Should I adopt an Airstream?

[smelly_cat]

Hey Everyone, Im looking at this 1975 Airstream, Its 1800 bucks, I really just want to use it as a basement so my 4 teenagers will get out of my house, Or maybe I'll move in it. It looks towable and does does not smell too bad. Is this a good Idea?
SC

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by smelly_cat

Hey Everyone, Im looking at this 1975 Airstream, Its 1800 bucks, I really just want to use it as a basement so my 4 teenagers will get out of my house, Or maybe I'll move in it. It looks towable and does does not smell too bad. Is this a good Idea?
SC

Pictures??? Inside?? Outside??

The price would suggest the trailer has "MANY" problems.

Andy

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by smelly_cat

... looks towable and does does not smell too bad...

ever owned a free horse?

no you have a terrible idea here,

why turn over a trailer that "does does not smell too bad"...

to a bunch of teenagers?

cheers
2air'

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

First of all, allow me to offer my condolences on having four teenagers. About twent years ago, we had four teenage boys. It was a very trying time. Now, one of the them has two teenagers. He can't understand how they can be so stupid, and we find this very amusing.

As to your question, your concept could be sound, but it would depend on how usable the Airstream is. In that price range ($1800), it may have several significant propblems. We would need to know more about the trailer that you are considering, before making any meaningful suggestions. Also, please clarify your statement, "does not smell too bad".

[zamboni]

Based on your login name...i'm afraid to ask what "does not smell too bad" means.

[smelly_cat]

Thx for the replys, I will attempt to address the above questions. I'll tag some pics'. I read some stuff about replace rotting floors. etc. The kids can do the labor, I'll get stuck with the supplies. My Wife and I went to a flea market and this AirS.. was there. It looks like a Pickup can tow it home, Like 20 miles. My evil plan is that we fix it.. a little, clean it, a little, lock the kids in it, then sell it when they leave . I hope, then break even. Sweet plan! Huh?
Our Teens and there friends are always here. I feed them ramon noodles and cheap cola.
With this Trailer , they can play xbox, be them selves in the drive way,, My smelly cat name is great, when ever I sign up for a forum, its always available, Weird huh? I hope an airstream is not like a free horse. I have a buddy with 2 free horses and he is trying to give them away . I already have a VW bug, which is like a horse, except it wont go and it leaks oil.

Oh, smell is important , when I say it does not smell to bad, I say that as a plus, My wife is all about aroma, super nose. its incredable, we expected to get a blast of dead mouse and mildew, but .. what can I say, It was ok when I wrenched open the door.. Sc

[apolaroid]

I let my youngest son who is still a teen make use of my 72 tradewind for hanging out with his friends. He plays his xbox 360, and watches movies in there with his friends. If the outside is in good shape, you might think about it. But go with the knowledge nothing on an Airstream is cheap to fix if you need parts. The door latch alone can be hundreds of dollars.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by smelly_cat

I already have a VW bug, which is like a horse, except it wont go and it leaks oil.

I had a horse, it was like your VW bug, he wouldn't go, and leaked all over his stall...
Now, as far as the Airstream, if it's all there, the shell is straight (no dents/gouges/missing access doors, etc), and the interior is all there, and working, maybe you can move into it, and let the teens demo the house instead. You can put it back together when they move out, and call it "freshly remodeled", put it up for sale, and tour the country in your Airstream.

[dwightdi]

Having teenagers "play house" unsupervised in a trailer out behind the barn might lead to a little problem. We parked our '63 for a few years and let the preteens females play house in it, but put it back in service went they got to be teenagers. You should really look at the condition of the frame and make sure it is roadable, if you intend to sell it later. Very few people will buy a trailer that is not safe to be towed. Many of that year have rear end droop to the point of not being safe on the road but would make a good hunting shack when parked permanently on a lake.

[smelly_cat]

I took an extended lunch today, and rechecked out the trailer. I thought is was a 1975 but that was old a sticker on the window., it really is a 1965 overlander 28 feet long. It has what looks like an original tub shower thing in the back and a 1965 stove. The fridge is pretty new. Maybe a single bed in the middle and a fold out sofa bed in the nose. There is a dent that looks pound-out-able on a back corner. The owner was there and said that the price is now $1,500. Whoopee. He owns a trailer park some how got this and decided to sell it. He jumped up and down on the floor and did not fall through. But he did'nt jump in the bathroom part,for some reason. Is a 1965 a good trailer year? i think its an omen since I was born in 65. My wife is not real keen at the moment, But I think with a little work, I good use it for a while and if I can unload it later and break about even, that would be swell . I need to check how rusty the frame is. Thanks for the input and support. Stay tuned SC

[overlander63]

Just and FYI, Overlanders of that era were officially 26 feet long. If it's 28, it's an Ambassador.
Trailers of that era are more desirable for some people because of all the natural wood, and lighter weight for towing. The floors in the rear bathrooms do tend to go away, so tread lightly till you find out how solid it is back there.