Bought it...now what?

[TW1964]

Hi Folks--Thanks in advance for all the help over the next couple years! I just bought a 1964 Trade Wind that has been sitting around for about two years and needs a lot of love.

First things first...I need to tow it down Hwy 101 about 20 miles to my place. It has newer tires, wheels, and bearings. I haven't tested the towing hook-ups yet. What do you folks recommend to ensure a safe tow?

(I've got a 1995 Toyota T-100 SR5 4x2 w/5000lb rated tow weight.)

With much appreciation,
TW1964

[soldiermedic]

Welcome to the forums. THere is a great amount of information on towing and running gear. Use the search function to find out what you need, and others are always going to chime in.

Steve

[azflycaster]

Welcome to the forums also!
You will need a good break controller to operate the trailer brakes. I doubt a T-100 had a simple plug that you could use so you will have to do a little bit of work to add one. I use a Prodigy controller which is one of the most popular on the market. The same company now markets a newer unit called the P-3.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Research your opportunity and be careful...good luck.

[Felix'64]

Originally Posted by TW1964

Hi Folks--Thanks in advance for all the help over the next couple years! I just bought a 1964 Trade Wind that has been sitting around for about two years and needs a lot of love.

First things first...I need to tow it down Hwy 101 about 20 miles to my place. It has newer tires, wheels, and bearings. I haven't tested the towing hook-ups yet. What do you folks recommend to ensure a safe tow?

(I've got a 1995 Toyota T-100 SR5 4x2 w/5000lb rated tow weight.)

With much appreciation,
TW1964

Hey TW,
Congratulations on your new baby, and welcome to the Forums! We bought our '64 Tradewind back in April and love, love, love it! Do you have the twin or double?

Anyhow, we bought a weight distribution with sway control hitch. It creaks and groans, a lot!!! Someone once described it as their "campground announcement system". I'd have to say that was a pretty acurate description.

Again, welcome. Ask lots of questions, and post lots of pictures!

Cheers,
Renee

[airdrmr]

Hi TW1964, and welcome to the Forums! Congratulations on your new baby. I wonder if you bought the TW I saw advertised for sale in Summerland? It's great to know there's another vintage Airstreamer among us. I won't be much help ensuring a safe tow, but you can bet you'll find the information you need on these forums.

We've worked with many of the Santa Barbara area vendors in our 2-year (and still going...) restoration epic, so PM me if you need any recommendations.

Once you get that baby fixed up, you'll have to join us for a rally. They are a great way to meet your fellow Airstreamers and learn from the masters.

Happy Silver Trails!

[Tom Nugler]

Nice find. 20 miles shouldn't be too bad a haul with just a properly rated hitch, correct sized ball, brake controller and proper tire inflation. Take it easy and you'll be OK.
As the other members have pointed out, once you get your new baby home do the research, get the rig set up and enjoy the fun of Vintage Air.

Welcome to the Forum and good luck,

Tom.

[samb]

TW--Welcome

Good to see another T-100 owner here. Mine is a 1996 4x4 SR5 with over 250,000 miles. You won't be the fastest one on the road, but you always get to where you are going.

If you have only 20 miles to tow it to your place you could do as I did when I picked up my '61 Safari. I made sure that I was legal, took the back roads, stopped often to check everything, kept the speed down, and got a good "feeling" of the trailer. I think I "scared" the trailer into being good for the trip by taking 3 or 4 hundred pounds of extra tires, misc. parts, add-on lights, jacks, and many tools.
Feel the hubs often to check for heat. Don't be in a hurry and enjoy the adventure.
One last thing-----------take photos and share them!!!
Sam

[BIGED52]

TW1964, I too wish to welcome you aboard. You will find lots of help from the great folks here on the forums! They are all willing to share and the search function here will yield a wealth of information. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The only dumb questions are the ones that don't get asked! Get help here and get camping sooner. Hope you enjoy years of memories from your "new" toy. Happy Trails, Ed

[thecatsandi]

Welcome,
I would recommend a flat bed trailer.
Even though it has "newer" running gear the state should not be tested on the highway.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by TW1964

Hi Folks--Thanks in advance for all the help over the next couple years! I just bought a 1964 Trade Wind that has been sitting around for about two years and needs a lot of love.

First things first...I need to tow it down Hwy 101 about 20 miles to my place. It has newer tires, wheels, and bearings. I haven't tested the towing hook-ups yet. What do you folks recommend to ensure a safe tow?

(I've got a 1995 Toyota T-100 SR5 4x2 w/5000lb rated tow weight.)

With much appreciation,
TW1964

After you get the trailer home, the next step would be to take it to an Airstream dealer that can do a "safety inspection."

That inspection will tell you everything the trailer needs to put it back it first class condition, when it's done correctly.

Make sure the safety inspection report is detailed and in writing.

Andy

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I am going to stick my neck out on the block and say... hook on and go. If the tires are holding pressure and you hook it up right, using safety chains and the proper sized ball you should have no problem going 20 miles. If you take bearings and tires and jacks and all that stuff you will be insured that you do not need them and the tow will be fine. I would suggest temporary lights that you have tested at home to be sure they function with your trucks hook up... even though you will not need them. I have a weird belief in positive thinking, my glass is always more than half full. Having an RV Tech look it over is very good advice, though not all of us have the luxury of Airstream certified Tech. My local RV dealer, Charlie's RV is not Airstream certified, but the state of Maryland licenses them to inspect trailers and they are very good at their trade. The fact that they treat me like family is a huge bonus too. I think secretly they are hoping I will buy one of their white boxes.

[TW1964]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll read up on all the towing/running gears posts.

I'll probably be in touch with you Santa Barbara 'streamers soon--that is if the TW and I survive the initial transit! I plan to replace at least part of the subfloor and all the finish floor. Beyond that, I'm sure I'll be sucked into plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, and on and on once I start poking around....

[toastie]

Originally Posted by TW1964

Hi Folks--Thanks in advance for all the help over the next couple years! I just bought a 1964 Trade Wind that has been sitting around for about two years and needs a lot of love.

First things first...I need to tow it down Hwy 101 about 20 miles to my place. It has newer tires, wheels, and bearings. I haven't tested the towing hook-ups yet. What do you folks recommend to ensure a safe tow?

(I've got a 1995 Toyota T-100 SR5 4x2 w/5000lb rated tow weight.)

With much appreciation,
TW1964

Insurance

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

I am going to stick my neck out on the block and say... hook on and go...

I'm gonna side with '62.
Stick a jack under a spindle and lift the tire off the ground, shake and spin it. Go to the next one. If they all feel ok hook up the safety chains and go. Get someone to follow you. 20 miles at 30mph = 40 minutes, jeez I've drug stuff with no tires that far.

[76sovereign]

Make sure the tires are not PASSENGER TIRES! Our AS came with really nice looking tires, we drove home on the hwy. 300 miles and come to find out the tires were 2ply passenger tires! WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED or killed someone else.

Originally Posted by TW1964

Hi Folks--Thanks in advance for all the help over the next couple years! I just bought a 1964 Trade Wind that has been sitting around for about two years and needs a lot of love.

First things first...I need to tow it down Hwy 101 about 20 miles to my place. It has newer tires, wheels, and bearings. I haven't tested the towing hook-ups yet. What do you folks recommend to ensure a safe tow?

(I've got a 1995 Toyota T-100 SR5 4x2 w/5000lb rated tow weight.)

With much appreciation,
TW1964