I am the new owner of a 1961 Globetrotter. I just brought it home tonight. I had a few questions for other owners.
~ Why is there not a thread for 1961 G/T's
~ I will have to get new tires and wheels, I can get the wheels, but it looks like I might have to go with a low profile tire. Any suggestions?
~Can someone with a 61 GT please post some pis? (Inside & out)
~Does your 61 GT have a fiberglass coated aluminum belly?
Welcome to the world of Vintage Airstream Ownership
Quote:
Originally Posted by jillwill
I am the new owner of a 1961 Globetrotter. I just brought it home tonight. I had a few questions for other owners.
~ Why is there not a thread for 1961 G/T's
I wonder if your coach may have been built in 1961 as a 1962 model as my notes indicate that Globetrotters weren't produced in 1961. It isn't unsual to have states that will title a coach based on its year of manufacture rather than its actual model. Airstream model years typically began around July 1 rather than being timed with the calendar. Another possibility is that the lack of such a sub-form hasn't been mentioned to the site administration team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jillwill
~ I will have to get new tires and wheels, I can get the wheels, but it looks like I might have to go with a low profile tire. Any suggestions?
There aren't any low-profile tires of which I am aware for travel trailers. Automobile tires are not a good choice for use on a travel trailer -- they typically do not have the necessary weight carrying capacity, and they do not have the structure to deal with the rigors of a single axle trailer specifically (an automobile {P-Metric} tire on a single axle coach is a prime invitation to extreme sway or yawe). Your coach is from the time period when Airstream was switching over to the Henschen axle and that is when most of the Airstream line adopted a rather standard tire/wheel size. While careful measurement will need to precede a purchase, most coaches require the following regarding wheels:
15" x 6" wheel with 6 bolts on 5.5" centers with a zero offset. The center bore needs to be 4.25", and the wheel needs to be rated to carry at least 2,600 pounds.
Typically, the tires fitted are ST 225/75 R 15 Load Range C (or sometimes D for single axle trailers). My Argosy Minuet is somewhat comparable in size and gross weight to your Globetrotter, and I run the above size tire in load range C and have absolutely no problems. My Overlander utilizes the same size tire in Load Range D. Be prepared that it may be necessary to deflate the tires in order to get them up into the wheel well (it is a necessity on my Overlander, and helpful on the Minuet). If your wheel wells are particularly tight, you may want to examine your axle to be sure that it isn't completely worn out or frozen with no travel of the arms. See Inland RV's website for instructions on assessing Henschen axles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jillwill
~Does your 61 GT have a fiberglass coated aluminum belly?
So far as I am aware, all of the classic type Airstreams (non-Square-Streams) had strictly aluminum bellypans. A previous owner may have done just about anything so far as modifying the bellypan on your coach, but I don't believe that the fiberglass coating would have come from the factory.
Good luck with your Globetrotter!
Kevin
P.S.: You can find some photos of Vintage Globetrotters at : Vintageairstream.com
__________________
Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
InsideOut steered this new question to the 'back room.' That subforum has been created and your thread moved into it. A 61 GT subforum will be available from now on.
Glad to have you posting about your baby, jillwill!
It worked, first think the A/C is coming off. Ordered new tires, wheels, roof vent & lights today. Can someone post pictures of a finished 61 so I can get a idea of the original things. Mine has this really cool copper hardware and lights. Is this original?
Yah, I think I would take that a/c off also! Did it work?
Godspeed,
Trent
__________________
TV1: Black Sheep, 2001 Dodge 3500, 800,xxx miles, a few non-stock parts here and there...
TV2: Brownie, 1989 Dodge W250, only 256,000 miles!
TV3: 2004.5 Dodge 3500, 415,000 miles, 6 spd
TV4: 2005 Dodge 3500, 478,000 miles, 4spd auto
"Too much of what I once knew I now know not" Me
Thanks for the complements, the a/c unit did come off, I am not sure if it worked or not. I am replacing the floor right now and expect to finish this weekend and then start on the elec/plumbing next week. Also, be the way there is a trailer rally right here in Indiana the end of Sept. Look on the rally page for more info. We would love to have you and anybody else there.
Jill
Hello Jill, I just towed my new Darlin' home today. By all my reckoning, mine is a '61 California job.... 19TSS1946. I have been googling and Airstreamin all over the www for a spell and can send you or post all the pics I have found. I may even gat to the part of taking some photos of MY Globetrotter. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.
I am as new as new can get on this site so bear with me and it will all work out in time. I am very pleased with my purchase; the exterior is quite good and the interior has alreasy been gutted; I mean the seats an tables are gone, but the kitchen and bath are mostly intact. I am dreaming of making it very artistic and plush; likely the last thing I will do is the polishing of the exterior... Hoping this note finds you well, James
Hi again Jill; seeing as the two of us are both jumping in with both feet at the same time, maybe it would be fun to help each other out. I am a pretty handy and knowledgeableable guy ha ha in most respects, and I would be happy to help you with your 'trotter in any way...likely we can both learn and benefit at the same time. What say you..
Lowendall, welcome aboard. We are glad that you have joined us here in the Airstream community. Congrats on your purchase. These little things can get quite addicting. Since, I purchased my 61, I also have purchased a 1967 and am working on it. I bought my 61 in May of 09 and had it ready to go camping in Sept. 09. I worked night and day to get it done and glad I did, so I could reap the benefits of using it last fall. I am finishing things up on the 67 now. I have used it all summer the way it was. It didn't need to much just mostly cosmetic. We would love to see pictures of your purchase and if I can be of any help, just ask.
That wonderfully restored one on the previous page was done by one featured restorers on those generic Travel Channel shows about RV's and trailers: Craig Dorsey. He's moved up to northeastern Canada in the last couple years. This page has some of his "greatest hits", including the '61 Globe, though some have become dead links, which is downright criminal - they're all restorations that should continue to be seen and enjoyed.
Among the solutions he used (including that slide-out birch drawer) it was the first time I'd seen a marine-style porthole put into an Airstream door-in-a-door. It's a fabulous way to bring some light into that otherwise 6 foot or so windowless stretch on the curbside.
His '68 Caravel with aqua blue nameplates and wheels is another stand out favorite.
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.
Linear Mode
