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Muskie · 10-03-2018, 11:11 AM

Here is a better pic to get the idea. When I originally got my '59, I was told by CanAm that their tow bars could actually work with the 4 cylinder Subaru Forester [I had before I got the van]. But I can't really see that working on such a small engine for hills etc. It still seems like a stretch, but that said, the physics of the system does do wonders apparently. People here on the forum would know more about it than I.

SlocanValley · 10-04-2018, 08:11 AM

Thanks for the info on the Astro Van as a possibility. Still trying to wrap up some unfinished projects in order to put forth a proposal to the committee (wife) to have it accepted as a reasonable project to take on.

I am going to get it before the winter, so I can start the reno over the winter.

Will keep you posted.

So I am just starting to wrap my brain around towing, sway bars and the like. I am going to ask two friends who have their own trailers, to help me tow the Airstream to my house. If they tow trailers I assume they will be able and set up to tow the Airstream a few kms to my house?

Muskie · 10-04-2018, 11:09 AM

I didn't have a truck when i bought mine. I even advertised in Kijiji to hire some one, its worth it..
Buy the thing is what i say, it is a steal. There are so many people wanting this, including myself. I will come get it if you pass!!

good luck, and Can Am is just down the road, and a great resource.

rasmuw · 10-04-2018, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlocanValley

So I am just starting to wrap my brain around towing, sway bars and the like. I am going to ask two friends who have their own trailers, to help me tow the Airstream to my house. If they tow trailers I assume they will be able and set up to tow the Airstream a few kms to my house?

If you are only pulling the trailer a few kms, any half-ton truck should be able to pull it without a special setup. I would keep to roads with a speed limit of 80 km/h or less. Your challenge is with lighting. I'd tow during the day with someone in a vehicle behind with flashers. How kind are the local police?

TouringDan · 10-04-2018, 07:12 PM

Towing this trailer on the ball only with a half ton truck is no big deal. I towed a 78 Caravanner, that I convinced my son to buy, from Chattanooga, Tn to Fort Worth, Tex on the ball only. It really towed about the same as my 66 Tradewind that I always tow with a weight distribution hitch.

SlocanValley · 10-05-2018, 04:40 AM

That's a good idea about someone behind with flashers on. Local police? When they see the sheer beauty of the trailer they will be temporarily blinded and will not even notice the lack of trailer lights

SlocanValley · 05-07-2019, 07:22 AM

It took the entire winter to find the perfect timing to put forth the proposal to the committee and she hummed and hawed for a few days then started to think about the possibilities, as a traveling trailer. She said yes and I went and bought it. $1000 dollars

I can't tell you how many times I drove buy it this winter, just to see if it is still there.

So I have to get the thing to my house (3 or 4kms)

Most of the furniture is in the trailer, just unattached to the walls as someone did some electrical work awhile ago.

First thoughts: This is all new to me but I really want to take my time and do this well, from the ground up.

1. What would the technical name be for when I look for a new axle package? Are some better than others? How can I tell if the one I have has some life still in it?

2.Redo the axle before the build or can it be done after the build without too much trouble?

Looking forward to getting here now as a full fledged member. It was too hard to visit without knowing if I was going to get the AS or not.

Thank you,

Aaron

TouringDan · 05-07-2019, 09:00 AM

Glad that you got it. You have a amazing amount of patience. My committee would always say no, so I would just go out and buy it then ask for forgiveness.

It isn’t a race to complete your build. Do it at your own pace.

Complete your build, then order axles from Colin Hyde.

Dan

SlocanValley · 05-07-2019, 11:16 AM

It won't be for a while but it's nice to start saving for it.

Why would this be a single axle? Was this short lived design for this size?

If so more tongue/hitch weight right?

Question, if this trailer is on a cement pad, could one person maneuver it around? I have moved smaller trailers around, just trying realize if I need a vehicle to move it on a flat cement surface. The weight is 3100lbs approx.

Aaron

Muskie · 05-08-2019, 04:31 AM

Yes, my axle came from Colin Hyde, listen to the Vintage Airstream Podcast for valuable info. He was great, and my mechanic put it on close to the end of my restore. You can get a tongue at vintage trailer supply as well, mine was 50$ US.

I believe these were single axles to manoeuvre easily in tight spots.
Works great, and enjoy.
Keep us posted.
Here is a video of mine on my website [almost finished...!]
https://www.thejawshop.com

SlocanValley · 05-08-2019, 04:41 AM

Pretty sweet set up. As a musician as well it would be great for what you are doing. Is that an actual wood stove? I am interested in heating our with wood heat when possible, alongside other heating sources.

Thanks for the help.

SlocanValley · 05-08-2019, 07:12 AM

So I can't move the trailer to my place yet but I was able to go and clean it up a bit, take stock what is there and take some initial photos. Most of the furniture and wood has been removed from the walls already as someone has attempted to redo some electrical.

Initial thoughts after the first few hours with the old gal:

I am planning a full gutting and build from the ground up.

I like the wood cabinets and will try to reuse and or repurpose the upper cabinets.

Looking forward to preserving some old but creating a new more open interior.

SlocanValley · 05-08-2019, 07:18 AM

Trying to figure this out sooner than later.

SlocanValley · 05-08-2019, 07:46 AM

Trying to remedy the picture sideways thing.

SlocanValley · 05-08-2019, 07:50 AM

More pictures, it seems to work if you resave the pictures.

I want to repurpose the bathroom cabinet, put a nice plane live edge piece of wood on the top, square off the rounded edge, or fill it in for a coffee table/storage inthe living room area.

Muskie · 05-09-2019, 04:43 AM

Pics look great, very remininsant of my project. Lots of head scratching and ideas floating around I bet.
Yes the woodstove is great. Its a Mini woodstove [grizzly] made in quebec. Its about 1000$ all in. Easy enough to install. There is a lot of heat loss in the windows, but I am using insulation boards to remedy that. Let me know if you need help with info on that. I split fire wood and use my chop saw to make small logs..
One thing I would say is at the stage you are in, the realities of the retore will trickle in. I had to re-do the floor, and when that happens [probably a given] then the other jobs add up. When the belly pan is removed....yadda yadda..frame, C channel...
The cabinets in mine I thought i would repurpose, but when i realized my plan, I ended up trashing them [keeping hardware etc] and starting new. It was easier, and a great opportunity to design for my needs as a musician and dad. I guess what i am saying is you may find your priorities will change when you see the floor and frame. I'm not finished yet, I still have to put a new Belly pan on. I re-did the electrics [new panel and Mic leads in walls] and have no pluming. Its easier to just bring water, and the compost toilet is great. Its more like camping, oddly doesn't smell. The thought of adding running water and tanks etc... weight and hassle..
Weight distribution is something I wish I considered more, but I have added more tongue weight to remedy it.
I am looking to get a better TV, probably an F150.
Keep us posted and feel free to ask me anything directly as we are close by. I'm no export, but my 59' Tradewind looks a lot like your 62'!
-p

SlocanValley · 05-09-2019, 07:04 AM

Yes thank you, a lot to chew on there. I think the realities of the restore are hitting my wife more than me just yet. It will with time I am sure, for me.
Yes many ideas in the mixing pot. Starting to catalogue them with screenshots from all the videos. I think the main thing is to get all the stuff out of it, store the wood cabinets for later planning. Get it down to the floor and walls. Then spend some time in there with paper and pencil, measuring tape and get the ideas going. What did you do with your walls? Paint over the old paint or strip down to the aluminium?