What to look for when buying classic

[loki]

Hey, guys and gals. im new here and i am looking to buy an old airstream. I have always liked them but havent been serious about buying one until now. i was just wondering is there any number of things that i should look for when im out looking at them. I know to look for leaks and such but i dont know if there are any notorious problems i should know about. I would like to find one that is from the 50s or 60s from a 15 foot to 17 foot. I would be in your debt, thank you.

[roger n cindy]

everything ! do a search and read heavily as many posts as you can, yes it seems overwelming. one thing i have learned through personal experience , corrosion from the inside out. when airstreams seams go bad [and they do] water held in the insulation will eat the exterior and interior skins from the inside. this shows up as dark spots or flakes in early stager , holes in later stages.
roger

[overlander64]

Greetings loki!

Welcome to the Forums!

Originally Posted by loki

Hey, guys and gals. im new here and i am looking to buy an old airstream. I have always liked them but havent been serious about buying one until now. i was just wondering is there any number of things that i should look for when im out looking at them. I know to look for leaks and such but i dont know if there are any notorious problems i should know about. I would like to find one that is from the 50s or 60s from a 15 foot to 17 foot. I would be in your debt, thank you.

If you haven't already checked-out the Vintage Airstream Price vs. Condition page, it may help you with some of the potential issues with a Vintage coach. The size that you are considering has been in high demand and as such there is often significant competition when a desirable unit come onto the market.

If the critical issues for your are the coach's size and weight, you might want to consider the Argosy 20 (1972-1977) or the Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre (1977-1979). The Argosy 20 and the Minuet 6.0 Metre are very similar - - the primary difference is that the Argosy 20 is 7' 8" wide while the Minuet is 7' wide (the floorplans of the two coaches are virtually identical). A scan of the Minuet brochure page is included below:



Good luck with your research and search!

Kevin

[ALANSD]

are you looking for a Motorhome or Trailer?

[loki]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

are you looking for a Motorhome or Trailer?

a trail is what we need, and like. I have a ranger and my girlfriend a outback so wieght is an issue.

[loki]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings loki!

Welcome to the Forums!



If you haven't already checked-out the Vintage Airstream Price vs. Condition page, it may help you with some of the potential issues with a Vintage coach. The size that you are considering has been in high demand and as such there is often significant competition when a desirable unit come onto the market.

If the critical issues for your are the coach's size and weight, you might want to consider the Argosy 20 (1972-1977) or the Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre (1977-1979). The Argosy 20 and the Minuet 6.0 Metre are very similar - - the primary difference is that the Argosy 20 is 7' 8" wide while the Minuet is 7' wide (the floorplans of the two coaches are virtually identical). A scan of the Minuet brochure page is included below:



Good luck with your research and search!

Kevin

thanks for the info. as i am still so new here i have been reading as much as possible, but still had not yet come across this thankyou. last night i read into the wee hours of the morning about how the inside panels are sturcturel and that you need to check the wireing. thanks

[loki]

Originally Posted by roger n cindy

everything ! do a search and read heavily as many posts as you can, yes it seems overwelming. one thing i have learned through personal experience , corrosion from the inside out. when airstreams seams go bad [and they do] water held in the insulation will eat the exterior and interior skins from the inside. this shows up as dark spots or flakes in early stager , holes in later stages.
roger

thats a great thing to know about the dark spots. are those on the inside or out or both.