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05-01-2004, 10:32 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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...sigh...
I don't have anything to post about until we start the journey to get our trailer next month. I know, I'll have my hands full soon, but in the meantime, all I can do is lurk and pout...and wait, and wait and wait...
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05-01-2004, 10:45 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1968 22' Safari
1976 27' Overlander
Newport
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 864
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You're not alone
We're all waiting with you in the (flamingo) wings.....
Where and what are you getting???
Take advantage of the time off......TRUST ME!!!! I KNOW!!!! Relax now, for you won't have the time later....!!
__________________
Ron ... now in Newport, Washington
[font=Impact][font=Arial Black]
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05-02-2004, 12:03 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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It's a 1967 24' Tradewind. We need a name for it.
fyi: I was "airstreamhopeful", had to change my login when we bought our trailer! Tough position to be in! Now I'm a goofy looking pink bird. Just in case we bought another one, you know...I didn't want to be stuck with 67tradewind when we own a fleet of them like you!
So...I'm going to read over some of your posts about removing the vinyl poofy siding stuff...we definitely want that off. I like the idea of replacing it with the brushed aluminum.
If you tear out and put in a new subfloor, do you have to take off the shell of the trailer?
I love the baby moon rims, or whatever they are...three of the wheels apparently can take them, two not. (just repeating what owner said). What do I have to do to have all four take them?
Maybe I should start posting in restoration area.
Point me to some good threads, I'm ready to learn, and I have the time!
__________________
"Let's look Death in the face and say, 'Whatever man.'"
~ Hurley
ingrid
1967 24' Tradewind #19104 ~ Forums #4449
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05-02-2004, 12:51 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
1969 18' Caravel
, Iowa
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 177
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Hi Ingrid, 'Glad to have you joining the Airstream "family". I'm sure you are anxious to get your new baby home and get started on fixing it the way you want it.
On your baby moon hubcap question...I took the liberty of checking-out your web site. In the photo titled 'tires' you will notice the white wheel (on the left) has bumps, or nubs, spaced around the inner hub of the wheel: the black one (on the right) does not have these and that inner hub is smooth. This indicates that the wheels are not matched. This is something you will want to correct after you get the trailer.
Anyway, you can't see it in the picture but, there should be small clips around the inner hub of the black wheel (on the inside the smooth inner hub.) It is the nubs (white wheel) or the clips (black wheel) that hold the hubcaps on the wheel.)
There are different baby moon hubcaps to fit each of these wheels, but the SAME hubcap will not fit BOTH of of these wheel styles.
So, after you determine which of the wheel styles is correct for your trailer (I'd guess it's the one with the clips) and replace the mismatched ones, you CAN get the baby moon hubcaps to fit all the wheels.
An idea might to be keep one of the "other" style wheels for your spare tire, thus reducing the cost / hassle of matching process.
Good luck with your new project and keep us all posted.
__________________
MarkE
WBCCI #4568
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05-02-2004, 01:49 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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which ones?
The top one or the bottom one? I can't open my site for some reason, so I loaded these from my computer.
__________________
"Let's look Death in the face and say, 'Whatever man.'"
~ Hurley
ingrid
1967 24' Tradewind #19104 ~ Forums #4449
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05-02-2004, 02:23 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1969 18' Caravel
, Iowa
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 177
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Ingrid, I was refering to the top photo (I didn't see the lower one) but the lower photo shows a better example of the second style wheel, that I spoke of.
In the top picture: looking at the white wheel (left one) you can see those bumps, or nubs, at approx. 2o'clock, 6o'clock, & 10o'clock to hold the hubcap on.
Then, in the bottom photo: looking at the silver wheel (right one) notice that there are no bumps around the inner hub portion of that wheel. This is the one that should have the metal clips to retain a hubcap. It is hard to tell, for sure, in this picture but one of these clips appears to be present at about the 12o'clock position.
As I mentioned before, I'd suspect this is the original type wheel for your trailer.
The wheel at the left, in the bottom photo, has a full wheelcover over it so it can't be determined (from looking at this photo) which style it is.
'Hope I didn't confuse you. A baby moon hubcap can be fitted to either style wheel...you just have to get the proper style for the wheel (to match the attachment method used on the wheel.)
Now, the only thing that would keep you from using them on the 'clip type' wheels would be if the clips have been broken off over the years (possible but not likely.)
__________________
MarkE
WBCCI #4568
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05-02-2004, 01:17 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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No! you didn't confuse me. Thanks for the post. I'm filing this all away in my mind...restoring my airstream in my imagination, polish, polish, polish....
ingrid
__________________
"Let's look Death in the face and say, 'Whatever man.'"
~ Hurley
ingrid
1967 24' Tradewind #19104 ~ Forums #4449
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05-02-2004, 07:09 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1984 29' Sovereign
Savannah
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,479
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pinkflamingoes
Greeting~ I see that you have the same wheel covers that I left at the factory when I replaced my steel wheels with the newer style aluminum wheels..Wished I had kept them now~ I know it gonna be hard to find the replacements.(you might give the factory a call and see if they still have them.?) If I may offer this suggestion? Once you do find the replacements, when ever you plan a long trip? Take your wheel covers off and store them while traveling. This way, you're not likely to lose them on hard bumps. etc. Then, once you're settled down for the camping, etc..You can get them out and, dress up your unit.
ciao
53FC
__________________
WBCCI 5292 AIR 807
NEU #64
New England Unit
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05-03-2004, 12:59 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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Good idea!
__________________
"Let's look Death in the face and say, 'Whatever man.'"
~ Hurley
ingrid
1967 24' Tradewind #19104 ~ Forums #4449
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05-03-2004, 01:04 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2005 28' International CCD
Pagosa Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 811
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That trailer is crying for some baby moon hubcaps. There's various sites (search here) that sell them. Really brings out the vintage in it.
__________________
"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"
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05-03-2004, 01:06 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 28' International CCD
Pagosa Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 811
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Saw your other post that two of the wheels won't take them. I'd think that it's a matter of getting the right measurement and matching the covers. You may just need two moons of one size, two of another. Good luck
__________________
"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"
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05-03-2004, 01:10 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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That's true...I wish I knew more about these things. I've already made up my mind about the baby moons. They're definitely going on. I know it's a small thing to think about given the work we have in front of us, but at least one thing is decided!
If we could just get the time to go out and haul the trailer home.
__________________
"Let's look Death in the face and say, 'Whatever man.'"
~ Hurley
ingrid
1967 24' Tradewind #19104 ~ Forums #4449
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05-03-2004, 03:36 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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pinkflamingoes' wheels
Ingrid, the photos of your wheels look like the photos of my wheels in terms of the amount of tire showing before the wheel well of the trailer starts. I THOUGHT that meant I had life in my axles but when I got underneath and looked at the torsion bars I saw that I have zero life. Maybe less. What does your seller say about your axles?
I fantasized from the photos of our Tradewind that I was gonna get away with something -- WRONG! Our number one purchase (and the only purchase we will be able to afford for a while!) will be axles.
Connie
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05-03-2004, 11:48 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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I don't think the seller knows about the axles, he has given me all the information he can and past that was sure to tell me he doesn't know. but hubby's going to check it all out and make sure all is well before towing...I am a little concerned about the axles too.
Did you get a ballpark on how much fixing that is going to cost?
__________________
"Let's look Death in the face and say, 'Whatever man.'"
~ Hurley
ingrid
1967 24' Tradewind #19104 ~ Forums #4449
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05-04-2004, 07:22 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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axles -- oooooh!
Hey Ingrid,
The axle story is painful! A complete kit that includes brakes is $800 per axle, and we both have two axles. Then there's installation, so I assume this is a 2 thousand dollar job. My husband is handy but he is unwilling to undertake this, so we are going to "allow" our local AS dealer to install them.
I have been reading these posts for about a year, and I decided that whatever Andy of Inland RV says to do, I will do. And Andy says that the Airstream is designed to ride on a cushion so I will give mine back its cushion.
On the way home, the coach was bouncing so hard that the plastic ring that sits under both the toilet lid and seat flew off and wound up at the kitchen area. THAT is a lot of bouncing!
I already love it too much to beat it up!
I am picking up my pictures tonight and will scan some in and post them.
Connie
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05-04-2004, 12:43 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Alameda
, California
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,570
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yikes.
Well, with trailers this old, there's bound to be wear and tear...we're prepared for the axle question, but...yikes! We figure it will be sitting in our driveway for quite a while before we can use it...I wonder what AS dealer in the Wisconsin area could help us with that if it's a problem? Or if my husband can do it. How do you check for axle problems? Maybe I can ask the owner to do some looking into it for me.
looking forward to pictures!
i.
__________________
"Let's look Death in the face and say, 'Whatever man.'"
~ Hurley
ingrid
1967 24' Tradewind #19104 ~ Forums #4449
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05-04-2004, 02:01 PM
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#17
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkflamingoes
yikes.
Well, with trailers this old, there's bound to be wear and tear...we're prepared for the axle question,
i.
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Ingrid,
Looking at your pictures tells me that the axles will need attention, but i do believe that you can shlep your Airstream home like this, just make sure you get tires put on and the bearings packed, as well as the brakes checked. Looks like someone already put on new rear lights, looks recent.
To pack the bearings takes about onehour per wheel, dooing it the right way with cleaning the beairngs and repacking everything.
You'll need a jack, some wheel bearing grease, latex gloves and 5 cans of brake cleaner. A little tub helps, too.
You might go armed with new grease seals. Doing the bearings is not very hard at all, just messy.
Once you get the trailer home saafely, then you can start saving for axles. As it is, even with poor axles, you can at least do short trips, driving carefully, and start enjoying the trailer.
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05-04-2004, 03:24 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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jacking pinkflamingoes Tradewind
UWE, Isn't there more to say about jacking these rigs? I know Andy says something about putting a board or plate 15" from somewhere. When we get our axles put on I plan on asking the AS dealer service person to show me EXACTLY where it is safe to jack. The only service on wheels I am comfortable with doing myself is wheel bearing packing, also I guess there might be a tire to change once in a while.
There was just a thread about someone having some damage to the skin after getting new tires; I would also want to be able to show a tire place where to lift.
I went under my Tradwind to look at the torsion arms and laid there (sobbing) for a minute or two, so while the tears were drying I tried to see where I would put a jack and I came out with no idea. When I look under a car I can figure out where the jack rests but not so with the Tradewind.
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05-04-2004, 04:27 PM
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#19
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Hello penguin,
There is a strong piece of steel visible between the wheels. It is called the Axle Mounting Plate.
That, and only that is where you can jack up an Airstream like yours.
In Airstream lingo, jacking is different from supporting, which is different from leveling.
Jacking up means bringing the wheel (s) off the ground
Supporting or stabilizing is using jacks or bult in stabilizers to keep the trailer from moving when you walk around in it. This is NOT leveling the trailer!
leveling is done by means of using blocks under the wheels and or tongue jack to make the trailer level ( inportant for proper refrigerator function).
So, to jack up the trailer, put your bottle jack or floor jack between the wheels, on teh steel plate that is visible between the wheels. Look at the wheel picture in this thread above, you can clearly see the rust-spotted axle mounting plate between the wheels.
There is room behind the rear axle, to put safety jacks on the axle mounting plate, once the rear wheel is removed.
If you want to replace axles, you can drive a set of wheels on a block, and have one axle suspended in mid air. Than change the axle, and do the same for replacement of the other axle.
To do bearing service, you can do the same thing.
Just don't try and lift up your trailer on the frame in the rear or anywhere but the axle mounting plates.
I speak from experience and had the bulge in the side of the skin to proof it!
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05-04-2004, 04:50 PM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 184
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Penguin & Pinkflamingos,
You CAN replace your axles yourself. Other than being heavy, they are a snap to replace. Replaced the ones on my 73 31' Int'l in about 3.5 hours at the storage lot I keep it at! The biggest issue is having a couple of jacks to maneuver the axles around. They are unweildy and very heavy. There are only 4 bolts per axle holding them on (comes with new mounting hardware). The biggest time saver is to start spraying the rusty nuts and bolts NOW. I also smacked the head of the bolt, and the side of the nut after spraying to help knock things loose. I did this once a week for about three weeks leading up to the install and glad I did. They came right off! Axles are the single biggest improvement I made to the trailer. I used to pop interior rivets bringing it back from the strage lot to my house to work on it (1.5mi one way). Since replacement and 3K miles of towing later, I haven't popped a single one! My last trip to WV from Dallas I accidentally left a ceramic toothbrush holder on the bathroom counter. It was still there when I got home! 'Nuff said!
Tripp
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