Finally settled on a 1972 Trade Wind

[CamperFan01]

It’s 6.5 hours away, it’s a great price, looks mostly original inside. Very excited! I’ll be traveling Friday evening, arrive late, camp in it, look it over real good the next morning and then head for home.

[overlander64]

Greetings CamperFan01! Welcome to the world of Vintage Airstream Ownership!

Originally Posted by CamperFan01

It’s 6.5 hours away, it’s a great price, looks mostly original inside. Very excited! I’ll be traveling Friday evening, arrive late, camp in it, look it over real good the next morning and then head for home.

As a long-time Vintage owner (29 years), I must ask the question, have you prepared for the contingencies of towing a Vintage Airstream 6.5 Hours? Some of the things that I am thinking of include:

1. Do you know when the wheel bearings were last serviced and the brakes checked for safety?
2. Do you know how old the tires are and that they are properly rated for the trailer?
3. Are you prepared for the possibility that you may need to rewire the trailer's umbilical cord to match your tow vehicle and that you may need to also install a blade type connector as the trailer may have a pin type connector if it is as original as it appears. Also, be prepared as Airstream wiring colors of this time period do not correspond to the functions as do modern umbilical cord wires. This link may help if you encounter this problem.
4. Are you prepared with the correct sized ball on your draw bar -- for a 1972 Airstream, that should be 2 5/16 - inches.
5. Do you have an assortment of fuses for your tow vehicle's circuits related to the tail lights, and other circuits related to towing?
6. Do you have a heavy duty lug wrench and leveling boards to use in the event that it becomes necessary to change a flat tire on the Airstream during the trip home?
7. Do you have a good assortment of bungee cords and tape to be certain that access panels and hatches are well secured for the trip home?

I would also suggest considering for the trip home a couple of other things as well. First, those wheel covers can be temperamental in terms of keeping them secured and you will have enough to be concerned about on that first tow home so my suggestion would be to remove them and store them safely in the trailer or tow vehicle for the tow home until you can verify that the spring tangs that secure them to the wheels are making a secure connection with the wheel. While those wheel covers may be fairly common, the replacement cost has soared in the last few years. The second suggestion would be that if you are towing with a pickup or large sport utility, take advantage of the "see through" design and open the drapes on the front and rear windows and be certain that the accordion doors or pocket doors are secured in the open position -- this opens things up so you can see through the trailer with the rear view mirror of your tow vehicle.

While some of the links may no longer work, the article Preparing for the First Tow Home on Airstream Central may provide some information that may be of assistance as you get ready for your adventure.

Good Luck with your Tradewind, and Enjoy your Adventure!!

Kevin

[CamperFan01]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings CamperFan01! Welcome to the world of Vintage Airstream Ownership!



As a long-time Vintage owner (29 years), I must ask the question, have you prepared for the contingencies of towing a Vintage Airstream 6.5 Hours? Some of the things that I am thinking of include:

1. Do you know when the wheel bearings were last serviced and the brakes checked for safety?
2. Do you know how old the tires are and that they are properly rated for the trailer?
3. Are you prepared for the possibility that you may need to rewire the trailer's umbilical cord to match your tow vehicle and that you may need to also install a blade type connector as the trailer may have a pin type connector if it is as original as it appears. Also, be prepared as Airstream wiring colors of this time period do not correspond to the functions as do modern umbilical cord wires. This link may help if you encounter this problem.
4. Are you prepared with the correct sized ball on your draw bar -- for a 1972 Airstream, that should be 2 5/16 - inches.
5. Do you have an assortment of fuses for your tow vehicle's circuits related to the tail lights, and other circuits related to towing?
6. Do you have a heavy duty lug wrench and leveling boards to use in the event that it becomes necessary to change a flat tire on the Airstream during the trip home?
7. Do you have a good assortment of bungee cords and tape to be certain that access panels and hatches are well secured for the trip home?

I would also suggest considering for the trip home a couple of other things as well. First, those wheel covers can be temperamental in terms of keeping them secured and you will have enough to be concerned about on that first tow home so my suggestion would be to remove them and store them safely in the trailer or tow vehicle for the tow home until you can verify that the spring tangs that secure them to the wheels are making a secure connection with the wheel. While those wheel covers may be fairly common, the replacement cost has soared in the last few years. The second suggestion would be that if you are towing with a pickup or large sport utility, take advantage of the "see through" design and open the drapes on the front and rear windows and be certain that the accordion doors or pocket doors are secured in the open position -- this opens things up so you can see through the trailer with the rear view mirror of your tow vehicle.

While some of the links may no longer work, the article Preparing for the First Tow Home on Airstream Central may provide some information that may be of assistance as you get ready for your adventure.

Good Luck with your Tradewind, and Enjoy your Adventure!!

Kevin

Great advice! Bearings are good, tires changed last year, current owner towed this July with newer truck so pigtail should be good but will double check it. Definitely taking fuses! Have a new Andersen WDH with 2 5/16” ball. Have a4 way lug wrench, and will take jack and boards. Taking bungee cord,
Zip ties and gorilla tape, I’ll remove hubcaps (thanks for that!). I’ll be towing with a 24’ f250 and will make sure it’s see thru for ride home, I plan on adding a rear camera, like I have on my 38’ Jayco.

[AldeanFan]

Cool trailer! Good luck getting it home

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by CamperFan01

Great advice! Bearings are good, tires changed last year, current owner towed this July with newer truck so pigtail should be good but will double check it. Definitely taking fuses! Have a new Andersen WDH with 2 5/16” ball. Have a4 way lug wrench, and will take jack and boards. Taking bungee cord,
Zip ties and gorilla tape, I’ll remove hubcaps (thanks for that!). I’ll be towing with a 24’ f250 and will make sure it’s see thru for ride home, I plan on adding a rear camera, like I have on my 38’ Jayco.

Super and congrats! Sounds like you are well-prepared.

One additional concern I have given your location in WV, is freezing temps. Is this trailer fully winterized? Will you be able to test all systems prior to purchasing? Will you be able to re-winterize for the tow home?

[Peter417]

You might read through my drama and try to make some improvements.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f36...ml#post2762632

[Camper Crazy]

Congratulations! I hope you will consider posting some pictures of your trailer before you make any changes. I bought a 1972 overlander in well cared original condition. A lot of dark wood, but the avocado green carpet had been changed out. Such fun making the cosmetic changes. Good luck for the trip home.
CC

[Glenritas]

Congratulations on your “new” acquisition, Enjoy the adventure .

If for some reason in the future you decide to make major improvements take a look at my build thread for some insight on what you may get into .
Just click the link in my signature.

[CamperFan01]

Originally Posted by Glenritas

Congratulations on your “new” acquisition, Enjoy the adventure .

If for some reason in the future you decide to make major improvements take a look at my build thread for some insight on what you may get into .
Just click the link in my signature.

Thanks! Unfortunately that deal fell thru because of distance and timing, but, I did finally end up with a 1957 Flying Cloud which was given to me, only had to drive 5 hours one way. It’s totally roached out inside, the body is in decent shape, I’m in the process of gathering the needed tools/supploes and will begin with frame repair soon (there is some welding in my future), then floor replacement, then build out.