Land Yacht! 1968 Airstream 24′ Tradewind
The vintage trailer market continues to be very hot. Go to any car show and if there’s an old car or truck hooked to a trailer, there will undoubtedly be a crowd around it most of the time. One of the most iconic vintage trailer brands is Airstream. Their space-ship look with huge polished aluminum panels is unmistakable. There are even clubs for Airstream owners including Airstream Club International and Vintage Airstream Club. The one featured here is from 1968 and can be found for sale here on eBay with a current bid of $7,700. While this might seem like a lot for an old camp trailer, a new Airstream of this size will set you back nearly six-figures! Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this trailer is ready for a new home. Take a look!
Unfortunately, the seller has not tested the on-board electrical system or the appliances. They do say that the water heater is the factory unit and the appliances appear to be original as well. It also features a built-in vacuum, which is apparently a rare option. The bathrooms are fairly roomy as well. The sink and cabinets are on one side while the shower and commode are on the other.
Here you can see the “Land Yacht” script between the taillights. Overall, this looks like a nice old trailer and the bidding seems to be strong. Do you own a vintage trailer or would you like one? Let us know your thoughts.
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Comments
My thoughts? They’re nuts. Airstreams are nice, no doubt, but this one is pretty tired, and the fact 40 people are bidding on this, is even more astounding. Despite the slick shape, these pull hard, all that hardwood, that looks in need of replacing, weighs a ton, so some guzzler will be needed. I guess that’s a given with these, but a lot of work here. I’m sure it smells pretty ripe too. Now, let’s see, one of those $35,000 dollar Broncos to pull it,( a jackknife waiting to happen) at least $10g’s into this, what do you have? Am I the only one that thinks like this?
You’re not the only one being reasonable, Howard, but as you saw there are people giving stupid money for something they’ll have to partially or wholly renovate-AFTER they buy some thing like a GMC Kodiak to pull it with!
Sign of the times, I guess.
A hundai santa fe or a honda ridgeline is rated to 5000lbs towing.
How much would a trailer like this be? (This is a legit question- not trying to be sarcastic)
It’s not the pulling that may be the issue but the stopping may be. Randy
@ Poppapork, I had to laugh when I saw the mention of the Honda Ridgeline in your post. I have a friend who bought a new Ridgeline a couple years back with the desire to pull his Trophy fishing boat. Turned out the Honda was the worst vehicle he could have bought and struggled to pull it around the block, so he immediately sold it and bought a new GMC Denali. That GMC was the ticket and I would think would pull this old Airstream just fine.
’68 Tradewind weighs in at 3985lbs–dry weight. Add a thousand pounds for food, clothes, propane, water, etc and you’re right at 5,000. Tongue weight at 13% would be about 650 lbs. I wouldn’t want to go very far or very fast right at the limit of my capacity.
All you need to pull this is anything with a 460, 455, or 440 under the hood. Any Lincoln, Cadillac, Olds 98, Buick Electra 225, or Pontiac Bonneville, or Chrysler should do.
This is the twin of the trailer my family owned when I was growing up. My dad towed it with a ‘68 Ford station wagon.
Thanks for thisone Montana – love it – would like to have one, but almost impossible to find here in Europe, and IF you find one, it will cost you a REAL fortune – not like the one for sale here.
Jeff; there’s a reason (actually multiple) you rarely see Airstreams in Europe – in most European countries it’s close to impossible to have them registered for road use!
Perhaps most important is the US tongue weight – Euro trailers have their axles centered in order to not put load on the tow vehicle as it affects steering. Then there’s the 2.55(2.60 refig)cm width restriction. Electrical braking poses another issue as it’s not approved in all of Europe – mechanical brakes used to be the only approved system for trailers up to 3.5tons. 110v vs 230v electrical system+++ and you’ll realize very few want the hassle of converting a US trailer to Euro specs.
The good news if you’re really craving for an Airstream is that they now offer a product line specifically designed for the Euro market. Of course not as extensive as the US and they’re NOT very cheap, but check out the Airstream Europe site if you’re interested
My dad owned an RV repair business for years and every time one of these would roll in the service staff would groan because they were such a pain to work on. I wouldn’t take one (especially this one) if you gave it to me.
When new these were pulled by a full size car, electric brakes, perfectly balanced which helped a lot in towing. Unless you grew up with them you would not understand. Today. You do need a truck to pull it. Forget the short wheelbase suv,
I had one, a 19′ 1967 Airstream, pulled it behind an ’70 Olds 442.
Hauled it about 80,000 miles.
Someone offered substantially more than what I paid for the trailer, so I sold it. Regrets…. none.
Had the hitch removed from the 442 and still have it (the 442 that is). I drive the Olds about 180 to 600 miles a year.
The only reason I bought the Airstream is that I could stand up in it. At 6’7″, there was no other trailer I could stand-up in. For me that was its only practical feature.
I’m only 6’2″ and I peal the skin on the top of my head every time I walk out the door of an Airstream. Went with another classic, Holiday Rambler; got all aluminum frame, interior height and equal quality.
What year was the Airstream you were in?
The year is critical.
Not all Airstreams are the same.
Sold!
I have a 1967 Safari. It’s only a couple feet shorter and a single axle. I replaced the axle, shocks, and brakes. It pulls just fine. I even used it when I moved and had it filled with stuff to the gills. Towed it across country. I don’t understand all the hate.
Listing ended without sale?
seller canceled the listing
I saw an article recently about a small company who gut these old Airstreams and refit them beautifully.
I own a 1975 28′ Argosy model (made by Airstream). My wife and I completely restored it about 10 or 12 years ago. It weighs less than 4000 lbs and has electric brakes and pulls just fine and stops great. I haul it with a 2000 Tahoe with a 5.7 liter engine.
Seems like a good idea to buy it, put on a rural acre with an electrical hook up and have a great getaway in the woods. I’d hire the single transport and enjoy my land yacht anchored at the end of a dirt road.
I have a 1976 31 foot Airstream,I have owned it since new. It was towed many times with a Chevy Impala V8. No issues, it towed just great. I have replaced a few items, water heater, fridge, carpet, curtains. I use it every summer and the old girl is awesome, no rot, no leaks. My tow vehicle now is Ram hemi and I would say it is a lot easier to tow now but the Impala did a fine job too. The awnings are original and are used often. Pricey to buy but they will last a very long time. They don’t make them like that any more. That is why everyone wants an older model.
I restored a 1951 Spartan Imperial Mansion, It’s 36′ long and empty weights under 6000lbs. Aircraft aluminum construction with a steel frame and wonderful birch interior. Pulls easy, besides the light weight, also due to its much lower and more streamlined than modern trailers.
Had an Uncle that at the time (1954) had a Ford, full size(think thats all they made in 54) and had a Airstream, think a 31′, he was all over the US and parts of Canada with the rig. Stayed W/us for a week, never sed anything negative.
Was a nice trailer. I think any RV is a pain to work on, had three.
I grew up traveling up and down the Alaska highway with my folks in the summers of the 1960’s pulling airstream trailers. They were the only trailer built at the time that would standup to not only the all gravel Alaskan highway, but to much worse roads on side trips in B.C. and the Yukon. My dad had a 16′ bambi at first, went to a 19′ Globe trotter than a new 22′ Sarfari like Clinton’s above. At the same time he bought a new 66′ chevy carryall 292ci 6cly. two door with the jump seat and panel doors that cleared the trailer. It had the big eaton posi. rear end as well with ps and pb. He also ordered the split rim wheels so you could break down the wheel anywhere and repair the tire or put in a new tube. That carryall was one of the best rigs chevy ever made. I wish I had one just like his to day. That 292 would pull that Sarfari all day long at 60mph with power to spare. Pulled hard? Airstreams were lite and pulled easy compared to the other heavy square junk they built at the time. If your into restoring old trailers from the 60’s this one would be a good one. Because Airstreams were the best. ………………Later………………………………JIMMY