Coach Identification

[luckydc]

This coach is being advertized as a 1979 Trade Wind International. I can't find any information such a coach. Any help would be appreciated. The seller advertizes the weight at 4005 lbs., which seems low to me on a 25'. Weight is a concern, so if anyone has more accurate information, please let me know.

eBay Motors: Classic 1979 25ft AIRSTREAM TRADE WIND Travel Trailer (item 170071579245 end time Jan-23-07 21:14:50 PST)

[InsideOut]

Looks like that's what it is to me...here's a link to the photo archives where you can find out more info on them: 79Tradewind

Shari

[luckydc]

Excellent, thank you. Any ideas on how best to get weight info? Should I call AS?

[wahoonc]

luckydc,
According to what information I have that trailer should have a DRY weight of around 4500-4700 pounds. Gross Vehicle Weight should be in the 5800# range. Which sounds about right. Typically most of the 1970-1980 Airstreams I have seen have a general cargo capacity of around 1000 pounds. Further break down based on a 1975 manual is Factory weight without options or variable weight 4190#, Factory Axle weight 3560#, tongue weight 630#. These are dry weights and do not include any water, LP or added options. The options list includes things like Vista Views, dual pane windows and the like.

Aaron

[CanoeStream]

Hi Paul -- Trailer weights is one of the categories covered in the Airstream site's FAQ section. There is just a lot of good all around info up and down that webpage. Airstream seems to suggest an empty weight of 4005# but I would say that Aaron is closer to real-world than that because it sounds like he has an owners manual in front of him. All options ordered with the trailer are not included in that base weight; eg, 'International' was a package of trim + options and probably would not be included on Airstream's chart. Previous owner(s) may have made other changes too. Two batteries come with the Tradewind now -- which would not have been the way it was originally equipped.

Airstream also lists a 670# tongue weight. That would have been without weight distribution gear added and no propane in the tanks. Lightly loaded with personal gear I feel you would be lucky to be under 850# tongue weight. The owners manual will give guidance about how to check the tongue weight with a bathroom scale -- same method here.

Two things in the write-up to think about for a new owner -- and that shouldn't distract you from checking out what may be a good unit:
1. It says 'catalytic heater.' The original would be forced air LP-fired furnace. Some owners do add catalytic heaters after the original furnace goes south. The original type furnace is desirable if you'll ever be camping in near freezing conditions; the outside pics show the OEM furnace vents. Either way I would have a competent RV tech check out a furnace this old.
2. It says 'newer radial tires.' If true that may be okay for now but when you face replacement you'd want something more like the original ST (special truck) bias ply tires. Just an example of some of the arguments... The wheels do look original -- good. Trailers tend to neither have the miles nor rough use that would take off much tread, so they look pretty darn good. Too darn good as a matter of fact. I would look at the current tires with a healthy dose of reality -- check for the manufacture year on the sidewall. A lot of recommendations here say to replace tires over 5 years old.

Best wishes for your search!

[luckydc]

Thanks y'all. I am trying to consider whether my Envoy would pull it. It has a tow capacity of 6200 lbs., so it looks like to would as long as I don't overload it. I rarely tow with full tanks or water.

Now I am wondering what it is worth. This coach sold a few weeks back and apparently the sale did not go through because it is relisted. I tracked it and high bid was just over $12K. Any ideas as to worth?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by luckydc

Thanks y'all. I am trying to consider whether my Envoy would pull it. It has a tow capacity of 6200 lbs., so it looks like to would as long as I don't overload it. I rarely tow with full tanks or water.

Now I am wondering what it is worth. This coach sold a few weeks back and apparently the sale did not go through because it is relisted. I tracked it and high bid was just over $12K. Any ideas as to worth?

What you are willing to pay....
Depending on the condition I would expect to pay somewhere from $5-10k.

Aaron

[rickandsandi]

Greeting Paul- Isn't it wonderful how well this forum works? One simple post and you just got a ton of very good information. Check the Blue Book on this, but in truth an AS is worth what you are willing to pay for it. From the photos published it looks to be in really great shape. You might want to see if you can have the AS inspected and put up a post for in inspector in the area. There are a lot of us who are availabel to do AS inspections. If it is what you are looking for you never know when you will find another one. In addition, I have learned to always figure an extra $2,000 after taking posession for the little things you want fixed. Good luck and please let us know what you end up doing. We are always interested what other members are up to.


Rick

[CanoeStream]

You should actually refer to your Envoy's owners manual for some info. There is a lot of good posting at ASForums that you shouldn't get closer than 85% of the max ratings. I would really think that a 6 cylinder midsize SUV would feel fully burdened with a large popup camper; I've got a friend with a 6 cylinder Highlander with approx the same numbers and his large Coleman (pre-Fleetwood) popup makes his eyes open wide at times. The moderate wheelbase (113") could have issues controlling a big Airstream; the Airstream would more than likely be steering the combo in any evasion or emergency maneuver. GMC Envoy Dimensions - Envoy Capacity says the payload capacity is 1209# for the new 4x4 Envoy. Put a hitch bar and tongue weight onto the Envoy (I'll stand by the 850# estimate) and that leaves you with 359# for all other content (fuel, people, pets, vehicle options) -- if you'd actually feel in control at 100% of the Envoy's GVWR.

The same source gives different tow capacities depending on axle ratio; definitely don't want to tow if you have the 3.42. Tow capacity is a dicey estimate in saying that a 6 cylinder would actually be comfortable towing at the max. This analysis suggests the proposition is very borderline and I'm not even figuring in the water issues.

It's hard to say why an eBay purchase was abandoned -- it could be financial on the part of the buyer but I'd really wonder about the inspection when the buyer came to pick it up. $12K does sound at the high end of the range, so it'd better be in great condition -- impossible to verify without inspecting beforehand. See Price vs. Condition - Airstream Values. Leaks and floor problems are common in a nearly 30-year old Airstream. I'd want to see it first before investing a few years of my recreation budget.

Could you look at the idea of replacing the Envoy with a used 1/2-ton Suburban?

[juel]

If I'm not mistaken this coach was sold on ebay in the past month for a little over $10,000.00. These are the same pictures and the same seller. Perhaps the sale did not go through; however, I don't see any mention of this in the new ad.

[InsideOut]

You're right Juel...this is the third time it's been listed in the last 30 days:

Dec 30th - Item #170066062562 "sold" for $13500
Jan 8th - Item #170068593715 "sold" for $12900
Current - Item #170071579245

Do an advanced search on the seller's auctions to see all the ads, they are identical.

Something seems a bit fishy to me ~

Shari

[juel]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

You're right Juel...this is the third time it's been listed in the last 30 days:

Dec 30th - Item #170066062562 "sold" for $13500
Jan 8th - Item #170068593715 "sold" for $12900
Current - Item #170071579245

Do an advanced search on the seller's auctions to see all the ads, they are identical.

Something seems a bit fishy to me ~

Shari

Oh good. I thought I was losing my mind since no one else seemed to notice this was the same trailer. I wonder what's happening. This looks like a great coach from a good seller.

[luckydc]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

1) The Envoy will pull it. It has upgraded trailoring package. It has pulled the Bambi with no problems, even at 14,000 feet. I was concerned whether the weight listed by the seller was accurate.

2) Thanks so much for pointing out how many times this camper has been sold! I actually called the seller the last time it was being sold. The gentleman was very off putting and because the auction was closing soon, I decided not to pursue. I think I will drop him a line and see what is up. It looks like a good coach.

Thanks again to all who responsed to my post!

[CanoeStream]

Any musty smell inside is a sure tipoff to the often hard-to-see floor issues. But we'd wish you better -- and hope you do so very well!

[VSP Raleigh]

Originally Posted by luckydc

I actually called the seller the last time it was being sold. The gentleman was very off putting and because the auction was closing soon, I decided not to pursue. I think I will drop him a line and see what is up. It looks like a good coach.

I asked him politely what was going on and he threatened to have me banned from Ebay. Told me "I have pals at Ebay I talk to several times a week".

Must be a wonderful truthful seller.

[juel]

I emailed him and he says this unit did sell before but the buyer decided he wanted another unit the seller had, so he relisted this one. He said the buyer before this last one was just a deadbeat and didn't pay up. His feedback isn't too bad but it looks like he is able to talk the negative buyers into changing their feedback.