Need Some Renovation Advice!

[shawng]

Hello,
I am currently looking for a 26'-31' Airstream Trailer to completely Gut and use as a Showroom for some salesman samples. Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to do this?

My options seem to be:
-Find a Gutted one, shell only etc rebuild it to my specs
-Find a good conditioned one and tear out all the unnecessary items (almost everything)

I envision a completely open trailer with Walls that can hold samples and a row of Benches down the middle. Possibly a refrigerator and a small desk as well...Any suggestions?

[Cantrell]

There are plenty of gutted ones out there. People have dreamy eyes and then lose motivation. Would be a shame to take a serviceable Airstream and destroy when plenty of others in the condition you want are available.
Would also save you the trouble of 'gutting' it and disposing of the interior.
Keep you eyes out on the Airstream classifieds here and Ebay. Gutted wonders aplenty.

[shawng]

Great Feedback. Good Call, these things really are amazing and I would hate to take out a good one and destroy parts of it...
I will keep on looking for the perfect one.

[Aerowood]

Check here, it's in our neck of the woods

1965 Classic Airstream Trailer

[shawng]

hahaha, that is what sparked this whole thing! Good catch! I looked at it...have you seen it? Its in pretty tough shape, I would be a bit nervous to tow it home.
I feel like I would need to put in a couple grand to get it up to par. What do you think?

[SteSpot]

Not sure where the link is, but Airstream is selling a trailer that was used for a mail room that might be just what you are looking for.....perhaps you can call the headquarters in Jackson Center, OH and check with them. pj

[SteSpot]

1997 Airstream Factory Custom For Sale | Vintage Airstream Classifieds

[shawng]

Beautiful and Perfect! A tad out of my price range though...THANKS!!!!!

[Aerowood]

No matter what you buy its going to be a couple of grand or more. No, I haven't seen that trailer. I was wondering if you would be the 2nd Airstream owner in Edgewater, as right know there is one other, and they are the Only Airstream in Edgewater, as of right know.

[Splitrock]

I'm beginning to think . . . with antique Airstreams, the best deals are the ones I drive past.

Gary

[shawng]

Are you saying they are not worth the work?

[Splitrock]

Originally Posted by shawng

Are you saying they are not worth the work?

Work might be the least issue.

I'm writing they're often not worth the cost in cash. I'll have more invested in mine than it cost new and it's old. When I'm done, it's still gonna be old. If a person's hobby is working on old Airstreams and has the cash and time to do that, I'm all for it. Mine needed a LOT more work and cash investment than I understood when I bought it. By reading this and other RV forums, I believe I'm not alone . . . by far. So . . . beware!

Now I just look at the ads and I tab it up in my head. No awnings, add $3,500. Axles, add $2,000, tires $818. New refrigerator, furnace, water heater, range, add $2,500, air conditioner, a grand, new vents, $500, new drapes, $700, floor coverings, new mattresses, sofa, a couple more grand. So now I got a 70's trailer that I could tow home for 6 grand and it looks like it just needs some cleaning and the floor is soft where I didn't look, the frame is rusted, some of it is gone, there's 11 leaks from the door to the first seam, it smells, the drapes all go in the garbage, mice have been everywhere, the gas lines are all twisted up, the tail lights don't work, and the date on those "good" tires is 1991.

I'm fine with the trailer I bought. I'm well into repairs and deferred maintenance and it's been a REAL education. Would I buy this trailer again for the same price knowing what I know today? Nope! The guy'd have to pay me 3 grand to pull it out of his yard and I'd still be losing money.

The best deals I ever got on used trailers has been on the ones I didn't buy.

Will I ever buy another one? Oh yeah! :-)

Gary

[shawng]

Gary,
Thanks for the insight. I get it. I am sure they all end up costing more than expected.
I love your attitude on it though :-)
I grew up in MN and have family near Sioux Falls. Love the photo!

Did you see my initial post? I am thinking of taking a completely Gutted (see the link Aerowood posted) trailer and basically just renovating it to an empty trailer for a showroom of shoe samples. In your opinion, looking at the link, do you think this trailer is work it...very beat up...and what do you estimate the cost to be to fix it and get it insulated, floor put in, road ready, lights wired, walls up, windows fixed, sealed etc...no gas line, no special wiring, no stove, kitchen, bathroom, bed etc...just an open trailer with nice walls and floor...
Any insight you may have would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[Splitrock]

You wrote:

"I am currently looking for a 26'-31' Airstream Trailer to completely Gut and use as a Showroom for some salesman samples. Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to do this?"

I hope you're selling rubber boots and boat seats. If the water and mold don't git yer inventory, the mice will. Why not buy a Haulmark? I've had one for 19 years and it's never leaked one drop, and it's never had a mouse in it. They're made with torsion axles, insulated, paneled, and wired, and if you could get a car inside they'd tow it, no problem.

I wouldn't pay more than one half of scrap price for the Denver dump shell off trailer if it was 5 miles or less from home, and then I'd sell it for scrap and double my money.

Any antique Airstream ya buy is a shell. Some are just easier to spot than others. I'd think a conservative rule of thumb to fix one of these up is cost X4. If ya pay 3 grand, you'll have 12 in it when done. There's nothing cheap to buy for these things.

Gary

[shawng]

thats great insight. Thanks Gary.

[Prickly Pear]

They make a classy show room. In the 50s, there was a gentleman that called on my parent's flower and gift shop. He sold china, crystal, and such. I don't remember how he carried the merchandise, but it must have been packed and unpacked at every stop. The merchandise could be handled and examined.

All he had were cabinets, display shelves, and a desk.

Jim