In the beginning 1973 31' excella

[gypsyblue]

hi,
I'm seriously thinking about buying an excella 500, it's structurally sound ie no leaks and on the west coast that's key. It will need to be renovated.Reading your blog has been very informative. Do you recommend this?
I'm not that technically proficient in this type of thing, but would have the help of two great guys, a carpenter and mechanic, to provide the necessary skills. I live on quite a large farm and it could potentially become my living space. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Marsha

[wasagachris]

gypsyblue ( Marsha) have you read the threads on inspecting trailers for damage to the frame and floor. I also have a 73 Excella 500 and love it. I did have to do a complete shell off restoration to it. I'm about half way done now. I have also owned the trailer for 12yrs and lived in it full time for 7 yrs.
You can check out what I have done here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...ins-67532.html

If you need any advice or help feel free to ask. Oh yeah welcome to the forums by the way.

[filterman]

gypsyblue, If I were closer I would inspect what you werre looking at for you but if you are looking at an older one I would recommend removing the carpet or at least lifting it up to check around the walls for rot, especially if the bath is in the rear, check to see that the rims of the tires sre about even with the wheel well and that your tires dont sit too far up into the well. Also you can plan on having to replace just about everything in this rig because of efficiency and just plain age and reliability. I would be suprised if someone found a older airstream that was in mint shape, a full frame off restoration is the way to go if you really want something of great value in my opinion, an older stream will outclass a newer one if done right but just to polish these things takes 600hrs plus and to tear down is enormous but if you are patient and listen to your better judgement along with putting up with the smartass comments then you will do fine. WASA has done a good job on his and I am in limbo right now cause I have to move by 15 of may and am packing. I will resume project later when I am settled into new home. I plan on putting about 15k to 20k into mine, full restore with all ammenities able to go off grid with full gene. I will use a composting toilet and use the black water tank as another grey water tank. It will have solar and wither LI batteries or a prius battery pack setup. I will even have s small wind generator on it so it charges when towing and HHO generator to get more out of the propane generator. Dont be afriad to ask questions even if you think at the time they are stupid becasuse only a stupid person never asks a question. Good luck and if I can help I would be glad to give you some ideas.

Originally Posted by gypsyblue

hi,
I'm seriously thinking about buying an excella 500, it's structurally sound ie no leaks and on the west coast that's key. It will need to be renovated.Reading your blog has been very informative. Do you recommend this?
I'm not that technically proficient in this type of thing, but would have the help of two great guys, a carpenter and mechanic, to provide the necessary skills. I live on quite a large farm and it could potentially become my living space. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Marsha

[gypsyblue]

Hi Thanks for the advice, I'm having trouble with my internet server right now, sorry about the slow reply. I've taken a friend with me and and checked out the subfloor, that looks really good. no signs of water damage! There's work that needs to be done in other areas of course but structually things look good. Hopefully photos will be coming soon and plenty of questions..... thanks again guys.

[Pavery]

Hi - Just bought a 1973 Excella 500 31ft rear bath. She is one fine trailer and we are very proud new owners. We need to put new tires on it NOW! We are pulling from Greenville OH to Houston TX and had a flat only to realize what idiots we were in putting regular tires on the trailer. Hate to be such a new-comer but you gotta start somewhere. I will definitely visit your (gypsyblue) sight to see what you have done and post pictures of our own girl. We have named her Miss Anne, for our next door neighbor who is 83 and still traveling, as well as Annie Oakley, who was from the town where we bought her. From what I have read ST 225/75 R15 is what I want to purchase for her. I'm almost sure we will have to make a decision before a reply is posted but I wanted to ask anyway. We are in Montgomery AL as of now. Thanks!

[Wabbiteer]

Cnan 6500 lp gene. It has 500hrs on it only powers to 50% load and shuts down.. . ...Any ideas on what could be wrong?

www.smokstak.com If these folks don't cover the problem already, or can't help w/ finding manuals and repair guides... I don't know who can.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Pavery

Hi - Just bought a 1973 Excella 500 31ft rear bath. She is one fine trailer and we are very proud new owners. We need to put new tires on it NOW! We are pulling from Greenville OH to Houston TX and had a flat only to realize what idiots we were in putting regular tires on the trailer. Hate to be such a new-comer but you gotta start somewhere. I will definitely visit your (gypsyblue) sight to see what you have done and post pictures of our own girl. We have named her Miss Anne, for our next door neighbor who is 83 and still traveling, as well as Annie Oakley, who was from the town where we bought her. From what I have read ST 225/75 R15 is what I want to purchase for her. I'm almost sure we will have to make a decision before a reply is posted but I wanted to ask anyway. We are in Montgomery AL as of now. Thanks!

Make sure you use load range "D" tires.

Then, get the complete running gear balanced.

"E" tires may exceed the wheel ratings.

While your at it, make sure the rubber rods in the axles are still OK. After 38 years, they could very well failed. Torsion axle rubber rods do not have an unlimited life.

The Dura-Torque Axle

Andy