1965 Tradewind $300!

[Uhmanduh]

I recently bought a 1965 Tradewinds double 24 foot airstream for $300 plus a little trade. It is completely trashed, and two of the flat windows are broken. I know I'll have to do a complete gut. Was it good deal? What should I do? Any suggestions? Does anyone know what it's worth?

HELP

I can post pictures if anyone wants??

[overlander63]

Welcome to the forums. I was just called to dinner, so I'll be fast:
The windows are standard glass, measure them and get replacement glass from your local hardware or glass shop. I'd do that first, to keep the elements out.
Photos are great, we all love to see what other people have gotten themselves into...

[InsideOut]

...did you get a good deal? I would say for $300, it probably was ~

Check this out: Price vs Condition

Shari

[r carl]

Did you get a title with it? Does he need to get tempered glass, overlander63?

[Kevin245]

Welcome...

I'd say $300 is an excellent deal in most in circumstances. Do post some photographs when you're able.

Kevin

[BIGED52]

Originally Posted by Uhmanduh

I recently bought a 1965 Tradewinds double 24 foot airstream for $300 plus a little trade. It is completely trashed, and two of the flat windows are broken. I know I'll have to do a complete gut. Was it good deal? What should I do? Any suggestions? Does anyone know what it's worth?

HELP

I can post pictures if anyone wants??

Welcome to the forums! Let us see what it looks like and perhaps someone can direct you where to start. Happy Trails, Ed

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by r carl

Did you get a title with it? Does he need to get tempered glass, overlander63?

'65 was the last year for regular glass. '66 was the first year of tempered glass, a'la Corning...

[r carl]

Originally Posted by overlander63

'65 was the last year for regular glass. '66 was the first year of tempered glass, a'la Corning...

So should he get some type of saftey glass, tempered?

[utee94]

Originally Posted by r carl

So should he get some type of saftey glass, tempered?

Most people replace with regular glass per original specs.

[Uhmanduh]

Here are the pictures of the airstream....was $300 worth it? Is this restorable?

[68 TWind]

I got tempered flat glass for my front and rear in my 68 Trade Wind from a local glass shop. They actually sent the measurements to their supplier in Memphis and I had it in 2 days for about $25/window. Regular flat glass will work, but if you every break it the extra safety of the tempered glass might be worth the small additional cost.

[airdreamers]

[QUOTE=Uhmanduh;850429]I recently bought a 1965 Tradewinds double 24 foot airstream for $300 plus a little trade. It is completely trashed, and two of the flat windows are broken. I know I'll have to do a complete gut. Was it good deal? What should I do? Any suggestions? Does anyone know what it's worth?

HELP

I can post pictures if anyone wants??[/QUOTE

Uhmanduh,

Good luck with your project, also welcome to the forum. Dieseleagle has and is doing a frame off restoration on a 1963 Tradewind, pictures and all on rv.net. Very detailed and comprehensive, lots of pictures.

[BIGED52]

The 50's and 60's are among the most sought after vintage A/S trailers! I would say if you choose to restore/upgrade this trailer from top to bottom check the frame first and don't spend any money on restoring until you have a good frame and running gear under your trailer. Putting in glass and window seals will get it in the "dry" for you which will help with critters and more water damage, but frame first then solid floor would be the top two after the "dry" mode. Seams will all need to be recaulked at some point to keep leaks under control. take lots of pictures as you take the interior apart and note where each component goes inside the trailer. This will help when reassembling and with weight distribution if you change out older appliances for more modern ones. Also pay attention to plumbing components as some trailers suffered from freeze damage to copper piping. Get started and keep sending updates here with photos. Good Luck. Happy Trails,Ed

[SpaceEgg]

Uhmanduh (Amanda?)

I'm in the same boat. I bought a 24' 1959 Tradewind just over a month ago. You totally scored. The airstream's worth more than $300 in scrap aluminum alone, but don't kill it.

Take your time. Set reasonable goals. Organize your restoration in stages, so that you'll stay on track and won't have 90 million open projects at once.

Here's a quick run-down of the expenses I had to shell out so far

new wheels, tires, bearings packed (single axle) - $420
updating trailer hitch with winch-jack and electrical hookups for brakes/lights ~$300
new fresh and black water tank (no grey tank) incl shipping- $400
new water pump for plumbing ~$100
new toilet ~$200
new plumbing lines (PEX) and valves ~$150
new bathroom sink - $60
new bathroom faucet - $25 (Habitat for Humanity rules!)
marmoleum for kitchen and bathroom counter tops ~ $150
I still need a heater, water heater, and fridge to complete the build out, plus a couple deep-cycle batteries and solar panels, which I figure will take another shark-bite out of my earnings.

days ripping out old interior/chiseling away asbestos-tiled floor ~7
days degreasing/bleaching/priming/painting walls ~10
days sanding/staining/sealing wood back to acceptable condition ~10

I spent plenty of other dollars on random items (hinges, mattresses, wood for frames, rented equipment, etc).

I got lucky and didn't have too much structural damage, just a dirty, dirty, dirty-ass trailer with a few leaks that somehow keep moving. She's looking fine now though, and in another month, she'll be heading on her maiden voyage.

Barring major surgery, a focused effort and a strong back might have your Tradewind on the road by the end of summer.

Peace out Earthlings.

[SpaceEgg]

As BigEd52 said, the 50s/60s models are popular and the Tradewinds are just cool. Point being: your Airstream, due to its vintage, will be greater than the sum of its parts when complete.

Go check the vintage trailer classifieds - thorough restorations add another decimal place to the value, and in your case, it will be two!

[cruiser54]

It is all the same how much money an old AS costs. One must simply know that the new construction of a rarity costs finally more than new.
All other is a botch-up!
Greetings
Werner

[Dan@LED4RV]

Originally Posted by Uhmanduh

I recently bought a 1965 Tradewinds double 24 foot airstream for $300 plus a little trade. It is completely trashed, and two of the flat windows are broken. I know I'll have to do a complete gut. Was it good deal? What should I do? Any suggestions? Does anyone know what it's worth?

HELP

I can post pictures if anyone wants??

Congrads, I think you did good.

Dan

[campngirl]

Welcome Uhmanduh.... and YOU SCORED!!!!

I have a 64 Tradewind that started off in better shape than your Tradewind is in at this time..... Paid more than $300.00.... and ...... I am doing that same thing that you are going to have to do to make sure that the trailer is road worthy, safe and the restoration is done correctly.... I am gutting mine and re-doing EVERYTHING.

$300.00..... you really lucked out!!!!

Karol

[mello mike]

$300 is a great price. You did very well.