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amorisw · 03-07-2018, 04:55 PM

Can anyone help me figure out the year for this Airstream. I've just inherited it, it's in another state. The serial is very hard to read, but it's a 24' Tradewind and I've been told it's likely early 60's.

Thanks in advance.
-AW

**azflycaster** · 03-07-2018, 04:59 PM

1968 California made, double bed configuration based on the VIN.

streaminwild · 03-07-2018, 07:03 PM

Do not sell it. This gift will give you more pleasure than money...hands down. Clean it up, and go camping at Crater lake. You'll see what I mean. Welcome to the forum amorisw

dbj216 · 03-07-2018, 07:28 PM

azflycaster is right on. The 68 Trade Winds are keepers. It is the last year of the old body style. This trailer is the International top trim level meaning it likely has nice wood inside. The 68s had an improved bath layout over my old 66. The windows are better too.

It is a very good vintage Airstream. It may need many $$$ to make it "travel ready". It would be a much fun project.

I like it.

David

Argosy man · 03-07-2018, 08:23 PM

I have been reading these forums for too long

I guessed 1968 without knowing what the Serial # meant.

Very nice trailer! Post some interior pics if you can- I would like to see if the inside is as nice as the outside is.

Congrats
Shawn

bweybright · 03-07-2018, 09:55 PM

I live a bit west of Portland (North Plains) but may be able to help you tow it to where you can get it to a situation that you can work on it if that helps in your decision to keep or sell. It looks like a really cool trailer with family heritage that I would hate to see lost if you so chose, so my willingness to tow. Let me know.

amorisw · 03-08-2018, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bweybright

I live a bit west of Portland (North Plains) but may be able to help you tow it to where you can get it to a situation that you can work on it if that helps in your decision to keep or sell. It looks like a really cool trailer with family heritage that I would hate to see lost if you so chose, so my willingness to tow. Let me know.

Dear bweybright,
Thank you! What a generous offer! I do have a plan to tow it up to OR (it's in Cali now). But I am looking for options of places to put it while I clean it up. It needs quite a bit of interior work. So if you have ideas of places to store a trailer that needs upgrades, I'd be all ears. I am concerned that it's been sitting for 15 years and I don't know if the ball bearings have rusted (or other problems that could come up while towing?) I hope to go down there for a few days prior to towing and inspect it more closely to see what needs to be upgraded BEFORE it's towed. Thanks for your kind offer! -AW

amorisw · 03-08-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argosy man

I have been reading these forums for too long

I guessed 1968 without knowing what the Serial # meant.

Very nice trailer! Post some interior pics if you can- I would like to see if the inside is as nice as the outside is.

Congrats
Shawn

Hi Shawn! Thank you! You're right, it's a '68 :-) Good eye!
The inside needs a lot of work. It's been sitting and in a bit of disrepair for awhile. Plus they had a mouse problem

So, I am guesstimating $5-8K worth of interior work is needed and plan to do most myself - but I'm a first timer on this, so open to all ideas/suggestions. Here are some interior shots. -AW

amorisw · 03-08-2018, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbj216

azflycaster is right on. The 68 Trade Winds are keepers. It is the last year of the old body style. This trailer is the International top trim level meaning it likely has nice wood inside. The 68s had an improved bath layout over my old 66. The windows are better too.

It is a very good vintage Airstream. It may need many $$$ to make it "travel ready". It would be a much fun project.

I like it.

David

Thanks David! I am very excited about it, and yes, need work and $$$ to make it road ready. If I happen to find issues with it as a road-trailer the long term plan will be to overhaul it and make it into my 'tiny home'. But of course, I DO hope it is able to be a travel trailer again. It's been sitting for a long time and deserves to be taken to some camp sites again!!

-AW

Argosy man · 03-08-2018, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the interior shots.

When you get the rotten old carpet out of there it will take on a whole new look (and smell). For a long time I intentionally saved a section of old carpet that was installed under my dinette to show off the original green shag. During renovations i made this winter- i removed it along with the rotted tackstrip and pad. Should have done it years ago- the trailer smells much fresher.

The cabinets in your trailer look really nice. I am happy for you- you will love that trailer; its the perfect size. And after owning a bouncy single axle 65 Safari- you will love the tandem axles too.

Shawn

BIGED52 · 03-08-2018, 10:17 PM

AW, The first thing is to check the running gear and brakes for correct operation. Having sat for 15 years your major purchase will be new axles. I would still tow it home before doing that. The tires need to be replaced anyway as any tires older than five (5) years will be toast! Buy yourself LT (light truck) tires to insure better side walls (you will want to buy better ones later any way) but with bad (old ) axles this would be the safest way to tow. Have all the bearings repacked and have the brakes checked for proper operation before you tow. While towing check the hubs every 50 to 75 miles to make certain they are staying cool. I can't stress this enough as losing a wheel assembly at highway speed can cause severe damage to the coach! Use a 1/2 ton pickup truck (minimum) to tow with. Be safe and enjoy. Ed

OTRA15 · 03-09-2018, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amorisw

. . .
Plus they had a mouse problem

. . .

Great trailer and comments so far!

Be careful cleaning up any mouse droppings and nesting areas, as Hantavirus is all over the country at this point. A rare occurrence, but can be deadly without much warning:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hant...=airforums.com

https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/index.html
Cleaning vehicles: https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning...g-vehicle.html
https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/index.html

Good luck checking things out and restoring this beauty!

Peter

TouringDan · 03-09-2018, 08:46 AM

My congratulations to you. The 68 Tradewind is certainly one of the best that Airstream has ever made. It deserves to be repaired, renovated and then towed and camped in either by you or somebody else. Enjoy the process. Your life will be changed for ever and you will learn a lot.

Dan