Quote:
Originally Posted by ksrich343
Well, I just purchased my first Airstream, which is completely crushed (the data plate says it is a 2001 16')! Here is the question... how inexpensive can I get the repairs for? I am okay at bucking rivets (nicknamed Rosie!), but my English Wheel skills leave much to desired...
So, do I order panels from Airstream (seem like the fit will be a pain) or try an aircraft restoration shop?
Anyone know anyone good somewhere around the Boise Idaho area?
What price do you think I should expect to pay?
All of your help is greatly appreciated!
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First, welcome! If you have kids they've got to be "tater tots" with that Airstream. I'd be tempted to get vinyl letters that say "The Rolling Burrito" or "Baked Tater" and keep it as is! My sister says she's getting a Casita and going to WBCCI events after wrapping it in aluminum foil. I'd aid and abet that sacrilege!
The expressions on the faces of the hidebound elders of the club? Priceless. Go ahead, camp and have fun. As it is now, it's pre-dented for carefree camping. I've seen people go into mourning, rending their garments and wearing sackcloth and ashes when they get the first stone ding or scratch. You? No problemo!
I've poured over your pictures pretty carefully. (Disclaimer: The following advice is worth what you paid for it.)
First, the rust looking crap on the back segments might be some kind of sap, paint, brown algae or tar. Try taking a credit card and using the edge of it to see if it will scrape off. Aluminum can get filoform - a whitish bubbly kind of corrosion, but it won't rust and look like iron - which is what your brown stuff looks like in the pictures.
I think most of the scrapes around the back end are from being rubbed by brush or branches. Some of those might be minimized by washing the trailer or by a VERY gentle rubbing compound. Be careful, you'll eat through the clearcoat easily.
I noticed that this Bambi has the midline trim - not usual for anything but the Classic models - except when there are filoform problems around the beltline (ask me how I know about this!). That was probably added a couple of years after the unit was bought, and before it was wrecked.
If your unit was damaged by a tree falling on it, the frame would not necessarily be damaged, but for that much damage to have happened to the front segments in a wreck, you've got to bet there IS frame damage. Take the belly pan off and LOOK before you invest any more money in this unit. If the frame and floor need major work - then start parting out the appliances to finance another gently used Airstream. OH, and those 30lb tanks? They're ALUMINUM, not standard steel. A considerable upgrade (cha ching) I'm sure they were put on when the unit was a hunting cabin. Small Airstreams carry 20 lb tanks. Those are 30's or maybe even 40's And the good news? They are aluminum, not steel. They'll polish up until they glow. If you sell them, you'll get a lot more than you'd get for white painted steel tanks.
I don't want to speak ill or newer Airstream products, but I think this model and the 2002-2004 22ft had problems with frames breaking under normal towing conditions. That weak frame would have been further compromised because the factory used OSB (oriented strand board) rather than plywood in the floors of the shorties. Now they're all plywood except the 16's and perhaps 19's.
WIDTH - and matching another damaged Airstream up to this one - Airstream currently makes three widths of camper
- sport/european - 7' 6" wide (not around in 2001)
- standard which are less than 25' long - 8' 0"
- widebody - 25feet and up - 8' 6" wide
The CENTER panels are different widths to accommodate the differences. Go to
www.colonialairstream.com and look at their inventory pictures. The differences will pop out clearly. Yours is 8' 0"
The "evolution of the curve" has changed over the years, so if you were to scavenge end segments you'd have to stick to fairly new models - 90's on? Unfortunately for other owners there should be plenty out there. As noted below, the rivet holes will not match up if you use salvage segments. They are hand drilled and spaced and vary from unit to unit. If I were undertaking this project (and I wouldn't) I'd replace the rib where you join the curved segments to the main body. If you bought new segments, you'd have to drill the holes to match the existing ones.
In order to have pounded out the exterior segments, the former owner would have had to remove the interior panels, pounded the exterior ones, then the interior ones then reinstalled the inner ones. That might have damaged the ribs even more. Regardless of whether you choose to get new or used segments, I'd also get new ribs to make the joint between the curved ends and side panels stronger.
I too love the interior of your unit - but find it to be a little confusing. I'm not all that familiar with the 2001 models, but the doors on the overhead cabinets look a bit more upgraded than the basic Safari model - more like the Classics. I think you could part out the interior, or install it in a unit with a decent shell and a trashed interior. Lots of folks START a remodel of the interior then divorce, job change, health problems, etc. interfere. The perfect mate for your interior may be closer and less expensive than you imagine.
A first class rebuild on your unit will probably end up with some frame and floor work, six or more segments replaced - you'll end up wanting the INTERIOR segments to be replaced too, and the back upper roadside segment has a dished area that might not pull out with a vacuum. And the vinyl floor looks iffy, and and and and... $12K if you can do it yourself, $30K if you have to pay to do it.
And that's presuming that the electrical is all there (didn't see a converter) and that the propane is all good - lines tend to leak after a collision. Tried the furnace? Tried the Stove and oven? How about the refrigerator on propane? Test the propane carefully - or hire a professional.
Good luck, good camping, good friends! Keep in touch and let us know what you decide. (I love watching the renaissance of a mistreated Airstream - from a safe distance!).
Paula
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