Quote:
Originally Posted by 2vets
I desperately need opinions from airforums members on what I should do!... Now we are looking at a MAJOR repair job...but now this has become huge financial commitment for us just to get her back to a stable frame with no bells or whistles. What would you do if you were me...cut and run, use the home equity loan, try to find a better trailer, or drink lots of beer? I know ultimately this will be my choice but what did you do when presented with a serious setback with your trailer?...
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just for background, here's one of your first posted thoughts here...
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2vets
Hello there! I have been dreaming about owning an airstream for years but only seriously looking for the past 4 months. I have looked at numerous 70's models (all 31 feet which looked absolutely huge), and a tempting 1975 tradewind that I found out was gutted and deplorable. Then 2 days ago I looked a 1960 24 foot Tradewind in the pouring rain and was completely smitten! Gone were the well designed checklists and all rational thought..... THIS was the trailer for me!
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no where in any of these posts is there ANY information on...
-past camping experience
-future camping expectations (frequency, location, distance, purpose)
-WHY u "dream" of owning a 'stream (even ONE reason why)
-what you/husband and TWO teenagers want/need in an rv...
-things like shower/fridge/storage/sleeping space, and so on...
--and no place do i see a budget, or even an approximate/RANGE that the FAMILY is wiling to spend on an rv...
including THIS rv.
of course the FORUM MEMBERS are NOT entitled to ANY of this background or info,
but HOW can anyone here provide ANY rational or objectively neutral advice without it ?
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the point being while you admit having tossed out all the checklists and rational thinking...
leaving US without details...
means that most of the replies will be cheerleading like "GO FOR IT" ((and maybe that's the point?))
and it costs US nothing to encourage YOU to spend money...
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so now the reality, having spent 3,000$ so far...
the real bleeding begins.
major frame work, running gear, tires, brakes and AFTER all of that, as you seem to realize....
it's still a 40+ year old metal tube with 40+ year old interior and applicances...
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and on top of that you don't own a tow vehicle for this thing either, right?
a 'friend' is towing it around for now?
so that's MORE money 2 be spent...
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if the goal was/is a vessel for camping, buy something that can be used NOW right away (this season)...
figure out IF rving is really that important AND if there will be time to go camping much.
IF the goal/need is a 'stream for camping...
keep LOOKING then buy the BEST EXAMPLE (within budget) of a unit that's ready to use...
surely the goal isn't to have some shiny, highly customized vintage thing that OTHERS will look upon with envy???
or is it?
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yes you've got a good shop and yes they can make this stream happen...
but WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?
the useful/wise thing about buying a READY to camp trailer...
is that the unit can be financed, interest is deductible, and it can be INSURED for the value.
none of that can happen with this one.
would u buy a car, starting with just the OLD BODY,
then spend some UNSPECIFIED amount to build TRANSPORTATION inside that body ???
unless you happen to be in LOVE with some specific old car body...
and would u spend/risk the HOME EQUITY to do that???
it's one thing to find a good old 'stream and using personal sweat, time and parts BUILD it up...
lots of folks can brag...
"i spend 2000 hours and 10-25 grand but would take 3x that for it...yadda"
but PAYING someone else to restore it starting with a REdone FRAME is expensive, very very expensive.
are u gonna be HAPPY with all the old bits ON TOP of that redone frame???
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we're all here because of some affection/history or interest in 'steams specifically,
so this isn't about bashing a/s ownership or restoration...
but these 2 snips/quotes pretty much sum UP where this is all headed...
you...."
Gone were the well designed checklists and all rational thought"
them...."
My husband and two teen kids are being very supportive but then they asked the obvious question of "Now what?"
take this thing home and THINK about this project/process and PURPOSE all over again...
figure out the "NOW WHAT?"
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we all get a little goofy in the dark daze of winter and may dream about spring and the potentials...
but take a cue from your veterinary practice...
what is one of the MOST common procedures performed by vets and why is it done???
((is everyone thinking?))
ALL of the really good vets i have dealt with know how to delicately communicate to the pet owner the issue of...
"this is approximately how much money you'll need to spend IF you wanna TRY to keep fido or felix alive..."
and payment (or a %) is expected in advance.
following this painful HARD few minutes of questions/answers,
many owners who LOVE those pets figure out what they can/cannot afford...
then act accordingly.
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the point being YOU need to sort out the overall TOTAL costs before pouring MONEY into the frame.
cheers
2air'