1974 Tradewind back to square one....
Well it has been a long time since I have started a topic on here. We have had our 25' 1974 Tradewind for around 4 years now. We searched for years for a clean straight unit. A 25' AS is a bit of a commodity on the prairies if not across Canada. We found a unit that originally came from Nevada and was bone dry. I started working on the interior and during my renos we decided to buy a new house. Well not new, but the same vintage as our AS. We have been non stop renovating for the last 2 years and our new place was not set up for RV storage. So Our Trade wind has been in storage. We have only gone Camping once in the last two years. I have had countless arguments with my wife on keeping our AS because we have had no time for it and have harly used it in the last 4 years. She has come around lately and is on board to rebuild the Tradewind and stay on target for upgrades and improvements. The Only catch is we need to finish the house before I can move forward on the Airstream. My son is going into Grade 12 this fall and I have really wanted to do a boys camping trip before my son is done High school. we are heading out this weekend!!
I brought the AS home 2 days ago and last night wanted to fire up all the systems and make sure everything is still working. Last may we took her to Banff and everything worked great. Now, not so great... So went to fire up the plumbing system and water started shooting out from under the shower!! It did not sit on the floor for long because it was draining out of the back of the trailer.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Rear end separation and floor rot. The shooting leak is directly under the shower which will need to be removed for access. So you know what that means. I will have to gut her and start from square one. New Plumbing, Electrical, Cabinet work, Floor, and the unavoidable frame work and insulation..I had to break the news to my wife. Not so good....My Son and I are still going camping. Just no running water or sewer. We will be hauling water and digging a hole!
I was going to start Phase two with our AS by building a dinette in the front where our now deleted Gaucho was, then head to California and visit Inland RV for new axels, AC, fridge, Awning and anything else I could afford. It is cheaper to do that than ship materials to Canada. When that trip eventually happens, I think she will be an empty shell with an air Mattress..Looking forward to this weekend but my heart is heavy and I think I am getting an ulcer thinking about what is to come for our Tradewind. The project will have to start next spring.
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