'71 21'er Value

[Sphere Guy]

I found a 1971 21 footer and wondering if asking price is fair, $7995.

No fridge, skylight windows have flaky film inbetween glass panes, thick padded carpet but from looking in fridge cabinet, floor seems good. Bath area needs work, axle looks fair except on curb side. Dirty but not gross.

I forgot what type it was, Caravaner?

Any advice is welcomed.

[Aage]

Personally, for $8k, I would expect better than that. Plus, it's a '71: take an ice pick to the floors around the outside of the body, special attention to the places like doors and below windows.

From what I can see in the photos, everything looks original, and I don't mean that in a good way. You will likely need all new appliances, and lots of cleaning/decorating.

There is no gray tank in the '71s.

On the good side, the exterior, with the exception of the dinged-up access door, looks pretty good.

it's haggle time!

[azflycaster]

It's a GT (Globetrotter), Caravaners were 25'.

The body looks very good and the interior is standard for that year.

Some area of concern are:
The axle is sitting very low and would be on my list to replace.
Replacement refrigerators are pricey.
The refrigerator exterior door looks bent
The two front wing windows don't look the same, is the street side Plexiglas?

Questions:
How do the kitchen doors look when they are closed?
Do all of the remaining appliances function?
What is the condition of the floor where it attaches to the body at the rear of the trailer?

8K sounds a little high...

[cameront120]

Way too high.

[MDSilverado]

I would say that the price does seem high. However, I have been keeping an close eye out for a 70's Globetrotter or Safari and they are few and far between. Each time I check on CraigsList it seems I am widening my search by another 50 miles. I now search withing 300 miles and have only see a few in the months I've been looking. So if a smaller trailer is what your want then the question becomes how long can you wait and how far will you drive.

Personally I love the 70's trailers. I know some purists dont consider them vintage but I really like the windows in this era trailer. Its unfortunate that the interiors are mostly plastic veneer but that part I can rip out and replace without too much trouble.

[Sphere Guy]

Thanks All, I am back home now and this trailer is 150 miles away. the floor did seem good where I walked but it was so thickly padded it felt mushy everywhere. I gust didn'e get a chance to get under it as the grass was a little high and I was afraid a snake would show up.

I thought the price was high and may take another trip to see it to answer all your very good questions. Eszpecially the rear floor queery from Azflycaster. Good one. I'm a AS rookie re the older models.

What could be the flakey clear translucent stuff between the skylight panes? Sorry, no pic of that.

More pics.

[Sphere Guy]

Also, this place has a 1966 LY dual axle, gutted and smelly but available for $1500. He still has most of the interior available.

[Aage]

The Globetrotter:

Yeah, the exterior is definitely nicer than the interior. The tambour is shot on the galley cabinet, and is that a dead mouse on the floor under the sink?

Also, the backsplash in the bathroom behind the toilet has been amateurushly repaired, and the bathroom counter-tops are not gonna be a treat.

I mean, none of that is really bad, but it all adds up to you having to do a fair bit of work on it before you consider going camping.

The Overlander:

It looks even rougher, smelly is rot so you have to really question the floors, and would it have mould...?

There are thousands of trailers out there like that, I would look for something nicer...

[MDSilverado]

The flaky film between the glass is the old window tint that has failed. The inner pane of glass has to be removed (permanently) to get rid of the stuff. You'll find this in pretty much all this era trailers.

When I was looking to buy I began carrying a awl (like an ice pick) with me. Its great for poking through the carpet to see if the plywood is firm below. That way you can tell if the sponginess is the padding or the plywood???

[Sphere Guy]

I will addd that to my tool box, Good suggestion.

[wasagachris]

Sphereguy The overlander is a sure candidate for a shell off restoration. The floor repair in the front has been improperly done. This kind of repair really jeopordizes the structural intergrity of the trailer. One window curbside has been replaced with plexi, one window roadside is missing and one leaks for sure(taped over) and the rear window is broken and leaking. Kitchen cabinets are missing as is the gaucho. Taillights don't work as seen by the extra tow lights.If that's the kind of resto you want to get into then offer $500 to $750.
On the GT it has newer A/C and water heater but missing the fridge and only one axle to replace(less money to spend). The floors in any trailer don't rot where you walk on them. The rot is always at the edge of the floor where the shell meets the floor and especially in the rear. If the floor is good then $5000 would be my offer. another member just bought a similar one up north(NY) for $3900 down from $5000.

[BoCox]

I got my 23' '69 for $3k. All original, wish I did a better job looking for rot w/the ice pick, but like Wasagachris said, they're bound to have some rot. It really isn't a huge process to fix the rot if you find it, but it will give you some room to move on the price if you do find some.

I would say to find a budget that works for you. I used searchtemptest.com to search craigslist postings (a CList search engine) and was willing to drive to get the right one for me. I also searched by typing "Airstream" or "Air Stream", and other misspellings.

I love my Safari, perfect size, still very roomy and I look forward to making it my own while keeping it vintage.

In the few weeks I've owned it, I've replaced the fresh water tank, fixed plumbing lines, sealed all exterior seams and fixed the rot under the fresh water tank. (it had a leak) I just started to peal off the clear coat and she's starting to shine. Amazing how great the metal still looks after all those years.

[Melody Ranch]

Take a deep breath.....calm down....both of these are Not what you want. To expensive....to corroded. Many more out there much better.