Accessing trailer brake blue wire connection

[Burroman]

I have a ‘56 Airstream Bubble.
It came with defunct hydraulic brakes, no electric brakes.
I’ve put electric brakes on it and am wiring it up.
I follow the connecting cord from the plug into the body but can’t seem to locate where it is inside the trailer.
I need to run my 10 gauge wire to the brake terminal on the 7 way plug.
Anyone know where I can access the tow vehicle wiring?
Thanks,
Larry

[overlander64]

Greetings Larry!


Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstream ownership!

Originally Posted by Burroman

I have a ‘56 Airstream Bubble.
It came with defunct hydraulic brakes, no electric brakes.
I’ve put electric brakes on it and am wiring it up.
I follow the connecting cord from the plug into the body but can’t seem to locate where it is inside the trailer.
I need to run my 10 gauge wire to the brake terminal on the 7 way plug.
Anyone know where I can access the tow vehicle wiring?
Thanks,
Larry

I am not certain that I am completely following what you are trying to do, but I will try to offer a few suggestions.


First: If you are looking on the trailer side, don't be expecting to find wires that correspond to the standard colors now used in the 7-wire umbilical cable as those standardized colors were not adopted until some time in the early 1980s.


Second: The junction box for the trailer running/exterior lights varies somewhat from year to year and could vary according to which factory the trailer was came from -- California or Ohio.


Third: There is little predicting what prior owners may have done to the trailer's wiring so you never know where you might find its current junction box, or what color and type of wire may have been used in modification/repairs/replacements.


Based upon what I have seen in Airstream trailer of this era, I have two guesses of places to look for the junction box. Starting from where the umbilical cord enters the front of the trailer, look at the bellypan. What you are looking for is a rectangular or square panel that is between 8" X 8" and 10" X 10" -- that often covers the below floor junction block for the umbilical cable in trailers of this era. The second location that I have seen, also on trailers of this era is a junction block mounted on the interior wall below the front window in the storage area under the front sofa -- it may be behind the pressure water tank so difficult to see if you aren't looking for the junction block. I am sure that there are probably other possible locations as the factory wasn't necessarily consistent from year to year nor between factories.


A number of us with Airstreams of this era have found that all of the umbilical wiring exiting the junction box is all red with knots in each wire, and the number of knots in the wire indicated its function.


Good luck with your investigation!


Kevin

[Burroman]

Kevin
You’re correct. I found a small panel below the front window, almost mid-trailer.
I found the wires from the umbilical cord, and the blue wire(brakes) was just cut and not attached( there were no electric brakes on mine)
Checked the 7 blade plug, and the blue wire was unattached there too.
So I reattached in to the proper terminal( it was empty) and now I just need to get my blue wire from my electric brakes up to the junction box below the window.
Going to try using a wire fish to see if I can do it.
Thanks for your help.
Larry

[Wazbro]

Don't forget to add an emergency breakaway switch.

[overlander64]

Greetings Larry!

Originally Posted by Burroman

Kevin
You’re correct. I found a small panel below the front window, almost mid-trailer.
I found the wires from the umbilical cord, and the blue wire(brakes) was just cut and not attached( there were no electric brakes on mine)
Checked the 7 blade plug, and the blue wire was unattached there too.
So I reattached in to the proper terminal( it was empty) and now I just need to get my blue wire from my electric brakes up to the junction box below the window.
Going to try using a wire fish to see if I can do it.
Thanks for your help.
Larry

You are welcome, and I am always happy to help out when I can! I am sure that you will get years of enjoyment out of your Bubble, and before you know it, you will have been traveling with it for decades. This will be my 30th year with my 1964 Overlander and my 23rd year with my 1978 Minuet.


I might suggest that you consider membership in the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI)/Airstream Club International (ACI) as well as your nearest local Unit. I have been a member since 1995, and have found the camaraderie unmatched, and you never know when someone in your local unit may either own or have owned in the past a trailer similar or identical to your Bubble so would have first hand experience with your model. You will also find that the local units have camping activities throughout the camping season with social activities during the off season. You can also attend other Unit's activities as you travel on a space available basis. There are also Regional Rallies as well as the annual International Rally that will be held in York, Pennsylvania this year. As a Vintage Airstream owner, you may also find the Vintage Airstream Intra-Club (Club within the ACI) that caters to those who are enthusiast or own Airstream products 25 years of age or older and have interest in preserving, maintaining, restoring, and updating these Vintage Airstream products to keep them functional and on the road.


Good Luck with your Bubble!!


Kevin