Looking for vin help

[KingBuddy]

I got this attached picture from the seller, they have limited info and believe the trailer is around 17 feet and a 1976 model, but this makes no sense. I am hoping some kind person can help me based on the attached photo.

[overlander64]

Greetings KingBuddy!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstreams!

Originally Posted by KingBuddy

I got this attached picture from the seller, they have limited info and believe the trailer is around 17 feet and a 1976 model, but this makes no sense. I am hoping some kind person can help me based on the attached photo.

The trailer's owner has provided you with a photo of the Serial Number plate, but it doesn't follow precisely any of the patterns published in this guide found on the Airstream website.

My initial thought was that it was a 1977 model based upon the third character, but the second and third characters are typically the length 24 and there wasn't a 24 foot Airstream in 1977 as all Airstream lengths were odd numbers starting in 1969 continuing through most of the 1970s with a few exceptions. Then my thought was 1967, but it doesn't conform to the 1967 pattern either.

It is possible that the trailer may have been a custom which could account for a non-conforming serial number pattern, but I am not that familiar with the post-1966 trailers.

Just based upon the patterns that I have dealt with, I would have decoded the serial number as follows:

I = International Trim Level
24 = Length in Feet (typically Trade Wind)
7 = 1977 model year
J = Jackson Center, Ohio Assembly Plant
741 = Sequential Production Number

The problem for me is that is conforms to the 1967 serial number pattern about as well as it does to the 1977 pattern. I wish that I could provide definitive evidence.

You might try comparing exterior photos of trailer to those on Vintage Airstream Photo Archives to look for matches as well.

Good luck with your investigation!

[azflycaster]

I take is that it is a 1967 Ohio Tradewind

[KingBuddy]

Thanks for the help, I'm going to check it out in person. I believe they must be in error when they say it's 17 foot. I was hoping it was a smaller size, but I'm sure it's in the 20 foot plus range and will be outside my desired weight.

[KingBuddy]

When measuring an airstream is the length body or body and hitch? My Casita is body and hitch, but I don't know if this is a standard practice.

[azflycaster]

Airstream is bumper to ball...

[nvestysly]

Airstream has a reasonably good document archive that can be found at the link below. It's not entirely complete but the documents can be quite helpful:

https://www.airstream.com/owners/doc...ve/product/tt/

You may also want to send a Private Message to 66 Overlander, he's a wealth of knowledge regarding WBCCI as well as VIN information.

For reference, and to see how confusing things can be related to VIN, year, length, models... here are some documents for 1967 and 1977 models. I don't see 27' listed in the brochures for either year. I did see a 17' listed for 1967 but not 1977.

[ColoradoGlen]

I think Overlander64 is on track. I have a 68 Globetrotter and when I was researching the plate number, I came up with similar information except the last three numbers were the model.
When I tried to get a new title, the seller had lost the old one, the sheriffs dept who were charged with inspecting for a new title, wanted to use the plate number instead of the number stamped on the tongue. When I explained and he verified it, he combined all the numbers for a new title. Whatever.