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ttbikes · 11-02-2014, 10:48 AM

I am in the process of restoring a 64 Tradewind. I am keeping the interior and exterior as close as I can to original but modernizing the mechanicals. I am currently thinking about 2 exterior problems. The first is I am replacing the exterior refrigerator vent cover with one I got from VTS. It is slightly different than the current one which is flat on top. The new one is more sloping on one side than the other. Does the sloping side go to the front or the back of the trailer? The second question is about the external TV antenna (Mast on the outside left) and the external radio whip antena on the left. I think the trailer would look better with them removed but realize they have some historic value to the trailer. Do any of you have an opinion about whether I should take them off or repair them to new condition. The whip is connected to a Lear Jet Radio/8 track and the TV antena is connected to 60's era TV wall jacks inside.

millertimeUS · 11-02-2014, 12:14 PM

Eh I would say it's up to you. Plenty of trailers never came with that option so you could say it would be still be original and would perhaps better suit your taste. Removing them would both increase the streamlined look and get rid of unnecessary gear if you don't intend to use them.

I personally would remove them, the top holes are easy enough to handle, the whip antenna holes were discussed on The VAP recently. As I recall Colin said they took the registry plate that is lower down and reriveted it over the whip antenna entry hole and it looks great and fill the holes from the plates original position with rivets.

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76 'Airstream Tradewind

dbj216 · 11-02-2014, 06:27 PM

Hello ttbikes.

I have a 66 Trade Wind that had a rotten rear subfloor around the toilet as well as missing appliances and fresh water plumbing. So I have had busy times repairing that and adding waste water tanks, PEX plumbing, etc, etc. I removed the old TV antenna and the old radio antenna as I just didn't like the way they looked. I have not patched all the holes yet.

My mission is making my old Trade Wind a fully functional camper with the basics folks expect in a modern camper like gray water storage. I am not doing a restoration for the show circuit where points are awarded for originality. In fact, I couldn't do it as I don't have the skills necessary. Restoring that old toilet, or water heater, or furnace, or fridge is beyond me. I do like seeing the old trailers, especially the ones on display at Jackson Center.

So I don't think most folks would miss that old TV antenna pole at all.

David

68 TWind · 11-02-2014, 06:41 PM

I tried to keep my 68 as original as possible but with all new mechanical. I did leave the ball mount telescoping radio antenna as it worked (hooked up to an old Kraco cassette am/fm that works great so why change). I use the antenna mast to mount an HD "bat wing" antenna I got at WalMart when we need it and remove it for travel. I removed the round plate where the 300ohm twin lead for the TV entered the trailer. I put a coax cable "F" connector mounted on a piece of aluminum to cover the hole. Inside I ran the coax around the perimeter to the curb side overhead cabinet. We have a shelf where we set our small LCD TV and I just drop the cable out of the cabinet when needed. When camping I just hang the antenna on the mast and raise it then plug it in to the connector. Works great, simple and the greatest expense was the coax. PM me if you would like to see a pic, I'll be glad to send you one.

TouringDan · 11-02-2014, 10:53 PM

I agree with MillertimeUS position.

I use a Jack antenna mounted on top of a removable flag pole when we want to watch tv. We keep a coil of antenna wire at the front of the trailer that feeds out to the Jack antenna for the signal and to power the amplifier in the antenna. You can look at my link under "dans 66 tradewind improvements". It works quite well for us.

Dan

ttbikes · 11-03-2014, 11:44 AM

Thanks for your replies. It is good to see how others have handled the same problem. I think the antennas kind of junk up the front of the trailer but at the same time taking them off would result in a patch job. I am leaning toward keeping them and restoring/modernizing their original functions. Like the rest of you I am looking to preserve the history of the trailer while making it usable. It is easy to make the decision to relace the axel. When people come and ask if they can see inside (as they do as soon has you park) it would be fun to have the whip atenna up and some oldies playing on the radio.

Did anyone have an idea on the refrigerator vent? I called VTS but the guy in the know was on vacation.

MarkR · 11-03-2014, 04:51 PM

i believe the bigger "shoulder" heads into the wind, and the more sloped end trails behind . . . if you're talking about the cover i'm thinking of (part number VTS-402). that's how i installed mine and it looks right to me.

dbj216 · 11-03-2014, 08:09 PM

My old plastic vent cover was cracked. So I opted for an aluminum one like on my 86. It cost like $60 compared to plastic at like $20. I think VTS has the plastic one and Inland has the aluminum one.

David

Skatiero · 11-03-2014, 09:13 PM

Nice, David. I need to order one.

ttbikes · 11-04-2014, 12:34 PM

I got VTC to confirm that the sloping end goes to the rear of the trailer. I like the one from Inland. If the one I got dies before I do i may go to Inland for the next replacement.

Wayne&Sam · 11-04-2014, 01:59 PM

ttbikes- time trials?

beatrix1 · 11-08-2014, 10:56 PM

We have a 1961 Tradewind and are doing something similar. We kept the TV antenna rotator assembly/pole and attached a new digital antenna to it (what is now the King antenna). It works GREAT! The old rotator assembly moves the new antenna. I mounted the signal meter just above the electrical outlet above the sofa in the front of the trailer and ran two new coax lines to a point just forward the streetside wheel well that came back inside to feed the tv over the fridge and the bedroom tv. We left the whip antenna on the side as it just looks great. I am still trying to figure out if I can do something with it and my router assembly. Been fun getting this old trailer going with keeping as much of the original but still keeping it functional. Now if I can just get the Dometic 50 to figure out there is a temp between 15 degrees and 60 degrees!

ttbikes · 11-09-2014, 08:35 AM

Thanks Beatrix1. Would love to see pictures on how you mounted the TV antenna if you have the time.

beatrix1 · 11-10-2014, 08:24 PM

So here are three pics of the new antenna. The pole was intact, as was the directional gear box. I mounted the new antenna with the stock kit. I removed the UHF gasket and replaced it with a coax gasket inlet. I left enough slack so the antenna can turn. I drilled two quarter inch holes for a cotterless pin. One keeps it in place so it does not turn when the antenna is down, the other holds it up at full extension. Works great. Sitting in the backyard we get 30 channels. I am using a channels strength meter inside. Had to fish the cable, but was not too bad.