Airstream 26' Overlander Double 1966 User manual

1964 AIRSTREAM OWNERS MANUAL
26' OVERLANDER TWIN

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MODEL : 1964
OVERLANDER TWIN 26 FT.
26'8"
_96"
_106"
SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
if and when new materials and production
techniques are developed which can improve
the quality of its product, Airstream, Inc.,
reserves the right to make changes in the
specifications printed herein.
_2 SETS, KELSEY-HAYES, ELECTRIC
_4, 15" SPLIT RIM, TRUCK TYPE
4, 7:00 x 15, 6-PLY NYLON, WITH TUBES
_1, 12-VOLT, KELSEY-HAYES
_1, 2" MARVEL
WINDOW WINDOW
WINDOW
WINDOW
TRUNK DOOR

When you took delivery on your new Air-
stream, the dealer explained to you the opera¬
tion of all of the appliances and systems in your
trailer, and gave you some tips on getting more
fun out of travel trailering. This Manual will
serve two purposes: It has tips on travel trailer¬
ing drawn from the experiences of tens of thou¬
sands of people like you . ,. who have taken
their Airstreams into every corner of the earth.
In addition, it contains operating and mainte¬
nance instructions which you will want to refer
to from time to time to supplement the instruc¬
tions your dealer gave you.
When you bought your Airstream you not only
received the finest travel trailer ever built, you
entered a new way of life. .. a way of life
filled with new friends and adventures to come.
Those who travel the byways of the world in
their Airstreams are called Caravanners and
they never say “Goodbye,” they simply say
“We’ll he seeing you on the road.”
PAGE I

Airstream’s policy has always been to provide the
highest degree of service for Airstream owners. To
this end Airstream originated the lifetime guarantee
in the travel trailer industry.
Your Airstream had a facsimile copy of the Airstream
Lifetime Warranty posted in it when it left the fac¬
tory. Upon your taking delivery the dealer should sign
the return postcard in the place designated and mail
it to the factory for proper registration of your war¬
ranty. The facsimile copy is for you to read so that
you will understand the exact coverage of the war¬
ranty. As soon as the postcard is received, the per¬
manent registered copy of the Warranty for your
trailer will be sent to you.
If, and when, the occasion arises that you require ser¬
vice on your trailer, we suggest that you first contact
your dealer. If the service is minor, or simply involves
an adjustment, he will perform the service. Service
and repair depots are listed under the various appli¬
ance sections of this catalog, which will provide service
under their respective warrantees.
If it is inconvenient for you to contact your franchised
Airstream dealer, or if the service required is major,
communicate directly with the Service Manager of
the Airstream factory nearest you. If the service re¬
quired is of an emergency nature, either Service Man¬
ager can be reached by telephone.
Service Manager
Airstream, Inc.
12804 E. Firestone Boulevard
Santa Fe Springs, California 90670
213-868-1751
or
Service Manager
Airstream, Inc.
Jackson Center, Ohio 45334
513-596-7111
Of course, each Airstream plant maintains a very com¬
plete Service Department to take care of your major
service needs. But in order to service our customers
most expeditiously, it is necessary that these service
departments be operated on a scheduled appointment
basis. Please communicate with either of the Service
Managers when you intend to visit the factory for
service and request an appointment. It is beneficial,
also, to advise the Service Managers when you are
unable to meet the appointment date.
PAGE II

You are now an Airstream owner. The magic doors to
fun, friendship and adventure are wide open to you
. . . and the rich rewards are endless. You are now
eligible to take part in all Wally Byam Caravans and
Airstream Rallies. There are two rallies held annually;
one in the West and one in the East and folks look for¬
ward to them with eager anticipation year after year.
As an Airstream owner, you are also eligible to make
application for membership into the Wally Byam
Caravan Club, the largest and most influential travel
trailer club in the world. There are WBCC units and
chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
All operate autonomously, electing their own officers
and setting their own dues. All new members are
required to join through a local unit or chapter. (Leg¬
islation was adopted in 1962 stating that members-at-
large would no longer be accepted). At the time your
application is made, National dues are paid along with
the Unit dues. At present National dues are $3.00 per
year per trailer. No Unit dues at this time exceed
$3.00 and no Chapter dues exceed $5.00.
Some units and chapters get together for monthly Ral¬
lies while some have weekly Dutch-treat dinners in
addition to their regular Rallies. In areas where
weather does not permit year-around Rallies, the din¬
ner meetings are very popular. This gives members
a wonderful opportunity to keep in touch and to plan
Rallies for the more seasonable times of the year.
Officers, from International down to the Chapter level,
are elected annually.
If you are interested in joining the Wally Byam Cara¬
van Club (WBCC), get in touch with the secretary
in your area. The name of each secretary is listed in
the Headquarters Office (822 Niles Street, Bakersfield,
California) and your letter will be forwarded.
The first Wally Byam Caravan was in 1951. Since then
there have been 37 Caravans to most parts of the
world. The annual Caravans to Canada and Mexico
have become so popular, that in recent years we have
conducted two Caravans each year to these neighbor¬
ing countries.
Traveling with a Wally Byam Caravan teaches you
how to travel in a foreign country as well as how to
get the most enjoyment out of your Airstream. You
travel with both, old and new Airstream owners; shar¬
ing experiences, learning from one another and enjoy¬
ing a new kind of fellowship. On the Caravans and in
the Club, you will make life-long friends — friends
who become closer and dearer to you than many you
have known all your life. As Wally used to say: “You
will never be alone or lonely."
Traveling with the Caravan offers many advantages;
the security of group travel, recognition, and unusual
opportunities to see special places and meet special
people.
Many of these opportunities which would never be
possible for individuals, are routine for the Caravan.
The blue beret, the badge of Airstream ownership
and identification for a Wally Byam Caravanner,
is an open sesame to the bandbox of excitement and
adventure.
Several months before a Caravan rolls, it is announced
in the CARAVANNER, our monthly publication. A
registration coupon is printed for your convenience,
and everyone who registers receives a detailed bulle¬
tin telling about that particular Caravan, what to
bring along, and how to prepare for it. When going
to Mexico and Central America, such matters as in¬
surance, tourist cards and other details connected with
border crossings are all handled for you by the WBCC.
When you go on a high adventure Caravan, such as
one to Europe or Africa, all details are also taken care
of for you. About all you have to do is get your pass¬
port and take your shots. Those are two items we
can t do for you — or we would!
On every Wally Byam Caravan, the route is carefully
planned and arrangements are made for parking, en¬
tertainment, tours, etc., long before the Caravan ever
leaves. A day-by-day itinerary is planned and a copy
indicating the mail stops is given to all Caravanners
in advance.
Although Airstream provides a Caravan team consist¬
ing of a leader, recreation director, scout and service
representative, the Caravan is actually run by com¬
mittees made up of the Caravan members themselves.
The Wally Byam Caravans are a family affair. Every¬
one participates and becomes a part of the great Air¬
stream family. Each is an unforgettable experience.
Only Wally Byam Caravanners and WBCC mem¬
bers are entitled to the official Caravan numbers,
and to be listed in the annual directory. The Club
members receive their number from the Headquarters
Office. The Caravanners who are not Club members
receive their numbers at the rendezvous point before
the caravan leaves.

The annual directory lists all WBCC members and
Wally Byam Caravanners including names of those
who have parking space available at home for fellow
Airstream owners. It’s really wonderful to be able to
pull into the yard of a friend (even if you have never
met) rather than have to hunt for a trailer park. The di¬
rectory also lists the rally schedule for the year, all
WBCC officers, those with Citizen Band radios, the
WBCC Amateur Radio Club (hams) and a list of all
Wally Byam Caravans.
The annual WBCC International Rally is held toward
the end of June and the first week of July every year.
Wally’s birthday was July 4, and the first Rally was in
the form of a huge birthday party for him, patterned
after the international Rallies in Europe which he
loved to attend. Until 1956, when the first Wally Byam
Caravan attended the rally in Perpignan, France,
Wally and Stella had been the only Americans pres¬
ent. Everyone had such a good time at this first big
get-together held in the beautiful Ozarks that the
club decided to make it an annual affair. Since then
International Rallies have grown tremendously in
size and scope. The 1963 International Rally in
Bemidji, Minnesota, brought together over 2,000 Air-
streams and 6,000 people. The 1964 New York World’s
Fair Rally is expecting 3,000 Airstreams and over 7,500
happy people.
In all our Caravan and Club activities, the program
is planned for all ages — from babes in arms to those
in their nineties — but you would never guess that
anyone was in that 90-year bracket.
Within the WBCC are square dance clubs, past presi¬
dents clubs, Citizen Band radio clubs, the ARCs
(hams), special study groups, hiking and bird-watch¬
ing groups, avid fishermen and boating enthusiasts.
Along with the fun, our Airstream owners recognize
the need for better legislation regarding travel trailers;
more overnight parking places, more sanitary stations
for emptying septic tanks, etc. They’re also quite alert
to bills adverse to travel trailers. In this field, the
WBCC has a strong National Legislative Committee,
and we are justly proud of their accomplishments.
When you bought your Airstream, you not only bought
the prestige travel trailer in America, but truly a whole
new way of life. Enjoy it! Many new friends are wait¬
ing to be made , . . new interests are waiting to be
found . . . new adventures are waiting to be discovered.
We’re happy to welcome you into our Airstream family.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Foreword .I
Factory Service Procedure.II
Wally Byam Caravans and Caravan Clubs.Ill
SECTION I —TRAVEL TRAILERING
Chapter 1 — Getting Acquainted with your Airstream.1-1
Chapter 2— Getting Ready For The Road. 2 - 1
Chapter 3 — Towing Your Airstream.3-1
Chapter 4 — Stopping For The Night.4-1
Chapter 5 — Making an Extended Stay. 5 -1
SECTION II — THE SELF-CONTAINED UTILITIES IN YOUR AIRSTREAM
Chapter 6 — The LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) System.6-1
Chapter 7— The Range and Oven. 7 - 1
Chapter 8 — The Refrigerator..8-1
Chapter 9 — The Furnace...9-1
Chapter 10 — The Water Heater.10-1
Chapter 11 — The Electrical System...11-1
Chapter 12 — The Water System.12-1
Chapter 13 — The Sewage System..13-1
SECTION III — MAINTAINING YOUR AIRSTREAM
Chapter 14 — Exterior Maintenance ..14-1
Chapter 15 — Interior Maintenance.....15-1
Chapter 16 — Winterizing ...16-1
Chapter 17 — The Running Gear.17-1

CHAPTER 1
The first thing you should do in order to get the most
carefree fun from your Airstream is to get to know it
thoroughly. Figures 1-A and 1-B show a 26-foot Inter¬
national model. Regardless of the particular model
or size of your Airstream, most of the details shown
on the photographs apply.
Figure 1-C shows the “One-Stop Service Center.” This
feature gives quick access to “hook-up” and service
the self-contained utilities in your trailer. Details on
each utility follow in Chapters 6 through 13.
There are as many accessories and appliances for your
Airstream as there are for any home. Your Airstream
dealer will be able to help you select those accessories
you will need, depending on where you wish to travel
and for how long.
AWNING RAIL
LICENSE PLATE
BRACKET AND LIGHT
STOP, TAIL AND
DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS
ONE-STOP
SERVICE CENTER
REFRIGERATOR VENT
CEILING VENT
WEATHERPROOF
110-VOLT
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
FLOOD LIGHT
CLEARANCE LIGHT
NAME PLATE AND
SERIAL NUMBER
ELECTRICAL, WATER
AND SEWAGE CONNECTIONS
CLEARANCE LIGHT
TRUNK DOOR
RETRACTABLE STEP
FIGURE 1-A
FIGURE 1-B
PAGE 1-1

WATER PUMP
TOILET
BATTERY
POLARITY LAMP
110-VOLT and
12-VOLT
SELECTOR
SWITCHES
UNI'VOLT
TRANSFORMER
WATER PRESSURE
REGULATOR
WATER INLET
110-VOLT
ELECTRICAL INPUT
FIGURE 1-C
WATERLINE DRAINS SEWER OUTLET
RADIO AND TELEVISION
Since the aircraft-type aluminum construction of your
Airstream makes an almost perfect radio “shield” you
will need outside antennas for good reception of either
radio or television.
Your 1964 Airstream is wired for an exterior television
antenna. To install the antenna it is recommended that
you go to your Airstream dealer since it must be struc¬
turally mounted to the outside skin. The lead wires
will be found curled inside the convenience outlet
located on the door side of the front window. The
exterior antenna should be mounted to the side of
the window so that the leads can be connected at that
point. The other end of the leads will be found under
a blank plate located next to a convenience outlet in
the living area of your trailer. This has been located
in the most convenient spot for TV viewing in your
particular model. Remove the blank plate and replace
with a standard TV outlet plug. Your dealer will rec¬
ommend the best folding type TV antenna for your
trailer or see any Wally By am Store.
A police-type whip radio antenna is recommended par¬
ticularly for 12-volt transistor radio use. This should
be installed on the front of your trailer and should
have suitable clips for holding it against the body
while traveling.
AIR CONDITIONING
The Airstream Bay Breeze air conditioner is specially
designed to keep your trailer cool and comfortable in
the hottest weather. Since the Bay Breeze requires
certain modifications in your trailer, it should only be
installed by one of the many Airstream dealers who
are equipped for this type of service or at one of the
two Airstream factories.
PAGE 1-2

CHAPTER 2
YOUR CAR
Since your Airstream is designed and built for easy
towing, almost any car has enough power and weight
to tow it under level dry conditions. However, exper¬
ience has proved that a heavier car is advisable for
towing under difficult weather conditions and on hills.
A heavier car will also help you maintain complete
control on slippery downgrades.
WES GHT-TO-HORSE POWER RATI0
From the experience of thousands of trailer travellers,
Airstream engineers have developed a “weight-to-
horsepower” ratio to serve as a guide for matching
tow cars to Airstreams. To obtain this ratio, add the
weight of the trailer to the advertised weight of the
automobile and divide by the advertised horsepower
of the automobile.
Example: To determine the weight-to-horsepower
ratio for a 250 horsepower Ford sedan
weighing 3829 pounds and a 26-foot Air¬
stream weighing 3950 pounds, the form¬
ula would read:
3950 T 3829 oi i o a
-- - = 31.12 pounds per
horsepower
Experience has shown that the practical upper limit
for most road conditions is 60 pounds per horsepower.
Anything in the range of 30-40 pounds per horsepower
is very adequately powered with any lower ratio being
a “hot rod.”
Transmission can be manual or automatic as you pre¬
fer. For rugged country use, a manual shift may
actually be easier to drive, but any automatic trans¬
mission is sufficient to tow your Airstream.
THE HITCH
The hitch is an all-important item. Your dealer will
advise you on the best make for your particular car,
but in all cases be certain that a frame mounted hitch
is used. A leveling type hitch (there are several makes
on the market) allows the weight of the trailer hitch
to be evenly distributed over all four wheels of the car.
It provides, in addition, a certain amount of anti-sway
protection. Installation of the hitch is crucial and
should be attempted only by a competent man who
is thoroughly familiar with structural welding. Your
dealer should either make the installation for you, or
will supervise and inspect it. When installed, the top
of the hitch ball should be approximately 19" from
the ground, with the car level and not attached to the
trailer. If this dimension is maintained the car and
trailer will be level.
THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
A seven-conductor auto cord wiring system is used to
connect your Airstream to your car. Through a single,
locking, polarized connector your trailer battery will
be charged, its brakes will be operated and the running
and signal lights will be activated simultaneously with
those on your car. Figure 2-A is a diagram of the con¬
nector used on your trailer.
Your Airstream is equipped with Kelsey-Hayes two-
shoe adjustable brakes . . . the finest trailer brakes
available. To insure proper operation your car should
be equipped with a genuine Kelsey-Hayes controller
and resistor. Your Airstream dealer will either make
the installation, or supervise and road test it for you.
If you have any other controller already on your car
have it removed and the Kelsey-Hayes controller which
came with your Airstream installed.
ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR CAR
A truck or trailer type rear view mirror is required by
law in most states. This is to allow you to see out past
the trailer. Several good makes are available from
your dealer.
If your car has an automatic transmission and you in¬
tend to travel through mountainous country, you may
wish to have a transmission oil radiator such as the
Hayden Trans-Cooler installed to help your engine
and transmission to run cooler and prevent possible
damage. This is available through your Airstream
dealer.
OUTFITTING YOUR TRAILER
Outfitting your Airstream, that is converting the bare
vehicle you bought from the dealer into a comfortable
home, is very similar to outfitting any home or apart¬
ment. Your Airstream is completely furnished, but
there are many little personal touches you will want
to add. Since your Airstream will be subject to the
vibration and bumps of the road, anything that is
attached should be done so firmly. A small hand drill
should be used to drill holes in the aluminum inner
PAGE 2-1

SEVEN CONDUCTOR AUTO CORD WIRING DIAGRAM
Note: Polarity of trailer battery must match polarity of car battery. E.G., if negative pole
of car battery is grounded, then negative pole of trailer battery must be grounded.
FIGURE 2-A
walls and one-half inch No. 8 sheet metal screws, with
flat binder heads, used to attach such things as hooks
for clothing, book shelves, extra towel racks . . . those
little accessories you “can’t do without/’ Note: Always
check polarity light after drilling through skin to make
certain you have not drilled into a wire and caused
a short.
EQUIPMENT YOU SHOULD CARRY
1. A first aid kit.
2. A tool box with an assortment of small hand tools
such as screw drivers, hammer, pliers, wrenches,
etc.
3. A tow rope. %" to 1" nylon is sufficient. At least
35 feet is recommended.
4. A lug wrench to fit your trailer wheel lugs.
5. A hydraulic jack for your trailer axle.
6. A set of stabilizing jacks.
7. A spare tire for your trailer.
8. A fire extinguisher.
9. Plastic buckets for carrying water (at least two).
10. W heel blocks. These should be 4 blocks of wood
approximately 7" square and 4" thick, slanted at
one end to fit against the tire, to block the wheels
when parked.
11. A hundred feet of %" water hose. (A “Y” connec¬
tion is useful when you travel with others since
it permits two trailers to be hooked together on
one faucet.
12. 1 short (4 ft.) and 1 long (10 ft.) sewer hose and
a coupler,
13. A 75' 3-wire electric cord with a 30 amp capacity
to connect your trailer to outside sources, with
grounding type 3-prong plug and receptacle.
14. A small spirit level (two will be helpful).
15. A flashlight.
16. A short handle shovel (the Army surplus G.L type
is satisfactory).
17. A pick or pry bar.
18. Axe.
19. A five gallon gasoline can.
20. A large funnel.
21. A folding chair for each person.
22. Cleaning equipment. Broom, mop, dust pan, mop
bucket, sponges, etc.
23. Road emergency flares.
PAGE 2-2

In addition to the above, you will find many other
accessories to make your trailering more enjoyable,
available at Wally Byam Stores and your trailer dealer.
As you travel you will develop your outfit to suit your
particular trailering needs.
LOADING YOUR AIRSTREAM
When you took delivery of your Airstream, you re¬
ceived a trailer that was the result of millions of miles
of road testing and towing in every clime and terrain.
The center of gravity and the weight placed on your
car’s hitch has been precisely calculated to provide
the easiest possible towing. You can maintain this
easy-towing trim by following two basic rules.
1. Keep your trailer as light as possible.
2. Distribute the weight evenly.
The amount of baggage and personal gear that you
take is determined by how you like to travel and
where you will be traveling. However, every item that
you take along is one more thing that you will have
to stow before going on the road and will add just
that much more weight which your car must pull.
Regardless of what weight of personal belongings you
take with you, always make certain that you maintain
the perfect balance that has been built-in your Air¬
stream. The loaded Airstream should have 12% to 15%
of its total weight on the trailer hitch. A tongue that
is too light can cause the front end to float and the
trailer to weave at higher speeds. When it is too heavy
it may prove too much for your car.
Your Airstream is designed with storage space ar¬
ranged in such a way that if ordinary things are put
in ordinary places the weight will come out about
right. If you are carrying heavier items, place them
near, or just forward of, the wheels. Stow everything
as low as possible to maintain your low center of grav¬
ity. Keep fragile things well forward of the axle as the
front of the trailer is stabilized by the hitch, while the
back will tend to bounce more.
Secure loose items left out in the open to prevent
them from sliding around while you are towing your
Airstream. Stack loose material such as chairs on the
floor. Lash down smaller objects that are not put into
a cabinet. Place heavy loose items such as can goods
in drawers near the floor.
The extra care that you take while you are loading
your trailer will pay off in reduced strain on your car’s
engine and springs. This may not be too important on
super highways, but a few hundred miles of rutty
country road will prove the wisdom of loading your
trailer properly. As you become a more experienced
trailer traveler, you will undoubtedly pick up tricks
such as using aircraft shock cord to lash down radios
and other objects that you don’t want to put in cab¬
inets; placing hooks in strategic places so that the
shock cord can be quickly attached. When packing
your cupboards remember that a partially empty cup¬
board 1 will permit the contents to move about and be¬
come damaged; it is better to have one full roof locker
and one empty one than two which are half-filled.
Never carry pierced containers of liquid in the refrig¬
erator; always make certain that all containers are
tightly sealed. Liquids such as milk and juices should
always be transferred to plastic containers with tight
fitting caps. If you must carry paper cartons, place a
sheet of heavy cardboard between the carton and the
wire shelf to prevent the wires from wearing through
the carton.
You are now ready for travel adventure.
PAGE 2-3