. No, don't throw it out, you never know. Is it so incomplete that a good locksmith couldn't give it a second chance?
Looking at your pics again I would say our TWs are identical in layouts, finishes, and visible appliances. Our SNs are nine digits apart. Yours looks more original than mine~~shelf above gaucho (mine is missing), upholstery, original flooring, toilet, gold metalwork, rear spare tire rack - wish I had one of those!

I have the three windows streetside like you, but not equally spaced like Scott's. I appreciate your advice, Scott, on treating the Bargman handle with care.

Keep us posted, Mark.

scottanlily · 08-28-2006, 08:47 PM

sugarfoot ,do you have a rear trunk ?I have a rear tire carrier that welds to the rear bumper and swings down to allow trunk access.It was on the trdwnd when I bought it ,looks original.I have it in the garage .I can get a pic posted
of it if you like.I replaced the trashed rear bumper with a new one ,but decided to not reinstall the carrier.I carry the tire in the travelall ,no issues
there .If you don't have the trunk ,it doesn't matter ,still will work fine.The
license plate is right in between the tail lights however (original) so to clear
the trunk and spare tire, that could be the only thing in the way.Most of the guts of marks lock is gone ,but calling some locksmiths might help locate
another assembly ,worth a few calls anyway.

Scott

Sugarfoot · 08-28-2006, 09:17 PM

No rear trunk Scott, but I just checked your TW photos and see you don't have the curbside compartment just back of the wheelwell. I do and that must be my trunk. Must have something to do with double vs. twin layout. What's a travelall? Right now I'm stashing the spare on the floor in front of the gaucho, its easier for me to lift it into the TW instead of the back of the SUV. My license plate is up high between the Bargman 99s like yours. If you could email a pic to me that would be great. Thanks!

scottanlily · 08-28-2006, 10:08 PM

Sugarfoot,
I will get you a photo of it ,and it sounds like it will work .A travelall is a vehical produced by a International Harvester corporation .They were big in
the farm equipment business as well as producing trucks for about 75 years.
The travelall is a suburban type vehical (easier to picture) as in chevrolet ,
They were very popular with Walley Byam in the airstream caravans ,and
were a heavy duty tow vehical .I have a 68 model that I tow the tradewind
with .you can see some of these travelalls towing airstreams in the airstream
book by Brian burkhart .I have a photo of mine in the vintage tow vehicals thread .

Scott

scottanlily · 08-31-2006, 08:49 PM

Sugarfoot ,

Here is the photos of the tire carrier .The carrier has hooked fasteners that hook over the bumper at the top and you turn the large wingnuts to tighten
it in place .does not touch the trailer when fastened in place,lays back down
past level when released.In your case you would not have to ever unfasten
the carrier as you don't have too ,no trunk .I hope these photos will post ok.

scott

Sugarfoot · 08-31-2006, 09:18 PM

Thanks Scott, I'll PM you. I've got another issue now, goes right along with this thread. Not as serious as yours, Mark, but my Bargman 77 handle quit locking today. I can lock from the inside with the interior lever handle just fine. I can lock from the outside with the key while the door is open and remove the key just fine. I can lock from the outside with the key if the door is shut, but I can't get the key out without unlocking it again. Took the whole assembly off the door to take to a locksmith in the AM. I'm hoping it's just the cylinder that needs replacing or repair. If anyone can confirm this it would make me feel better.

scottanlily · 08-31-2006, 09:29 PM

Sugarfoot,
you know vintage trailer supply has brand new lock cylinders for the L77.
i had mine worked on also when I first got the trdwnd. The locking piece that
goes down into the bottom of the assembly on the inside can wear ,resulting in pulling the handle open when the door is locked.So be sure to have the locksmith check that it goes down far enough to engage and lock securely.
I modified mine easily to ensure the lock .I had to do a minor adjustment
to fix it. my locksmith guy couldn't or wouldn't do it ,was easy to do.
I am going to order that cylinder soon myself.

Scott