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[a/s] Fw: new to list



 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 11:52 PM
Subject: new to list

 
  Hi from Calgary, Canada
 
I lurked for a while before to gather some info and am finally going public to ask a few questions now that we are getting close to the big step of purchasing a vintage Airstream.
 
We both work and have 2 girls (8 & 5) and all enjoy outings to the nearby Banff & Kananaskis area mountain parks. We have outgrown our 13 ft Boler (Flintstone trailer) and decided 1st priority is a bigger trailer to spend precious time with the girls before they grow up and discover boys are more interesting than weekends camping with the folks.
 
I came across an Airstream  last August at a country auction and instantly was hooked. It was a 1956 27 or 28 foot model in excellent shape. It was being sold by the original owner along with several vehicles including the 1957 Packard he purchased new with the trailer as the original tow car.
To make a long story short my wife felt it was a bit large for our needs and a little too vintage for her tastes. (What can I say? She didn't get the fever as quickly as I )
The part of this story that tested my self control with my bidding card was a final selling price of $2100.00 Canadian (about 1400.00 US)
 
Anyway, I have been weighing pros & cons all winter and pretty much feel the ideal set up for us would be: 1965 - 1968 24 ft Tradewind
This way we get : tandem axle,real wood cabinets & separate sleeping area for kids.
 
I guess the main question I have at this time is what does a 24 ft Airstream of this era weigh? I need a suitable tow vehicle and want to be sure that I can manage the trailer but I would prefer to not but too much vehicle. Gas is about 65 cents / liter here (2.90 cdn / gal) so a good idea of weight would be much appreciated.
 
We hope to buy the vehicle this month and then be ready to jump at the right Airstream.
 
Thanks
Terry O'Neill (& Barb, Kelly & Keara)