Need help on trade wind

[mercury7]

attach8

[mercury7]

att9

[mercury7]

att10

[mercury7]

attach12

[mercury7]

att13

[mercury7]

last

[mercury7]

btw...they have all the external lights....just took them off for the renovation

[mercury7]

attach 12 and 13 are the area under the kitchen part that has obvious rot....approx a 3ft section that extends from the wall about a foot before the floor is obviously completely solid again. to elaborate on my testing method again....I went around the edge with my ice pick and put about 40lbs of pressure and then just judged how far the sharp tip would sink in....except for this kitchen part it penetrated less than a centimeter in the rest of it.

[mercury7]

some bad crops...I regret not taking pics of the tires and axle, it was raining and did'nt think of it...they are rusty but nothing obviously wrong...the tires look good and hold air but will replace soon if I got this.....with only one axle it is the only way I would feel good about it.....still don't know if they are split rims or not but will replace those also if they are.

[flyfshr]

WOW! You'll have a project on your hands but I think you could replace the floor only where it is bad there under where the galley cabinet was without too much difficulty. Just replace up to the main frame rail along the three feet or so where is bad. Is the floor solid at the entry door and under the bathroom cabinet? If so, consider yourself fortunate. The prior owner even took the stuff out for you. Those rims look like split rims to me but really hard to be certain from the angle. Do you happen to know the serial number of this trailer? I can tell from the overhead metal cabinets that it is an Ohio built unit. This one sure has alot of potential. If you plan to put it back together with other than original parts, please post the original hardware, lights and fixtures so others may benefit from them.

Brad
FF

[mercury7]

Thanks Brad....so you think it is ok at 2500....I know I can not talk this guy down further so just want to be sure. yes the floor is pretty solid everywhere else...still did not write down the serial # but the title does list as a 59

[flyfshr]

The amount seems a little high for a trailer with some floor rot, the interior all apart and questionable running gear. I can't tell you if its worth it to you though. Your decision. I can say that these '59 Trade Wind's are a great trailer being a medium size, solid construction and without plastic on the interior. It would be hard to go wrong unless you find more things in questionable shape.

Brad
FF

[mercury7]

I understand, I plan on sinking another thousand into it, redoing the wheels and brakes if it needs it, fixing the floor and adding new electrical throughout, I guess the question I would need to ask myself is if the trailer would be worth 3500 easily after doing that.....not that I am going to sell it, I just want to be in the comfort zone....the other question would be whether or not I could find a better one in that price range.....anyway...I just wanted the experts here to see what I was about to get myself into since I know nothing at all about them.

[mercury7]

probably the shell is the biggest nicety about this particular one, shined up it should look pretty mint from the outside.....I was happy to see no leaks today....

[flyfshr]

Neither did I until 5 1/2 years ago. Read all you can, go look at everyone you can. The learning curve rises very steeply but you'll really enjoy it if you enjoy tickering and working with your hands. Do you know if the interior cabinetry is all there and what are your plans if you get it? What type of camping interests you? How many folks will be traveling and staying in the Airstream? I really prefer the twin bed arrangement with the dinette in the front. It really suites the style of camping we do.

Brad
FF

[mercury7]

ahh, I thought i had told you....this trailer is destined to become a science museum, It called the Mercury7 Science Center http://www.mercury7.com , basically we are putting science exhibits from the smithsonian and nasa and will be traveling to local schools to inspire first and second graders in the fields of science. I am spending funds donated to the center for this purpose and money is very tight and that is why I am trying so hard to ensure I make a good purchase. If this goes well I will be looking for other direlect airstreams for this purpose.....just starting out small because we gotta.

There is enough piled up in there for all the original pieces to be there, I think the applince are stored in a building next to it.....all these things will be either sold or stored in order to keep the value of the trailer as a camper intact. I am going to be careful to only do mods that will only add to the value instead of take away. My hope is to have a trailer for each school district in upstate s.c. for the teachers to use. We will have different themes and exhibits in each one and then rotate them from district to district to keep things fresh and exciting.

[Sugarfoot]

Mercury7, sounds like you've been getting the rain that's been coming through Chattanooga. What a great skin on that Tradewind. A good polishing will do wonders. I think it will make a very appropriate traveling science exhibit, and I'm curious. Will any of the exhibits pertain to the space program around the time of the early 60's? It's a great concept to use a timeless icon like an Airstream especially since I see NASA used Airstreams in their operations. Congratulations on proceeding with the purchase.

[mercury7]

thankyou very much....yes, the smithsonian is providing some apollo relics and we will have a good portion of the exhibits dedicated to space travel....really appreciated your comment. thanks