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09-23-2008, 05:22 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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1971 29 ft Ambassador
Ok, So, it is a 1971, so I will switch to this forum.
I have not decided wether to rip the interior out and start all over. I suspect the flooring uder the bathroom is rotten. I can see a metal brace that is all rusted out and hanging down, so no jumping in the bathroom area. This thing is going to sit in my driveway till I get it road ready for sure. I bought it for $3,000 from a guy in the next town over who had it sitting in his driveway for years. And no, it was not on any kind of jack stands. Im hoping that it is going to get an overhaul and be an investment project. Not sure if I will ever get my money out of it and turn it around.
Pictures will come as soon as it is delivered on sunday, if it makes the 10 mile trip down the road.!
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09-28-2008, 08:41 AM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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Seeling an expert Airstream Inspector in the state of Maine.
Contact me at
ssgkboo@yahoo.com
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09-28-2008, 09:18 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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So did you get the '71 do you have any pics.... I have a '68 ambassador... I'm in the process of ripping it apart now...
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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09-28-2008, 10:40 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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Make sure you send photos of how the AS sits on it's axles so we can all say in unision, All together now, 1 2 3................
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-28-2008, 10:44 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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It was just pulled into my yard....
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09-28-2008, 10:48 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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The electrical looks kinda scary.
I havent tested anything yet.
It came with 2 futton frames and a futon matress.
I suspect rot under the tub shower. All in all its in prestty good shape.
The exterior lights were working when he pulled up to my driveway.
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09-28-2008, 10:59 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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Yup, looks like you need axles. Send a few more pics showing how the wheels sit in the wheel well. What is the relationship between the top of the wheel rim and the bottom of the fender well. They should be at least level or show some sidewall at the top of the tire. There is lots of info on Axles on the forums if you do a search.
Another common problem on this vintage is rear end sag or separation. Again there is a plethora of information in the archives if you search. If there is rotten floor if the bathroom it will increase this risk. Get a linebacker to stand on the rear bumper and jump up and down a little. There should be practically no up and down movement of the bumper that the shell does not follow.
Congradulations on your new to you Airstream
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-28-2008, 11:02 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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more pics....
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09-28-2008, 11:07 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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Any know a good travel trailor inspector in Maine?
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09-28-2008, 11:11 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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From the one wheel photo above, you may be OK on the axles. But the axles and rear end sag should be checked out more thououghly.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-28-2008, 11:11 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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1971 hunk of what?
OK, was it worth it?
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09-28-2008, 11:16 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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Ekk, yeah the rear end is sagging.
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09-28-2008, 11:19 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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E, added me, SSG Bee in Iraq.
-----retired...
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09-28-2008, 11:37 AM
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#14
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
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I like it! The body appears to be in great shape and the interior is mostly intact as well. It appears to have a few POMs (Previous Owner Modifications) that you will have to figure out over time. From the picture I see that this trailer has the elephant ear patches. This was an attempt to deal with the rear end separation issue which has been an issue in some older units. Other members have dealt with this issue. Hopefully one will join in and tell you what to look for and how to address this issue if you have it.
You may want to start thinking about your water system. You will need to protect the water lines and components from the damage that freezing weather can cause.
Welcome to the world of vintage Airstreams.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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09-28-2008, 12:42 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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From what I have read in the forums about rear end sag the fix is: remove bathroom and lower inner skin. Pick up the rear end while pushing down the rear of the frame. Slide in a couple of pre cut pieces of flooring. Reverse the process to put Humpty bac together again.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-28-2008, 12:56 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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more pics...
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09-28-2008, 01:00 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaydee
1971 hunk of what?
OK, was it worth it?
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I don't want to discourage you but personally I would not have touched it at any price if it has a rear end separation problem. But that's only me. If the rest of the trailer is good I think you paid top dollar, maybe a bit more. But, $3000 is just a part of what you will probably end up spending if you do a restoration. So it kind of washes out. Are you going to restore her, or just fix what needs to be done to be funcitional. Are you doing the work yourself? If you have the AS fixed by someone make sure you get someone who knows 70s Airstreams, or they could make it worse. Having the rear end sag fiixed by a pro will be expensive. I am guessing at least what you paid for the AS. Anyone else out there have any figures on having a rear end sag done? Andy? Also, if the trailer truly has rear end sag towing it around very much can only make the problem worse. Sorry if I am the bearer of bad news.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-28-2008, 02:57 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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Hmmm. where to start...
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09-28-2008, 03:25 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
1971 29' Ambassador
Waterboro
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
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more pics once the dust has settled
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09-28-2008, 03:31 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
1973 27' Overlander
Centralia
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 68
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"where to start?"
The very best thing I did after my purchase was to get an owners manual. It is amazing how much more understandable the systems will be after a quick read through.
The second most important thing, IMHO is to purchase a service manual. I was lucky, mine came with one.
Both of these are available from Airstream.
Value is subjective. I think your trailer could be quite wonderful, and there is a tremendous amount of help available here.
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