Not quite sure where to begin, but I will start with our desire (wife and myself):
We are former sailors and campers and now live in central TX. We are both near retirement and have have made our tentative plan.
Our desire is to purchase an Airstream (or as comparable as we can afford) and tow vehicle and spend the TX Summer somewhere else less hot (we have kids and grand kids in MI, so that is most likely for a few years).
So, we would be living in the unit for approx. 5-6 months per year.
We cannot afford to start very large or new, and I don't think we need a super size unit (I am a poor retired reverend, etc).
In glittering generalities (or as specific as you dare), how should we begin? There seem to be a million different Airstream and Argosy units and I am confused.
Welcome to the forums Rev. Jeff and Liz, You have started in the right place.
So, What trailer is best for you? That is a tough question for someone else to answer. Spend some time on the forums learning about the trailers and ask lots of questions. The answer should present itself in no time.
I'm sure you'll get some great advice here from others with links to pricing on vintage trailers vs condition, different models and their sizes. I looked for a long time and researched what I wanted and then I had to dig deeper into my pocket than I first wanted. Once you decide which model and year span you want and what you can afford to spend, then the hunt is on. There are many factors to consider when buying a used Airstream. One of them is in how much work you want to put into it yourself. Buying one that has been restored and is good to go will cost you more but you get one where the work has been done. You can buy a fixerupper and maybe get a great price but then you'll have to spend more money down the road on things like axles, breaks and batteries. Then again being a retired minister maybe God has one picked out for you that is one of those rare remarkable finds that is in great condition, close by and is being sold at a price that the rest of us dream about.
Good Luck!
Welcome o the forums! Everyone is right, this is the place for info. Research, look around and when you have questions, everyone will be right here to help......
Rev. Jeff & Liz - Sliveleeper had a great suggestion above - the 7th annual Fourms Christmas rally being held in Blanco State Park, Blanco, TX - maybe 35 miles or so south west of you. Check out the locations & dates of rallies being held nearby and attend one. You'll be more than welcomed, and Airstreamer's love showing off their trailers, so you'll get a great opportunity to check out lots of models & floorplans.
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Whitsend in Central Texas
Parts Needed ~ 1954 Cruiser
A Working / Safe Panel Ray Heater?
Lower "Face Cover" for bottom of Marvel
Upper Storage Bins (Kitchen?)
They are correct! Welcome-I just wanted to remind you '...that the wise old reed bends with the wind.' You once were lost on here, but now you are found....BY US! Welcome and let us remind you- we may all have insurance - but we all ALSO HAVE ASSURANCE !!
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.....Is there another word for synonym? " Life is like a bicycle...to keep your balance you must keep moving." Einstien, 1930...and lastly,-"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, Live the life you,ve imagined"...Henry David Thoreau
Howdy frjeff, I see that y'all are from Man-Shack. I grew up out there and my grandparents had a house in San Leanna, back when that area was a long way from Austin, and before Adams Extract burned down. I have a 65 Overlander that is a basket case I want to restore when I retire, but in the meantime I went ahead and purchased a new 2008 Bambi and just love it. I have found that the price of used AirStreams in the Austin area can be a little high, as a lot of people are buying them and making roadside resturants out of them. But every once and a while a nice one will show up, just be ready to grab it when it comes along. You need to study up on the different sizes and models, and shop around to know when it is a good deal, and this is the place to due that. Good luck and be sure to go to the Fire House and get some good catfish in the mean-time..
I agee, prices in Austin (and Texas in general) seem to be a bit higher than elsewhere. I ended up buying mine from a seller in Atlanta, and he met me in Mobile, AL for the dropoff.
I looked for 2 years, hoping to spot a deal close to home. Turned out to be 1000 miles away. Got tired of the E-bay thing and found mine off Craig's list
hi .. we are in TX too. We just found our AS here in the classifieds. We are total new and we did not have time to research and look but everyone here is very helpful and kind. Good Luck on your search
Our dear friend is a Rev in some town down there .. lol I think it is south of Dilley sheesh can't believe I can't remember
Welcome to the forum - It kind of depends on how much time you have before you need it and how much you are willing to spend. I recommend going to the Rally - getting to know other Air Streamers and have a look at the models. Good luck and hope to see you down the road.
Welcome to the forums!! As everyone has said, this is a great place for information. No question goes unanswered or opinion unvoiced. Just remember, we are all experts on our own opinions(lol). That being said, everyone on here is wonderful. I travel alot for work, so I am always on the lookout for units for sale. I also see quite a few, some are good needing a little work and others are far out of reach time and money wise. When I find one, I'll post it here or send you a PM. Do you have a price range?
__________________ Bruce WBCCI# 9259 AIR# 38927 Stop Littering-Spay & Neuter
Welcome to the forums!! As everyone has said, this is a great place for information. No question goes unanswered or opinion unvoiced. Just remember, we are all experts on our own opinions(lol). That being said, everyone on here is wonderful. I travel alot for work, so I am always on the lookout for units for sale. I also see quite a few, some are good needing a little work and others are far out of reach time and money wise. When I find one, I'll post it here or send you a PM. Do you have a price range?
Have just begun (and limitedly at that!) to learn floorplans, lengths and asking prices.
For the moment (subject to change, but realistic), I see us in a 18'-25' AS at the present. Our only fairly firm requirement is a bed that we can leave a bed and a dry bath.
We have about a 2 year time line, but if we find something that needs significant work, we would need to buy earlier so as to have ready.
We also need to consider a different tow vehicle as we currently own only a Silverado 1500 with the smaller V8.
So, still lots of learning to do. Our plan is to drop by the rally to learn more first hand.
Budget is limited, but until I see what is selling for what I cannot state a firm top end.
Thanks for all of the input thus far. We'll keep studying, lurking and learning and probably asking tons of questions as time passes.
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Parts Needed ~ 1954 Cruiser 
" Life is like a bicycle...to keep your balance you must keep moving." Einstien, 1930...and lastly,-"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, Live the life you,ve imagined"...Henry David Thoreau
AIR # 40365
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