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yochanan · 10-29-2005, 06:41 PM

I purchased a 72 Tradewind with the Vin plate on the nose of the trailer but the vin number does not match the title. The title shows a number "2" where the vin plate on the nose shows the letter "Z". The title cannot be transferred until the issue is resolved. The licensing state, DMV shows no irregularities with the vin as far back as their records were accessable. So then.---

Is there another location on the Tradewind where the vin number would be loacated?

Thanks very much.

j.spriggs@mindspring.com

overlander63 · 10-29-2005, 07:06 PM

Welcome to the forums. It sounds like you have a mystery with the VIN. Can you post the VIN here? There are decoding charts for these, and maybe we can tell you what happened.
Also, the "2" should correspond to the year of the trailer. I found some info from Airstream Central for you.
Here is what the numbers and letter mean on your coach:

1969 to 1980

1st digit - I=International; L=Land Yacht; M=Motorhome
2nd & 3rd digit - Vehicle length
4th digit - D=rear bath double bed; T=rear bath twin bed; A=center bath twin beds; B=center bath double bed
5th digit - Model Year
6th digit - J=Jackson Center, OH; S=Cerritos, CA; V=Versailles, OH
7-10th digits - Sequential Serial Number

Cedars · 10-29-2005, 07:58 PM

My best guess would be someone misinterpreted a Z for a 2... this sometimes happens.

Elizabeth in Iowa

Jim & Susan · 10-29-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yochanan

Is there another location on the Tradewind where the vin number would be loacated?

On my '73, the VIN is stamped on the emblem just to the right of the door. Right underneath the oversized word "Overlander". The secret decoder ring from Airstream corp. can be found here:
http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...pre1980vin.pdf

Sounds like somebody just misinterpreted a letter/number sometime in the past.

**azflycaster** · 10-29-2005, 08:47 PM

I read that late 60's and 70's have the vin stamped into the top of the hitch area on the curb side. My 75 does have some numbers stamped in that area, but they are covered with 30 years of paint.The cam over connector for the WD hitch covers the area as well. It might be worth a look see on yours.

flyfshr · 10-29-2005, 09:05 PM

Although my TradeWind is older, my VIN is also stamped into the rear bumper. This is in addition to the number on the lifetime warranty sheet on an interior closet door. I also found a handwritten one in yellow grease pencil on the backside of a piece of interior mahoganey that was mounted under the front window for a total of five different places. All of them matched, thank goodness.

As others have said, the Z must have been mistaken for a 2. I don't recall there ever being a Z used in the VIN on any model.

Brad
FF

Stagehand · 10-30-2005, 05:51 PM

Title and Tag it in Maine.

yochanan · 10-30-2005, 05:53 PM

Here is the VIN discrepancy

Vin on plate is: L25T2J208L
Vin on Title is: L25TZJ208L

**azflycaster** · 10-30-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yochanan

Here is the VIN discrepancy

Vin on plate is: L25T2J208L
Vin on Title is: L25TZJ208L

The 2 (Z) in question is the last number of the year, yours is a 72. If you could get a letter from JC with this information, it might solve your problem.

yochanan · 10-30-2005, 07:25 PM

"JC" Who's "JC". ??

**azflycaster** · 10-30-2005, 07:35 PM

Sorry, I guess there is more then one. Jackson Center, Ohio

Airstream Inc.:
419 West Pike Street
P.O. Box 629
Jackson Center, Oh 45334-0629

Phone: 937-596-6111
Fax: 937-596-7939

yochanan · 10-30-2005, 08:19 PM

Thanks AZ. Much appreciated.

I work in Phoenix. Your Tradewind
must broil down there in the summer.

**azflycaster** · 10-30-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yochanan

Thanks AZ. Much appreciated.

I work in Phoenix. Your Tradewind
must broil down there in the summer.

But it's a dry heat!

overlander63 · 10-31-2005, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yochanan

Here is the VIN discrepancy

Vin on plate is: L25T2J208L
Vin on Title is: L25TZJ208L

You can always copy and print the info I provided above, and take it in to the tag office, as well. It looks like some title clerk somewhere got in a hurry (I've never seen that, but hear it could have happened once), and hit the wrong key when entering your serial number.

yochanan · 10-31-2005, 08:01 AM

Yes, that seems to be what happened.

The only pain is that it was in the state next-door. They want to wash their hands of it since their records show that it has always had the typo.

The title is still in their state until the transfer takes place so they have to fix it. I'm sure they wiil have to deal with it first.

Thanks

robandzoe · 10-31-2005, 08:09 AM

What state is it titled in? What state are you trying to register the trailer in? I just registered my 58 Sovereign of the Road that I got from RichardT in Bat Cave, NC. The title was from South Carolina, and I am in NY.

I did this. Went to my DMV, and told them that I did not have a title. They stated that I needed a form filled out from the previous owner, stating that he had owned it from X to X, and that he was transfering it to me. Then I needed a weight ticket and a pencil tracing or picture of the SN. I now have it registered in my name.

Good luck!

Rob

yochanan · 10-31-2005, 01:16 PM

Randy in Jackson Center was a great help in getting it all sorted out. The state of Washington now has documentation from Airstream and have forwarded it to an upper level bureaucrat for a title correction.

I Couldn't have done it without all of your help!

Thanks to you all,-- the Aluminum Overcast of astute Streamers.

John

Janssvt · 11-09-2005, 08:42 PM

Is there a plate to the right of the door? It would say Airstream and then below that it would have a number. That's the VIN number if you have the plate there.

sequoiacoast · 11-11-2005, 12:12 PM

Hi:
I haven't picked up my trailer yet. I was told it was a 1968 tradewind. I don't remember noticing the name, if there is one, when I last saw her. The seller sent me the manual and the serial number says o for overlander? It is a 24' Double made in CA. I can't find a 24' overlander listed anywhere. What's Up???

Thanks!

wkerfoot · 11-11-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequoiacoast

Hi:
I haven't picked up my trailer yet. I was told it was a 1968 tradewind. I don't remember noticing the name, if there is one, when I last saw her. The seller sent me the manual and the serial number says o for overlander? It is a 24' Double made in CA. I can't find a 24' overlander listed anywhere. What's Up???

Thanks!

Sequoiacoast,

I don't believe that the O in the serial number indicated Overlander, if your serial number follows the format on this page: http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...ind/index.html , then you have a Tradewind.

Bill