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AV8 · 11-16-2003, 08:17 AM

I am on the “hunt” for a tradewinds from 69 on. My reasoning is, it is the smallest AS that I can reasonably fit my family of 4 (boy 10, girl 12). The reason for 69 on, is from what I can understand, the body style has a bit more headroom than the earlier units (I'm tall).

So much for the background, the question is, I thought some units had a “wet bath”. A combined shower and toilet that causes most of the bathroom to get wet if you take a shower. Does anyone know what model years have this “feature”, I would like to avoid them.

overlander64 · 11-16-2003, 10:45 AM

Greetings AV8!

From the time period that you are considering, the TradeWind would likely have had a full-width (or nearly full-width) rear bath. Depending upon which year is involved it may have either a small 3/4 tub (with shower) or a stall-type shower.

In general, with the Vintage coaches, wet baths were generally more common in the smaller single axles. (The TradeWind was a single axle trailer with optional tandem axles through the beginning of the 1964 model year.) Beginning in 1964 the tandem axles became a standard feature in the TradeWind.

If my information is correct, the TradeWind designation was dropped about the time that the side bathrooms became the norm in Airstreams. There were essentially two fairly typical floor plans with the TradeWinds that I have seen - - Center twin (two twin beds on either side of the center aisle over the axle(s)) or a Center Double with a pull-out double bed on one wall and a wardrobe/dressing table on the opposite wall. Either model may have been ordered with optional "Hammock Bunks" that were essentially canvas covered aluminum cot frames suspended from anchors in the ceiling above the bed(s).

The difference between the ceiling height in my '64 Overlander and a friend's '69 Overlander is actually quite modest (less than an inch of difference) - - the case may actually be similar in the TradeWind as well.

Good luck with your search!

Kevin

Moonshot · 11-16-2003, 05:11 PM

AV8,

I agree that the 24 footer is a good size for a family of four.

We once owned a 63 Tradewind and now own a 79 Argosy minuet 7.3 meter (24 ft). We specifically searched for the Argosy because we liked the size of the Tradewind we once owned.

We like center twins. Maybe not as cozy

, but we like having at least a couple of ready made beds. The kids get the gaucho. Wife and I get the twins. Previous owner built a "bridge" to fit between the twins. I tried talking the wife into using this last Saturday, but she wasn't in the mood.

Our kids are six and four and don't mind sleeping with each other for now. Once they are older I expect Dad and the boy will get the gaucho while Mom and the princess get the twin beds.

For what it's worth, we like the rear bath. The toilet in our 1963 was too tall (pics are in my profile), but the one in the Argosy is fine. At 5'9" I can almost stand up in the shower.

The other option in the Tradewind was gaucho or dinette. I've only had gauchos. Three of us fit fine on the gaucho and the fourth uses a foldup chair if we are all in the "den." Maybe a dinette would accomodate four people better in this regard. We are ok with our setup as is though.

Never heard of anything over 22' having a wet bath. Isn't it odd that the new Bambi has a separate shower/toilet and the larger 22' Safari has a wet bath??

Scott

uwe · 11-17-2003, 07:14 AM

AV8,
Our 1971 Tradewind has a wet bath. I believe it is the smalles wet bath of all he Airstream trailers of the 70's. It occupies about 70% of the rear cap.
To the curb side, it has a narrow door with a clothes pole inside, and a shelf which has the univolt and a blower motor underneath. i am also 5.9, 200lb +, and had grave concers about it at first.
But now, after owning the trailer for a few years, I am glad for the tradeoff. The tradeoff is more space in the front of the trailer. Most tradewind models that I have seen with the dry bath, had a very short front compartment. The streetside front window was a small window, and the galley had to move forward better than a foot. I personally prefer the larger living quarters.
I believe that if you want a dry bath, and have the same living space as the tradewind with the wet bath, look for a 70's Overlander. It has the same basic layout, roomy in the front, good storage, but comes with a dry bath.
The thing about the tradewind with the center pullout bed is that it has unbelievable storage. With 2 kids you might need it. We retract the center bed parially during the day, and end up with a great lounge to watch tv or read. I like the 25 size, as it is probably the biggest size one can effectively pull with a 1/2 ton Suburban. Well, I do believe I could handle the Overlander size as well, but not a Sovereign or bigger. If I was to buy another trailer ever, it would probably be one in the size of the Overlander.
We're thinking of redooing ours to have a rear bedroom, and side bath.
Good Luck!