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10-07-2002, 01:26 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 17
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'61 Tradewind
I have a 61 Tradewind, which we love. We bought it about 3 years ago, and it has been invaluable since. Last year I lived in it for three months during a cross country move to a new job in Colorado. It performed great.
This summer, only had it camping in the Rockies twice, due to replacement of the 88 350 Suburban tow vehicle for a 96 454 Suburban. Great improvement.
The trailer is...Painted, White. Sorry, I didn't do it.
I purchased it from a retired RV Mechanic (really), in great shape.
Now,
I have plumbing leaks, tire problems, the oven doesn't work, it needs carpeting, The heat has never worked, the refrig door seal is shot, the wheelwells are beat up from repeated tire blowouts, and it needs a new mattress. I guess not bad for 41 years old. I'm 42 and not much better.
I just winterized it, because I won't get these things fixed before the season is out. I need an inside place to work on it, as the driveway is too small.
I am not ready to sell it, but a new Airstream could sway that, although we are in no financial position for that.. We have the new truck set up and it pulls it great, so I guess I need to get to work. After three months in it, I really love it as my home. We just spent 4 days in Moab Utah in it and really had a blast. On that trip we lost the refrig seal, a tire, and did the adjoining wheelwell damage.
I will post serial numbers and pictures later when I get home
__________________
Lee
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10-17-2002, 10:05 PM
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#2
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 17
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Here is a bigger version of the picture.
We are now planning on a slow restoration and travel in the mix.
Thanks for all the help
__________________
Lee
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10-17-2002, 10:18 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1984 29' Sovereign
Savannah
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,478
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tow
Lee~ Great looking tow vehicle~!! I bet it handle just peachie~ (is that a k2500?)
ciao
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10-18-2002, 05:20 AM
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#4
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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looks good, rides nice and level. suburbans are the king of tow vehicles.
john
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10-18-2002, 09:10 AM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 17
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Yes, it is a 7.4L vortec k2500
Bought it on ebay.
Also, I got the serial number of the "Vitamin". It is I-241658-D
Does anyone know what that may signify, I get the 24', and D, I think for double bed, but what else #1658 for serial...?
__________________
Lee
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10-26-2002, 09:12 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1975 25' Tradewind
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 450
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I'm new to the AS site and trying to find my way around. This place I can find again I know! I'm hoping to see more dialog at this site in the future. And we hope to have an AS in the future to talk about. Aproached an owner about selling his '67-'68(?) TW and will have to wait 'til after he hunts and things at their apple farm slow for discussion. Hope to hear from others at this site - I've got questions ! ! suz : )
__________________
sue and ike
'75 Tradewind - 25'
"Cupcake" air-912
2004 GMC Yukon XL 2500
Michigan - "middle of the mitt"
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10-27-2002, 11:20 AM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,718
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61 Tradewind
Greetings Lee!
I believe that you are correct about the 24 indicating the length of 24 feet, the D representing Double bed layout, and I suspect the leading I probably refers to the International option package. The 1658 represents the sequential production number for the plant where it was manufactured.
I agree with you on tow rigs. My current tow rig is a '99 K2500 Suburban with the 7400 Vortec with 4.10 gearing and the 10,000 pound trailer towing package. I special ordered it new from my nearby GMC dealer and it has been a faithful companion for the past 95,000 miles - - and counting. My goal is at least 250,000 miles before replacement is even considered.
Good luck with your Tradewind project!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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07-05-2003, 08:42 AM
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#8
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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How's Repairs Progressing?
Hi Lee - how progress on your '61 Trade Wind coming along? Are you planning on making it silver again? Give us a progress report.
Brad
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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07-06-2003, 10:22 PM
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#9
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 17
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update
New Goodyear marathon tires seem to have fixed the blowout problem. Don't accept anything else for a single axle.
Aluminum on one side is fixed. The other to come. Refrig is fixed.
Plumbing fixed
Everything coming along nicely.
No, it will never get unpainted. The white is mostly trouble free.
Sorry for the delay in answering, we were in the Tetons and Yellowstone. Great trip from here in Grand Junction. We did it in one day back!
Lee
__________________
Lee
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03-28-2010, 09:41 AM
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#10
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New Member
1961 24' Tradewind
Oregon City
, Oregon
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
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I also have a 61 tradewind that I am currently restoring. Any idea what kind of rivets are on there so I can buy a riveter to replace some of the bad ones?
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04-19-2010, 08:02 PM
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#11
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New Member
1961 24' Tradewind
Ipava
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
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i have a 61 tradewind and would like to see pics of what they are supposed to look like inside.
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04-20-2010, 01:47 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
Folsom
, California
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 727
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McBurner, this web site has lots of vintage airstream pictures:
61TW
Can we see what your's looks like inside?
__________________
Aluminumbskull with Led Balloon in Drag
***
Birch Plywood and Aluminum go together like
Peanut Butter and Chocolate
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