Please advise: 1973 Sovereign with panel damage

[CharlieCami]

1973 center bath Sovereign. We started falling in love until we discovered a large amount of damage to the driver's side of the trailer. The owner states that they have a roll of stainless material from Airstream and that a reputable dealer quoted $500 labor to repair the trailer. We are looking for some input on the trailer before we consider making an offer:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t4ickgiwqq...rley.jpeg?dl=0

https://twinfalls.craigslist.org/for/5407770485.html

[Kevin245]

$9,000 is a "Very Good Condition" price in my book as early to mid 70's 31' Sovereigns are a dime a dozen. The center bath models are a little more desire but the price and amount of body damage aren't commensurate.

I'd continue searching if it were me.

[xrvr]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

$9,000 is a "Very Good Condition" price in my book as early to mid 70's 31' Sovereigns are a dime a dozen. The center bath models are a little more desire but the price and amount of body damage aren't commensurate.

I'd continue searching if it were me.

Agree completely. Keep looking.

[Belegedhel]

There is damage on the front and rear lower formed segments. These are not flat sheets wrapped around the corner, they are sheets that have been given a 3D compound curve. These parts alone cost close to $400 each (plus shipping). Then there is the entire side of flat panels that need to be replaced in order to fix correctly. If you want this to look good as "new," you are looking at several thousand dollars. The aluminum will run $800-1000, but the labor will stagger you. Don't forget that this is a 40 year old trailer, and the laundry list of things that will need to be fixed/replaced will be long unless the work has already been done. Keep looking. There are trailers in much better condition out there for the same or lower price.

good luck!

[ALANSD]

stainless sheets? Boy they are confused

[CBWELL]

Run, fast and hard away from this one!! Resonable price would be about $4K at the most. There is probably a lot more work needed to repair the damage than you can see. Then there are axles, HWT, A/C, converter, and the list goes on. Lots better rigs out there for $9 to $12K that you don't have to spend a ton of money on. Just my thoughts. Chris

[overlander63]

I think the labor quoted left off a zero. More like $5000 labor, plus parts. It has several damaged bows, a side sheet needs to be replaced, both lower corner segments will need to be replaced, one mid segment needs to be replaced, several hundred dollars worth of trim will need to be replaced, and a storage compartment door assembly will need to be replaced. That doesn't count any internal pieces that will require replacement.
Run, don't walk, away from this one.

[reinergirl]

Anyone who thinks the roll was stainless rather than alumium has NO CLUE! Search on IMHO, this is not a rare or particularily valuable Airstream. You can do better.

[brokeboater]

>> New this model is over 100k.

New sticker on that rig was $10,250. No sense buying someone else's nightmare. That rig looks like a disaster. If you have to ask how much to repair you don't want to get involved. Anybody that willing gets involved in a rig like that needs to know exactly what they are getting into and what they will have when it's done, without asking.

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I think the labor quoted left off a zero.

And that extra zero ended up being added to the price. $900 would be more reasonable for a trailer in that condition, and then only if you're really looking forward to a major project.

Fixing the damaged panels is only one part of the project. The frame may be rusted out. Appliances may need replacing. The floor is probably rotten in places and may have been damaged in the accident. Holding tanks may need to be replaced. The list goes on and on.

Keep looking!

[CharlieCami]

Yeah, they'd have to give the trailer to me and I would park it. If you look at the interior photos - all of the cabinetry, including fridge, have taken a hard shock.

Some one will eventually squat in it.

Thanks for all the great input!

Can you recommend a good resource for the western United States?

[ijustlee]

That trailer was a write off for some insurance company. The cost of repair would exceed it's value but could done. The good news is that it's probably a few years newer than a '73. It will probably end up retired as a back yard shed, a bit of a shame. Leland

[DaKs]

Ours look 10X better and its a 73 Excella. I paid 4500.CAD for it in the summer.
Keep looking you will find a good one.

[Lance M]

That's a $500 trailer. As in five hundred dollars. Good parts trailer or a cheap rolling storage shed.

[garry]

WOW will you be in a world of hurt unless you are a "really" good DIY'er then you don't know the extent of hidden damage price is already high for one without the exterior damage unless in good condition.

IMO lots of better deals out there.