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Old 11-26-2009, 08:09 PM   #1
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1974 25' Tradewind
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A Northeast PA Airstream Story

I wanted a travel trailer. Then wife & I went to the September '09 Hershey, PA RV Show and shopped all day. We got prices but made it out having bought only lunch. There were no Airstreams there, but we liked these two retro-looking small trailers with high tech interiors (JMS Galileos). They were expensive and only 2 existed in the whole world... not for us.

Back home I looked at Airstreams on the internet. I liked them, but the price tag for a new one - ouch! Also the nearest dealer was 100 miles away from our Wilkes-Barre, PA home... Maybe I could find something else out there used... Little did I know that destiny was about to strike!

Early one Friday morning in late September I drove up the road I live on heading out for a hike on some local state forest land. About 2 miles up the road I rounded a bend and there sat an Airstream trailer in a grassy field with a For Sale sign on it. I drove right by, stunned... did I really see what I thought I saw. A mile up I turned around and went back. The VIN plate said 9/73.

There were no houses in sight. Just a field, a sign and a phone number. I spent the next 3 days calling that phone number and getting an answering machine. I was obcessed... I left messages but no call back. Finally late on Sunday I got a call from the seller. He had been out camping with his new trailer. Two hours later, I owned my first travel trailer, a 1974 25' Landyacht.

I got a great deal. I also got 2000 ants, an odorous wet carpet, several major and some minor water leaks, a keyless locked water fill door, 4 ancient tires, chewed wires and tubing, and countless mouse droppings.

Dealing with these issues is what has brought me here to this forum. I have learned much in the past 8 weeks. Thank you for that. Though I still have much to learn and do, I hope to have this vintage nightmare in running order for this spring.

Jim
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Old 11-26-2009, 08:31 PM   #2
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Hey Jim,

Congratulations on your new project. Post some photographs when you can and as you repair/restore.

Regards,

Kevin
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Old 11-26-2009, 09:27 PM   #3
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

Welcome to the Forums, Jim. We're glad to have you with us.

Congrats on your new baby.
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Old 11-27-2009, 04:38 AM   #4
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Welcome Jim.....Congratulations on your new trailer. Sounds like you have normal challenges to work through and your love for the trailer should continue to grow through all the work ahead.

Nothing better than fixing up a classic like an Airstream.

Happy Holidays!
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Old 11-27-2009, 04:48 AM   #5
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Greetings N.E.P. Airstreamer

There is an Airstream dealer outside of Bloomsburg, on Rte 11.
Not that you will need a dealer now, but you might need some Airstream specific parts. You might want to do a search for South Jersey RV. They are the closest Airstream restoration specialist in the area.
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Old 11-27-2009, 04:48 AM   #6
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Welcome Noreaster! You will find tons of useful info here. Good luck with your project.
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Old 11-27-2009, 09:13 AM   #7
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Hey Jim ,as a former resident of northeast Pa. give me a shout if you ever find your way to Florida. I still miss the land of taxes and endless political scandals.
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Old 11-27-2009, 03:10 PM   #8
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Welcome to the obsession! I mean "streamers! The keyless water tank fill can be easily remedied by buying a new key at Out of Doors Mart. It fit our '72 perfectly. Can't help you with the rest: we just finished clearing all of that stuff (didn't have ants but had a snakeskin, if that makes you feel better) on our trailer. Don't want to do it again!

Kay
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Old 11-27-2009, 06:22 PM   #9
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Thanks all for the welcoming words!

Quote:
The keyless water tank fill can be easily remedied by buying a new key at Out of Doors Mart. It fit our '72 perfectly.
Thanks for the advice on the fill door. I tried a ODM key but it won't work. I think the door was replaced before and the lock changed from the original.

Quote:
as a former resident of northeast Pa. give me a shout if you ever find your way to Florida. I still miss the land of taxes and endless political scandals
We're up to our eyeballs in both, sure you wouldn't want to come back for some of the fun? This is still the best place in the US though for Italian food, a mom & pop place in every town, sometimes every block. Lots of homemade vino too!

I'm loving this Airstream already. Hope to see some of you on the road one day!

Jim
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Old 11-28-2009, 02:36 AM   #10
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Thanks for the invite, I thought about coming up for a visit just to get some good pizza and visit steam town again. I still read the times leader online, just can't seem to get the valley out of my system.
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Old 11-28-2009, 08:36 PM   #11
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Bob34787,

Steamtown! I'm an railfan myself. We're holding the National Railroad Historical Society Convention here in Scranton in June 2010. Lots of great train trips planned. See www.endlessmountainrails.com for more info.

Jim
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Old 11-29-2009, 03:54 AM   #12
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great, now my wife wants to take a vacation and come up. She has a large collection on LGB trains that she is always driving me crazy with. we went to Disney last night for the lights at MGM, they make snow and between the x-mas lights and the snow I was really missing my old house in tilbury terrace, our place faced the mountains and winter was really pretty. However it was 49 degrees last night and that reminded me of the part I did not like.
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Old 11-29-2009, 10:22 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Noreaster View Post
Thanks for the advice on the fill door. I tried a ODM key but it won't work. I think the door was replaced before and the lock changed from the original.
Jim,

Before you give up on the ODM key completely, try soaking the lock with deicer and/or lock lube (the stuff you can spray into the key hole). Ours was quite gummed up due to lack of use and would not turn when we first tried it with the ODM key. Letting the lube soak in the lock for about 30 minutes freed it up enough for the key to move it. Still need to take it apart and clean it properly, but at least I know it's the right key.

Chris
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