'72 Tradewind 25' Full Monty

[Monza]

Here is my full Monty on my '72 Tradewind 25'. I'll start with a few pics from the day I inspected the trailer and bought it.

[Monza]

Drove it home. Basically every thing 'worked' sort of? There was normal floor rot for it's vintage, some half a$$ plumbing and a few questionable repairs through out. I didn't really mind as the plan has been a full frame off restoration. The interior actaully didn't look to bad for its age, but I planned on a full renovation, it's not like '72 Airstream was a mid century modern classic in the interior. Plastic, fake wood stickers, bad upholstery through out. Again no problem or surprise here as it's getting the full Monty.

[Monza]

Ok that's getting annoying, no idea why the pictures are rotating. The last batch I uploaded I even rotated them the opposite way before uploading. I'll to a little searching to correct that problem before I add more pictures.

[Monza]

Testing photo

[Monza]

My local economy is oil price based so right after I bought the trailer the price of oil tanked and my trailer budget evaporated over night.

Ok now we have to fast forward two years...

It sat in my driveway for two years, but that did give me the chance look at the fourm lots, plan, and fiqure out my plan.

Here or my pictures from my day one of deconstruction and demo.

[Monza]

Day one went fairly well I think. I only found one interesting critter home.
Don't know what, but they stored and stashed away this dog food and maybe rabbit food or maybe poison?
The dog food fell to the ground as I opened the front lower panel.

[dmbecke]

Looks like a fun project
Keeps us posted

[Monza]

On the interior I did save both end caps that I plan on reusing. I also saved the entire rear bathroom, fridge, oven and trashed pretty much every thing else.
I've also been busy ordering parts when not working on the trailer. So for my parts on order are:

Dometic CU434 oven/range
Dometic Penquin II low profile AC unit
Suburban 20btu furnace
Natures Head Composting Toilet
Maxxair roof vent x2
Vitrifrigo dp-2600

Bought a few sinks from Ikea.
Also ordered a tool order and rivets, every thing I need I need I think from Aircraft Tool and Supply.

[Monza]

I did debate and research on keeping the fridge and oven that are original. Asked a bunch of questions on the forum and came to the conclusion of going new. I'm also relocating the rear bath to a mid bath.
So up for grabs I have a Dometic fridge from '72 ( it works on 110 for sure as it's been my beer fridge in my garage during deconstruction) a Magic Chef oven, looks like it's never been used. But is also ugly and would need some love. A complete rear bath. Located in Western Canada so keep that in mind if you wanted parts.

[Monza]

Originally Posted by dmbecke

Looks like a fun project
Keeps us posted

Thanks dmbecke I'll try and keep everyone up dated and yes should be fun.

[Monza]

Here are some pictures during day two of renos and where day two finished off.

[Monza]

So I'm pretty much ready to pop the top and pull the frame out from underneath. I've bought all the wood to build the gantries. I have the lower trim removed and ready to tackle the elevator bolt removal.
A few days off to the lake and should be good to go when I get back.

AND then... I broke my ankle. I wish I had some hard core adventure to detail my ankle break but I don't, stupid accident on a small rope swing. Snap... oh great Dave just broke the rope swing branch, nope that was my ankle and it was ugly. I guess that why they call them accidents.

So I'm in a remote location in northern Alberta, make my way to the local closest small town hospital- Athabasca. X-rays and yes it broken. It' long weekend, Canada Day, I need to get back to Calgary for surgery, tough it out for a few days on T3's and bourbon so the family can enjoy the lake.

Back home and surgery done, two weeks manadatory foot elevated and no weight on it for six weeks. Progress on the trailer comes to a halt.

No wait I can get this thread started and updated. I can finalize my plans and order remaining parts. I'll have a few questions on a few things I'm still debating.

Stay tuned. Maybe I'll post some gore with ankle pics?

[Monza]

My wife dropped this beside me, "maybe you can start using this."

Maybe I can, don't have too walk as far...

[Monza]

What's next?

Being limited on my mobility I'll be tighting up my plans, finish up ordering the remaining major systems needed.

Here's the list:

Finish floor plan.
- almost done just need to make it to scale and a pretty diagram.
Plumbing plan.
- I have it done in my head, just need to get frame out, subfloor off and detail that plan.
Frame out and rebuilt as needed. ( that would be done now if I wasn't broken)
- new sub floor.
Electrical plan. The basic wiring of it is easy enough, the hard part is choosing the 'system' to go with. Discuss this more later.
Water seal all seams, check all rivets, replace as needed.
Install Maxxairs, AC unit.
Remove and reseal all windows.
Get it all back together and start the build! ( big discussion on its own)

Major purchases still needed: (still debating and researching)

Water heater.
-Narrowed it down to a precision temp RV 550

http://www.precisiontemp.com/rv-and-...v-and-trailer/

- just haven't pulled the trigger yet. They are expensive and I'm reading when they break, they generally get replaced compared to tank units that are cheaper and repairable. ( I have a Atwood 6g that came out of the trailer that *might work)
- please talk me into the Precision unit

THE BIG DEPaTE

The electrical system, easily can become the biggest cost factor of the entire build. Fancy controllers/invertors/chargers, solar- how much, batteries- which kind, etc etc. So many opinions, so many options, so many directions to go, so many different price ranges. It's by far the most daunting decision of my entire Airstream project. It's my most lacking knowledge base and skill set of the entire build.

Looking for help.

I already own a Semlax 135w portable panel kit. I have the PD 9160A that was in the trailer, I'll assume it works. I'm planning on a 30 amp system.

The wife thinks full hook up trailer sites will be what we use most, with short boondocking trips. I love the idea of off grid living. I see off grid boondocking becoming more of a thing as the kids get older, girls 6 &9. If my wife sees how well it can work, I think we'll do more boondocking then she thinks...

My thoughts are get quality inveter/charger/controller system that I can expand upon with more solar down the road. But I also have the chance now to easily install rails and solar on the roof.

[SuzyHomemakr]

Instead of installing everything electrical under the sun, just in case you need it, may I make another suggestion? If you design your electrical runs to be modular, you can do all of the wiring now, when it's easy. So you would be going from junction box to junction box, with both 12V and 110V. Lay in nylon strings between areas, in case you need to pull more wire. I've got wires for solar installed, but no plans to ever use them, as we mostly do campgrounds down here in Florida. Maybe lay in some conduit? Or leave areas behind cabinets easily accessible, so that you can add goodies at later dates.

At least with me, I've had any number of perfectly great ideas that upon further reflection, turned out to be stupid. Designing systems with this in mind, that can be easily changed out, has made me a much happier camper!

[Streamracer]

Keep up the good work. Hate to hear about your accident, but maybe it will all heal okay.

[Monza]

Originally Posted by SuzyHomemakr

Instead of installing everything electrical under the sun, just in case you need it, may I make another suggestion? If you design your electrical runs to be modular, you can do all of the wiring now, when it's easy. So you would be going from junction box to junction box, with both 12V and 110V. Lay in nylon strings between areas, in case you need to pull more wire. I've got wires for solar installed, but no plans to ever use them, as we mostly do campgrounds down here in Florida. Maybe lay in some conduit? Or leave areas behind cabinets easily accessible, so that you can add goodies at later dates.

At least with me, I've had any number of perfectly great ideas that upon further reflection, turned out to be stupid. Designing systems with this in mind, that can be easily changed out, has made me a much happier camper!

Thanks SuzyH
You make some good points. I do believe I'll be using solar more and more so I think I might as well install what I need and expand from there.
I've always thought adding some conduit around the walls would be a good call with tees coming off in logical places to pull wires in the future.

[Monza]

Originally Posted by Streamracer

Keep up the good work. Hate to hear about your accident, but maybe it will all heal okay.

It will heal just fine, thanks for your concern. The biggest bummer, besides the broken ankle, is lost time on this project. I had the time all lined up and dialed in to go at it hardcore, day and night and then it's a major set back.

[Monza]

I have most every thing I need for my trailer Reno except the electrical system which I'm still debating my direction.

If your Canadian you might be interested in this service, Montana Shipping Outlet. I have various items sitting there waiting for pick up. Shipping from the US to Canada is expensive, and most items shipped in the US are shipped for free these days. Saves on shipping and any brokerage fees. You can ship any thing there, they hold it until you drive down, pick up and cross the border.
http://www.montanashipping.com

Waiting for pick up I have, axles ( from Inland), Sendel wheels, window & door trim/hardware, Precision tankless water heater, front window rock guard and LED replacement exterior lights. So a trip to Sweetgrass Montana coming up.

Ordered my Michelins LT225/75R16 from Costco.

[Monza]

Now if my ankle wasn't broken I could get to work. Four more weeks in a non-weight bearing cast aughhhh. Here's my upgraded stainless install: