Show us your wheels and hubcaps

[hippiechick]

We are doing a million and one things to our 1966 Tradewind right now but we are looking for ideas for hubcaps as we do not want to pay for the overpriced reproduction ones. We have read that they rust easily and do not stay on the wheels when towing. Would love to see pictures of your hubcaps. Thanks. Valarie

[RareStream]

You might want to upgrade to new 16" wheels. A lot of us have done so. There are also stainless steel dogdish hubcaps available for the 16" steelie rims. Have a look at this thread for some ideas: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f465...ls-109518.html

But, be careful as well. Some have had their wheels snap off the lugs for whatever reason. The info is in this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ys-119932.html

I would keep the old school style though. New modern aluminum wheels don't look right on a vintage Airstream. I do love the 70's slot-mag style rims on 70's trailers though. It's a shame people change those. When I was little that was one of the neatest things about an Airstream; they came with MAG wheels!!!

Please post what you decide to go with! With pictures!

[xrvr]

Originally Posted by RareStream

You might want to upgrade to new 16" wheels. A lot of us have done so. There are also stainless steel dogdish hubcaps available for the 16" steelie rims. Have a look at this thread for some ideas: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f465...ls-109518.html

But, be careful as well. Some have had their wheels snap off the lugs for whatever reason. The info is in this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ys-119932.html

I would keep the old school style though. New modern aluminum wheels don't look right on a vintage Airstream. I do love the 70's slot-mag style rims on 70's trailers though. It's a shame people change those. When I was little that was one of the neatest things about an Airstream; they came with MAG wheels!!!

Please post what you decide to go with! With pictures!

I think the link posted here shows that the wheels were misinstalled. Yes?

[Tn Traveler]

Here you go. Just did the upgrade.

[truckasaurus]

I'm going to go a different way with my project but came across these guys searching. They seem to make a good wheel and can make pretty much any size wheel that a trailer needs and with baby moons. Just another option http://www.wheelvintiques.com

[Norm excella]

Originally Posted by hippiechick

we are doing a million and one things to our 1966 tradewind right now but we are looking for ideas for hubcaps as we do not want to pay for the overpriced reproduction ones. We have read that they rust easily and do not stay on the wheels when towing. Would love to see pictures of your hubcaps. Thanks. Valarie

On our '71 Excella

[Mark Wiltrakis]

Our wheels are steel, powder coated the same shade of blue as the (replacement) "Airstream" and "Tradewind" nameplates from Vintage Trailer Supply.

[kdickinson]

Baby moons - one is unique to the street side the other for the curb side. Who knows why. You can see them in my profile picture. I think these are original to the trailer as I don't believe my Dad ever changed them. I had a rust issue with them but finally got that figured out - happy trails!

[Amybeth]

Here are our hubcaps. Before and after my husband polished them. They are original to the trailer 1972 ambassador.

[Slats]

Here are the ones on our '66 Tradewind that I'm rehabbing. Had the original wheels sandblasted and then painted them with Ford New Holland Tractor blue spray paint from Tractor Supply.

[hippiechick]

Great photos and info. Thanks. Anybody else?

[RareStream]

Of course...you can't go wrong with THE classic Airstream mag wheels:



Even though I LOVE the baby moon/dogdish look, the above wheels SCREAM "Airstream" to me. That is THE classic Airstream wheel...with whitewalls of course!

[AldeanFan]

Our '77 safari came with these 70's Cadillac hubcaps, we've gotten a lot of complements.

[TennTex]

Originally Posted by Amybeth

Here are our hubcaps. Before and after my husband polished them. They are original to the trailer 1972 ambassador.

Amybeth:
Mine looked great like this, too, but didn't stay on past the first full turn. I had them on Dexstar replacement wheels, and they fit snugly. Any tricks to keeping yours on?

Alan

[strshpntrprz]

Bought the truck 23 years ago and replaced the tires and wheels about 20 years ago and when we bought the trailer 15 years ago it was natural to match them, took some work but the work has long been forgotten.

[Amybeth]

Originally Posted by TennTex

Amybeth:
Mine looked great like this, too, but didn't stay on past the first full turn. I had them on Dexstar replacement wheels, and they fit snugly. Any tricks to keeping yours on?

Alan

We replaced the tires, but kept the original wheels. They must just fit very tightly, they have stayed with the trailer for over 40 years. I hope we don't lose them.... :-]

[Docster]

[hippiechick]

Love all these. We are leaning towards painted wheels with the smooth hubcaps but the vintage hubcaps and those wheels look great too. As noted by Alan I've heard many hubcaps have been lost. Where can we find some of these great options?

[BoandSusan]

Originally Posted by Slats

Here are the ones on our '66 Tradewind that I'm rehabbing. Had the original wheels sandblasted and then painted them with Ford New Holland Tractor blue spray paint from Tractor Supply.

Hi there....We have these same wheels on our 66. Where did you purchase the baby moons please. Thank you Susan

[Cruiser6483]

Wheel electric drive .
Cruiser