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09-22-2016, 07:01 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2015 27' FB International
Wheatley
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 111
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Would you buy an AS that was always stored outside?
Still on the hunt for a 25 - 28ft. AS. This forum is an invaluable tool for research and I am thankful for being part of it.
Among others I am looking at a 2014 AS that spent the last 2 winters exposed to the harsh elements (snow and ice) up North. I understand the most desirable storage would be heated and enclosed. At least a carport kind of storage would help. But completely exposed, I am very concerned, should I not?
Looking forward to your input...
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09-22-2016, 07:05 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Make sure it has been winterized completely. Hook up water and look for leaks after dewinterizing.
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09-22-2016, 07:07 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Why not? If the trailer is is good structural and mechanical shape I would at the least give it a good going over before making any decision.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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09-22-2016, 07:08 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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I would expect that to be normal. Having covered storage for an Airstream is probably the exception rather than the rule. Sure weather is not your friend, but if you buy new from a dealer, it has been on his lot in the weather as well.
Larry
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09-22-2016, 07:17 AM
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#5
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retired USA/USAF
2001 30' Excella
Somerset
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
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We got luck with the one we got 5 years ago. It was for sale by a friend in Kansas, had been stored in underground storage since new ( 2002 ), older couple, no kids, non smokers. Don't get much better than that. I had helped him do brakes and wheel bearings on it the year before he decided to sell. But like mentioned above, the exception not the rule. They are built and designed to be outside so every day stored under cover is a +.
__________________
Roger in NJ
" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948
TAC - NJ 18
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09-22-2016, 08:03 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,991
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Ours sits outside at all times with no cover. 9 years in MN winters, and no problems. We winterize carefully every fall.
Kay
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09-22-2016, 08:07 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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If there is no evidence of leakage and the subfloor is sound the Airstream is tight. One stored covered could have leaks the owner is unaware off. 2014 is young enough where the outside should still be as good as new. If the owner waxed it once it a year even better. No worse than buying a 2 year old car. Is the trailer winterized now. Had it been used this summer?
Kelvin
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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09-22-2016, 09:24 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1977 23' Safari
Niagara on the Lake
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 984
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Our trailer has lived outside in Ontario since 1977 and it has survived.
Similar to a car that is parked outside, it will need a little more attention but nothing unusual.
Check the floor for evidence of water damage, all Airstreams leak, even the brand new ones. Test the water system to make sure it was winterized properly and no leaks.
Sun will damage the clear coat, but that takes many years.
Good luck, hope you find a great trailer.
__________________
1977 Safari Land Yacht
2005 Toyota Tundra SR5
2022 Toyota 4Runner SR5
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09-22-2016, 10:50 AM
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#9
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
I would expect that to be normal. Having covered storage for an Airstream is probably the exception rather than the rule. Sure weather is not your friend, but if you buy new from a dealer, it has been on his lot in the weather as well.
Larry
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I concur. Mine is always outside. He gets a wash every 2 months if I haven't used it, otherwise, he (Ramses) gets a wash after every trip. Besides, aren't AirStreams meant to stand the elements?
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09-22-2016, 11:18 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Well...
Yeah...
Mine is stored outside and it still appears as new.
I want a carport for it, but I just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.
Every time I get the money almost saved, something else happens- car quits, I get sick, a/c or an appliance in the house quits, need a roof, tile falls off the shower wall-
One day I will be able to get a camper shed built.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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09-22-2016, 12:03 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Taos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 566
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When I am looking at used trailer classifieds and dreaming about getting a hardly used 30' silver clad dream for next to nothing I pretty much discount claims that a trailer was stored inside a climate controlled environment. If I ever got serious I would evaluate any trailer as if it had been stored outside - which by the way is how it was designed to be used, outside. Being winterized is essential even if it was supposedly in a heated garage. All that has to happen in the northern climates is for the building propane to run out or the electricity to go off for 24 hours in the middle of January and there you are - a hard freeze and no one may even know it happened. My trailer is a 69 and it has been passed down within our family since new and it has been stored outside it's entire life. No issues related to the storage method.
Maybe more important than winterizing which is sort of a given for trailer owners - is where the trailer has lived its life. If it has lived its life along a coastal area then look for humidity related issues including mold and potentially evidence of flooding. If it has been stored in the desert climates look for sun damage particularly to plastic and rubberized items. The sun destroys them in short order. Also tires are at risk in direct sunlight. Critters in the trailer are a common problem in all climates and they eat all sorts of things. Also mis-use by the owner in which they do DYI repairs incorrectly, poor maintenance or cutting corners on things like packing the bearings etc. is big item to look at. A "deal" can end up costing a lot long term ...
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09-22-2016, 12:06 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2017 30' Classic
Anna Maria
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,645
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lovetokite
Still on the hunt for a 25 - 28ft. AS. This forum is an invaluable tool for research and I am thankful for being part of it.
Among others I am looking at a 2014 AS that spent the last 2 winters exposed to the harsh elements (snow and ice) up North. I understand the most desirable storage would be heated and enclosed. At least a carport kind of storage would help. But completely exposed, I am very concerned, should I not?
Looking forward to your input...
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I would venture to say that the vast majority are stored outside all the time.
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09-22-2016, 12:24 PM
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#13
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59' Globester
1959 18' "Footer"
1957 26' Overlander
Three Rivers
, California
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 248
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Depends on how much, condition etc.
Pics would help.
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09-22-2016, 12:24 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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I would buy it if it looked in good condition. Check the roof for dents. Mine has had ice covered branches fall on it and they left good sized dents. Check for leaks. As somebody said, check the plumbing. Many Airstreams spend their life outside. How are you going to store it after you get it?
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09-22-2016, 01:33 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2009 28' International
Pacific Palisades
, California
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 436
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Yes.
Almost all Airstreams are stored outside. If you buy one used (or new!) from a dealer, it was stored outside. As others have said, you need to examine it very carefully--and hopefully with someone else who knows Airstreams and/or trailers--to determine whether it's right for you.
The good news about storing up North is it's had less UV exposure... :-) But the good news about storing in southern climes is no road salt...
Check it out thoroughly as described. If it looks good, go for it!
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09-22-2016, 02:18 PM
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#16
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1 Rivet Member
2021 20' Basecamp
2021 16' Caravel
2021 Atlas
Grand Haven
, Alaska
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
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2006 25' International CCD
Our's was stored outside for its first 6 years in blazing hot humid central Florida. Needed all new roof chalking around vents, and factory skylight was trashed. Replaced with new, now like new and each fall I have winterized and stored in Michigan NON heated pole barn. Heated storage a great environment for rodents and utilities malfunctioning.
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09-22-2016, 02:19 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lovetokite
Still on the hunt for a 25 - 28ft. AS. This forum is an invaluable tool for research and I am thankful for being part of it.
Among others I am looking at a 2014 AS that spent the last 2 winters exposed to the harsh elements (snow and ice) up North. I understand the most desirable storage would be heated and enclosed. At least a carport kind of storage would help. But completely exposed, I am very concerned, should I not?
Looking forward to your input...
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Being stored outside would not bother me at all, since that is the norm.
Being from up north would give me pause, because of all the salt used on roads during winter. Check out the exposed steel underneath. If it looks really rusty, steer clear. Most people do not tow in the snow, but you never know!
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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09-22-2016, 03:55 PM
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#18
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1 Rivet Member
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Elizabethtown
, Kentucky
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lovetokite
Still on the hunt for a 25 - 28ft. AS. This forum is an invaluable tool for research and I am thankful for being part of it.
Among others I am looking at a 2014 AS that spent the last 2 winters exposed to the harsh elements (snow and ice) up North. I understand the most desirable storage would be heated and enclosed. At least a carport kind of storage would help. But completely exposed, I am very concerned, should I not?
Looking forward to your input...
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Hello: If you are still looking for an A.S. I have also a 2014, never slept in,
carport shelter, 27FB Flying Cloud, bought new. Still factory winterized, never
connected to water. New batteries, Converter upgrade to Progressive Dynamics
PD4600 series, w/converter status remote pendant. Excellent upgrade done
before factory unit destroys anymore batteries. Michael 270-765-6620
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09-22-2016, 04:21 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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My Tradewind spent the first 56 years of it's life outside in St Cloud MN. Never had any hail damage. Not a problem.
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09-22-2016, 05:39 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Absolutely! Our Airstreams have NEVER been stored inside ...
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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