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Hub · 06-09-2006, 10:27 PM

Greetings and salutations to the members of the Airstream fraternity. Just purchased a 1976 TradeWind 25 Ft. and sealed the deal this afternoon. So now I'm thinking that this is the place to be. No place to go but up on the learning curve. Have been a long time admirer of Airstream and have been searching for years to find a clean vintage trailer. Will be starting off by having the tires, brakes and bearings checked and then the propane system before using it. Tow vehicle will be a 2003 Ford F150 with 4.6V8. Any tips for a new owner of this model??? Thanks/Merci, HUB

Ultradog · 06-09-2006, 10:47 PM

That's a nice trailer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hub

Any tips for a new owner of this model???

Roll your sleeves up.
And keep it fun.

Van · 06-10-2006, 12:04 AM

Welcome to the forum.

SilverToy · 06-10-2006, 12:14 AM

Hub -

Welcome!!! This is likely the best TT Forum out there in Cyberspace.

As you get better aquainted with your silver palace, you will have a million questions. If the trailer is a real Queen, then you'll have upgrade/ modification questions.... If it has a 'few' issues, then you'll have repair and refurb questions....

Use the Search feature in the upper right hand corner, have a comfy chair & a drink handy, and ..... read til your eye's ache!!!

You'll be done in with 'eye ache' before you likely run out of things to read about!!!

Enjoy that AS!!! And again, Welcome!

Axel

AYRSTRM2 · 06-10-2006, 03:16 AM

Concentrate on your running gear. If you didn't do it before you bought it, have the brakes inspected and get the bearings repacked. Inspect the tires. If they are cracked, replace.

Make sure all of your systems work. Have an RV place inspect and test the LP system. How old is the battery? If more than say five years, think about replacing. Check all of the appliances to make sure they work. Fill up the water tank and run water into the grey and black tanks, then check for leaks.

After all of this, load up with food, beverage, some camp chairs and head for the great wide open and go camping!

AYRSTRM2 · 06-10-2006, 03:19 AM

Oh, and by the way, since you are so close to us here in Michigan, why don't you check out the Metro-Detroit rally on 3-6 August? We have room for you and it's only about a 2 hour drive once you cross the Bluewater, or about 1 hour drive once you cross the Ambassador. It's a great way to see a lot of different Airstreams and Argosys in one place. And you can bring Canadian beer!

lewster · 06-10-2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hub

Greetings and salutations to the members of the Airstream fraternity. Just purchased a 1976 TradeWind 25 Ft. and sealed the deal this afternoon. So now I'm thinking that this is the place to be. No place to go but up on the learning curve. Have been a long time admirer of Airstream and have been searching for years to find a clean vintage trailer. Will be starting off by having the tires, brakes and bearings checked and then the propane system before using it. Tow vehicle will be a 2003 Ford F150 with 4.6V8. Any tips for a new owner of this model??? Thanks/Merci, HUB

Welcome Hub,

If you want to be certain that 'everything works', find a reliable RV shop that is not afraid to work on Airstreams and ask them to do a thorough PDI (pre-delivery inspection) on your new trailer. They should have a check list of all of the various functions and should go through each system to be sure that they are working properly.

After that, I would follow Ayrstrm2's recommendations to the letter: especially the one about the beer!

Happycampers · 06-10-2006, 06:11 AM

Hello... from a fellow Airstream owner in Ontario... Peterborough to be exact.. where did you find your Tradewind if I may ask? We used to have one also.. but have Argosys now.. Annie

crowbar68 · 06-10-2006, 09:31 AM

welcome, welcome, welcome!

just getting my recent purchase up to speed as well.

crowbar

Hub · 06-10-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYRSTRM2

Concentrate on your running gear. If you didn't do it before you bought it, have the brakes inspected and get the bearings repacked. Inspect the tires. If they are cracked, replace.

Make sure all of your systems work. Have an RV place inspect and test the LP system. How old is the battery? If more than say five years, think about replacing. Check all of the appliances to make sure they work. Fill up the water tank and run water into the grey and black tanks, then check for leaks.

After all of this, load up with food, beverage, some camp chairs and head for the great wide open and go camping!

Thanks AYRSTRM2 for the good advice and the kind invitation. Job one on Monday will be to get the trailer in to our mechanic to have the tires, brakes and bearings checked out. After we are cleared for the highway we'll take the trailer to CanAm in Lambeth, Ontario to have the gas system and gas appliances checked out by an Airstream technician.
We probably won't venture too far over the busy summer months. Just a few short local runs to get the feel of the rig. Our only previous RV was a Starcraft tent trailer. After Labour Day we'll venture farther afield once the crowds are gone from the parks.

HUB

Hub · 06-10-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverToy

Hub -

Welcome!!! This is likely the best TT Forum out there in Cyberspace.

As you get better aquainted with your silver palace, you will have a million questions. If the trailer is a real Queen, then you'll have upgrade/ modification questions.... If it has a 'few' issues, then you'll have repair and refurb questions....

Use the Search feature in the upper right hand corner, have a comfy chair & a drink handy, and ..... read til your eye's ache!!!

You'll be done in with 'eye ache' before you likely run out of things to read about!!!

Enjoy that AS!!! And again, Welcome!

Axel

Thanks Axel,
I think we got lucky with this find and all we'll be doing is upgrade and mods. The previous (2nd) owner kept this trailer in good shape.
Not sure how I managed to put my first post up in duplicate

- twice the fun with an Airstream I guess!
Cheers,
HUB

Hub · 06-10-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Welcome Hub,

If you want to be certain that 'everything works', find a reliable RV shop that is not afraid to work on Airstreams and ask them to do a thorough PDI (pre-delivery inspection) on your new trailer. They should have a check list of all of the various functions and should go through each system to be sure that they are working properly.

After that, I would follow Ayrstrm2's recommendations to the letter: especially the one about the beer!

Thanks Lew. That is one sweet looking tow vehicle and trailer combo you have there!
Cheers, HUB

Hub · 06-10-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happycampers

Hello... from a fellow Airstream owner in Ontario... Peterborough to be exact.. where did you find your Tradewind if I may ask? We used to have one also.. but have Argosys now.. Annie

Hi Annie,
We found our TradeWind right close to home after years of driving miles to check out ads and looking at duds. So we were fortunate.
You live in a beautiful part of Ontario. I lived in Peterborough for four years while I was at Trent U - all that great country north of you to explore. Hope we'll get the Airstream up your way in the future.
Cheers,
HUB

Hub · 06-10-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowbar68

welcome, welcome, welcome!

just getting my recent purchase up to speed as well.

crowbar

Hi Crowbar,
Thanks for the welcome. How long have you had your trailer? Are you going to attempt a high polish or enjoy the "vintage patina"? When I consider that exterior I hesitate to start - not a job you can leave half done and the investment in elbow grease must be substantial.
I can see the Forums are going to be a gold mine of helpful info.
Would you believe I'm supposed to be cutting the grass right now...

Cheers,
HUB