Multiple serial numbers?

[Airdreamer76]

We just purchased our first airstream today! My husband had gone out to look at it yesterday and sent me a photo of the embossed number on the plate by the door I31T2-S3064 and I decifered it to mean an international sovereign 31’ twin rear bath 1972 made in California.
Today we went back to do the paperwork/ money part and I found another plate by the front tongue hitch that said I29T1-J2499.
So my question is why two plates with conflicting info? Do others have two plates? 1971 or 72? 29’ or 31’? California or Ohio? not that it matters
Thanks for any info. I’m sure I’ll have a million questions as we wade though this daunting road ahead.
TIA,
Dana

[GMFL]

Could be a problem when you go and get the tag for it. Do you have the title? If so what’s the vin # on it. I have never heard of Airstream having two different numbers. You should also be able to contact Airstream about this. They keep decent records. If I had to choose I would go with the vin on the frame plate

[Protagonist]

With one on the tongue and one on the body, it could be that the frame was built in Ohio and the body in California after the frame was shipped there.

But I'm only speculating.

[overlander63]

Please post a photo showing the entire right side of the trailer. If it's a Sovereign, or if it's an Ambassador, we'll be able to tell by viewing a photo.

[Jim & Susan]

How long is the trailer? Airstreams are measured from the tip of the tongue to the end of the back bumper. That can tell you some things. I think there is a link here someplace to the Vintage Airstream website that has pictures of all the older Airstreams. I'll see if I can find it. Compare those to what ya got.

Jim

Edit: Sorry, Terry, didn't see your post. Dana, if you want to see pics of the Vintage models go to the top of the page here, click on Restoration Resources > Then wait for the site to come back up and look for a link to the Vintage pictures. The site apparently went off line as I was typing this. It's that 502 error thing again.

[o1marc]

I have the opposite problem.The right front corner of my trailer was repaired at the factory and they did not put the ID tag back on, so there is no number on mine.

[Airdreamer76]

Wasn’t sure how lengths were measured (if tongue was included or it was just the body). Mine doesn’t currently have a back bumper and it 45 min away getting a new frame fixed up underneath. I’ll measure next time I go out to see it. Thanks!

[Airdreamer76]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Please post a photo showing the entire right side of the trailer. If it's a Sovereign, or if it's an Ambassador, we'll be able to tell by viewing a photo.

Pics below: (I know it’s rough but we got it real cheap)

[GeocamperAS]

Your pictures are showing 2 different plates. Not sure if all models have but both my 70’s Argosy’s also had the number stamped into the frame between the tongue and the front of the body. That stamped number matched the ‘made by airstream’ name plate (your 2nd photo)

[xrvr]

Will be interesting how this comes out.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Airdreamer76

Pics below: (I know it’s rough but we got it real cheap)

That's definitely a Sovereign. 31' length.

The 29' Ambassadors of that era were essentially Sovereigns with the front 2' removed.

[StevieB]

Agree, definitely a 31'. I would be a little concerned with the 29' tag. Maybe in the past it was repaired using the hitch area from a 29'. The big question, did the title clear on the 31'? If so, call it good and get to work on your restoration.

[Airdreamer76]

So, just a little update... I was having a mini meltdown worrying over the number discrepancy knowing that we had yet to get our title. I had neglected to mention previously that it was purchased without a title from the previous owner. Apparently in Florida you do not need a title for a travel trailer that is over 30 years old AND they don’t need a VIN verification. We did have a bill of sale with the Sovereign serial number on it so we were good to go. I did not mention the other number to the title office-why muddy the water of the government? So the mystery continues but I have a title!

[AWCHIEF]

Was the trailer involved in a wreck. Appears to be significant damage to the right rear area.

[66Overlander]

In addition to the trailer appearing to be 31' rather than 29', it has dual hinges on the entry door, a feature that was reintroduced during the 1972 model year. A 1971 or early 1972 Airstream would have had a single very large hinge near the middle of the door.

Not sure what type of repair was made that put a 1971 Ambassador badge on the trailer, but I believe that was added later.