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07-19-2006, 08:49 AM
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#61
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New Member
2005 25' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Janet
Hi and welcome to the Forums. This introduction Sub-forum is the place to introduce yourself to the rest of the community and try out your first post. Tell us about your trailer or if you've just begun to look for one, how long you've had it, etc - we want to know!
The Forum is divided into subsections, each with a different topic. If you have questions about a specific issue, say "how do i fix my furnace", please post those questions in the appropriate sub-forum.
To post an introduction, click on the "new thread button at the top of the posts list and have at it.
Welcome aboard.
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I am a new member so please understand that
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07-19-2006, 08:51 AM
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#62
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New Member
2005 25' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Internationa
I am a new member so please understand that
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I belong to WBCCI and region 5 northern illinois unit
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07-19-2006, 07:55 PM
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#63
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4 Rivet Member
1981 25' Excella II
Dillon
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 397
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81 exella
This is my first post. I'm planning on purchasing a 25' 1981 excella this weekend, and am driving a good distance for it. I've recently read about the frame saging problem with late 70 airstreams with rear baths made during the Beatrice food era. The 81 I'm planning on buying has a rear bath. Does anyone know if this might be one of the lighter frame airstreams for which this problem occurs?
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07-23-2006, 12:04 AM
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#64
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New Member
2005 30' Land Yacht 30 SL
San Clemente
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1
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I'm a newbie and luv RV
Hi all! Glad to stumble upon this blog.
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07-24-2006, 12:47 PM
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#65
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander64
Greetings debbythesea!
Welcome to the Forums!
Tow Vehicle Selection -- my suggestion would be to obtain the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) for the Bambi Quick Silver -- then look for a tow vehicle that has a trailer tow rating of 120% or more of that figure -- the extra 20% will allow reserve for passengers, surplus luggage, etc. There are a number of SUVs that would be capable of towing a Bambi Quick Silver -- I share a dislike of pickups and after two disasterous experiences with pickus, I splurged on a Suburban and have been a very happy camper for more than 163,000 miles (I need the heavier Suburban for towing my Overlander in the Rocky Mountains).
Solo Towing of Trailer -- there are numerous Airstreamers who travel solo -- in fact, there is an Intra-Club within the WBCCI (Wally Byam Caravan Club International) for those who travel solo known as the Free Wheelers. There are a number of hitch "helper" devices that significantly ease the process -- I utilize a large, convex mirror mounted on a metal pole with a large magnetic base; this device is so useful that several of my acquaintances who travel with a companion choose to use one of these mirrors rather than the more traditional live assistant. Backing the coach takes practice, and it is highly advisable to find a lrage, open parking lot to practice maneuvering your coach prior to the first camping excursion. The small, single axle coaches react more quickly to tow vehicle inputs than the larger tandem axle coaches meaning that it may take more practice to develop the smooth, easy motions necessary to back the single axle coach.
Good luck with your investigation!
Kevin
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Thank you Kevin! I took your advice & found a Toyota 4x4 v8 to tow the bambi...which I am proud 'mommy' to now!
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07-27-2006, 05:04 PM
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#66
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New Member
1992 25' Airstream 250
Stockton
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
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Needlework
Dear Cindy, I am a needlepoint designer and have a design of a n airstream trailer in my line. It's a cute piece for a pillow or framed. Let me know if yur interested.
Pat Sanguinetti @ Napier Needlepoint
Quote:
Originally Posted by sprosty
Hi,
A little about us and ours. We live in Utah and have 2 children left at home out of 6. My first grandchild is due tomorrow and we have reports of contractions.
We own a Sovergn and I am a little confused about the year because the title says an '83' but I couldn't find one when I registered so I just put '84'. We have had it for just a couple of months. We aquired it from my parents who just bought a brand spanking new airstream motor home and they have been traveling all over the country doing rallies. When our youngest moves away from home we may join my parents and the fun.
I love to embroider and would like to make some fun things with a picture of my airstream on them. I am a little lazy though and would like it if I could find where someone else has done the digitizing so I don't have to. So if any one knows where to find airstream embroidery designs I would really appreciate if you could share in the knowledge.
Our airstream has carpet in it and twin beds. Those are the first things we are going to change. We are installing wood floors and a queen bed so we can sleep together (I still like my husband even though he is almost a grandpa). With 6 kids and who knows how many grands will come, we feel the wood floor will be a great improvement for cleaning.
We have had a little problem with the electric trailer lift. It worked great when we got it but just quit one day. My husband is really great at fixing things so he checked it out and determined that probably the motor was bad. We ordered a new motor and it is still not working. If anyone has any suggestions we would love to hear about them also.
Thanks for reading and for the great site. I plan to visit often as become empty nesters I am sure this site will prove invaluable.
Cindy
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07-27-2006, 10:02 PM
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#67
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owner
gonzales
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
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hi i am coral from louisiana. i am pruchasing an old airstream and wish to refrubish it. any help is appreciated.
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07-28-2006, 02:07 PM
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#68
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New Member
1979 31' Excella 500
1990 34' Limited
1973 31' Excella 500
Rivière-Rouge
, Québec
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
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Hi to everyone.
Hi,
We bought a fifth wheel Airstream Excella V 1980 a month ago. We would like to have a copy of the manual. We do not know how to start the furnace. We live in L'Annonciation, Province of Quebec in Canada. If is our first fifth wheel. We think that it was painted, by the way they did a good job if it was the case. We are very happy with the fifth wheel but we wonder if it is an original. Did Airstream built fifth wheels? We cannot find anything on that. Thank you for the information.
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07-28-2006, 11:27 PM
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#69
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Katrina Survivor
1969 23' Safari
1984 31' Sovereign
1982 28' Airstream 280
Baton Rouge
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5
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"hi i am coral from louisiana. i am pruchasing an old airstream and wish to refrubish it. any help is appreciated"
Hey Coral, I'm just down the road in BR and am rehabing my old 69 Safari while also working on my dad's 84 31' Sovereign. Just holler.
Hi ya'll! I'm Molly from south Louisiana. I grew up in an Airstream and have many fond memories from International Rally's, caravans, Regionals, and local rallys. I think I was a lucky kid to have travelled thru out this great country of ours, and seen all the natural wonders in our National Parks and then on into Canada's. For 2 months every summer for more than 10 yrs, we hit the road. Five of us in a 19' Globetrotter-that's togetherness!
We had bunks over the couches-can you still get those or were they an after-market product? I'm actually looking for the hardware for them-my dad had the 2 bunks & cushions in the attic. Can any of ya'll give me any clues on this? I remember they were installed by the local Airstream dealer, but ... that was yeaaaaaars ago. Input would be appreciated.
I'd like to put them in one of the trailers so the grandkids can use them.
Thanks,
Molly
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07-30-2006, 12:47 PM
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#70
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New Member
1978 31' Excella 500
Walnut
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1
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Hello from New User
Regards, from new user
Jerry
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07-30-2006, 09:59 PM
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#71
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,705
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Tips for first timers
Greetings fifthwheeler!
Welcome to the Forums!
Quote:
Originally Posted by fifthwheeler
Hi,
We bought a fifth wheel Airstream Excella V 1980 a month ago. We would like to have a copy of the manual. We do not know how to start the furnace. We live in L'Annonciation, Province of Quebec in Canada. If is our first fifth wheel. We think that it was painted, by the way they did a good job if it was the case. We are very happy with the fifth wheel but we wonder if it is an original. Did Airstream built fifth wheels? We cannot find anything on that. Thank you for the information.
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Airstream produced Fifth Wheels for only a very short time. They were first piloted as additions to the Argosy trailer line then added briefly to the Airstream line. Production was apparently quite limited, but quality was comparable to that of the trailers and motorhomes of the period. There were a few problems with the bonded panel construction methods utilized early in the model line, but I am not certain precisely what the nature of the problems were. I believe that most if not all of the Airstream fifth wheels were painted in a silver and blue color scheme from the factory.
You might try contacting Airstream via their website. They list a number of manuals in their store. Another option would be to contact Secretarial Services as indicated in the information below quoted from the Vintage Airstream Club website:
Manuals
Q: I need an owners and service manual for my Airstream. Where can I get one?
A: The first owners manuals were published in 1964. Prior to that, the owner received a brown envelope containing parts lists and other helpful information on the accessories in his trailer. The VAC has started making these available in the Members Archive section. A service manual with instructions for performing service operations did not exist until 1972.
You can get photocopies of owners manual (1964+) and service manuals (1972-1986) from:
Helen Davis Secretarial Services
PO Box 484 Sidney, OH 45365
(937)492-8885
Prices are about $33 and $70 respectively. After 1986 the Owners Manuals included available service information.
Good luck with your coach!
Kevin.
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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07-30-2006, 10:06 PM
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#72
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,705
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Tips for first timers
Greetings Molly!
Welcome to the Forums!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LA ByU
We had bunks over the couches-can you still get those or were they an after-market product? I'm actually looking for the hardware for them-my dad had the 2 bunks & cushions in the attic. Can any of ya'll give me any clues on this? I remember they were installed by the local Airstream dealer, but ... that was yeaaaaaars ago. Input would be appreciated.
I'd like to put them in one of the trailers so the grandkids can use them.
Thanks,
Molly
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The Hammock Bunks were options available from Airstream Dealers (the same option was also offered on Argosy trailers). They were available from sometime in the 1950s through the late 1970s or early 1980s. Today, I believe that Inland RV may be about your only source for the attaching hardware for the hammock bunks -- I believe that they were offereing complete reproductions of the hammock bunks according to information distributed about a year to eighteen months ago.
I have fond memories of the hammock bunks as I slept in one on my first camping trip in an RV as a five year old in 1964 (I now own that '64 Overlander, but it lost its hammock bunks between the second and third owners).
Good luck with your project!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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08-03-2006, 02:10 PM
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#73
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New Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Ft. Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
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Howdy all!! Just traded my 1970 31' SO in on a 1976 31' SO and thought I"d join the forum. Just wanted to say hi to everyone. Happy trails
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08-12-2006, 08:01 PM
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#74
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New Member
1967 17' Caravel
ringwood
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
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HI, Don here...
I have a 66-67? Caravel- Land Yacht 16'...Need to replace a window...any hints?
Also, looking to find a front wind/debris screen (the frame is broken)
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08-12-2006, 08:56 PM
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#75
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,705
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Tips for first timers
Greetings Don!
Welcome to the Forums!
Quote:
Originally Posted by don gardner
HI, Don here...
I have a 66-67? Caravel- Land Yacht 16'...Need to replace a window...any hints?
Also, looking to find a front wind/debris screen (the frame is broken)
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Until very recently, replacing one of the Corning windows in a 1966-1968 Airstream was a very difficult task. Today, you can source reproductions made of glass similar to the originals from Vintage Trailer Supply at:
http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/...lts.asp?Cat=25
For the front rock guard, there are three options. Search for an original with a good frame that can be rebuilt. Purchase a new rock guard -- it would essentially be the rock guard that is used on the new Safari line coaches with the single front window. The third option would be to fabricate your own rock guard. I believe that you will find examples of all three on the Forums by utilizing the Forum's Search feature.
Good luck with your Caravel!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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08-20-2006, 06:58 AM
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#76
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1 Rivet Member
1986 27' Sovereign
Farmville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
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Thank you
I just wanted to say thank you, we already have a warm and fuzzy feeling about this sight. I most definetly will have lots of questions, probably no answers for awhile.
As you all can see we are from North Carolina near the coast, and this is our first RV, and we got lucky getting the Airstream, Me and her are just a couple of hippies from the 60's, so this is what we were looking for, I told my wife we can be like LUCY and RICKY on our first outing except that she can not collect rocks. LOL. We are looking forward to going places in the A/S.
Now all I have to do is figure out how to communicate with everyone LOL
George and Heather Soter
North Carolina
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08-20-2006, 11:56 AM
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#77
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New Member
Okmulgee
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
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I am new and looking for a Bambi or Caravelle to restore
I live the Oklahoma area and I very handy and have complete wood shop and lots of time and a little money. I want a smaller trailer that needs a lot of TLC. I live near Tulsa. Phone 918 756-9510 email halschmi@swbell.net I love the Airsteams but would consider another make and it does not have to be Vintage.
Cheers
Hal
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08-20-2006, 12:41 PM
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#78
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Rivet Master
2005 22' International CCD
Buckhorn
, Ontario
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LLbove
Hello,
This is all new to me [joining,not camping].I have a 1969 25'Trade Wind that I am restoring.HELP I need a curbside wing window,glass,not the "new plastic ones they want to sell me.
So far this is the only part that has escaped my reach.Thanks for all your help!!
LLBove
l bove@surfglobal.net
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You have probably found out by now that you will NOT get a glass replacement for that 69 of yours. They do NOT make them any more - they only made the bottom square corners for one year and you lucked out - she is a special year though - with the moon landing and all but you will have to settle with a non-glass replacement. Go for the more expensive Lexan rather than the plexi as it will scratch in no time....and if you can handle a rivet gun - do it yourself - at a cost of the Lexan alone - rather than having it done at other places that charge an arm and a leg for it - almost the same cost as the glass ones for the 70+ years.
We have had to replace both wing windows in our 69 GT and they are great!!! - now you never have to worry about a guard for the front to protect those precious non-replaceable windows.
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09-03-2006, 12:02 PM
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#79
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TIG welder, 30 years expe
1973 25' Tradewind
Wilson
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 20
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black water tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by borisnovas
Hello,
I too, have a major renovation job to do on our 29' 1973 airstream and if your not too tired after working so hard, could you help me with your first hand knowledge? I am attempting to replace the rusted out steel black water tank that is mounted inboard and a/s of Ohio says "no way"- No one will fabricate a tank and I'm getting ready to forget this project and junk this money pit if this keeps up-Did yours have a steel inboard mountrd black water tank? thanx-dan
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Did anyone tell you why they wouldn't fabricate a new blackwater tank?
I don't know the shape of it, but I have been TIG welding for most of my life.
I am sure one could be fabricated out of stainless steel, and it would out-last the rest of the trailer. (I wonder if the necessary fittings are available?)
This is my first post, as I just joined today. I also have a '73 25' TW, and I did not know the black water tank was even made of metal! It stands to reason, if it is regular steel, it would rust! I thought it was plastic.
Given the dimensions, shape, fittings and connections, I don't see why one couldn't be fabricated. If I have to replace mine, I could make 2 as well as one. I would have to get the pieces cut, I don't have a shear.
I have been contemplating removing my fresh water tank, but don't know if it has to come out inside, or out. The outside skin on mine is shot anyways. (On the bottom) How many gallons does it (the black water tank) hold?
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09-03-2006, 12:26 PM
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#80
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TIG welder, 30 years expe
1973 25' Tradewind
Wilson
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 20
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Howdy
My first day here, too. Have had my 73 Tradewind for years. It has many issues that need to be addressed, so I will be looking into that 'search' feature. I was first attracted to the airstream because I have been welding aluminum since 1969. Thought it might be the way to go. I do have a few small holes to weld up,(It had an add-a room snapped to it) and a couple cracks in around the entry step area.
I don't think my univolt is 'putting out'.
Mine had the awful rolling vertical cabinet doors. All the pieces were there, and we tried to glue canvas on the back, but they didn't last long. Lots of wasted effort. Still have all the original appliances in it. Furnace needs attention. Have to find the thread about the reacall, it is that model. NT22A. Pretty rusty anyways. I guess that is more than enough for now. When do I get my first rivet?
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