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idroba · 03-04-2012, 06:59 PM

By the way, in about 1982 I was in Dawson, Yukon when a tree fell on my 21' 1969 Airstream, the first one I ever owned. Put a diagonal 14" crush from the door back, really messed up the inside. But, we were loaded and did not want to try to get all of our stuff back home without the trailer, so we fixed the door enough to get it to open and close, and towed it back the 1800 miles or so, including a lot of the then unpaved Alaskan Highway. We slept in it every night. Nothing worked quite right, but it was watertight, and still towed fine. Airstreams will take a whole lot of abuse, if push comes to shove. Had that same tree fallen on a conventional trailer, it would have gone right down to the frame.

When I got it home, the insurance company even dispensed with my deductible, saying that it would have cost them a lot more to write it off up in the Yukon, had I left it there. They paid me $1300 more than it cost me when I had bought it, several years previous.

So, I bet your salvage tow will go just fine.

RSantiago · 03-04-2012, 07:13 PM

Wow, BIG ED thank you very much for all the info. This will help a lot. Can I bother you for another question? Do you know the tire sizes off the top of your head?? Thanks again.

idroba, thanks for the encouragement. It may be an adventure getting it out but hopefully worth it.

BIGED52 · 03-04-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSantiago

Wow, BIG ED thank you very much for all the info. This will help a lot. Can I bother you for another question? Do you know the tire sizes off the top of your head?? Thanks again.

idroba, thanks for the encouragement. It may be an adventure getting it out but hopefully worth it.

Yep, Best place to get them is a Sam's Club if you are a member. Size and rating are as follows: Bias ply LT 7.00 X 15". The ones I bought were 8 or 10 ply Goodyear. That is possibly the cheapest tire you can start with and will hold up well for 5 years. If no Sams' is an option then Tires Plus will work too! Meant to tell you to be sure not to jack up the trailer under any axle tube. Ed

Eric H · 03-04-2012, 08:00 PM

That looks bad... but I agree with "Go get it" IF you have a place to store it...
Then, find another one that's around the same year and you'll have parts!

RSantiago · 03-04-2012, 08:14 PM

Ed, you're the man! It will be a few weeks before I can get out there, but I will update. In my head I see only minor dents....maybe Im an optimist! We will see what reality says when I see it.

BIGED52 · 03-04-2012, 08:26 PM

If you are lucky the tree on top fell over slowly and has done very little damage. From what I can see it isn't too large a diameter so damages may be minimal. Remember to cut from the top a small segment at a time to prevent further damage to the trailer. If the trunk is still in the ground it may raise up off the roof by cutting away the top sections. Make sure you check that it won't spring up on you when you are cutting. Tie it off if you are not sure and have a good solid place to stand before cuts are made. Be Safe and report back here if you have any other questions. Glad to be of any help I can. Ed

RSantiago · 03-08-2012, 01:28 PM

Heading out Saturday to check it out. Anxious to see it!

BIGED52 · 03-08-2012, 08:16 PM

Don't forget to take lots of before and after pictures of all you see and do! Ed

Eric H · 03-08-2012, 08:40 PM

I was just looking at a thread where someone had taken out the middle of a trailer and connected the two ends to small trailer! Maybe this could be used for that purpose!

RSantiago · 03-09-2012, 07:43 AM

So they made a smaller trailer by just cutting out the middle and pushing in both sides in?? I would like to see that.

I imagine a beautiful sky light where the tree is, ha! We'll see.

Travel Bird · 03-09-2012, 08:21 AM

WOW!!! Take lots of photos. We would all like to see it. Good luck!

RSantiago · 03-10-2012, 01:38 PM

Well folks, here she is.....

So my dad, brother in law, and I had a beautiful drive today. We brought about 70 ft. of rope, a brand new chainsaw and a a couple gallons of gas. We get there expecting to do tons of strategizing and cutting, expecting the worse. Before I can even take another before picture, my brother in law climbs a ladder, says "this tree is dead", he broke a few pieces away and the tree came right down.

The tree did some damage, obviously, but we didn't even open the case of the chainsaw. There were trees down all around and I'm guessing they are the ones that made the huge dents in the back. Those hurt to look at. Where the ac came, the floor is rotted beneath.

The best part of the day was the raccoon that swiped its claws and growled at my brother in law ha! Needless to say this will require complete renovation. So, we are going to bring it home tomorrow! Crazy?!!

More pics soon

ASwifey · 03-10-2012, 01:47 PM

Totally Crazy, but you're gonna love it!

Disneysue925 · 03-10-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASwifey

Totally Crazy, but you're gonna love it!

Hey, what do you have to lose?? Worst case, part it out. Better case, sell to someone who REALLY wants a project trailer. Best case, keep it and have fun making it your own. Consider it your blank slate.

Have fun and best of luck!
Sue