Newbie owner of Airstream - 72 Tradewind

[meadowlm]

Hello,
After looking Ebay and reading various airstream sites we have stepped out and purchased a 1972 Tradewind! My husband and I had tent camped for years and moved up to an old popup three years ago and decided we did not want to deal with cables popping, canvas molding and not being able to pack without raising and lowering the roof! So now we have an airstream and the first things to tackle are the brakes, a load leveling hitch, water and gas lines. We do not want to gut it and start over at this point, but would like to "freshen up" the inside. That seems a little daunting - what can you do with walls with rivets??

[azflycaster]

Welcome to the forums!
My wife and I did the popup thing (we bought new) for 17 years and loved every trip (100+) we took with it. We made the switch a couple of years ago and now enjoy our 75 Trade Wind very much. I hope that you will enjoy your Trade Wind as much as we enjoy ours. We have done nothing to the interior wass, except keep them clean. Maybe I am a little old school, but I like the 70's look and plan to keep it that way.

[Mel]

Welcome and congrats on your "new" Tradewind! Sounds like you have a good idea of where to begin your repairs - once you get the safety items out of the way, you can have the fun of freshening the interior. Browse the photo galleries here - I'm sure you'll be inspired in no time! Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. Congratulations on your new baby.

[pepper48]

Welcome. I have a '72 Tradewind also. If I can answer any questions, let me know. If you are going to replace your water lines, consider adding a bypass for your hot water heater. It will help in winterizing.

I'm slowly in the process of working on mine. So far new vent stack gaskets and removing the inner panels of the vista view windows. A new stove and cork floors, fantastic vent, new window and door seals are works in process. Before the cork floors, two areas of floor rot had to be repaired. None of this work required me to gut out the interior. Work is at a halt while we decide whether we're going to paint the foreend caps or live with the yellow. If you don't have any major floor rot or frame issues and are satisfied with your interior, there is no need to gut it out.

[meadowlm]

Thanks to all of you! I will pass on the tip to my husband about the water lines - it does not get that cold that often here, but when it does, it is still best to be prepared.

Question about the vents - the interior "covers" - where is the best place to look for replacements?

Also, the window by the sink, the original plastic curtain/window treatment holder is still there, but the inside top section - where the blind would attach is broken. Can this be easily removed, AND what is behind it? or is it better to leave as is and use blinds on top?

I am not sure what everything is called, hope the descriptions are enough