1958 Sovereign barn find!

[hahn_rossman]

Hello! I recently was given a vintage trailer. The first caveat was it's location...1641 miles from my home in Seattle. Fortunately I had a friend travelling in western Kansas for business and he was able to stop by and shoot some pictures for me:
GAS_2704 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I loaded up my f250 with everything I could imagine needing and headed east!

Arriving in Wakeeny I was happy to see that the condition appeared as good as the pictures. I disassembled the wheel bearings and repacked the hubs. 25 year old grease is definitely strange stuff. The local tire guy supplied me with some new wheels and tires and after I gimped some magnetic lights onto the rear bumper I was on my was to the metropolis of Lawrence, where my friend lives.

Before returning to Seattle I would like to get the electric brakes working. I don't think there is anything wrong with them mechanically, but the "umbilical" was completely deteriorated from fifty years in the sun.
I'm not sure where the umbilical goes inside the belly pan. Is there some cabinet or other access to the inside end of it? I have a modern 7way ready to install...

[hahn_rossman]

I recently was given a 1958 airstream! It spent nearly all it's life in far western kansas.
I was able to go retrieve it for the long tow back to Seattle. The repack of the wheel bearings was messy, but uneventful. I haven't been able to find where the "umbilical" goes once it enters the belly pan. This is important, because the old one was completely rotted by the sun. I have a new 7way one I would like to install and if anyone could give me some clues about where to look, or what cabinet I need to remove to access it I would be extremely grateful! Thanks!
Hahn Rossman

[dznf0g]

I can't help you....but what a sweet find and deal!

[hahn_rossman]

It was a great deal, but I'm reminded of the Raj bankrupting minor nobles by giving them a white elephant...
I have a free airstream for you! But:
1. It's 1641 miles from you
2. hasn't moved since the 1980's
3. only needs a little updating...

I'm super excited about it, and the tow from wakeeney to Lawrence was trouble free. I have to head west soon, just waiting for the current storm to blow thru. I'd really like to get the electric brakes working before returning to Seattle.
Hahn Rossman

[Tmck]

Looks lika a California build with the tear drop fender wells. On my 1957 the 12 volt wiring enters the belly pan on what would be the drivers side of the tongue/hitch a frame. Mine looks like a shorter version of yours!

[NJtoNC]

ohhh, i absolutely hate you!!!

got pics of the interior?

congrats, and keep me in mind if you decide you want to pass your goo luck on...

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by hahn_rossman

It was a great deal, but I'm reminded of the Raj bankrupting minor nobles by giving them a white elephant...
I have a free airstream for you! But:
1. It's 1641 miles from you
2. hasn't moved since the 1980's
3. only needs a little updating...

I'm super excited about it, and the tow from wakeeney to Lawrence was trouble free. I have to head west soon, just waiting for the current storm to blow thru. I'd really like to get the electric brakes working before returning to Seattle.
Hahn Rossman

Well.....if you don't want to go bankrupt, I'll give you what you paid for it and drive to Washington and pick it up!

[Tmck]

I was able to use existing wiring from the point it entered the pan, and just attached new wires to them. from that point ran new wires forward to the tow vehicle. My 57 did not have electric brakes, don't know when the California plant converted to electric. I installed a new axle with electric brakes on my front axle. Retained the rear axle, just replaced bearings.

[hahn_rossman]

I was hoping to just tie in at the grommet by the frame, but the wiring is literally falling into pieces. Is there anywhere to access it without completely disassembling the interior?
The front axle is electric and the rear hydraulic. It seems like it came that way from the factory, but who knows?
Hahn Rossman

[Tmck]

Never found an access point on mine, my only shot looked like cutting into the belly pan. Just dug in enough to find good wires that were protected from the weather. Going outside now to get you a photo or two

[Tmck]

Hope these helps, seem to be able to only post one photo at a time

[Tmck]

Show split where it enters the belly pan to converter which is located on the fron floor area

[Tmck]

Closer look?

[Tmck]

110 hook up the same as mine? I also had to install a trailer break away switch to meet California regulations

[Jim Clark]

Nice trailer, since I see a lot of tires around the unit I assume you replaced the tires, that is a such a nice unit you don't want to take any chances. Post updates.

[overlander64]

Greetings Hahn!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstreams!

Originally Posted by hahn_rossman

I was hoping to just tie in at the grommet by the frame, but the wiring is literally falling into pieces. Is there anywhere to access it without completely disassembling the interior?
The front axle is electric and the rear hydraulic. It seems like it came that way from the factory, but who knows?
Hahn Rossman

Airstreams with tandem axles from sometime in the 1950s through sometime in the early 1960s were offered with one axle having hydraulic brakes and one axle having electric brakes. My 1964 Overlander was originally equipped in that manner, but was converted to four-wheel electric trailer brakes in the early 1970s. The reason that this option was chosen on my Overlander was that the first owners had a 1957 Mercury Monterey that was equipped to tow with hydraulic trailer brakes while their new tow vehicle was a 1964 Mercury Monterey that was equipped to tow a trailer with electric brakes . . . they switched to four-wheel electric trailer brakes when they sold the 1957 Mercury in the early 1970s.

I can't be of much help with the umbilical cord wiring on your 1958. Your coach didn't miss having a wiring junction box in the bellypan by too many years - - - by 1960, there was a junction box in the bellypan located in the front curbside corner for the umbilical cord wiring.

I spent a number of years teaching school in Western Kansas . . . mostly in Osborne County Northeast of Hays, KS. Winter storms do have a tendency to blow in with some ferocity in that region.

Good luck with your 1958 Airstream!

Kevin

[hahn_rossman]

Thanks for all the replies and general enthusiasm!
I did replace the tires and split rims before moving it. I had called ahead and ordered them from the local tire service. Unfortunately they were not able to get a more appropriate style of rim, but I will address that later.
It sounds like there may not be a junction block for the umbilical? I'm tempted to cut an access hatch into the belly pan, and install one on the frame...Is this crazy talk?

[hahn_rossman]

Here is the airstream on it's first tow in at least a decade!

[pbearsailor]

Originally Posted by hahn_rossman

It sounds like there may not be a junction block for the umbilical? I'm tempted to cut an access hatch into the belly pan, and install one on the frame...Is this crazy talk?

Mine was just wired in directly, no box. If you're just making the trip back to Seattle, I'd just use a set of magnetic mount temporary lights. You are almost sure to have some additional lighting issues if you try to use the original lights. Be mighty nice to have the electric brakes working.

Congrats on what looks to be a great trailer.

-steve

[adonh]

We have seen a lot old old Airstreams being rescued here lately. Where someone else may have just seen an old piece of junk you saw a rare Vintage Airstream that can be brought back to life. keep us posted with pictures of your progress.