Greetings ctarochione!
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstream ownership!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctarochione
We just bought our very first trailer ever, it is a 1967 Caravel. We are very excited not sure what to do yet but excited. One question I have to throw out there is if you have a vintage trailer should you keep it true to that period or can you update to new things. Our oven might need to be replaced should we try to find an older one that is true to the year of the trailer? |
There isn't the pressure within Vintage trailer collecting to keep everything absolutely original as there is in the Vintage car collector hobby. Most of us with Vintage Airstreams and Argosys update as necessary to keep the trailers useful and safe. Typically the only coaches where it is important to maintain originality are those that are very (think pre-WW II) old or have some historical significance (experimental/prototype, prominent former owner, participated in one of the major caravans -- Around the World, Capetown to Cairo, etc.).
My suggestion would be to thoroughly clean your range and oven. During that cleaning, look for gas valves . . . there may be several. Often the problem encountered with our Vintage ranges and ovens is that one of the LP Gas supply valves on the unit is in the off position . . . there is typically a valve that supplies the rangetop burners, and another valve that supplies the oven pilot and burner. If your coach didn't come with instruction manuals for any of your appliances, post the make--model number, and descriptive information and you will likely find a Forums member who will share a copy of their manual if one isn't already available on the Web.
My coaches are both examples where most of the original appliances have been replaced with modern substitutes. The only original appliance in my Overlander is its range and oven (the oven has probably only been used twice in the life of the trailer as the original owner hated gas fueled appliances and rarely used any of the gas appliances in the coach). My Argosy Minuet has its original Dometic 2-Way RV refrigerator, range/oven, and furnace -- its original PAR water pump has been rebuilt many times. The Argosy's range/oven has seen even less use than the unit in the Overlander.
Both of my trailers were very well preserved originals when I pruchased them. I was the third owner of the Overlander and the second owner of the Minuet. Since they were in such good overall condition, I tried to keep the original cabinetry and features as original as possible . . . but all of the upholstery, foam, and drapes are new and feature modern fabrics and colors. The floor in the Overlander is covered with modern Congoleum sheet vinyl while the Minuet features Armstrong Laminate floor covering.
Good luck with your Airstream!
Kevin
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