1974 Airstream Sovereign 31' $6800?

[kokomoscalls]

i am looking at buying a 1974 airstream sovereign 31' the outside sheel is almost perfect except a dent some tried to fix in the curbside front corner probably from jacknifng... th einsid eis pretty good i thik the vents and vista view windows leak some but i guess that can be fixed pretty simple and it will need a new vent cover because someone put a peice of plexiglass on it..

my big question is i looked in the driverside wheel well and the body support from the frame was rusted out this was the only only one that i seen liek this but when i got home and did some reading about rear end sag i seen that it does have a black line going around the top of the bottom trim piece in the rear

this is a rear bedroom .. is the camper worth this much if i have to fix the frame and can you buy replacement pieces for this?

thanks for your help

[DKB_SATX]

If indeed it needs frame work, my first impression is that the price is a little high. What's visible around the snow does seem to be in very good shape, though. Test for rear separation by stepping on the back bumper and noting whether the bumper moves independently of the shell. If it does, note carefully the condition of the skin where the frame rails come through, the bumper bouncing around can beat up the shell there in addition to the other problems with rear separation.

Rear bedroom plans are easier to deal with than rear bath if you have to repair rear-end separation.

You should include new axles in your tally of costs to make this a good traveling machine again, unless the seller can show that they've been replaced recently, or tests show you still have plenty of motion left in the ones on the trailer now.

Leaks are bad juju, especially in a trailer that's been stored outdoors. Carefully check the condition of the subfloor. It's very common for a trailer the age of this one to need floor repair.

[kokomoscalls]

where is the best place to purchase axles and how much do they usually run?

thanks

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by kokomoscalls

where is the best place to purchase axles and how much do they usually run?

thanks

Now you're asking religious questions...

I think a pair of torsion axles with electric brakes generally runs $1500-$2000 (that's new drums, bearings, brakes, etc.) There are a couple of forums members who sell a lot of axles to the community, Colin Hyde Trailer Restorations (on your side of the country) and Inland RV (on the other side of the country). They sell different brands.

My own axles on the 24' trailer are made by Rockwell American and sourced from Redneck Trailer Supplies, which has a location not too far from you in Carlisle, PA. If you go that route, the measurement of the axles and selection of mounting brackets is quite specific and the axles won't come with shock mounts, so that's not a simple solo project the first time around.

In any event, one of the aforementioned vendors can have the axles drop-shipped to Redneck Trailer Supplies, I think, and potentially save you some shipping. That's an impression I have from reading the forums too much, I don't know that last bit with certainty.

[kokomoscalls]

ok i will contact them ... if i can get the camper... i whould ask him if he would takre another 1k off the price.... he was asking 7500 and i said i could give him 6800 and he said yes... but the axles are definatly no good if the were never replaced correct?

[kokomoscalls]

also the floor was repaired in the front in just before the couch next to the curbside wall... i guess there was a hole rotted thru there ... but he fixed it by putting a picece of tin over the hole so it does give some there when i step on it

i didnt see any other soft spots around the perimeter but did see that there was some water damage ot the plywood just not soft yet

[kokomoscalls]

well i ended up getting this airstream for 5300 the there was no rear end seperation when i jumped on the rear bumper... the is just some roof leaks i need to fix and some other issues... there is still travel in the axles i will check them more when the weather clears

[ALANSD]

don't over stress about the axles. You will find many of us here that have chosen not to replace them....yet.
They will still roll on. Meanwhile you can take care of the other things the trailer needs to make it campable.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by kokomoscalls

well i ended up getting this airstream for 5300 the there was no rear end seperation when i jumped on the rear bumper... the is just some roof leaks i need to fix and some other issues... there is still travel in the axles i will check them more when the weather clears

Good deal on the purchase. As AlanSD stated, the wheels will still roll, but you will have hardly any suspension travel - this means a really rough ride...

Most here agree that tires should be replaced about every 5 years or so. Don't try to pull it home with tires that are dry rotted.

Plan on pulling the belly pan to do a thorough inspection of the frame and cross members.

The biggest favor you can do for yourself right now is to spend days reading the various threads about rebuilds and hidden problems. Start with a search on floor rot, frame inspection, or rear end separation.

Good luck and school yourself with the information from the threads here in the forum.

[ALANSD]

true Dennis. Just don't want to scare anyone about the axle issue. My 66 has original axles and it rides pretty well, I have left things out on the counter by mistake and found them still there when we arrived. Not a good idea though.