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SarahB · 08-24-2018, 07:46 PM

Hello all!
I have come across an airstream that was abandoned and now is in my possession, however it seems there is no numbers or manuals anywhere!!! Ive seen videos on how to find the serial numbers by the hitch but i see nothing other than EZ-Lift as a brand. Interesting enough though the only identifier i have is a square silver plate by the door the says Airstream with the number 3016 engraved on it with the address 1755 N main, which i know to be the place of construction. It does not have a stove like the others i see and it appears to be 16-20 ft. It has a shower, compost toilet and sink combo in back and a dinette area in front. Any info would be appreciated!

47WeeWind · 08-24-2018, 08:19 PM

SarahB:

If both ends are semi-circular with non-opening oval windows in them, then serial number 3016 should be a 1948 Wee Wind, which is 16' long. If the front and rear ends are vertically flat with vertical operable windows in them, then it might be a 1953 Globetrotter, which is 18' long. Posting a few exterior photos would help with identification. In any event, congratulations on acquiring your vintage Airstream.

SarahB · 08-25-2018, 04:37 AM

I will try and submit photos today, thanks for the tip. I measured it last night and the length is 18" and including the hitch around 22". The windows it has do open!

OTRA15 · 08-25-2018, 04:47 AM

Welcome to the forum, SarahB!

If Fred's guess was in the right ballpark, you might want to check out this Globetrotter forum:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f61/

. . . and this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f61/...ter-46027.html

. . . which led ["brochure" in Post #3] to this brochure:

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...4186cb350b.pdf

Does this look familiar?

Good luck,

Peter

PS -- The thread linked above is from 2008. If you want to get the attention of anyone in an older thread, it helps to "Quote" them [button below on the right] to get their attention. They may no longer participate here, however.

PS2 -- This Document Archive page may have other stuff worth checking out:

https://www.airstream.com/service/document-archive/

SarahB · 08-25-2018, 09:03 AM

Thanks peter, mine looks bigger than that. Ive attached a few photos here.

OTRA15 · 08-25-2018, 09:07 AM

Thanks Sarah, hopefully Fred or another expert will chime in. I will look over those archived documents linked earlier. The ID plaque shows the place of mfg. as ??55 No. Main St., LA, which should help with the identification IMO.

Peter

PS -- The earlier PS with link:

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

. . .
PS2 -- This Document Archive page may have other stuff worth checking out:
https://www.airstream.com/service/document-archive/

Some possibilities:
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...70a7af275f.pdf
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...8ba19d7441.pdf
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...44fe50e51b.pdf

Do any of these floor plans make sense? A few interior photos would probably help as well. I will wait for someone more knowledgeable to chime in.

SarahB · 08-25-2018, 09:44 AM

Spaceliner is the closest.mine doesnt have a stove or closets and the bathroom is in the right location but setup is a little different. Thanks for being so helpful!

OTRA15 · 08-25-2018, 11:02 AM

Happy to help. Spaceliner is the second link at the bottom of Post #6 for anyone else looking.

Have a good weekend.

Peter

Shacksman · 08-25-2018, 11:51 AM

http://vintageairstream.com/photo-ar...ying-cloud-21/
The serial number is with 1953 Flying Cloud

47WeeWind · 08-25-2018, 01:21 PM

Hi SarahB:

Going by its body, which unlike the interior has not been changed, this Airstream with its vertical front and rear ends is a 1952 or 1953 21' model, most likely a 21' Flying Cloud. But the serial number plate has been swapped out, perhaps a long time ago based on the rusty appearance of the screws attaching it to the body. 1952-53 California built Flying Clouds with the body shape of your trailer have serial numbers in the 7000 range.

Your California factory serial number plate originally came either on a 1948 16' Wee Wind or a 1953 17' Clipper. The earliest Wee Wind serial number plates were truly rectangular, with square corners (which I pictured in my mind by misinterpreting the description of your s/n plate as "square"). I don't know at which serial number Airstream changed the Wee Wind s/n plate to the soft rectangular s/n plate like yours with its rounded corners.

Your s/n plate could also have originally come from a 1953 California built 17' Clipper, which would have used this style s/n plate. In my opinion, the s/n plate is not original to your Airstream so proceed with caution.

You state this Airstream had been abandoned. Before you invest any money in it, do a Nebraska title search for Airstream s/n 3016 and see what comes back. I don't know the background story of this trailer, but there's a small chance it was stolen then abandoned. If it was reported as stolen, it should pop up as such on a national data base during a title search. If there is a license plate on the rear of the trailer, search that number for the (or a) former owner.

If the Airstream has not been reported as stolen but a title search reveals the name of the person to whom this Airstream was last titled or registered, then track that person down and try to get (or purchase) an assignment of title of the Airstream to you. Then title the Airstream in your name before making any improvements. Otherwise, you run the risk of the titled owner appearing and claiming his/her trailer after you have spent your time and money improving it for them.

Check the Nebraska DMV web site to learn if, and then how, you might be able to obtain a clear title for an abandoned vehicle such as a travel trailer. You should really do that first to protect your investment in this Airstream.

This Airstream is not a Spaceliner, which was built around 1961 and had a different body with 7 panel end caps. This trailer has 13 panel end caps and a vertical rear end, which was replaced in 1954 by a sloped rear end.

Per its s/n plate, it is not an Ohio built 1953 Flying Cloud because the s/n plate lacks the "O" prefix ["O" denotes Ohio] that the Ohio factory used on their Flying Clouds having 3000 series serial numbers. The "O" prefix distinguishes the Ohio built Flying Clouds from the California built Wee Winds and Clippers that also used 3000 series serial numbers. For example, look at the s/n plate "O 3107 in the link provided by Shacksman.

Good luck and have fun!

OTRA15 · 08-25-2018, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

. . .
. . . In my opinion, the s/n plate is not original to your Airstream so proceed with caution.
. . .

Thank you for an excellent post, full of helpful information, especially the quote above.

Good luck, Sarah!

Peter

SarahB · 08-25-2018, 04:19 PM

Heres some inner pics to help, also the local law enforcement has been out and ran the old plates that were on it and got nothing. No owner or a flag for it being stolen, he is the one that advised us to take it because legally they couldnt tie it to anyone. Still will be looking into it though!

Shacksman · 08-25-2018, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahB

Heres some inner pics to help, also the local law enforcement has been out and ran the old plates that were on it and got nothing. No owner or a flag for it being stolen, he is the one that advised us to take it because legally they couldnt tie it to anyone. Still will be looking into it though!

That looks like the bathroom from a 1965 -66 trailer.

66Overlander · 08-26-2018, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shacksman

That looks like the bathroom from a 1965 -66 trailer.

I agree. Nothing in the interior is original. The bath is from a 1964 to 1966 Airstream. The kitchen cabinets are much heavier than what would have been originally in the trailer. The current floor plan is not original. I'd do agree that it was originally a 1952-53 21' Flying Cloud.

If the serial number plate was swapped, it was done decades ago based upon how it and the surrounding aluminum has weathered. I wonder if the California factory could have put the wrong tag on it originally or if the Ohio Factory could have forgotten to stamp the leading "O" into the tag (but on a California tag?)?

P.S. Does the very low side marker lamp location sway it toward 1952? I might need to study more details, such as wheel well shape, to determine if this is a California or Ohio built trailer.

OTRA15 · 08-26-2018, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

. . .
. . . The kitchen cabinets are much heavier than what would have been originally in the trailer.
. . .

That was my guess too, and I am wondering about that new wood flooring. If it is thin pre-finished material laid on top of the AS sub-floor, that would be one thing. If however it is 3/4" thick material, the total weight could be significant.

Sarah, old Airstreams were designed to be very light, and thus aimed in that direction for all the cabinetry, flooring and so forth. If all the new-ish renovations added too much weight, then the axle weight capacity may have been exceeded IMO.

You would probably want to get a new axle anyway, but having to get a heavier duty axle will raise other structural issues in general.

A possible can of worms . . . ? [*]

Cheers,

Peter

[*] -- PS -- This Love Shack thread is a good read for a recent "shell off" renovation:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...ck-183431.html

The author has a very good sense of humor IMO! And is a great photographer.

SarahB · 08-26-2018, 11:22 AM

There is a piece of floor that has a hole through it in the bathroom, i can tell it will obviously need a new sub floor however the covering appears to be a very cheap thin laminate flooring, an axle check will now be on that list also. If yall can see anything else that may be of concern please chime in, i want to do everything correct so she will last a very long time!

OTRA15 · 08-26-2018, 12:17 PM

A new subfloor may mean a shell-off renovation. Please read that Love Shack thread I just linked, in order to proceed with eyes wide open. If you have to pay others to do the work, you may be better off finding a newer AS you can use as-is for starters.

Peter

SarahB · 08-26-2018, 12:22 PM

I read it, its very cool!! Im fortunate enough to have a dad that built travel trailers for 20 years, he will be of good use to me for this adventure! I love learning about how to do these things and i love doing them myself even more, theres a sense of pride in that! I dont care how long it takes me to complete as i am willing to do it right.in the mean time im always satisfied with primal tent camping!

Sarah