Introducing 1968 International Tradewind 24' Twin Restoration

[dbj216]

Airstream discovered aluminum extrusions and wood grain laminate over cheap plywood in the 70s. My son's 69 Globetrotter is still wood, but it is a base model with kinda crummy wood. I think the "International" had better cabinets in 69. But my 75 Overlander is laminated plastics on aluminum frames. And this 76 we are working on is something else altogether. I will say my wife's 86 Limited has those hickory cabinets that are quite nice, solid wood, and have held up well over the years.

Here is a photo of the delamination of the interior of a 79 Ambassador I went to look at. I passed on this trailer as I was shocked how the cabinets were all falling apart. And it had a bad case of rear end separation.

Your 68 is restoring nicely. It will be a show trailer someday.

David

[Glenritas]

I have to ask where did you come up with the triple slides for the bed ?

They would make our front beds go together to make a king I think (hope).

BTW ours is a ‘69 Tradewind with about the same layout.

[Venturewest]

Originally Posted by Glenritas

I have to ask where did you come up with the triple slides for the bed ?

They would make our front beds go together to make a king I think (hope).

BTW ours is a ‘69 Tradewind with about the same layout.

The triple slides were original on the rear gaucho/ bed. I would probably use heavy duty, full-extension, drawer slides if my goal was to have the two twins slide out far enough to meet as one bed. (I think that is a great idea by the way). I thought about it, but wanted to utilize the original slides. I may devise some sort of platform to span the gap, and have another matching cushion upholstered for the times a large bed is preferred.

If you aren't tied to the original cushions, with the "fabric hinge" design, then it open up a lot of options up there. I would like to see some photos of your '69.

[Venturewest]

This feels like a milestone. It took a few days of shopping to settle in a particular style of flooring. I knew I wanted luxury vinyl tile, but the color was the challenge. I didn’t want wood tones that would compete or mismatch the cabinetry. I decided on Blue Ridge Pine Smartcore from Lowe’s. It has a lot of red and orange tones like my cabinetry, but enough lighter tones to compliment. I feel like the gray will pull the blue in from the kitchen counter and overhead doors.

With the original furnishings already installed, it is a challenge cutting around everything. I have another few hours to finish up.

[Atomic_13]

Awesome color choice. The floor really does a nice job complementing the cabinetry. Definitely a milestone to get the finished floor in place.

I like the aesthetics of the tile being installed in trailer’s direction of travel. Did the same on mine.

Note, however, LVT does shrink and expand so give yourself plenty of room around points that may cause tension. For example, I didn’t leave a large enough gap around the doorway into the bathroom and the tile cracked under tension. Fortunately, when working on the shower I had a chance to fix my error.

Keep up the great work!

[Venturewest]

Originally Posted by Atomic_13

Awesome color choice. The floor really does a nice job complementing the cabinetry. Definitely a milestone to get the finished floor in place.

I like the aesthetics of the tile being installed in trailer’s direction of travel. Did the same on mine.

Note, however, LVT does shrink and expand so give yourself plenty of room around points that may cause tension. For example, I didn’t leave a large enough gap around the doorway into the bathroom and the tile cracked under tension. Fortunately, when working on the shower I had a chance to fix my error.

Keep up the great work!

Thanks Brian. That is good to know about the issue you experienced with the expansion. I was reading the specs of the particular brand I used, and it claimed that it does not expand or contract, but that you need the gap because of the expansion and contraction of the materials in the structure it is installed in. I had actually planned to install the planks with a very small gap, but soon realized I needed a gap for the pull bar. Based on your experience, I am glad I have a good gap. I will have to install some quarter round along some of the cabinets.

[Atomic_13]

It does not move all that much. Perhaps 0.25-0.375” over the length of the trailer (~20’ in my case). But, it was enough to cause a problem.

[dbj216]

The new floor covering does look nice and very appropriate for a Colorado vintage Airstream. I've heard some of these modern floor coverings are more stable now than they were back when. Some of them are designed to be glued down.

David

[Venturewest]

I finished up the floor except one small section where the toilet will go. I want to take a first hand look at the toilet before I decide how I want the flange to sit on the floor.

I have been waiting 1 1/2 years to relocate these reupholstered cushions from my basement to their proper home. They have been receiving good use as supplemental beds for my kid’s sleepovers. They are pretty comfy. That was some high quality foam.

The last photo shows the original, vinyl and fabric gaucho end. I plan to make new walnut ends, with a slightly lower profile. I will write more about this later.

[TouringDan]

Floor design and color is an important decision. I really like what you have done. It looks fantastic!

Dan

[Venturewest]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Floor design and color is an important decision. I really like what you have done. It looks fantastic!

Dan

Thanks Dan!

[Spartanguy]

Wow, beautiful. Love the contrast between the modern and mid-century look. Love that blue. I have to wonder how much of that control panel works...sharp

...and that skylight, so awesome!

[Venturewest]

I have been too busy to update, but I have finished up a few items. I am especially happy with the gaucho ends. I went back and forth for months on the materials I wanted to use. I settled in 3/4 walnut plywood and walnut edge banding.

I also refinished the original cherry reading light and climate control plaque. I installed a new thermostat and still need to figure out what I want over the remaining hole.


The original couch ends for reference:

[Hittenstiehl]

Venture, looking very good!

I like that you posted a before and after picture so we could remember what it looked like.

Also like the little ledge you put on the opening under the bench seat. Is that opening for shoes, jackets or a pet.

[Venturewest]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Venture, looking very good!

I like that you posted a before and after picture so we could remember what it looked like.

Also like the little ledge you put on the opening under the bench seat. Is that opening for shoes, jackets or a pet.

Thank you!
I forgot to mention the little opening I put in. I decided to create a small nook for shoes or other items. Once I cut the opening I decided it looked a little bit plain so I added that radius ledge. Thanks for noticing that.

[Hittenstiehl]

Thx it's a nice detail. It will also keep that thinner edge from getting chewed up as things get put in and out of the cubby. Also like that you kept the original atenea directional mast crank.

[Camper Crazy]

Venturewest, what a nice job. Love the layout and the colours. Is it done then, you are close for sure... Nice job.
CC

[dbj216]

Hi There: Your trailer has come together very nicely. It's a new 68 Trade Wind twin fresh off the assembly line. The twin floor layout looks kinda like what Airstream called a Caravaner in the early 70s. The idea was a more open layout good for entertaining all the people on the caravan, I think. Lots of sitting room. I have a friend in Ft. Collins with a early 70s Caravanner which is built on the 25' Trade Wind chassis. Like some folks, he didn't like having to make up a bed every night. Your 68 twin looks nothing like my 66 Trade Wind twin.

Stay safe. We can beat this nasty covid 19.

David

[Atomic_13]

Outstanding! Love the couch ends as well. Looking forward to seeing you get this on the road.