What is this?

I need help in identifying this item in our 1960 Trade Wind. This is above the furnace when you come into the trailer. There is a cord coming to it, with two wires, and underneath, there is a switch that looks like it might go to it, but unsure as I have not dug into the backside yet. Anyone have an idea?

Cleaning, cleaning, and some parts

Well, I made it home without any problems. I got home Saturday morning, having spent the night in the Trade Wind the first night I got it....just too tired to pull all the way home. Man - that original Goodyear foam mattress is comfy. So, I've been cleaning all weekend. Cobwebs, dirt, grime, and the old mouse droppings abound...but no longer. The trailer is cleaning up nicely, and I just came in from putting down some sticky tiles (a good match for what was there color wise) over the old tiles. The doorway needs repair in the floor, as does up front under the dinnette road side - typical floor issues for the era. It is very solid in my mind for the year. Water systems are still untested, but I'll tell you, it still has the Land Yacht optional Grover 12v air compressor in it - untested as well to this point. Here are a couple pictures. Also, here is a picture of the Ball mount type antenna we've picked up for the SOTR. The upholstry starts this week. Hopefully, some of the interior wiring will also. SYDTR!

On my way

Well, here I am, once again down here in Stafford, VA staying in the Caravel. I leave for Ohio tomorrrow night, to go get the Trade Wind. I'm hoping to be there around 9am, hook up, and tow it home to be home by early evening Friday night. We are hoping to take it to CBR, but that is up in the air as our youngest son is having an Adenoidectomy and Tonsilectomy next Wednesday, so we are now playing it by ear. I'm hoping he heals fine so we can all go, and take a few days to just get away from it all. I'm off to get two Goodyear Marathons tonight - the TW has the original split rims on it and the tires are junk! I just bought a Garmin i5 GPS for the trip, so this will be a test drive of that as well. Wish me luck, and I'll let you know how the trip goes. As for the SOTR, I just sent Colin the Hustler stainless steel ball mount antenna I purchased, so that he can put that on before the interior skin goes back in. It's going slow right now, and most likely will be another year now in the making - mostly due to budget running low - remember, I'm just a regular Joe doing this...a working family that took a 1985 34' Airstream, sold it to fund this project, along with our 2005 Tax refund. That, and doing the Jeep, has the funds running low. I am expecting an itemized bill from Colin any day, and once I get it, I'll post to you all the running tally - please don't fall over. Here's a hint - it's over $20k to this point right now - and the shell has a way to go before being liveable. Then the cabinets - that is enough to make one fall over too - a $5000 quote to do them....so they will be slow going too! SYDTR! Oh yeah, here are a couple more interior shots of the Trade Wind. Anyone know where we can one of these door handles? I know the answer...well, anyway, if you do, let me know. Until then, we have the other piece, and my dad and I (he's a 30 year tool maker - injector mold maker) will try to fix this one. Stay tuned.

Got Trailer?

Well, it has been over a week since my last post. Well, we've got some good news, and some not so good news. The not so good - the SOTR is still not even close to complete, and we don't have an operational trailer to take to Cherry Blossum April 6-9. The Caravel needs systems work too! The good news - we bought this, and will use it at Cherry Blossum. It is a 1960 Trade Wind with center twins, rear bath and front dinette. We are going to go get it next weekend, the 25th...then a quick cleaning and off to Cherry Blossum. We are excited to say the least. Let us know what you think. SYDTR!

Costs and budgets

Well, I've been toiling over posting my costs to date thus far. I am working with Colin and will be posting what this is costing us thus far and estimates to get it done. I will start with this - we bought the Sovereign of the Road for $2500 up front. Count in having to go and get it in Bat Cave, NC - another $250. So, that came off the top. I will work something up here in the near future that will tally our totals thus far. Things we still have to do - wiring, insulation, re-install inside skin, install holding tanks, zolatone, marmoleum, plumbing, install Intellipower, buy batteries, put interior back in, new mattresses, curtains and re-upholster the front gaucho, and complete the wood work. I will work this up to the closest amount we have spent. Stay tuned!

SYDTR!

The Shady Dell

Well, I am back here in the Northeast again, and it's about 15 degrees and snowy, with about 10 inches on the ground - a far cry from being out in Sierra Vista where it was nearly 75 in the day, and a nice 50 at night. On Wednesday night, I drove the 25 miles over from Sierra Vista to Bisbee, AZ and spent the night in a 57 El Rey trailer, situated next to a 49 Airstream (it was booked) at the Shady Dell and had a blast visiting with Ken. He toured me through his Spartanette, and the AirFloat (way cool!) and the old tour bus. I had a great time. On Thursday, I found myself complete with my trip and had to drive to Phoenix where I was flying out in the morning. I met up with Brad Norgaard in Phoenix who owns a nice 59 Trade Wind. We sat out there for over an hour, and I was there from around 8pm to after 10pm visiting. It was a pleasure to finally meet you Brad! Thanks for a good time. If you are out in the Tuscon area, Bisbee and the Shady Dell is worth the stay - and tell Ken I say hello. SYDTR!