clueless in lynchburg, va

[kirsched]

Hi, I am really new to all this and I have no experience towing things, working with electricity or remodeling! But I have a dream to get this airstream (22 ft 1964 safari) back to Austin, Tx and gut it and make it pretty enough to use as an office for my professional therapeutic massage therapy practice.

First, I'm looking to trade my 1999 Honda Accord for a vehicle that I can use to tow the airstream myself. I want to be able to take it on the road!

I think the woman who sold it to my exhusband used a Ford Explorer to tow it. Does that sound about right?? Any other recommendations?

I need someone to help me figure out if she is road worthy and what to do to get her road worthy as well as help me figure out what I will need to do to make it hook up to this mystery vehicle I don't have yet!

Any suggestions for where to look for help of this nature in the Lynchburg area? I would love to learn as much as possible myself in this process so that in the future I will be more self sufficient and can hopefully pass on my how-to-knowhow to someone like me!

thanks so much for any pertinent info!

blessings,
Kirsche

[Dave Park]

Hi!

I'm in Austin - I would LOVE to help you with this conversion. My SO is a licensed massage therapist and we've discussed doing the exact same thing at one time in the past.

It being a '64 Safari, I hope you'll recycle as much of the interior as possible to other people restoring their airstreams...

If there's anything I can do to help you, including restoration, design, planning, or even moving it around a bit, I'd be glad to help you out.

Also, welcome to Airforums!

[VIKING]

Welcome to the forums, fellow '64 Safari owner.
Do you have a dinette in the front of your rig, or a fold out bed? These were the two different models available in '64 Safaris.
If you do gut it please, please ,please pass on the interior parts to the forum members. There are not that many '64's and they are an odd model year with many hardware items that are particular to that year. I am looking for cabinet handles and latches for mine.
You can find everything you need to know on this site but it will take some searching and reading to get familiar with the towing and systems on your Airstream. I suggest trying the search button at the top of the page and using the google search option there.
Your rig weighs #3100 empty, so look for something that has at least #4500 capacity for towing. I use a 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4 door with a 4.0 v6 and it works great. I think Ford Exploders are not the best option out there, though they can be had very cheaply. I would look for a van or a truck with a camper shell. You get more storage and versatility with either of them compared to an suv.

Post some pics of your Safari. We love to watch!

Regards,
Rich the Viking

[kirsched]

Originally Posted by Dave Park

Hi!

I'm in Austin - I would LOVE to help you with this conversion. My SO is a licensed massage therapist and we've discussed doing the exact same thing at one time in the past.

It being a '64 Safari, I hope you'll recycle as much of the interior as possible to other people restoring their airstreams...

If there's anything I can do to help you, including restoration, design, planning, or even moving it around a bit, I'd be glad to help you out.

Also, welcome to Airforums!

Hi! Wow! Cool to get a response! First I want to say that I don't think the interior stuff is original. It looks pretty old, but not original. It looks like someone built the cabinets and stuff. The front has a little table and the two benches at the table can convert into twin bed type sleeping areas. The refrigerator is kind of new, but doesn't work. The stove might be original. I would love to pass things on to people if they want them! I don't think I'm going to want any appliances in it for the time being. I would LOVE any help because I'm not only clueless but also pretty penniless! I'd be happy to trade massage therapy sessions for help though! I have a high success rate with my clients at Massage Envy, Southpark Meadows in relieving their muscularly related pain issues. I am particularly skilled with Trigger Point work. I'm just not hoping I can get it down there! Thanks so much for the encouragement anyway. I guess I should take pictures of the appliances and post them to see if anyone is really interested in them...
best! Kirsche

[kirsched]

Originally Posted by VIKING

Welcome to the forums, fellow '64 Safari owner.
Do you have a dinette in the front of your rig, or a fold out bed? These were the two different models available in '64 Safaris.
If you do gut it please, please ,please pass on the interior parts to the forum members. There are not that many '64's and they are an odd model year with many hardware items that are particular to that year. I am looking for cabinet handles and latches for mine.
You can find everything you need to know on this site but it will take some searching and reading to get familiar with the towing and systems on your Airstream. I suggest trying the search button at the top of the page and using the google search option there.
Your rig weighs #3100 empty, so look for something that has at least #4500 capacity for towing. I use a 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4 door with a 4.0 v6 and it works great. I think Ford Exploders are not the best option out there, though they can be had very cheaply. I would look for a van or a truck with a camper shell. You get more storage and versatility with either of them compared to an suv.

Post some pics of your Safari. We love to watch!

Regards,
Rich the Viking

Thanks soooo much for your helpful response... I just responded to another post stating that I don't think all the interior stuff is original. I'm going to take pictures and post them and see if these are of interest to you. The front of the rig has a dining table not a fold out bed... Will get the pics up asap! thanks again! I hope I can find a towing vehicle before I have to go back to texas! Kirsche

[rideair]

You should be able to take the trailer to any place that sells or services trailers and ask them to make sure the wheels/tires/bearings/brakes are in good shape and ready for travel. From there you good have them check the running/stopping/turning lights or get a temp. light kit/bar to get you home.

Should take no more than a day at the right place to get you on the road and ready for travel.

[TG Twinkie]

Is that Lynchburg as in Virginia? Your TV will need a brake controller and be wired for a 7 pin wiring harness as well as a hitch, maybe an equalizer hitch. The trailer will need this as well. The brakes should be checked out and the wheel bearings at least repacked. It should have good tires on it for a trip that long. All of the lights should be in working order. Good Luck! and have a safe trip.

[kirsched]

Here are some pics as promised!

[Dave Park]

At first glance that looks like an original dinette version to me.

[kirsched]

Here are some more!

[kirsched]

I just took pics of everything!

[Dave Park]

Any WB members have any history on 20092?

[Foiled Again]

(Wear a drool bucket!)


Trailer Buffs, Inc.
732 Rockfish School Ln
Afton, VA 22920
434-361-2500

[FordTruck]

We live in Lynchburg VA (for another 10 days or so) then we're moving to Locust Grove, VA.
The suggestion that you find a reputable RV shop is a good one and I'd like to recommend the following:

.B. Taylor & Sons Parts and Accessories

While the closest AS dealers will be in either Greensboro NC (2 hours south on Rt 29) or Thornburg, VA (3.5 hours northeast), these folks are knowledgable, honest, and have fair pricing on parts and labor.

We have had some general maintenance done on the AS by them and couldn't be more please.

Please feel free to PM me and I'll help any way I can.

[TouringDan]

Hello Kirsche and welcome to the forum. The suggestion to go to RB Taylor to get your trailer road worthy is a good one. The service manager, Jason, is extremely knowlegable and is also very nice. I live in Lynchburg and have a 66 Tradewind. I will help you if I can. Just send me an e-mail.

Dan