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Stormy Weather · 09-01-2004, 08:56 PM

I posted on the bb a few months ago with aspirations of buying a new Bambi. Since then I'm leaning more towards a slight restoration project... I'm looking at buying a 1973 25' Tradewind.

1. Are there 3 tanks in those (fresh, gray, black)? If so what are their capaciites?

2. Anyone out there converted a front end couch to a dinette? (on any model for that matter) If so, any tips?

3. Theres a little hole on one of the rear corners. Nothing comes out of it. Wondering what it is? Antennae maybe?

4. Any one out there changed out those lame tambour (sp?) cabinet doors for a better solution? If so what? How?

5. Can someone point me to the best polishing method?

Last one: Is there really a potential droopy back end that I've read about on AS with bathrooms in the rear?

Thanks!
Future Airstream Owner

summerkid · 09-01-2004, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy Weather

3. Theres a little hole on one of the rear corners. Nothing comes out of it. Wondering what it is? Antennae maybe?

that's for the mice.

InsideOut · 09-01-2004, 10:31 PM

You will find many of the answers to your questions by using the 'search' feature of the forums. In the meantime, I'll answer a few of the questions you have that I can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy Weather

1. Are there 3 tanks in those (fresh, gray, black)?

1. '73 was the first year that grey water tanks were introduced, so the trailer you are considering should have all three. Unless it's really a '72 registered in '73. If you post the serial number someone can verify the trailer year. The PO should also be able to tell you.

BTW, if it doesn't have a grey tank...it's really no big deal. We either use full hook-ups or a 'Blue Tote' to deal with grey water as '64s don't have internal grey water tanks, unless it's been retrofit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy Weather

If so what are their capaciites?

Anybody with a '73 Owner's Manual???? It should have the answer in there...or you can order a manual from Helen Davis - Secretarial Services (search)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy Weather

2. Anyone out there converted a front end couch to a dinette? (on any model for that matter) If so, any tips?

2. Yep, I have. There are some pictures in my photo gallery and more details on our website (link below) Tip: the two sides are NOT the same, so each side is slightly different. Measure twice, cut once!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy Weather

5. Can someone point me to the best polishing method?

5. Whew....talk about a can of worms! Best advice is to do a search on this one...there are as many different opinions as there are members. 'Best' is relative ~

Good luck in whatever you decide to pursue, whether it's this one or another ~

Shari

Chuck · 09-02-2004, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

You will find many of the answers to your questions by using the 'search' feature of the forums. In the meantime, I'll answer a few of the questions you have that I can

1. '73 was the first year that grey water tanks were introduced, so the trailer you are considering should have all three. Unless it's really a '72 registered in '73. If you post the serial number someone can verify the trailer year. The PO should also be able to tell you.

BTW, if it doesn't have a grey tank...it's really no big deal. We either use full hook-ups or a 'Blue Tote' to deal with grey water as '64s don't have internal grey water tanks, unless it's been retrofit.

Anybody with a '73 Owner's Manual???? It should have the answer in there...or you can order a manual from Helen Davis - Secretarial Services (search)

There is no grey tank in that trailer, unless a PO retrofitted it. I have "heard" that in '73, they started putting grey tanks in ONLY the 31 footers. My 73 service manual makes no mention of that, though. I would assume that there is no grey tank.

The fresh water tank is 44 gallons. the black tank is 13 gallons.

I don't believe the "rear end seperation" issues applied to these shorter trailers. Most say that the cause was the addition of grey tanks, without beefing up the frames, and those loooonnngg trailers with big overhangs...the rear baths were quite far from the axles. even the tiny tanks that they started putting in in the mid 70's put alot of stress on the frame, being so far back.

AYRSTRM2 · 09-02-2004, 08:10 AM

Separation happens regardless of tanks, size, etc... I have it in my 66 Safari. its caused by water getting between the bumber and the shell and rotting the wood around the back and the steel bar that runs between the frame and the shell is attached to it. When these two items go, the shell isn't attached to the frame in the back anymore ---separation! People have differing opinions as to why this begins to happen, but no one is exempt from it. Don't be fooled by the age/size/equipment of your coach.

Jon

Chuck · 09-02-2004, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYRSTRM2

Separation happens regardless of tanks, size, etc... I have it in my 66 Safari. its caused by water getting between the bumber and the shell and rotting the wood around the back and the steel bar that runs between the frame and the shell is attached to it. When these two items go, the shell isn't attached to the frame in the back anymore ---separation! People have differing opinions as to why this begins to happen, but no one is exempt from it. Don't be fooled by the age/size/equipment of your coach.

Jon

well, I have that, too, but no sagging of the frame, which I suppose is what happens next. But the longer trailers would be more likely to experience that. while the rear edge of the plywood floor is "missing" on my trailer, as far as 6 or 8" forward, the bolts through the c-channel and into the rear cross member are all intact, so nothing can move. I made temporary repairs by cutting some plywood to fit the void, notched it to fit around the bolts, and then "bridged" the seam with some more plywood slats that are screwed to solid, undamaged flooring forward of the rotted area. That should "do" until I have a chance to do a more thorough repair, which will require complete removal of the bathroom

, and a solid piece of plywood across the rear of the trailer.

Stormy Weather · 09-02-2004, 07:09 PM

Thanks for your input guys! Shari, I'm going to copy what you did on your dinette conversion. That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again!

Stormy Weather · 09-02-2004, 07:24 PM

Chuck, I'm scratching my head....I don't understand yet. If the fresh water is 44 gallons and the black is 13 gallons, where does all the grey water go? Into the black tank? So you have to dump the black 3 times for ever full fresh tank used? What am I missing here???