I just walked through all 8 of these guys. LOT of clean up needed, but only the lower 6 feet of the trailer. The ceilings are in perfect shape! Bidding closes tomorrow at 1:00. The guy there said he's expecting $60K. HA!
THANKS ANYWAY! I was gonna bid $6K!
JP
$60K, eh? I think somebody mixed a little loco weed in that guy's feed. Somebody needs to go over there and give him a link to this thread.
Jim
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Can somebody remind Susan that I really do want bagpipes for Christmas?
well, the auction ends tomorrow... better tow em to higher ground fast! ha!
I was tempted, but the floors in most of them were already starting to warp, and they weren't totally dry yet. I've already got a few airstreams with rotten floors! ha!
My biggest concern (other than the warped floor) would be wondering how much of that mold was growing under the shiny aluminum interiors. :-S
It was kinda melancholy looking at those 2009 CCDs with high water lines inside half way up the curtains.
The problem is that the trailers are worth more than that to a salvage yard which will pull them apart for their windows and exterior panels and other hard parts that were not destroyed by the floodwaters. They are probably worth more than $1000 to a salvage yard, because they can make some money off of parting them out, while they are worth less to someone who is looking at the haz-mat job of cleaning and refurbishing them. I think you'd be better off buying a couple year old unit that hadn't been flooded than the work it will take to fix these filthy trailers up. Yuk!
The problem is that the trailers are worth more than that to a salvage yard which will pull them apart for their windows and exterior panels and other hard parts that were not destroyed by the floodwaters. They are probably worth more than $1000 to a salvage yard, because they can make some money off of parting them out, while they are worth less to someone who is looking at the haz-mat job of cleaning and refurbishing them. I think you'd be better off buying a couple year old unit that hadn't been flooded than the work it will take to fix these filthy trailers up. Yuk!
Not really, the salvage yard is going to have to go through the same sanitizing process also, especially if they are going to leave the trailers sitting for long periods of time.
They have to do just as much work as we do when transporting/sanitizing/breaking the trailer down. Not to mention any worker that has the unfortunate luck of getting stuck with these trailers that gets sick is going to be a huge liability for one of these companies.
EDITnot to mention that transporting not one, two or three trailers, but 8 requires a ton of logistics and gas, so in fact they have to go through even more effort than a set of individuals would.
The fridges and convertors are toast. All the laminate-covered particle board cabinetry will have to be pulled and tossed. A rebuilder would have to be able to make new furnishings that weigh about the same as original. Once empty, inner skins come off to remove all insulation. Just one end cap is worth more than any single user would pay.
CrawfordGene & Stefrobrts get the realistic posting award IMO. There's a good reason they totaled these trailers -- the same reason Sully Sullenberger's US Airways plane went the same salvage route.
CrawfordGene & Stefrobrts get the realistic posting award IMO. There's a good reason they totaled these trailers -- the same reason Sully Sullenberger's US Airways plane went the same salvage route.
Your comparing a recreational trailer, meant for the use of a small number of people, not moving, multi purpose even if completely ruined and a luxury item
to
an transportation aircraft, responsible for the lives of all the passengers on board and with tolerances that if vary just a little put those passengers lives in danger.
You cant reuse a flooded plane, it simply has to be salvaged. You can reuse a flooded airstream.
While your right about the value of the endcap,but the situation that these trailers have been through means that leaving just the husk of one of these trailers out for any extended period of time to be parted out and sold would be an extremely hazardous idea for a salvage company to work with.
Especially when they can find airstreams that are involved in crashes, and tree fallings, that don't have the risk of having malaria or who knows what in them.
...While your right about the value of the endcap,but the situation that these trailers have been through means that leaving just the husk of one of these trailers out for any extended period of time to be parted out and sold would be an extremely hazardous idea for a salvage company to work with...
Granted I have no personal experience working on a flooded trailer, I did have the pleasure our second year in our current house to have the basement flood with river water.
I would venture that a person with the right background and the right safety equipment could safely do a frame off "restoration" keeping the frame, shell etc. It might need axles from the water getting inside, most restorations need axles. All the plywood would need to be replaced, as it does on most restorations. All cabinets and soft goods need replacing, just like restorations
hard goods like sinks, sheet metal, fiberglass parts (like tubs etc) could be cleaned and reused, all wood, insulation, foams, curtains, etc could be reused. I could see if someone just wanted to build and airstream to get the interior just how they want it, isn't impressed with airstream's current (or past) quality control could build it how they want.
Companies exist for flood repair. Existing house wood framing is treated in flood situations, and could treat surfaces to be removed to limit possible exposure to harmful substances.
Many states have no problem with salvage titles, I'm sure with the right research and the right geographic location that too could be overcome.
I would also point out that as 2air pointed out about wrecking yard trailers, environmental hazards are present in all our restorations, and myself included most aren't very careful about those hazards, from mouse droppings, to mold, leaking waste tanks, asbestos tile and adhesives, lead paint etc. We won't even venture into the conflicting studies about aluminum and alzheimers (perhaps that's why some people restore a second airstream, they don't remember how much time and money they put in the first one)
I'd consider something like that for $1000 or so, but then again if I bought another one I'd need another 7 or 8k for a good divorce attorney....
roof locker tracks (plastic) square cornered astrodome screen 63 refer, or at least the original door insert 2 12v hehr motors (working) w/ or w/o fan blade
might be perfect for a full-blown custom job... like the mobile studios, or diners I've seen-- since you'd be GUTTING it right down to, and including the wiring...
If they sell as a "lot" which is what was posted, that's $7500 a piece if they get it. I doubt they would get it from any one who knows AS's.. But I am darn sure to my core, that people who don't know, will pay that much (looking only at "what I paid" vs what the msrp is)and at least attempt to "flip" them. After claening them up to some degree. And people who know even less will buy them. and after a few months or years, may find this place, trying to find out why the AS they have is rotting away..
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See our blog here on how two RV/AS rookies tackle a 1979 Sovereign resto!!
Link to just the photos.. (sometimes you don't need the blog, just a picture worth a thousand words..)
1979 Sovereign International
2004 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
2 Golden Retrievers
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Bidding closes tomorrow at 1:00. The guy there said he's expecting $60K. HA!
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