Airstream 5th wheel

[Pahaska]

I took these photos several years ago, but did not post them at the time since there was a possibility of a magazine article. I just ran across them again.

This trailer was at Camper Clinic in Buda, Texas for repairs. I understand that it is currently on a ranch in the area in a permanent location.

It was supposed to have been owned by Howard Hughes, but that seems very improbable. It is a combination of some very expensive outside modifications coupled with some real southern engineering inside. With all of the wood, it has to be grossly overweight.

I will post more photos tomorrow.

[Mr & Mrs S]

Netto! Id love to have a 5th Wheel Airstream, but it have to be shiny aluminum of course! Neat though, thanks for sharing!

[Journalist]

The outside is very well done, but that interior is horrible.
And aren't ALL 5th wheels grossly overweight??

[SteveH]

I believe that's the trailer that was built by Dee Howard at the Dee Howard company here in San Antonio years ago. He passed away a few years ago.

Anyway, the Dee Howard Company specialized in modifying and refurbishing the interiors of large aircraft for anyone willing to pay the price (mostly middle east oil countries) and was located at the San Antonio airport.

I'll show this thread to a friend of mine who used to work there to be sure.

[SteveH]

OK, just confirmed it with a guy that used to work at Dee Howard's, and that's the trailer that was built there.

[slowmover]

That does look like a Dee Howard-styled & colored paint job! He was one talented guy:

From: Airport-Journals.com





The Howard 500 an executive transport heavy twin powered by DC-6 engines.


Cool enough that there is a FlightSim for it!

.

[jump]

saw a gooseneck airstream in pampa, texas a few years ago

[Mr & Mrs S]

Originally Posted by jump

saw a gooseneck airstream in pampa, texas a few years ago<img src="http://www.airforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=122948"/>

Wow wonder what that was like to tow? Without changing the suspension wouldn't that be difficult to tow level?

[slowmover]

Believe I'd rather put the A/S on a flatbed gooseneck trailer than trust that conversion.

[Pahaska]

Big hunking generator hung under the overhang. Hydraulic jacks driven from manual valves on side of trailer. Fancy control panel.

Some of the woodwork was impeccable, other details were quite crude.

I wonder who this was built for. The owner claimed it was Howard Hughes, but I can't find any evidence that that could be true. Obviously, there was a pile of money put into that conversion.

Forgot to add the photos. They will be on next post.

[Pahaska]

The photos.

It really looks like it was never completed. Maybe they ran out of money.

[Catldog]

Came across these pics recently,I believe it was built by Dee Howard.I had an experience with this rig in the mid 90's.I was was working for Jim Goode ,the founder of Goode Company BBQ in Houston.He bought this trailer & we made it into a portable fishing camp.It actually pulled very easily with a one ton dually power stroke.if I remember correctly the floor was either pecan or mesquite hardwood.the wallls were cedar tongue and groove.This trailer was very nice when we completed all 40' of it.it had dual bunk beds electric refrigerators,dual roof airs ,hydraulic levellers ,propane generator.The hitch was an upside down fifth wheel with the pin on the truck bed.I hauled this rig all up and down the Texas coast to different fishing sites for Jim..God Rest His Soul as he passed last year.lost all track after I left there in 98. jg

[Alluminati]

Hmm,... I thought it was common knowledge that AS made 5th wheels. Didn't make too many of them, not too popular. Nobody wanted a "Squarestream". But they were made nonetheless.

Take a looky here:

http://www.viewrvs.com/5th-wheel/air...5thwheel_b.php

Actually I wouldn't mind having one at all!

PS. Don't believe the claim that only 5 were made. It may have been in the low hundreds.

[kb0zke]

Jo Ann likes the looks of that one. I wonder if any are for sale? Have to look.

[xrvr]

I don't think square streams were fifth wheels, oops, I'm wrong.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Alluminati

Hmm,... I thought it was common knowledge that AS made 5th wheels. Didn't make too many of them, not too popular. Nobody wanted a "Squarestream". But they were made nonetheless.



Take a looky here:



http://www.viewrvs.com/5th-wheel/air...5thwheel_b.php



Actually I wouldn't mind having one at all!



PS. Don't believe the claim that only 5 were made. It may have been in the low hundreds.

The number manufactured must be low. I've seen one advertised in past dozen years. Were it hundreds there would be threads on them, is my thinking.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[gypsydad]

Have you folks seen this one? I was looking at going to Big Bend next week, and stumbled across this on a website...
http://nomadairstream.com/customize/airstream-skydeck/

By the way, any advise on Big Bend is appreciated...thinking 3 nights should do us, but not sure where to stay...also any advise about going into Mexico or visiting surrounding area is also appreciated...

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Have you folks seen this one? I was looking at going to Big Bend next week, and stumbled across this on a website...
http://nomadairstream.com/customize/airstream-skydeck/

By the way, any advise on Big Bend is appreciated...thinking 3 nights should do us, but not sure where to stay...also any advise about going into Mexico or visiting surrounding area is also appreciated...

We stay at the commercial RV park at Study (pronounced Stoo-dy) Butte. Full hookup and convenient to everything in the park, Terlingua, Lajitas, and the river road. The RV parks in the park are quite limited and far from everything.

You need to drive at least a few miles of the river road, FM 170, from Lajitas toward Presidio. The first few miles are awesome! We usually go all the way to Presidio for Mexican food and stop at historic Fort Leaton State Historic Site, near Presidio.

If the water is not too high, hike into Santa Eleana canyon. You can go about 1/4 mile into the canyon on foot.

[gypsydad]

Been awhile since this post was active, but I was at CamperClinic yesterday in Buda, and spied this big Airstream 5th wheel in the back...sales guy said it used to belong to Howard Hughes, was lined with cedar....did not get a chance to look inside...He told me there were only 2 made of this model....note the double doors. Looks very heavy for sure...would love to see inside. May go back up there today.

[slowmover]

It was built by aircraft industry Dee Howard Company, San Antonio.
Not for Hughes.