Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-14-2010, 08:43 AM   #1
P&A
1 Rivet Member
 
1965 24' Tradewind
Seattle , Washington
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 8
Meet "Susie" - Our '65 Tradewind

Hi all,

Just wanted to introduce ourselves and our "new" '65 Tradewind! We bought "Susie" 2 weeks ago from a dealer selling her on consignment as part of an estate sale -- PO had her for 25 years and seems to have looked after her pretty well. Her interior is original and in good condition (except for a new refrigerator, toilet, LPG tanks, and gray water tank). We had the dealer run a full inspection and all her systems work except the furnace. Axel is OK according to dealer...hmmmmmm?

Since she's been sitting in our driveway the past two weeks, we've spent LOTS of time walking around her scratching our heads and absorbing ourselves in this forum...(stay tuned for future posts resulting from all that head scratching!) We change our minds pretty much daily -- to restore or renovate -- that is the question! We are total Airstream and RV newbies (we couldn't even figure out how to plug her in at first...) Anyway...here she is!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0005.jpg
Views:	114
Size:	319.4 KB
ID:	106789   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_7367.jpg
Views:	110
Size:	160.8 KB
ID:	106790  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_7375.jpg
Views:	139
Size:	186.4 KB
ID:	106791   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_7371.jpg
Views:	111
Size:	218.2 KB
ID:	106792  

P&A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 08:48 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
mutcth's Avatar
 
2007 23' Safari SE
Central , Connecticut
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,652
That is a stunning looking Tradewind. Love the wood inside and the bath looks really clean. Congrats!

Tom
mutcth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 08:50 AM   #3
Moderator
 
moosetags's Avatar

 
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
Images: 5
Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

Welcome to the Forums. We're ad to have you with us.

Congratulations on your new baby. She sure is a beauty.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
moosetags is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 08:54 AM   #4
Moderator
 
Kevin245's Avatar

 
Vintage Kin Owner
... , ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
Images: 9
Congrats on the airstream and your first post. Keep us posted on your efforts.

Kevin
__________________

"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."

William C. Swinney

Kevin245 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 09:15 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
vswingfield's Avatar
 
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock , Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
Images: 32
Welcome!

Quote:
Originally Posted by P&A View Post
...
We change our minds pretty much daily -- to restore or renovate -- that is the question!...
From your description and looking at the pictures, it doesn't look like you need to do either. What a great looking trailer.
__________________
Vaughan
vswingfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 09:54 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
SilverHoot's Avatar
 
1967 24' Tradewind
Greenville , South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,107
Blog Entries: 3
Wow! That is a great looking TW. Congrats and welcome to the forum.
SilverHoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 10:31 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
mello mike's Avatar
 
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa , Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Images: 53
That's a beautful Trade Wind. I wouldn't do anything to it except maybe some flooring, curtains, and new appliances if needed.
__________________
1958 Overlander
2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC
2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE

WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6
4CU 1st VP

My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog:
https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
mello mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 10:38 AM   #8
1 Rivet Member
 
1963 24' Tradewind
Kamuela , Hawaii
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Blog Entries: 1
Beautiful! Thanks for this, an inspiration! This is what I want my interior wood to look like when done.
cyarawamai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 10:51 AM   #9
Site Team
 
Aage's Avatar
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa , ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
Images: 25
VERY nice mahogany interior panels! That's what I miss in mine that the pre-1970 traylaz have... :/
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
...John Wayne...........................
Aage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 11:15 AM   #10
Rivet Master
 
68 TWind's Avatar
 
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford, , Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
Welcome to the forums. Beautiful interior. Looks like a "10".

You will want to check the axles. With age the torsion suspension loses its flex. It would be a shame to damage your beautiful trailer by pulling it with axles that have no movement. Here is a link to an really good explanation of how the axles work and how to check them. Dura Torque Axle
68 TWind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 12:17 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
mello mike's Avatar
 
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa , Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Images: 53
Quote:
Originally Posted by 68 TWind View Post
Welcome to the forums. Beautiful interior. Looks like a "10".

You will want to check the axles. With age the torsion suspension loses its flex. It would be a shame to damage your beautiful trailer by pulling it with axles that have no movement. Here is a link to an really good explanation of how the axles work and how to check them. Dura Torque Axle
ditto
__________________
1958 Overlander
2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC
2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE

WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6
4CU 1st VP

My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog:
https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
mello mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 01:39 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
AIR-Quarius's Avatar
 
1970 27' Overlander
Espanola , Full Timer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,753
Images: 39
Send a message via Yahoo to AIR-Quarius Send a message via Skype™ to AIR-Quarius
Looks like your off to a good start! Welcome, there are ALL KINDS of people here who will you help you out anytime you need it! WELCOME!
__________________
https://customrvdecalplus.com
AIR-Quarius is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 01:42 PM   #13
4 Rivet Member
 
wbrownrr's Avatar
 
2002 22' International CCD
San Luis Obispo , California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 418
Wow... congratulations! Susie is a real beauty.
__________________
Wayne
2002 22' CCD
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi
wbrownrr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 02:03 PM   #14
P&A
1 Rivet Member
 
1965 24' Tradewind
Seattle , Washington
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 8
Thanks for the welcome!

When we bought her, we were planning to use her as is, but after studying her awhile we're starting to feel that this model is a bit heavy on storage and light on sleeping space. The front gaucho is very narrow -30 some inches, suitable for one adult, and the rear gaucho is 48", which is OK for the kids. I think she probably comfortably sleeps 3 when we have 4 that need a good night's rest. Our current plan is to convert her to the 2 twins in the back for the kids and investigate putting a u-shaped dinette in the front with more like a double bed size space for the grownups.... But maybe tomorrow we'll change our mind!

On the more radical side, we're also thinking about ditching the shower, oven, and furnace, but these things might happen down the line depending on how we end up using her.....
P&A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 03:02 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
ASwifey's Avatar
 
2018 30' Classic
Austin , Texas
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 666
Images: 6
Sure hate to see you pull out what looks to be a very well preserved trailer. I'd do alot of research on what is involved with moving the bathroom before you decide.

Wish mine looked that good. We've got along way to go though.....
ASwifey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 03:39 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
FreshAir's Avatar

 
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville , California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
Images: 2
Really nice trailer. Our Trade Wind HAD the same wood. The PO restained it all a light oak. They did a decent job but I would have preferred the original. As for your 'gray tank...there ain't one unless someone put one in. Gray tanks in AS didn't happen until 73 for some and 74 for all. Axles will be bad if they are original. Mine 'looked' ok but were 'frozen' in place. If you have someone that's kinda handy with tools and some muscles it isn't a difficult switch to new ones. I did it with lotso arthritis and new hips. I took my time but what a difference the new axles are...just like mine (hips).
Welcome.
Neil.
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407

Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.

1966 Trade Wind

1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid

1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
FreshAir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 04:02 PM   #17
2 Rivet Member
 
oleschool's Avatar
 
1973 31' Sovereign
chapin , South Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 56
Wow, your Tradewind looks great, I hate to hear that you would like to make major changes to it......its not hard to find one that someone else started on but are unable to finish. If you need more room I have a 31' Sov. we could make a trade as 65 is my birth year...welcome to the forums and see ya down the road.
__________________
watching the stars through the vista view windows= priceless

TAC# SC-2
AIR# 41283
oleschool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 04:10 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
Road Ruler's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines , South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
Images: 38
The colors and finish in the bathroom are 10/10
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
Road Ruler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2010, 08:29 PM   #19
Site Team
 
Aage's Avatar
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa , ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
Images: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by P&A View Post
On the more radical side, we're also thinking about ditching the shower, oven, and furnace, but these things might happen down the line depending on how we end up using her.....
That's where you lost me. Why mess with something that has stood the test of time and come through it with flying colours, before you have even taken it out once to camp in it? Obviously, it's yours to do with it as you please, of course, so take this for what it's worth.

Your ideas would make more sense if you had bought one in average to poor shape, but this one looks mint.

Take your time and live with it for a while before you make a decision that you could later regret. After all, what's the rush? It's camping time, not reno time!
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
...John Wayne...........................
Aage is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Meet 129T2J3445 the "Bent 1972 29' International" Wabbiteer 1970 -1973 Ambassador 8 11-05-2007 08:46 PM
"The Monadnock Meet Rally"- NEU AirHog WBCCI Rallies & Events 193 06-01-2006 02:23 PM
62 tradewind Floor width "plywood" scoxx30 Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 37 01-06-2006 06:43 PM
We got to meet "Pick" this weekend! KY Girl Our Community 7 06-16-2003 08:14 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:23 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.