Former owner of an 1960 Overlander A/S (2 years ago), I'm interested by the Caravel model pre68 because I prefer the old red round taillight like my Overlander.
I was failling in love with this small model and now I have a little car with a 2800lbs towing capacity (trailer loaded).
I have already in my garage the US hitch with the 2inches ball and electric brake system.
That I think to know, the Caravel model is relatively hard to find, I wish to buy a Caravel in 2 years approx. because I need to have the perfect budget to buy one, around $15.000, that's right? A model in good condition, no body and frame work needed. The interior can be the original or not.
What do you think about the budget compared to the condition of the A/S?
What is the best year for a caravel, it has many different between 65', 66' and 67'?
It wouldn't be impossible, but you're going to have to be in the right place at the right time to find a $15,000 late sixties, good skin, frame & floor, rolling, Caravel. The pool of fifty+ year-old Airstream Caravels for sale is very small. Comparatively few were manufactured. Seems there are many more 1967 Overlanders for sale than 1967 Caravels. A measurable number of “small", vintage Airstreams have already been exported to around the world. The value of vintage trailers appears to increase as the length and weight decreases. Many of the small trailers… Bubble, Bambi, Caravel, Pacer, Wee Wind, are already “collected”. If I were looking to find one, I would broadly advertise my interest
notes:
'65-'68 Caravel AKA “five panel” (“Panel” refers to exterior end-cap segments, the '64 Bambi II was also a five panel, the '63 Bambi was 7 panel.)
3” frame depth unique to Caravel
Lighter, 5-lugbolt Henshen axle prone to spindle failure
All have unpainted weave embossed vinyl clad interior, no Zolotone paint
All have the same wet-bath, and small above floor black tank
Depending on year and trim options, oak, ash, mahogany, walnut interior
Tail lights can be housed in a casting or plain round tail-lamps let into shell. I don't see any consistency. A 1968 Caravel could have either style. There was an International-“ish” upgrade option, which may account for tail-light configuration
Sometimes slight difference between Ohio and California builds
Older style flat glass in 1965… Curved Philips-Corning glass '66-'68, of which 1968 is least troublesome
Very good history description of the Airstream Caravel. I agree with Aluminuminum that the 68 is very good indeed. I had a 66 Trade Wind and can attest to the "unique" window problems. The 68 is a better design.
Good luck in your search. I restored one will be well over twice your budget. The longer trailers are indeed less cost. Maybe a 20' Globetrotter would be a possibility.
David
__________________
WBCCI #8607 VAC Region 11
KnowledgeBase trailer renovation threads: 69 Globetrotter, 76 Sovereign, 75 Overlander, 66 Trade Wind Such fun !
I agree with David about the GT. They've been around since the beginning, in the form of a small, lightweight Airstream...
The sixties GTs are great campers.
21' 1972GT #3380/420
20' 1968GT #2990/370
19' 1963GT #2770/ 390
The 19' Globe Trotter could be weight trimmed to meet your criteria.
My 1968GT weighs under #3000. My TV weighs under #4000, and has 200HP 3.3L V-6. If I drive smart, I can better 14mpg.
For sway and distribution, I use Reese Mini-lite hitch. I know that the Euro tongue/brake actuation differs.
Just for looks, and general bad-assedness, I'm building a 1968 Chevy Suburban K10 (1/2 ton 4X4) for the GT's new TV. It has cargo rear doors, and its original High Torque 327 4-Barrel, Dual exhaust. It's a project... They'll make a sporting pair.
It takes a long time to find this old junk in the USA.
Good luck
I agree whole heartedly about how the planets will have to align to snag one. I had a '65 GT in the yard behind my mom's get away from me and then got a little more serious. Mine showed up in RV Trader and when the owner's daughter texted me back that it was still available 36 hrs after it was posted, I VINMO'd a deposit after seeing more pics on a friday afternoon and then flew to Houston at 6 am the next day with cash and inspected it and paid for the trailer and got the title. I flew back and put it up on UShip.com to get it home. It was in KC by Wed at midnight, but all the while, it felt like a drug deal, that could go bad. I can say for the cautious buyer, it may be nearly impossible to snag one for a good price.
Yes, I can find an A/S model like a Caravel (Globetrotter or other), I'm looking for Caravel because I've seen that's the lightest model vs Globetrotter / Wanderer etc. except Bambi but this one is too expensive for me.
So, I have a weight imperative, I wish tow the A/S with my daily car (EU car) who accept 1200kgs for towing (2650lbs), I can up to 2700/2750lbs max but this weight is when the trailer is loaded... and I think you wrote for empty weight
Here, my towing system I've already at home (weight distribution and ball mounths in 2" and a 2 5/16") because, like you wrote, the euro system is very different, no travel trailer has electric brake, normally it's forbidden but vintage trailers have 30 years old or more and the law permits this exception.
If I can find an Airstream with good floor, frame and shape with red round rear light, I will be interested (the interior can be not the original). Now I'm not closed to putting $20.000 on the table in order to find a A/S in a better condition.
When I'll be ready to buy one, I have a frind who lives in Austin (TX), he can buy quickly the trailer than me who lives at 10 hours flying...
I like your Chevy Suburban, perfect tow car for an old Airstream.
I agree with you too Docflyboy, sometime to make a very good deal, you have to take risks for transaction... it's a little what I have to do, I send money (20 or 30.000 USD) to a person who could disappear in nature, I could not do anything... but it's the better way to make a good deal, I can't go to USA during 6 monthes and hope that a good deal appears...
Hi, Aluminimunium...so, yesterday, I realized the dream...closed on a 1966 Caravel 17'. Got it for a fair price, but it will need some "refinement." Wondered if you knew anyone in the Hudson Valley NY area that might be willing to go down with me to pick it up - I've never driven a trailer before and need to get through NJ [which can be terrifying in the most nimble of vehicles!] back upstate. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Colin Hyde in Plattsburgh NY is a huge Airstream restoration outfit. He is very well connected in the upstate NY area. He may be able to help you find someone.
A posting in these Forums may also find a retired Airstreamer who could help.
Me, I would plan a route clear around any metropolitan areas no matter how far out of the way. I'm no good in city traffic.
David
__________________
WBCCI #8607 VAC Region 11
KnowledgeBase trailer renovation threads: 69 Globetrotter, 76 Sovereign, 75 Overlander, 66 Trade Wind Such fun !
Thanks for this. I've been in touch with Colin about the refurbishing but hadn't tbought to ask him for a recommendation for help with my maiden voyage. Good idea, especially since even the "back roads" in this part of NJ are quite congested and will require a lot of stopping and starting. Quite the adventure for a newbie...
You mentioned a retired Airstreamer. .also a good thought. Is there a special place to post a request like that?
Aluminuminmum, thanks for the trailer shout-out. I love the layout of this trailer...she's in pretty good shape, all things considered. Yes, "she"...her name is Flo[w].
While I have you both, there has been a lot of "diologue" about whether there is a need for a brake controller. As a newbie, I decided against driving her back to upstate NY without one. I am towing with a Ford Explorer Sport, with a Class III tow package...but it doesn't include a brake controller. Any thoughts on which one I should get for this trailer?
I took my ‘68 Caravel down to Texas from Kansas last week without breaks. No problem. One thing of note was that I had taken out everything preparing it to get a shell off Frame rebuild. The tongue weight is pretty scant even with the benches and galley in the trailer. With the curtains out and on Carlisle bias tires, I could see the aft trailer moving around a fair amount. I put two bags of Home Depot sand up forward of the wheel wells, but will likely tow it once I’ve got my restoration complete with water in the fresh water tank. By the way, Paul at A & P vintage trailers is a source for those of you looking to score your little treasure. He had a 64 Bambi waiting in Purgatory.
Former owner of an 1960 Overlander A/S (2 years ago), I'm interested by the Caravel model pre68 because I prefer the old red round taillight like my Overlander.
I was failling in love with this small model and now I have a little car with a 2800lbs towing capacity (trailer loaded).
I have already in my garage the US hitch with the 2inches ball and electric brake system.
That I think to know, the Caravel model is relatively hard to find, I wish to buy a Caravel in 2 years approx. because I need to have the perfect budget to buy one, around $15.000, that's right? A model in good condition, no body and frame work needed. The interior can be the original or not.
What do you think about the budget compared to the condition of the A/S?
What is the best year for a caravel, it has many different between 65', 66' and 67'?
Many thanks per advance.
Gaël.
Over ten years ago I was lucky enough to find my 66 Caravel through airstream classifieds - I'm assuming you are tracking all the classifieds on line - but you might also check the Facebook page and website for SILVER LADY RESTORATiONS in Oklahoma - she seeks out and restores Airstreams - especially the small ones. And be super mindful of your towing limits - ideally you want a 20% margin between capacity and loaded weight.
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