62 Overlander - Bettie

[Hittenstiehl]

We were very fortunate to add a 1962 Overlander to our family recently. The early owners took good care of it as it has many original features. The more recent owners made some modifications for their comforts and travel style and the last owners first traveled then lived it it for several years.

This is our first Ohio trailer and may come from Carolina then to Minnesota then west. It has ghost numbers so somebody was a WBCCI member at some point.

This is our shiniest trailer so far. This one has twin beds and solar which we've not had before. Some of the wood interior is still present with a newer bankette that's painted white. The original lamination is loose in some areas and we won't be doing it any favors in our hit AZ sun. (Got to build that garage)

We've already camped in it and it's so easy, considering our last one was empty inside. You can set up camp a lot faster when your items are already in the cabinets versus storage bins.

Since we been asking some questions about her we thought we better get a thread started. She could definitely be the keeper.

[dbj216]

Holy Cow! Your Airstream herd is growing. It's going to be fun to see how you make it even better. It is a dual axle Overlander 26', which I think is important for a trailer of this length. And it will have Dura Torque axles, another plus in my view. My first vintage Airstream was almost a 59 Overlander, but I passed on it because it looked lake a sway going someplace to happen. Here are some photos of it just for fun and comparisons.

Welcome Bettie. We hope to get to know you inside and out.

David

[Hittenstiehl]

Thx David and also thanks for always being such a encouraging cheerleader of these projects and the folks who love them.

So a couple more 62 Overlander photos:

[Hittenstiehl]

Couple more exterior photos:

[Hittenstiehl]

And some interior images. (The prior owners lived in the trailer stationary after some travels)

[dbj216]

Wow! Bettie is beautiful! Someone did an amazing job renovating the old lady into a young beauty. Did you do it? When traveling, you could have an open house hour and charge $5 for a peek inside.

How does the trailer compare to your Ambassador. Maybe the Ambassador has a bigger closet, or a bigger living room up front. I bet the rear baths are pretty much the same, same with the galley.

David

[Slats]

Wow! What a find!

[Hittenstiehl]

Thanks guys!
David one big difference is the Overlander is fully furnished and almost fully functional. The Ambassador (cringe) is still empty and a beautiful aluminum tent. Where does the time go to. The Ambassador will be finding a new home soon.

[Minno]

Wow! You have quite the flock of Airstreams! And to think I knew you when you only had one...
So, I'm puzzled. What is hanging over the beds? Looks like more mattress?
Chris retires at the end of this year, so maybe in a year or so we'll make it out to Arizona for a part of a winter. Would love to see you again!


Kay

[Hittenstiehl]

Kay, Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes we need one of those birdies to fly the coop :-)

We are on our 4th vintage model to date. Started with the 65 TW that's when we met you at the Academy. Moved up to the 62 Ambassador, empty inside but lots of good work had already been done. Added a 61 Globetrotter after realizing a Bambi would never be in budget. Just added this 62 Overlander. We really love the 60s models. We got project paralysis on the Ambassador despite camping in it for 5 years and it's a smidge long for the forest spots we keep trying to tuck it into. After trying to emulate your large full-time bed in our 60s models we realized twins was going to be the fix. I don't like making a bed late at night after pulling in somewhere or coming back from the camp fire at midnight. yes I could make the bed before we go out but then I'm trying to make a bed at 5:00 at night while trying to rush out the door with my potluck stuff. Quite honestly the second half of the gaucho never really sleeps that good. First night in the Overlander on our way home with it we slept great on 10" twin mattresses.

Regarding your question. Yes those are the extra cushions for the front dinette. The folks we bought it from had it set up to live and work in it. They kept the dinette table so it's not pictured there. With the table down the cushions formed the front sleeping surface. Kind of a nice way that they've got them stored, tied up to the bulkhead Marine style.

[truckasaurus]

She looks awesome! Are you going to add AC or will the fans do?

[Hittenstiehl]

Truckasaurus,
These days one surely needs AC as it gets hot in the summer everywhere nowadays. Us living in AZ we could certainly use it even when we escape to the northern forest's in the summer. However I sure do hate to see one on top of a '60s vintage. Much prefer the smooth roofline. Always intrigued when I see a threat about somebody putting one inside like a split air. That's so far down the road the fans will have to do for now.

[Hittenstiehl]

We have a quick trip to the beach, covid safe and vaccinated, trip planned.

Thought we should get the newer to us trailer a quick checkup for roadworthiness before we head out. Trailer mechanic confirmed we do have all original equipment in terms of axles. We have just ordered the new axles through Colin Hyde.

They completed the service after having to special order a seal for the wheel. As they were putting it all together they snapped the tire mounting screw off. Arg, isn't it always like that. Trying to button up the last couple things before a trip and you hit a little snafu.

Further inspection revealed the a second one that was in poor condition. Of course because they're the original Airstream pieces they are skinnier than pieces available. Trailer had to stay and they have to special order a couple pieces. And they can't screw them out easily because back in the day Airstream put a plate on the back of the assembly and riveted it in. So now do we just replace the two that are failing and wonder/worry. Or replace all 24 and then in 10 weeks replace the axle and they'll all be new?

We have a second trailer we could take instead. However the out of our normal comfort zone place that we're staying has approved the 62 by photographs as being worthy of staying in their campground :-) The second trailer is not polished and may not be deemed worthy.

I know we all feel like if we're not deemed worthy then why would we want to stay there. When you make a last minute reservation and that's the only place you can get in without moving during the week sometimes you just bite the bullet.

It's always something when you have a trailer as old as yourself :-)

Just posting some pictures for the curious and for historical benefits.

[dbj216]

Rats, stuff happens when you don't want it too. On the bright side, you might have avoided a catastrophic wheel/brake/axle failure. So when the new axle gets mounted up, you will be new a solid.

David

[Hittenstiehl]

Got it out of the shop new lugs installed. And decided to take it on the trip.

Made some quick little curtains to brighten it up a bit and control sunlight. Yes I know realize it would have been much easier to have the stripes go lengthwise. I'm not a sewer but I can occasionally stitch a straight line. The colored lines actually helped me line it up on this occasion.

There's always so much to do and you always need one more day to get ready but sometimes you just got to go.

[dbj216]

I'm glad you are not much of a sewer. But you did get the curtains made. They look festive. I just used clothes pins and hung up an old pillow case. Did the job. No sewing involved.

David

[Hittenstiehl]

Flying high at the trailer repair shop. There for her new axles, jack and coupler.Attachment 401782