Would you buy an AS that was always stored outside?

[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...

[xrvr]

Make sure it has been winterized completely. Hook up water and look for leaks after dewinterizing.

[AWCHIEF]

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.

[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

[polarlyse]

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 +.

[Minno]

Ours sits outside at all times with no cover. 9 years in MN winters, and no problems. We winterize carefully every fall.

Kay

[KJRitchie]

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

[AldeanFan]

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.

[cazual6]

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

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?

[m.hony]

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.

[kdickinson]

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 ...

[franklyfrank]

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...

I would venture to say that the vast majority are stored outside all the time.

[twolanehwy]

Depends on how much, condition etc.
Pics would help.

[Bill M.]

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?

[gecko]

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!

[justjeff]

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.

[A W Warn]

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...

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!

[hensley2015]

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...

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

[markdoane]

My Tradewind spent the first 56 years of it's life outside in St Cloud MN. Never had any hail damage. Not a problem.

[mefly2]

Absolutely! Our Airstreams have NEVER been stored inside ...