Spare Tire Cover

[cherring]

I recently acquired a 1960 Tradewind International and one of the neatest features on it is the aluminum spare tire cover mounted on the rear tire. I've not seen one of these before and wanted to ask the forum members if they are familiar with this cover. I would like to know if it was something issued factory original from Airstream or if it was an aftermarket option. This Tradewind is a California model. Any info greatly appreciated.

[Ken J]

I've seen these before - in fact there was one on a Globetrotter that I saw over the weekend at the Vintage Rally in LaVita. Don't know if its an Aistream thing or not.

Ken J.

[Ken J]

Just another thought, be very careful with rear tires on the rear of an Airstream, they can cause frame seperation.

Ken J.

[63flyingcloud]

Another one of those wise guys/gals who can post a photo the first time out, I see.

What you have is a factory original tire cover. According to RJ Dial's site, a rear mounted spare tire mount was an option on the '60 Tradewind. The aluminum spare tire cover was an additional option.

You don't see too many of them--it appears that they were available only in the late '50s-early '60s. Herb Spies had one on his '63 Bambi at the VAC Rocky Mtn. Rally last weekend--it looked GREAT! Keep your eye out for the rally photos--I'm sure someone got a shot of it. And keep your eye on that cover. It would be prudent to fashion a lock for it.

Tom

[cherring]

Thanks for all of the info. I am trying to learn as much as I can about these older units. They are just soooo cool. My husband thinks I'm insane but I just love them.

Don't worry -- it will be well protected. I've already had several fellow Airstreams 'threaten' to steal it.

[Stefrobrts]

Hey, another woman airstreamer who's husband thinks they're nuts! My husband was also HIGHLY skeptical of my plans to drag home an old trailer. Once he saw a new airstream though he was much more accepting of the idea, and once we found our vintage unit and spent a few nights in it, he's converted Now everytime we go out he says how much he loves our little trailer, and that he just can't imagine having anything else. I'm sure your husband will come around soon as well!

Cool tire cover, BTW!

[63flyingcloud]

Here's one on a '62 Safari:

http://airstream.net/rallies/02-Sant.../openhouse.htm

[85MH325]

Originally posted by cherring
Thanks for all of the info. I am trying to learn as much as I can about these older units. They are just soooo cool. My husband thinks I'm insane but I just love them.

Don't worry -- it will be well protected. I've already had several fellow Airstreams 'threaten' to steal it.

Ahhh... don't be concerned... we're all insane, so you're in excellent company!

And as for 'stealing' your spare cover, I can't believe another Airstreamer would be so gauche as to even suggest theft. Perhaps a "temporary custody" situation or relocation to their trailer where it would be more asthetically pleasing for the public perhaps, but NEVER an outright theft.

Seriously Cherring, that is just too cool. I've never seen one before. You've got a real gem there! And do take steps to protect it; otherwise it may end up on a lowrider somewhere !

Great photo!

Roger

[Tikihut]

Here is a picture of my spare tire cover

[cherring]

Ok, since you all have been so helpful I'm going to ask another question about this Tradewind. Why does the sink have a faucet AND a hand pump? Shouldn't it be one or the other?

[63flyingcloud]

My hunch is that the "regular faucet" is for use when you're hooked up to a water hose ("city water"). When you're connected, the water pressure from the hose delivers the water to the sink. When you're "boondocking" (away from city services), you fill your water tank before leaving home, and use the pump faucet to deliver the water to the sink.


Later models (like mine) used pressurized air instead of the pump. Modern models use an electric pump. You could retrofit yours with an electric pump, very easily.

[85MH325]

If I had to venture a guess, it would be that some previous owner had your pump installed in the '60s. I don't think I've ever seen one installed from the factory. That said, Airstream would do 'most anything you wanted in terms of customization then.

Most of the coaches had galvanized pressure tanks that had to have pressurized air pumped into them until sometime in the mid-to-late'60s. The faucets would run until the pressure was equalized, then you'd have to pump it up again. They worked ok, but lost pressure pretty quickly as water absorbs air, and the lower the water level, the more you had to pump. The fill neck cap outside had a Schrader valve built into it, and that's where you pumped. Some of the later trailers that were still equipped with the air-pressure water system had electric air pumps installed. My guess is that someone grew tired of pumping air and had the hand pump installed on the sink. It was a common feature of mid-to-late '60s vintage campers in general to have both a city water faucet and hand pump setup such as yours.

Roger