1952 Cruiser...Money Pit?

[5455gypsy]

What is the average cost for a complete strip down, shell off, rebuilt frame underneath, axle restore...if I had someone else do it?

[Melody Ranch]

7000 to 11,000....depending on the other things required which your not considering......tanks, tires, plumbing, electrical, insulation, structural repairs. Then you have to face the inside.

[Someday'59]

Originally Posted by 5455gypsy

What is the average cost for a complete strip down, shell off, rebuilt frame underneath, axle restore...if I had someone else do it?

Yes. Money pit. You'd better sell it to me.

[bredlo]

They're all money pits. Beautiful, time-consuming money pits. Few restorations / renovations bear any resemblance to a sound financial investment, whether doing it yourself or farming it out. Brand new ones tend to lose value, creating the same problem from the opposite direction.

When you're done though, a vintage Airstream is one of the few big, unique things in life that immediately says something about you; your personality, your style, your abilities as a craftsman, even about the importance you place on being an individual. They become an artist's statement of sorts, representing the person at the wheel of the tow vehicle in a very overt way.

I don't think many people could swallow the scope of a "full monty" project unless they felt this way. Of course I'm not suggesting that weighing the benefits and costs isn't appropriate - it's extremely important, and proves you're taking the process seriously.

When you figure out exactly how you feel about your Cruiser, I think you'll be halfway to an answer, and in the meantime - start that punch list with prices and costs: it can be quite sobering.

[Lumatic]

Are you talking about just doing the frame and axles?

[rumrunner]

I think the 7-11,000 figure is if you do the work. if you add $100/hr labor you can easily quadruple that figure.
tim

[reinergirl]

There's an old saying... You can eat an elephant, one bite at a time....

Think $2,000 a year for the next five years, doesn't sound so awful.

You have the chance to restore a really neat old trailer that many of us would jump on in a second. The knowledge you need to do it is all right here on the forums, just go for it!

[Sprouty]

So if no one else has asked I will.... Where are the pictures? We all like pictures of cool old trailers in any shape.

[5455gypsy]

She is a pretty sweet trailer and I knew nothing about them when we bought it 2 weeks ago or so. The only thing I knew about them is that I always wanted one! Now, thanks to this forum and all of the friendly, informative help...I am learning so fast that my head is spinning. My wife and I have already designed it in our minds and on paper. We have been full-time road warriors for over 10 years now(custom vans, RV, sailboats) and live in a 1985 Chevy Lindy but this will be our first Silver Bullet. Pics are coming soon...as soon as I find a camera around here that works.

[Super Bob]

This doesn't help you but may me ! What are the correct tires for your Cruiser?