Newbie Looking For A Vintage Airstream Coach

[Russtle]

I have located two Airstream motorhomes (in no. California), '84' & '86' vintage. Both are a bit expensive (over $23k) but that seems to be what the good ones are bringing. I'm new at this! I have only recently started searching for a vintage Airstream coach. Any advice on what to look for when examining an Airstream coach will be appreciated. Also, how does one find a reliable RV mechanic or expert for an assessment when considering purchasing a coach?

Another point to ponder: I currently have a 2001 (other brand) travel trailer that I would be wise to sell first. If I find the 'perfect' coach would I still be advised to wait until I have sold my old rig?

[InsideOut]

While I know NOTHING about motorhomes, I want to welcome you to the forums! I hope you find the info you are looking for...this may help while you're waiting for a personal reply ~

Fred's Airstream Archives - Airstream and Argosy Travel Trailers and MotorHomes

Shari

[str8strm]

Originally Posted by Russtle

I have located two Airstream motorhomes (in no. California), '84' & '86' vintage. Both are a bit expensive (over $23k) but that seems to be what the good ones are bringing. I'm new at this! I have only recently started searching for a vintage Airstream coach. Any advice on what to look for when examining an Airstream coach will be appreciated. Also, how does one find a reliable RV mechanic or expert for an assessment when considering purchasing a coach?

Another point to ponder: I currently have a 2001 (other brand) travel trailer that I would be wise to sell first. If I find the 'perfect' coach would I still be advised to wait until I have sold my old rig?

Okay, how much time do you have? This could be a really long answer. I'll shorten it a bit by saying that the most important item for us was a good running gear. We bought our 345 nearly 3 years ago knowing that we would be replacing most of the interior including all upholstery, window blinds and carpet. We also expected that there would be other expenses to come. New tires were a must. What we really wanted was to be able to get on the road immediately and so the engine, transmission, rearend etc. had to be in good shape. Most of the moho owners that I have spoken with consider the purchase price to be a down payment and expect to spend the same amount again in refurbishing the coach. That has been the case for us, and we wouldn't change any part of the adventure. We have camped often during the restoration and, even after more than doubling our original $18K investment, we feel a lot better off than our friends who have spent 2 or 3 times as much for there big white boxes that are going down in value everyday. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful, functional units, but somehow, at most campgrounds, everyone wants to see the inside of our old timer. If you can afford to spend a little more, and get a coach that has been refurbished (with receipts to prove it) it can save some time and headaches. But, if you want to make it your own, with your own special touches, it can be alot of fun.
As for your last question, if you find the right one, and don't need the cash from the sale of the other unit, I would jump on it. Good luck and let us know how it goes. The picture is from our first trip the week we got the 345. Ron

[Russtle]

Thanks for the replies, they're helpful!

I had a friend preview the '86 for me and he reported it to be 'immaculate, except for a possible leak around the passenger side window. Now we have to find time to take a trip and look ourselves!

[2airishuman]

hi russtle and welcome to the forums!

i think the BIG questions are...

1. how do you intended to use the moho?
2. how mechanical are you?
3. how do you feel about unexpected 'surprises' while traveling?
4. how much money do you have to finance these surprises

it's nice that this coach is 'immaculate' but i suspect this really means clean and pretty...

not perfect.

keep in mind this is a 20+ year old truck, under a 20 year old house.

and 20 years of aging means different things on these 2 things.

so you really need to inspect 2 separate purchases...

1. engine, tranny, brakes, suspension, steering, tires and all those little auto bits that make it go, or not.

2. shell, appliances and hvac, windows, accessories (genset, awnings...) trim, plumbing, electrical, furnishings, interior space and so on.

it is a lot of stuff but all mohos (of this era) have the same basic appliances, systems and issues...

make a long list, or find one for ANY brand of 80s motorhome....

it can be very expensive to buy the first one you look at, there are plenty of these classics out there....

and clean and pretty doesn't mean road worthy, so be sure to take a test drive.

cheers
2air'

[davidachoi]

I just wanted to say hello to everybody. I'm new to this site and new to moho's. My dad had a 30 moho when I was a kid and I loved camping in it. It eventually burned down in the backyard one day when my mom warmed up the engine. We think the dogs were under the trailer chewing on hoses because they used to lie under it in the summer.
Now I'm grown up and my girlfriend and I want to take up the hobby. My girlfriend and I are using it as our first place together. We're not really going to live out of it, but we will take weekend trips together. Our absolute budget is 5k. Any opinion about this would be great. The girlfriend doesn't want to spend a penny more.
After much research on my part, I figure I could probably land a vintage 1960's airstream about 22' with all units and parts functional. I hope to get everything with original parts. I don't expect it to be pretty. But I really am hoping we will have little to nothing to do to make the trailer road ready. Any opinions? Is this possible? I see several in my price range that are old and need some work. I don't mind a little cleaning up with Lysol and bleach, but anything with plumbing or electrical would be out of my league. Thanks again for the great site.