NEW purchase? 1987 Sovereign 25'

[ekstarr]

Hello NEW friends!

Last year I borrowed a 2007 28' Airstream to go to Burning Man. I fell in love! Haha. So I set out to find one of mine own - being very disappointed in the build quality of the newer Airstream, I decided to find an older one, for less money, and higher build quality.

I found a nice 1987 25' Sovereign on eBay. It never met reserve and ended. So I contacted the owner, went to see it and was pleasantly surprised at the condition. It's FAR from perfect... but the exterior is mostly dent free, the subfloor is dry as a bone, and it has the rear bedroom which i want.

I haven't yet purchased it because the owners want $13K+ which I have already determined is OUTRAGEOUS! I am trying to decide what to offer them. I read through the Airstream Pricing Guide, but as many of you may know, it doesn't go into the 80's. I was hoping to get a little help here - I know this is subjective, I am just looking for some benchmarks to base my offer on.

Here is what the trailer needs:

exterior:
clear coat peeling from top
4 tires dry rot
new joint connections on polybutelyne tubing
minor dents
rock guard repair vibrating against trailer on highway
broken rock guard window and hinges
reseal skylights
cracked tail light
rear chrome license plate light (rusted)
sand & seal surface rusted frame (left & right rear)
new rear bumper
new housing lid for propane tanks

interior
repair & gelcoat fiberglass shell in rear cabin
bits & pieces - screws, rivets
fix blown speakers
ceiling light housing broken

includes
swaybars & hitch
laminate floors

any thoughts/advice?

Thank you thank you thank you!

Eric

[garyr]

I got this same trailer early last fall from my aunt and uncle. It sat for about 5-8 years without being winterized! I had to replace the hot water heater and furnace. It also needed complete cleaning. I also replaced all outside marker lights with LED's. The 13K price is way out of line considering the condition you outlined. I would start with their price and then deduct for all of the items you mentioned. Likely, you will need to pay a lot of attention to the running gear! I am having new axles installed on mine right now. Finally, expect the unexpected especially with appliances. Hope this helps.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ekstarr

Hello NEW friends!

Last year I borrowed a 2007 28' Airstream to go to Burning Man. I fell in love! Haha. So I set out to find one of mine own - being very disappointed in the build quality of the newer Airstream, I decided to find an older one, for less money, and higher build quality.

I found a nice 1987 25' Sovereign on eBay. It never met reserve and ended. So I contacted the owner, went to see it and was pleasantly surprised at the condition. It's FAR from perfect... but the exterior is mostly dent free, the subfloor is dry as a bone, and it has the rear bedroom which i want.

I haven't yet purchased it because the owners want $13K+ which I have already determined is OUTRAGEOUS! I am trying to decide what to offer them. I read through the Airstream Pricing Guide, but as many of you may know, it doesn't go into the 80's. I was hoping to get a little help here - I know this is subjective, I am just looking for some benchmarks to base my offer on.

Here is what the trailer needs:

exterior:
clear coat peeling from top
4 tires dry rot
new joint connections on polybutelyne tubing
minor dents
rock guard repair vibrating against trailer on highway
broken rock guard window and hinges
reseal skylights
cracked tail light
rear chrome license plate light (rusted)
sand & seal surface rusted frame (left & right rear)
new rear bumper
new housing lid for propane tanks

interior
repair & gelcoat fiberglass shell in rear cabin
bits & pieces - screws, rivets
fix blown speakers
ceiling light housing broken

includes
swaybars & hitch
laminate floors

any thoughts/advice?

Thank you thank you thank you!

Eric

Eric.

That nice trailer will also need all the exterior gaskets.

Since it's 27 years old, it may also need axles.

The following will help you check them out.

The Dura-Torque Axle

Andy