1948 Liner

[Jim Carmichael]

I have purchased a trailer that is titled as a 1948 Airstream GT which I think is short for Globetrotter. The serial number is 4011 on the title which should be a 1949 or 1950 as far as I can tell. Looking at the data plate on the trailer I think it is actualy 1011 and the first digit was sort of double stamped making someone think it was a 4 rather than a 1.

Jim Carmichael

[InsideOut]

First off...welcome to the Forums!

Something doesn't sound right here....in '48 there wasn't a GlobeTrotter model...I don't believe the GlobeTrotter name was used until 1961, but I could be wrong.

Do you have any pictures of it? Either the trailer or the data plate would be helpful.

Also, these links could help ID it...

Vintage Photo Archives

and/or

Vintage Airstream Features

Any additional information you can provide would be helpful...post back what you think you have!

Shari

[Jim Carmichael]

I tried to add a picture to my post but did not know how to do it. I was able to add a picture to the photos section under the title of 1948 Globetrotter.

Jim Carmichael

[InsideOut]

Well, the age looks right...definately a late 40's model. VERY cool! How long is it?

Looks like a 1947 Liner to me, the GlobeTrotter would have most likely designated the interior layout. If you check out the 1948 Liner page, it shows a "GlobeTrotter" layout.

Shari

[Jim Carmichael]

I have not measured it but I think it's about 22' long. I do know my Airstream serial number plate is square but I didn't check where it was built. I will check that out. It really does look like a liner so that may be what it is. I don't know what the GT on the title is for.

[Jim Carmichael]

Well it appears I may have posted in the wrong section so I will move to the Liner's section. Thank you for all of your help.

Jim Carmichael

[Jim Carmichael]

I have just purchased a 1948 Airstream serial # 4011 that is according to the title a 48 Airstream GT which I thought was short for Globe Trotter but I think it just means the type of interior on this one. It is in pretty bad shape and the frame has broken through the floor but I can repair it by building a new frame if needed.

Jim Carmichael

[flyfshr]

Congratulations!! Glad it found a good home. Post some pictures so we can all share in your excitement.

FF

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by Jim Carmichael

I have just purchased a 1948 Airstream serial # 4011 that is according to the title a 48 Airstream GT which I thought was short for Globe Trotter but I think it just means the type of interior on this one. It is in pretty bad shape and the frame has broken through the floor but I can repair it by building a new frame if needed.

Jim Carmichael

Hi Jim:

Congratulations on your purchase! The name "Globe Trotter" for a 22' Liner identified a certain floor plan that had some early self-containment features (by 1940's standards, not today's standards). The round corners on the Hehr side windows suggest to me your trailer is a 1949 to 1951 model; earlier Liners typically had square cornered Air-O-Lite brand windows, but yours could be an early adapter of the later windows.

The 4011 serial number is unusual for a 22 foot Liner. Most 22' Liners had serial numbers ranging from 1001 to 1481 or thereabouts. What factory address is given on the serial number plate? Does your trailer have a centerpole frame (one pole running full length with outriggers like a fish back bones) or a ladder frame (parallel rails) that ends the the front like an "A"?

I'd love to look at a good photo of the serial number plate, as well as more photos of your trailer. Good find.

[Jim Carmichael]

I will try to post the picture of the serial number plate along with the interior pictures showing the frame damage. I think it must be a 1949 model with the single pole frame and round windows but the title said 1948. According to the Airstream site it was not unusual to have the wrong year listed on the title.

Jim Carmichael

[Over59]

I think you win this year's newest oldest trailer honors. Resurrecting such a treasure will get you lots of Aistream Heaven points for sure.

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Hi Jim:

I'd love to look at a good photo of the serial number plate, as well as more photos of your trailer. Good find.

Jim:

Thanks for posting the additional photos. Could your trailer's serial number be 1311? That would fit for an early 1949 22' Liner, and the shape of the numbers on your s/n plate might be 1311 (although the photo resolution is too low for a clear answer).

Your trailer has the centerpole frame, clearly visible inthe "axle" photo. The two side rails probably extend forward only the length of the springs. In later production Liners, those side rails extended forward of the front door for increased frame strength and stiffness.

The wall "shadow" of the two closets toward the rear interior are consistent with the floor plan for a 22' Globe Trotter Liner.

You might consider making a new and stronger 6 inch deep ladder frame on which to mount the floor and your Liner body. Bud Cooper did this with his 1948 Liner. His frame (and trailer) came out beautifully and is super strong, very capable of handling the additional weight of upgrades and modern features in an old wrapper.

[Jim Carmichael]

The Serial number of the trailer is very clear on the last three numbers and only the first number is stamped poorly. It could either be a 4 with a missing front section or possibly a double stamped 1. I would like to verify it with another stamping but don't see one on the hitch area, anyone know where else they might have stamped it?

[53flyingcloud]

Inclined to think it's 1011.
Call in "CSI"..
Could be possible, that in the distance past somewhere, it had a sorid turn in its history?? Maybe an attempt to confuse the original numbers even??
Just a suggestions..lol
ciao
53FC

[Ask Ernie]

Does anyone know the address for the site with a frame-off of a 48/49 pipe frame repair? We're putting together more info on this issue. Frame separation!