well, i've made the trip up to knoxville to see my parents, and a 1960 trade wind. i was told everything with the trailer was in good condition, which of course we all know how that is... anyway, here's the good news...
1960 Trade Wind
• Great Skins (one minor dent)
• all interior there, including original 1960 light sconces, mag rack, PROPANE light, ALL window frames, All cabinets, except the rear sink.
• recently towed 300 miles, no probs.
• all running lights work
• says it doesn't leak (i know... i don't believe him either).
• says all interior lights work... there's not many, so i believe him.
now for the bad...
• belly is shot... all holes plugged with GREAT STUFF!
• Frame is rusty.
this leads me to my problem. we're heading home tomorrow after lunch. i need to make a decision on this trailer tomorrow morning. the rear frame where it extends out to the bumper is rusted badly. when i stand on it, it gives an inch or so. i looked underneath, and it's rusted through. it would hold for the trip, in fact, it would probably hold for years... but i want to restore her, like my others. the big question is, can this be easily repaired? the rusted through part is the main beams that extend out. my 59 traveller had several outriggers rusted away.. no big deal, those are easy to fix. this is the main frame. i jumped around inside it to see if there were any other bad spots in teh floor, and i didn't really feel any. the only other part of the frame that's bad is on the part that leads to the tongue. it's rusted through on one of the corners a bit. again, it's plenty strong enough for now, but not for the long haul.
are frame patch/repairs like this easy and relatively inexpensive to do? if i get this trailer, i fully intend to discard the whole belly pan anyway, fix any spots in the floor, get rid of surface rust, and install a new belly, so that doesn't really concern me. i DO NOT, however want to take this completely off the frame to have it repaired or totally replaced. i've done that on my 59, as some of you may know, and that would be way too much time to do it again. i'm really hoping for a mild frame-on restoration ont his one.
the really good news is his asking price... $1,000. time to weigh things. any feedback you all could give me would be great! i know there's a ton of opinions out there!
I'd buy it, tow it home and buy some time to decide if it's "worth it" to you. If not, I'm sure someone else will think it is and you'll get your $1000 back. Even if you disclose your discoveries...someone looking for a "first trailer" or "project" has different ideas and more time than you may have this being your third.
Shari
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I've already got one TW in Tennessee, but I would have to think long and hard too. Lots of good stuff on there. It sounds like you've almost got yourself talked into it. But then I can't answer your question on frame repair. If only you could get your hands on some equipment like a scope, flexible fiberoptic type like we use for medical procedures. Then you could get up in those belly holes and really see how bad, or lets be optimistic and say how good it is. Shari's probably right. If you decide not to tackle it, someone else will.
What...have you lost your aluminum coated mind?
Pick it up!
The price is right, even if it's a rust bucket. The parts alone would bring you twice that if you e-bayed it. Not that I would ever endorse stripping an almost perfect Airstream....
Unfortunately, for severe frame repairs, it seems always best to pull the shell, or at least the floor. How else are you going to weld under the floor?
I agree, buy it! If you decide later it was a "mistake".... you can certainly get your purchase price plus gas & travel $ back from another buyer. Especially if it is all there! If it winds up to be really bad, you can part it out and make a fortune!
Hey, forget Uwe, I want it! Just kidding, buy it, tow it home, heck I'll even come help you park it if you need me. Sounds like much too good of a deal to pass up
And yes, you can find somebody to weld that frame with minimum "stuff" removal. Did I offer to help with this project yet?
well... obviously my WIFE hasn't voiced an opinion on here. ha! i should have known better than to ask my fellow allumiholics for their opinions! we're going to look at it again this morning. at the very least, i may see if the guy would sell me the rear window and operators for airstream # 1. that's what got me interested in it at first... that and the bargman 77 door handle... if only i would have found this gem back when i was re-skinning the silver pickle. the end caps are beautiful. it was used as a hunting lodge for what i can guess the better part of it's life. the belly pan, though is a mess. funny it could bet so much damage below the water line.
this frame damage is pretty severe, though. i wish i could post pics of it. it i knew for certain that the exposed trouble was all there is, that's one thing... but i'm paranoid that this might just be the tip of the iceberg.
don't worry fellow addicts... if i pass on this one, i'll be sealing the deal on a 61 globe trotter when i get home. i've already told myself i "deserve" another project...
Hey, forget Uwe, I want it! Just kidding, buy it, tow it home, heck I'll even come help you park it if you need me. Sounds like much too good of a deal to pass up
And yes, you can find somebody to weld that frame with minimum "stuff" removal. Did I offer to help with this project yet?
What...have you lost your aluminum coated mind?
Pick it up!
The price is right, even if it's a rust bucket. The parts alone would bring you twice that if you e-bayed it. Not that I would ever endorse stripping an almost perfect Airstream....
Unfortunately, for severe frame repairs, it seems always best to pull the shell, or at least the floor. How else are you going to weld under the floor?
you are a bad influence, you know that? :P part of me DOES think i should rescue this poor discarded trailer from the ravages of time up here in the tennessee hills... i know someone on here would give it the love it needs...
is this how those old ladies with a house full of cats gets started?
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we're going to look at it again this morning. at the very least, i may see if the guy would sell me the rear window and operators for airstream # 1. that's what got me interested in it at first... that and the bargman 77 door handle... if only i would have found this gem back when i was re-skinning the silver pickle. the end caps are beautiful. it was used as a hunting lodge for what i can guess the better part of it's life. the belly pan, though is a mess. funny it could bet so much damage below the water line.
i've already told myself i "deserve" another project...
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