Found a 1966 Overlander: is this a fair price

[crazycuda]

Need help evaluating this trailer I found on Craigslist. It's a partial gutted 1966 overlander that appears to need a new floor.



















The shell is dent free except a few on the front belly pan. It would be a shell off restoration for us for a new floor and a floor plan change to fit what we would like.

So does this seem like its worth $1800

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by crazycuda

Need help evaluating this trailer I found on Craigslist. It's a partial gutted 1966 overlander that appears to need a new floor.



The shell is dent free except a few on the front belly pan. It would be a shell off restoration for us for a new floor and a floor plan change to fit what we would like.

So does this seem like its worth $1800

Not a bad price, but keep in mind that most of the appliance parts are no longer available.

From one of your photo's, it appears that the axle rubber rods are history. Torsion axles do not last 46 years, but more like about 25 years or so. Lack of use also ruins those rods.

To better answer your question, before you dive into the repairs, make a list of everything that you can find that needs repair or replacement. Then price it out as well as decide if you will have the time and resources for the rebuild.

Andy

[crazycuda]

we are not stuck on having to keep the old appliances so if we could not find a replacement we arent against going with a modern replacement.

you mentioned the axles, what style are most people replacing the torsion axles with and how much roughly can i expect to spend in that department for new axles with brakes. this would be a project with no hard and fast deadlines so we would be working on it as we get time and funds. my wife and i are looking at this as a good project for us to really work side by side

[panheaddale]

Check with Colin Hyde Restorations if you need axles. Airstream guru plus best price by far over anybody else I have priced them with. note: don't work for or associated with Colin Hyde in any way just found an honest guy with fair prices

[aquinob]

A fair price for sure, but just keep in mind you are probably looking at a 1-2 year renovation and probably 4-5 grand in parts and materials, not counting any labor (all your time). Make sure all the windows are intact, they get very pricey and can be tough to source if they are broken or missing.

[crazycuda]

from the seller all the windows are intact and the cost of 4-5k sounds good to me im sure i will run into issues like any restoration. i have helped restore a few cars and i know how ofter unforseen problems arise so im sure a project like this would produce its own.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by crazycuda

we are not stuck on having to keep the old appliances so if we could not find a replacement we arent against going with a modern replacement.

you mentioned the axles, what style are most people replacing the torsion axles with and how much roughly can i expect to spend in that department for new axles with brakes. this would be a project with no hard and fast deadlines so we would be working on it as we get time and funds. my wife and i are looking at this as a good project for us to really work side by side

There are basically 2 types of replacment axles available.

One is a top notch manufacturer, that has been around for a long time.

The other is a "knock off" manufacture, whose axles have been laboratory tested. The rubber rods are harder, the shaft is mild steel instead of heat treated, and the welding is incomplete, amoung other things. That same company loves to down grade the brakes from 12 inch to 10 inch.

And finally, there are a 2 or 3 more that are known to the RV industry, but not used, since their design is very "iffy".

Also, the top manufacturer has 21 distribution points, saving shipping costs. The other has only one.

As a commercial member, I cannot name names.

Andy

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by crazycuda

It's a partial gutted 1966 overlander that appears to need a new floor.


The shell is dent free except a few on the front belly pan. It would be a shell off restoration for us for a new floor and a floor plan change to fit what we would like.

So does this seem like its worth $1800

Yes, I would say it is worth that as long as the shell is in great shape and no major skin damage exists. Have fun!

[crazycuda]

from the photos i have been sent the only skin damage that is visible is a pair of dents on the belly pan on the front edge. going to try setting up a day to go look at it and price out having it picked up by a towing company to bring home. current owner says it has been sitting for years so isnt sure of towablity so better safe than sorry

[65CV]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

...

To better answer your question, before you dive into the repairs, make a list of everything that you can find that needs repair or replacement. Then price it out as well as decide if you will have the time and resources for the rebuild.

Andy

Good advice. Here are some real world prices to help you. If I do the work myself, I don't scrimp on parts. It is an incomplete list that doesn't include a lot of specialty tools or the cost of labor. 4-5K sounds very light to me, btw.

Not to scare you off, but triple your time estimate. In the end, I do find it very worthwhile.

tires 900
tile 200
plumbing 100
faucet parts 150
foam 500
upholstery 150
plywood 400
lpg regulator 40
air conditioner 250
detectors 120
wire 200
paint 400
refrigerator 999
stove 60
fresh water tank 98
wheels 280
Olympic Heaters 450
RV500 Wat Heat 1000
converter 170
batteries 630
LED lighting 250
water pump 80
toilet 170
Prodex insul. 400
lpg tanks 380
window gasket 100
polishing supplies 150
tools 200
sway/wd 600

[crazycuda]

thanks 65 cv that is a good breakdown on alot of the costs tied to a restoration. My wife and I are going to sit down and talk this over possibly tonight to see if we are going to want to take on a project of this magnitude

[65CV]

You're welcome.
Hope you do it -- with eyes wide open.
Taking your time and enjoying the process is key.

[crazycuda]

we are on the same page of at least wanting the floor replaced and basically having a rolling shell in 2 years so we can at least have some air mattresses and bare essentials to go boondocking with her mom

[aquinob]

I'm not sure about some of those prices, but coming up with a good inventory of what is needed is probably the best idea. I would assume the trailer has some or all of the older appliances and systems with it, so there could be a good amount of equipment and parts that can be reused. You could also look for used pieces as well, I put a used/NIB Dometic AC on my trailer that cost me 525 where the retail was probably over 700. As part of your due diligence prior to saying yes, come up with as detailed a list of parts and appliances that are needed and the group can give you a better idea of what it may cost to replace them.

But I would reiterate, don't underestimate the amount of work that will go into this project. I've been working on mine now since last November and that was to replace axles and renovate the bathroom with a new floor and fixtures. A full frame off is probably about 3-4 times the work and if you have to manufacture new cabinets and such on the inside, that is even more to do.

[crazycuda]

we are going to call to setup a time to go look at this in person. any things i should be looking for???

[Janet H]

The first thing you should look at imo, is can it be moved as is and is the title clear?
As a side note - we just finished (almost finished) an 64 overlander and figure we have about 15 K into the resto costs in PARTS and supplies. We are glad we made the investment and it's worth noting that you can spread costs out over time.

[65CV]

Janet's numbers for replacement parts are close to mine. Aquinbob is right that you can source used or sale pricing if you have the time and budget it tighter. Obviously, the more you're willing to restore with your labor, the more you'll save.

Can you move it? Check bearings and electric brakes. If it still has original split rims and/or rotten tires, replace them. Look carefully for rot where the rounded front/back segments meet the floor. If there is a gap, add plywood blocking supports as shown in this thread.

What to look for in inspection? If you're already planning to replace the floor and axles, then the skin and frame are the most critical. Look for bad floor rot and, if found, look below for significant frame rot. If you can poke an awl through, that frame member will probably need replacement. The rest of the parts / budget are listed above.

Good luck.

[TouringDan]

Welcome crazycuda.
66 is a great year-real wood cabinets and curved windows. I am biased though. Check out my thread- Dans 66 Tradewind Improvements.
Price is not that important, but lcheaper is better. Is this the one you want? Are the shell and windows in good shape? You will spend 10-15k for restoration, so 2 or 3k for initial cost does not matter. Buy the one you want and get the best one you can find.

Dan

[68 TWind]

Time predicted it will take X 4 = about the actual time.
Money predicted (even with good planning) X 2 = your cost, if you are lucky.

As others have said, it is a big project and there are lots of costs, BUT- you can have a really nice trailer and you will have a great deal of pride in having done the work. We used ours as an "aluminum tent" on several trips while I was working on my 68.

[crazycuda]

All of the windows are intact and the shell is in great condition. Sounds like the frame is my biggest concern. The cost won't be an issue since it will be our family camper for years in the future and we are okay using it as a aluminum tent while we buy parts. We agree this size would fit us best. having sleeping areas for at least 4 off the floor is our main requirement. We have several things we like from this site we want to incorporate like j lounge and a few other neat features