First timer, '73 Overlander

[Green68]

Greetings from San Antonio!
Bought a 27' '73 Overlander with the rear bath. I have been reading all over this forum for two months, gathering information and learning all I can. Got the Service Manual and it has a wealth of information in it also. Last week I finally had a chance to work on the trailer. Ripped out the carpets expecting the worst and was gratified to find the floors in terrific condition. There is a little damage in the rear bath area under the toilet but the rest looks great.
This trailer has been sitting for about 7 years. I need to get it ready to move 75 miles to my property. There is no spare so I posted a want ad in the classifieds for a spare tire and wheel. I intend to pack the wheel bearings at a minimum before attempting to move it. I do not have a tow vehicle at this time so I need to find someone to move it for me. I expect the axels are shot but hopefully they can make a 75 mile trip one more time. I also need the manual crank handle for the hitch. The motor has been removed from the hitch and I cannot find the manual crank.
Lots to do, but the first priority is to get it off the PO's place and move it to my property where the fun can begin!
If anybody would like to help me out with the tow I would appreciate it if you would reply. All advice and comments are welcome!

Thanks---Mike

[Lance M]

Congratulations and welcome to the forums! I have a '72 Ambassador that I am in the middle of replacing the rear half of the floor and fixing the frame. Good luck with your recovery. Was this the trailer in Gonzales? You've come to the right place to find great information on just about anything you'll need. There is a great guy there in SA that has/knows a lot of things about Airstreams. His handle here is bwoodtx. Post some pics when you can.
Oh, and check this spare tire out.

[Splitrock]

I'd think about any RV business would be able to do the tow for ya. They probably could do any minor get ready to tow stuff too. That's part of their normal day to day business. At least here it is.

[Green68]

I called the guy on the spare tire, he still has it so there's one issue down.

The trailer I bought is near Lytle. Got it from a friend so it was never advertised for sale.

Can't wait to get her to her new home.

[Minno]

We towed our "72 Sovereign from Mississippi to Minnesota with a rotted out floor and bad axles. She made the trip just fine. You should have no trouble with 75 miles!

Welcome to the family!

Kay

[funkill]

Yippie - another 73' Overlander! My axles were shot too - but the PO was using it very regularly. Some inside damage done - but suspect it happened over quite some time. Hope all goes well.

Laura

[2Rhinos]

Welcome and congrats on the Overlander.
We bought a '74 last year (our first RV).
It was in Southeast Iowa.
Made the trip in the F250 and hauled it to Notthwest Iowa, to Lake Okaboji for a weekend camping trip with my wifes family (they live in Iowa).
Then nonstop trip (1300 miles) back to Texas to our ranch in Lavaca County, where the restoration is taking place.
Airstream was the small expense, the large expense was building the 40' x 60' metal building to house it while I work on it

[Lothlorian]

Congrats on the 73 you are going to really enjoy it. We have ours on our property.

I have a 73 Overlander and we love it. I re-did the whole bathroom floor. I posted it in the forums under floors and frames. I got my spare tire and rim at a tire place. The rim was in his collection of bits and pieces and he had a used D-rated trailer tire. I just use it as a spare. He charged me $70.00 for the tire and rim.

Brian

[Green68]

The weather has been too bad to work on the Overlander, hope to try again on Friday. I need a key for the water fill door, PO could not find it.

[Minno]

Out of Doors Mart carries those keys. Only cost a few dollars.

Kay

[Green68]

Thanks Kay,
I ordered the keys from OODM, the sales guy was very helpful. They have the weatherstripping for the doors and windows so I just need to measure to see how much I need.

Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70's, We are planning to spend the day working on the Overlander. There is a lot of caulking that needs to be done and I want to remove the toilet which is about to fall over on it 's own, then I can better assess the damage underneath it.

Mike