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Monza · 07-25-2015, 11:45 AM

Hey all I've lurked and read the forum for about a month, pulled the pin and bought a 73' yesterday. The trailer originally came from Dons travel Trailers in St. Albans, W. VA.(cool name tag still on) went to Florida for most it's life, up to the East Coast of Canada, spent a year there and now I have it in Calgary, Alberta on the west side of Canada.

The outer shell is in great shape, belly pan a bit of a disaster (fresh water tank is out), interior is good for the age. Floor actually looks pretty good from first investigations, minor rot in rear. My tentative plan so far is to remove remaining belly pan, check it all out from below and access from that point. Order new axles and brakes, black, grey and fresh water tanks. Redo all that stuff from below replacing the rusty metal coating and sealing all. New toilet, fix floor and mini bathroom make over (cleaning!), replace roof vents. Fix/redo/clean all appliances, most everything works now supposedly just in need of TLC.

Hopefully at that point use it for a bit and work up a floor plan deciding what I really want to do with the interior. Which most likely will be refinishing most surfaces (modernizing), building bunks mid ship (kids 5 and 7), front goucho area.

As I say, that's the tentative plan, I'll see what it all looks like soon enough. I switch from excitement to anxiety regularly right now at this stage of the project. I'm very capable at fixing, building and renovating things. Never worked with aluminium and rivets much. A bit scared of seeing I'll need the full monty once I dig deeper and thats why my plan is tentative...

( I gave a halfass effort at posting some pics, I'll try again later)
Any local Calgary AS reno experts out there?

Cheers!
Dave

moparjohn · 07-25-2015, 06:44 PM

Contratts and welcome top ownership! The same year and model as I have, she will serve you well. Get the essentials done and take her camping. Doing so will show you what to address first. Happy Airstreaming. John

Monza · 08-25-2015, 06:31 PM

Thanks John
Still haven't really done a thing on it yet. Busy at work and with kids, lots of research and I'll be ordering a bunch of things soon and getting into it.

Monza · 08-26-2015, 05:33 PM

Can I drive my trailer on the highway with the banana skins removed?
My buddies place where I'll be replacing my axles and doing frame repair work is a 4 hr. drive but I wanted to do some work, order tanks and such before I make that trip.
Is that ok to do?

Glenritas · 08-26-2015, 06:27 PM

If the roads are not wet and you remove any loose material and secure any loose sheet metal it shouldn't be a problem.

SlvrStream75 · 09-01-2015, 10:11 AM

Welcome! I have the same model as yours built in 75. I noticed you've removed your fresh water tank. I'm curious if it's in need of replacing? Mine is leaking. I did some searching and found D & M Plastics Alberta. They have a poly tank that's very close to the original dimensions of my 75 tradewind. 56.75 inch long by 43.5 wide and 5.75 high. Quote was $330.00 cdn. here is the link. RV Fresh Water Tanks & Waste Holding Tanks - D&M Plastics Inc.

Model rfw1055

Monza · 09-01-2015, 10:37 PM

Hey thanks, it does need replacing. I wonder if they'll have any tanks suitable in size for grey tank/s. Did you add a grey water tank system to yours?

SlvrStream75 · 09-03-2015, 09:10 AM

I didn't inquire about grey tanks as mine wasn't leaking. I was able to re-secure the original tank by re-plumbing the vent to correct for the lack of slope the previous owner failed to do correctly. I cut the abs pipe raised that side of the tank and installed a "cheater clamp" so that way if I ever have to lower the tank I simply undo the clamp and then the tank drops down to access the fittings.

I'm still debating on whether to fix my leaking fresh water tank with a kit I bought to repair poly tanks. The tank I referenced from D & M plastics would be a really tight fit for the pan cover that holds the tank on my trailer so I'm going to try the repair kit on my old tank first. I'll let you know how it goes!