'72 TW renovation - How it began & how it has come

[dbj216]

Hey, I spotted an old Trade Wind today on a dealer's lot. I don't know the year exactly but it has the three round lense tail light cluster. It had been gutted inside.

I figure it would be a good project for you.

David

[Chatthayer]

Where is it?

[dbj216]

The trailer was not on the sales lot. It was parked close to the service building. I assumed it was a customer's trailer in for repairs.

Sorry to imply it was for sale. Air Forums is a good place to search if you are looking for one.

David

[Chatthayer]

No problem. Probably renovated my last trailer.

[mdyucca]

Steve, I have recently purchased a 1972 Tradewind. I have looked at your posts and see you have done what I hope to do with mine. Are there any pictures of your completed shower/toilet areas. Also, I am in the IE area of California. Is the welder you used still in business?

[Chatthayer]

[Chatthayer]

My welder was in San Luis Obispo.

[mdyucca]

Thanks for the additional pictures. SLO is a good distance from me in the IE. I will look for a welder in my area. Did you use the original black water tank, also, what size shower pan did you use?

[Chatthayer]

As you might see from my posts, I added a grey tank in a bed that the welder made. I also needed headroom in the shower, as well as turn around space. Two problems came from those needs. Trying to get a slope for the drain to the tank under the rear bed, and finding a shower pan to fit. I ended up just building and sealing the area from wood.

[Chatthayer]

The old black tank was shot and in an unusable place. Once again I needed a good slope to the drains in the back, so ended up getting a new 15 gallon tank that sits above floor level. The platform under the toilet is part of the tank. Do notice the air tubes coming up in both applications

[mdyucca]

With the additional information and pictures I have a have a greater appreciation for what you have been able to accomplish. Airstreams do not leave much space for a 6 footer to shower and also have the gray water get into a holding tank within the frame wells. I have calls into both the guy I know that welds and Mr. Salwender.

[Chatthayer]

My project for last spring was to finish converting to all pex by replacing the copper under the sink area and the old faucet. No more junction leaks!

[Chatthayer]

This year was a repair started by my battery not being charged during the winter by the converter, which is located under the platform bed. After reaching as far as I could and not finding bad fuses, I had to pull out the mattress and wood under it that makes up the platform. Not fun.

[Chatthayer]

Turns out that I had to do that to see that the wire nut connection from 110 to converter had come loose over 6 years and 6000 miles.

[Chatthayer]

It won't come loose again!!

[Chatthayer]

Ready for our first trip this weekend to the Georgia mountains!

[Chatthayer]

Ok. The next 6 year old instillation to come apart was the pex fitting to the toilet. I didn't put in enough wiggle room, and it broke a fitting on the toilet. $27 and 3 hours figuring it out and fixing.

[Chatthayer]