Trip Home With Our New 68'

[sequoiacoast]

Well, we made it back with our "new" 1968 Tradewind. All went pretty smooth, except the grease seal fiasco and the tail lights.
Anyone else with a similar year have old national 292100s? - No one in our area or Santa cruz could get us a seal to fit. I'm wondering why others haven't had this problem. Is it a 68 or a tradewind issue? From what I gathered it is a certain measurement ( outter dimension) that makes it an odd-ball size. I couldn't believe no one could get their hands on seals that would fit. I even had a bearings place, with all the specs, calling around for me- nothing. Inland got them to me overnight, so it all worked out - but of course $$$$ shipping.
Brakes: turned out the brakes were wired to the TVs brake lights ... so the trailer brakes would only lock up. They switched wires and the brakes functioned great. But down the road the tail lights didn't come on. The RV place had them working, when connected to their tester deal. Did the wire get in the wrong place when they rewired the plug? Anyone know what color wire the tail lights are? The trailer tow wire is not original, so the 68 schematic doesn't help. [TV Silverado 2004- color wire for this too?]
All in all the trip was great. Traffic and narrow San Fran streets were no problem. The wardrobe mirror broke - we're NOT superstitious - and the oven door comes loose? I need seriously new cabinet door latches. No broken windows on the trip ... yipee!! We did get a rock thrown at our TV though, which made a nice pit !!
The carwash made her gleam! Now I can't wait to clean and find out just what the first step will be. Hopefully I'll get some pics here soon!!

[Gen Disarray]

Congrats! You are going to love that coach. I picked my 68 Trade Wind up Labor day weekend and it has been a joy. As you have noticed, they are not new, on the other hand they have a character all of thier own.

[Stefrobrts]

Congrats! Your adventure is just beginning! I can't wait to hear all the wonderful things you discover as you start poking into it (I'm serious).

[cloud55]

Congratulations on getting your airstream home. We went up to the SF bay area last weekend to pick up our 55 flying cloud...this has been a real exciting week for us. Finding it and bringing it home. We had never towed before and were nervous about it. These forums are what really helps. We took the correct size and rated wheels and tires...thanks to the good advise of others, floor jack, grease, tools, tow lights, etc. We made the trip in a 20 hr turnaround..also 400 miles each way. We did have to wench it out of it's 20+ year home...truck got stuck too...but all and all it went as planned. We did go prepared and I had mapped out places to take it if we got stuck along the road. We just took it real easy and stopped and checked it every 100 miles or so. It towed so well in the state that it was in that we know it will be a dream to tow once we get it more road worthy. Many thanks to all of you for posting your experience! Lynn

[sequoiacoast]

So far, I have found 4 dead mice and two of their nests. I know there will be more. I have yet to really clean anything due to it being so close to Christmas and my responsibilities there . Boy that's frustrating! But I did take the door handle and 2 of the compartment doors (better name escapes me at the moment) to the locksmith to get new keys made. And now I can lock her up! The only issue is with the access doors (better): mine only have a locking mechanism on the bottom to hold them in - aren't they missing something? You can pull them out. The back however has a bar deal that locks it in place on the sides...had to use a hammer and WD40 to loosen that baby.
AAAAnnnd for the most exciting... I used the WD40 and a fine steelwool pad on the original hubcaps... they were all rusty and ruined (I thought) but now they shine like NEW!!! The only problem is the po used one to block something in his spring and says it's dented where he uses a block of wood to remove it!!! So it's probably rusted beond repair anyway... Now I have to find ONE. Are they called Baby Moons?
I don't have a digital camera and I'm trying to get the scanner going... anyway when I can, I will post the befores....

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by sequoiacoast

Now I have to find ONE. Are they called Baby Moons?

Check ebay, seems like every week someone is selling wheel covers. Better yet ask Santa for a set of wheels like Uwe and Ken_J have