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Old 04-26-2014, 08:57 PM   #1
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1972 25' Tradewind
City , Oklahoma
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
first purchase!

Two years, not enough money, never the right one, but today.....today it felt great, and it fell in my lap. And today, I purchased my very first 1972 Tradewinds, and I haven't quit reading all day. I have to figure out how to go get it, it's 8 hours away, but it's a done deal, and I could not be happier. This forum is great! Look out FUN, here we come! oh....did I mention, I don't know ANYTHING about this, so any advise is welcome.
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Old 04-26-2014, 09:13 PM   #2
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2006 25' Safari
St. Augustine , Florida
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Congratulations! I am sure that you will learn lots from all these people here.
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Old 04-26-2014, 09:27 PM   #3
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1990 25' Excella
Sisters , Oregon
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First of all, congratulations! You're in for a lot of good times.

The things to be concerned about towing it home are bad axles, wheel bearings, brakes and tires. You can probably get it home safely with bad axles. But the bearings should be repacked. The brakes should be checked. And even if the tires have good tread you need to check date codes and see how old they are.

You will also need the trailer lights to work. If not, you can use inexpensive temporary ones.

Good luck and be safe.

Poppy
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Old 04-27-2014, 12:42 AM   #4
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1978 31' Excella 500
Genoa , Nevada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdmaestro View Post
First of all, congratulations! You're in for a lot of good times.

The things to be concerned about towing it home are bad axles, wheel bearings, brakes and tires. You can probably get it home safely with bad axles. But the bearings should be repacked. The brakes should be checked. And even if the tires have good tread you need to check date codes and see how old they are.

You will also need the trailer lights to work. If not, you can use inexpensive temporary ones.

Good luck and be safe.

Poppy
That's a good start. Next, a '72 will probably have a different umbilical wire end pattern than today's plugs do, best read up on that and take tools to make the wires on your Airstream match whatever plug you have on your tow vehicle. (no one ever is talking about a television when they say TV on here). Change the old pattern to the new, just because. If you need a friend to hook up to your trailer, they'll have the new pattern plug on their tow vehicle, not the old Airstream pattern.
And welcome, you are instantly a member of the most elitist club you can imagine!
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Old 04-27-2014, 07:20 AM   #5
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2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
Rochester , Minnesota
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Best wishes

" Look out FUN, here we come!"

This pretty much says it all! Congratulations. Let the good times begin!
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Old 04-27-2014, 07:42 AM   #6
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1964 28' Ambassador
Oklahoma City , Oklahoma
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Congrats!

You need to figure an 8 hour trip will most likely turn into 12 hours. Plan your route to make convenient stops to check out the trailer's tires, running lights, etc. Along with tools, bring duct tape and baling wire to make sure all the pieces get back home. As mentioned above, make sure you buy an adapter plug that fits your tv and the trailer. Make sure all your doors and latches are secure (see duct tape above) and secure all the windows ( if you need to, drill and set a small screw into the bottom of the flappy window). If you stop overnight, make sure the hotel parking can accommodate the trailer without having to back it up or squeezing into a tight space. That's all I can think of for now, but you're sure to get some more advice!
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Old 04-27-2014, 08:38 AM   #7
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Bad Axe , Michigan
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Lots of good advice so far.
Lots more to be had by reading more of the forums.
Take it slow and enjoy. You probably won't stop grinning even though a problem or two may pop up.
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Old 04-27-2014, 08:40 AM   #8
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1972 25' Tradewind
City , Oklahoma
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Thank you!

Wow! I received lots of awesome advice and tips on my last thread. Thank you for being so considerate of the "newbie". I think my new hobby is getting off to a great start. Loads of tips on how to get it home. I don't have it yet, but I slept in it in my dreams last night. Thank You all who commented, it is very very helpful. Your words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.
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