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stellalaluna · 08-23-2007, 05:25 PM

My husband and I have found ourselves with 2 vintage 26" overlanders. (1959 and 1960) and will be redoing them for different purposes. One will become a spare bedroom which will be lots of fun. But in starting our project, we realized that they do not have holding tanks. For this project that is not a problem but if we want a newer model for our vacations, what year do they start having holding tanks and more self sufficiency. Are the older models needing full hookups in order to fully function?
Thanks for the help!!

InsideOut · 08-23-2007, 05:44 PM

WOW! Great question...I don't think anybody has ever asked specifically about this before ~ black tanks that is....

Trailers without any holding tanks are considered "Park Models" today.

Prior to the 60's, many were without tanks because it was customary for travelers to dig or use "gopher holes" to dispose of their waste. Grey tanks were not standard prior to '73/74. Black tanks...I'm not sure, I believe they were optional in the late 50's & early 60's - I know by '63-'64 they were standard as the marketing was that they were "self-contained". Prior, it may have only been the International (upgraded) models had them...my '56 doesn't but my '64 does FWIW.

I'm sure someone will know for sure and post a definitive answer ~

Shari

wkerfoot · 08-23-2007, 06:01 PM

According to RJ Dial's site, Vintage Airstream Home, the International and Land Yacht trim lines were introduced in 1958 and marketed as "self contained". That is probably the year for black tanks.

Bill

InsideOut · 08-23-2007, 06:21 PM

Thanks Bill!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

According to RJ Dial's site, Vintage Airstream Home, the International and Land Yacht trim lines were introduced in 1958 and marketed as "self contained". That is probably the year for black tanks.

Bill

So that could still mean the standard (not Land Yacht or International) models didn't have them though...which may be what she has 'cause hers apparently are a '59 & '60. Hmmm....where's Fred when we need him?

Shari

overlander63 · 08-23-2007, 06:57 PM

I know our 63 had a black tank, and a neighbor's 59 did not have one. Both Overlanders, our was built in Ohio, his in California. Both were standard Land Yachts. I have seen a 62 with a black tank, also a Land Yacht, also an Ohio manufactured unit.
If you really want to use it without holding tanks, you can get a "blue tote" to hold the contents of the sinks and shower. It will also hold the contents of the toilet, but dumping it is not a pleasant experience.
BTW, our 74 is one of the first units to leave the factory with a (10 gallon) grey tank.

wkerfoot · 08-23-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Thanks Bill!So that could still mean the standard (not Land Yacht or International) models didn't have them though...which may be what she has 'cause hers apparently are a '59 & '60. Hmmm....where's Fred when we need him?

Shari

Shari,

I figured you would know where Fred is, after all he lives in Colorado. Don't ask me, I have not been to Colorado since 2002.

Bill

InsideOut · 08-23-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Shari,

I figured you would know where Fred is, after all he lives in Colorado. Don't ask me, I have not been to Colorado since 2002.

Bill

Around here...he is often refered to as my "second husband" dating back to an early mis-print in a photo caption in Airstream Life article he wrote!

Shari

wahoonc · 08-23-2007, 07:28 PM

I can't help with the black tanks...I am a 70's kind of guy

But I do know that in late 1973, early 1974 the gray tank was optional. By the 1975 model year it was standard equipment and darned small too. Mine is only 10 gallons

only enough for a couple of quick showers...good thing there are lots of thirsty raccoons around the campgrounds I frequent

Aaron

stellalaluna · 08-23-2007, 07:39 PM

Hi everyone.. To get back to you all.. both of our overlanders are California made.. just an FYI.. and I find that their configuration is a bit different as well. But what I am seeing here... safer on the mid 70's and GREAT Airstreamers!! Thanks everybody for viewing and helping.. We did not realize SOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY THIIIIIIIIIIIINGS when aquirering these trailers. SO much FUN getting to know them and you all!! THANKS!!
Well.. then another question.. the 1959??? It is what we found out a dinette style, no gaucho in the front. Are these collectible? rarer? We want to redo this one as original as possible. THANKS AGAIN!!

wkerfoot · 08-23-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stellalaluna

Hi everyone.. To get back to you all.. both of our overlanders are California made.. just an FYI.. and I find that their configuration is a bit different as well. But what I am seeing here... safer on the mid 70's and GREAT Airstreamers!! Thanks everybody for viewing and helping.. We did not realize SOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY THIIIIIIIIIIIINGS when aquirering these trailers. SO much FUN getting to know them and you all!! THANKS!!
Well.. then another question.. the 1959??? It is what we found out a dinette style, no gaucho in the front. Are these collectible? rarer? We want to redo this one as original as possible. THANKS AGAIN!!

Stella,

If you have not already, check out the photo archives at Vintage Airstream Home A wonderful resource of vintage airstream information also the archive section of the Vintage Airstream Club site The Vintage Airstream Club

Join the Wally Byam Caravan Club International and the Vintage Airstream Club and attend a rally.

Bill

47WeeWind · 08-23-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stellalaluna

My husband and I have found ourselves with 2 vintage 26" overlanders. (1959 and 1960) and will be redoing them for different purposes. One will become a spare bedroom which will be lots of fun. But in starting our project, we realized that they do not have holding tanks. For this project that is not a problem but if we want a newer model for our vacations, what year do they start having holding tanks and more self sufficiency. Are the older models needing full hookups in order to fully function? Thanks for the help!!

Hi Stellalaluna:

Black water tanks were optional from about 1958 to 1962, then became standard in 1963. From 1958 to 1962, if a trailer had the Land Yacht or International trim upgrade package, it should have had a black water tank as part of those self-containment packages. The standard base model Airstream from those years likely had a drop-to-daylight toilet that required a gopher hole or some other arrangement such as a covered bucket. The standard trailer was discontinued for the 1963 model year, when the self-contained Land Yacht became the new base model. So beginning in the 1963 model year, all Airstrerams should have had black water tanks. Wash water holding tanks first appeared in 1973 or 1974, can't remember which year.

One of the earliest, if not the first, Airstream to have a black water tank was Wally Byam's custom 1956 26' tandem axle louvered window trailer which he took to Mexico and on the European Caravan in 1956. As were many of Wally's personal trailers, it was an experimental one on which he tested features for practicality and toughness before they were introduced into the regular Airstream line up. This trailer also had the then-experimental Henschen Dura-Torque axles five years before they were introduced in 1961. Below is a photo of Wally's trailer #1, which is the prototype of the "International" self-contained trailer, at the foot of Austria's Arlberg Pass taken on the 1956 European Caravan.

safari57 · 08-23-2007, 08:58 PM

Fred

What a NEAT picture. I love it. It looks like a painting.

And by the way, is Wally's trailer painted?

Barry

47WeeWind · 08-23-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

Fred: What a NEAT picture. I love it. It looks like a painting. And by the way, is Wally's trailer painted? Barry

Hi Barry:

The photo also appears on page 788 in the June 1957 issue of National Geographic magazine. Yes, Wally's trailer is painted in what -- to my eyes -- looks like an eggshell white. In the mid Fifties, Wally was smitten with all the pastel colors and envisioned painting Airstreams in Easter Egg colors, as suggested in this 1956 photo.

Wagonmaster Lou Mosley's trailer # 50 is ahead of Wally and the Ardean Miller family's trailer # 60 is behind Wally. They are waiting while deciding whether to tackle Arlberg Pass during a June snowstorm. They voted to give it a go, and the trailers ascended at 10 mph in 3 minute intervals. The first cars were greeted at the very top by sunlight ... and honked their horns in celebration to let the others below know the climb was successfu!

.

InsideOut · 08-23-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Wally was smitten with all the pastel colors and envisioned painting Airstreams in Easter Egg colors, as suggested in this 1956 photo.

The first Argosy!

Painted & experimental ~

Shari

wahoonc · 08-24-2007, 06:53 AM

I wonder if that rear bumper mounted bicycle rack was "experimental

That is one heavy bike on there...

Thanks Fred, nice picture and history.

Aaron

Maybricks · 08-24-2007, 07:00 AM

Lovely pic... really captures the moment..

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Hi Stellalaluna:
Below is a photo of Wally's trailer #1, which is the prototype of the "International" self-contained trailer, at the foot of Austria's Arlberg Pass taken on the 1956 European Caravan.

Chuck · 08-24-2007, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoonc

I wonder if that rear bumper mounted bicycle rack was "experimental

That is one heavy bike on there...

Aaron

yeah, I noticed that, too! you'd think that Wally himself would know better!!

flyfshr · 08-24-2007, 10:09 AM

It's nice to discuss history and old photos. Having collected many different serial numbers along with floor plan layouts of '59 and '60 TradeWind's, I have found very few of them with the dinette. None of the Ohio built units appear to have dinettes as none of the 30 or so in my registry have one and only a couple of the CA made ones do. I'm glad ours has the dinette as we never travel with more than the two of us and don't need to switch out to a bed. I think the booth is much more versatile than a goucho. Pictures of our dinette can be seen on my webpage link in my signature below.

Brad
FF

safari57 · 08-24-2007, 10:55 AM

Fred,

Thanks for the information. I love the pic and using a Caddy to tow - about the same year as my Pontiac. When my buddy gets his '51 FC done and starts towing with us using his '54 Ford wagon I suspect we'll raise a few eyebrows.

Fred, do you have a book I can purchase or a website with these types of pictures and the comments like you added for this picture? I have obviously been looking in all the wrong places. I may be missing something very enjoyable. I really love this stuff.

I've been looking at a '56 Caddy hardtop that's been wallowing in a fellows garage for a long time - completely restored but he's just a car-flipper and isn't really in to keeping anything although he's had this one for a long time and at one point wasn't responding to queries on it. I think it would make a fun alternate for the wagon. I may need to show this picture to Donna and see if I can create some enthusiasm for adding "just one more" car to the family

. Not that I said that about the Chevelle, that was a birthday present so it shouldn't count.

Thanks again,
Barry

safari57 · 08-24-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

It's nice to discuss history and old photos. Having collected many different serial numbers along with floor plan layouts of '59 and '60 TradeWind's, I have found very few of them with the dinette. None of the Ohio built units appear to have dinettes as none of the 30 or so in my registry have one and only a couple of the CA made ones do. I'm glad ours has the dinette as we never travel with more than the two of us and don't need to switch out to a bed. I think the booth is much more versatile than a goucho. Pictures of our dinette can be seen on my webpage link in my signature below.

Brad
FF

Brad

We also find the dinette in our Flying Cloud makes the trailer that much more enjoyable for us. We have the beds in the back and while one is sleeping the other can be up front making breakfast, reading a book, using the laptop or whatever. It was one of the things that swayed me to buy this trailer, and I was in the process of converting our Silver Streak from a gaucho to small dinette even though we hadn't camped with it as a gaucho.

Friends of mine bought an SOB that had a small hide-a-bed and a rocker/recliner in the front and after a summer of use decided they preferred the dinette for their style of camping. The folks who bought the trailer from them had been looking hard for a trailer without dinette.

Barry