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Rutroe · 01-25-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aviator

I cannot locate his name in my address book, but there is a guy in Fayetteville, GA who does a lot of Airstream work. I spoke with him a couple of years ago. Maybe someone else on the forum can remember who he is. If you need anything specific, pm me and I can try to help with a local source.

Wow! A guy in Fayetteville would be perfect! IF anyone knows of him and could share, that would be most appreciated.

Thanks for the post !

ALANSD · 01-25-2011, 10:44 AM

welcome....I am also a big Top Gear fan. Love both versions of the show. If you decide to keep that trailer- we all hope you will- come on up with it or without it- if you are around here April 8 weekend to our Rally in Hiawassee. Lots to see and do related to the Airstream and vintage trailer thing...plus we know how to party . Also there are more than a few of us who are car crazy- (oh sorry that's another tv show).
see our thread posted under Forum Rallies.

rebelstand · 01-25-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutroe

Yeah- that's the big debate going on at our house. I'd love to have my girls all with me as soon as possible...it seems like a quality resto takes months (assuming you're doing it full time) so I have no idea how that's going to work.

I've restored a lot of old cars so I certainly don't want to throw in the towel yet, but I want to be smart about it.

It seems like with where the economy is, this might be the "deal of a lifetime" sort of time to buy...but who knows.

Tough one. Exactly how bad is the interior?

exthemius · 01-25-2011, 02:55 PM

There's also a TAC (The Airstreamer's Club) rally going on May 27th:

TAC Georgia (F.D. Roosevelt State Park) - The Airstreamer's Club

If you're unable to attend the rally in April, the one in May will surely have people willing to help out with stuff.

mutcth · 01-25-2011, 04:14 PM

I was/am in a similar situation - not really having the time or patience to do the restoration work myself, and wanting a trailer to use relatively soon. I bought a solid $5000 base, but it still consumed a lot of money to get it to where I wanted. (And yeah, I'll never get that money back on resale.)

Labor rates add up quickly. Also consider that materials aren't free and RV appliances aren't cheap. A fairly common amount for materials for a restoration seems to be around $10k.

Would I do what I did again? I do love our little trailer and it works awesome with our minivan tow vehicle. But I got to say, I regret not buying a vintage Globetrotter that was already restored. (The things that I didn't like about that trailer could have been corrected relatively cheaply.) The $12k upfront seemed like a lot at the time, but it was a actually a fraction of the time and labor invested.

There are similar trailers out there - it does take some knowledge to make sure the work was done right, but there are lots of folks who are volunteer inspectors here, or you can pick up the skills to assess a trailer yourself by reading here and listening to The Vintage Airstream Podcast.

Or, I would have just borrowed money (which I don't like doing) and spent $25k on a used modern Airstream that was 5 years old or so...

Finally, you might want to do some more research to make sure this trailer is the right one for you before working on it. There are vintage brochures on Airstream's website and you can spend hours looking at pictures on Vintageairstream.com

Hope this helps
Tom

slowmover · 01-25-2011, 06:30 PM

You can also look at AVION, STREAMLINE and SILVER STREAK as similar trailers no longer produced that will not have the all-too-common A/S problems. Appliances, etc, are shared, and layouts are similar. Fewer to choose from, so be picky. Good ones of all three start around $8000 (can be had for less but this seems to be a good point to start for "needs little"). Prices tend to max out before $20k. 1973-1990 should be the range (separate grey/black tanks from that period).

As to tow vehicle, expect that no TT will really ever be below 6k and none really ever above 10k, in general (for the size you appear to want, and larger).

Good luck

.

rebelstand · 01-25-2011, 07:39 PM

I think if I were you I'd check with the guy in Fayetteville.. maybe post some interior pics here. The time might be worth the wait if you enjoy restorations or you might find it would be better to get a previously restored one.

Rutroe · 01-25-2011, 09:34 PM

Well from my research, here's what I'd say it needs...and keep in mind, my wife wants it to be cool...

Total floor throughout, remove walls- reinsulate, rewire entire trailer, all new bathroom, kitchen, etc....All new appliances, umm...basically, strip down reinsulate after cleaning thoroughly and then put it all together.

We've even talked about trying to change it to a rear twin, mid bath since we wouldn't risk waking our girls up to use the bathroom.

Who knows...talking to a resto specialist tomorrow to just get some ideas, but they're in the midwest.

Plus, my heart is a little broken..I've been trying to find a nice Turbo Diesel Excursion and can't find one that's not trashed, plus the new Ford Raptor pickup only pulls 8000lbs... and I think the 2500 Suburban can pull 9600 or 9100, but that's not that much more.

I was excited about trying to find one of the bigger suv's but it looks like I may have to go with a 2500 Silverado or an F250. Who knows...They're all nice on paper, but driving them is really the only way to know.

Thanks for all the helpful comments. It's funny how many cars I've had and jumped into working on so many and yet I have no idea about the Airstream or the amazing culture that follows.

NevadaGeo · 01-25-2011, 10:05 PM

I might recommend acquiring or borrowing another airstream to get out and use while you're on the quest for the perfect restored unit.

Grand Master · 01-25-2011, 10:35 PM

Out of curiosity, are you working with P & S in Ohio? If so, I can highly recommend them.

Rutroe · 01-25-2011, 11:19 PM

I'm not, but if you suggest them, how can I find more info on them ? Thanks

TinLoaf · 01-26-2011, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutroe

Plus, my heart is a little broken..I've been trying to find a nice Turbo Diesel

Aw, come on. What was wrong with that nice Dodge you drove up in Alaska? That episode was the best. You could tell that you guys had fun filming it.

Minnie's Mate · 01-26-2011, 04:11 AM

Have you looked into a Ford Expedition? My wife has a 2007 Limited with the tow package. It is rated for 9,400 LBS, IIRC. We have never towed with it, but it might be an option to an Excursion. Plus it is way easier to park at Home Depot and Walmart.

rebelstand · 01-26-2011, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutroe

Well from my research, here's what I'd say it needs...and keep in mind, my wife wants it to be cool...

Total floor throughout, remove walls- reinsulate, rewire entire trailer, all new bathroom, kitchen, etc....All new appliances, umm...basically, strip down reinsulate after cleaning thoroughly and then put it all together.

We've even talked about trying to change it to a rear twin, mid bath since we wouldn't risk waking our girls up to use the bathroom.

Who knows...talking to a resto specialist tomorrow to just get some ideas, but they're in the midwest.

Plus, my heart is a little broken..I've been trying to find a nice Turbo Diesel Excursion and can't find one that's not trashed, plus the new Ford Raptor pickup only pulls 8000lbs... and I think the 2500 Suburban can pull 9600 or 9100, but that's not that much more.

I was excited about trying to find one of the bigger suv's but it looks like I may have to go with a 2500 Silverado or an F250. Who knows...They're all nice on paper, but driving them is really the only way to know.

Thanks for all the helpful comments. It's funny how many cars I've had and jumped into working on so many and yet I have no idea about the Airstream or the amazing culture that follows.

Yeah, that's a LOT of restoration! Hopefully the specialist can help you!

Aviator · 01-26-2011, 08:58 AM

Rutlege,

I found it! His name is Todd Coleman. He lives in Fayetteville and works on Airstreams. His contact number is 770 487-2787.

ALANSD · 01-26-2011, 12:33 PM

Please report back on your experience with todd, good info for us in ga especially

Aviator · 01-26-2011, 12:47 PM

When I first got our trailer, Todd came over to look at it for me as I didn't know what to check. He gave it a clean bill of health, so I never used his services as far as any repairs. He came across as very nice though, I can report that much.

mutcth · 01-26-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutroe

We've even talked about trying to change it to a rear twin, mid bath since we wouldn't risk waking our girls up to use the bathroom.

Bigger rear bed/side bath 70s Airstreams aren't super hard to find. Might be easier to find a nice one of those than to remodel this.

Quote:

Plus, my heart is a little broken..I've been trying to find a nice Turbo Diesel Excursion and can't find one that's not trashed, plus the new Ford Raptor pickup only pulls 8000lbs... and I think the 2500 Suburban can pull 9600 or 9100, but that's not that much more.

These 70s trailers should max out around 7500 lbs loaded. (Later-year Airstreams are considerably heavier.) Given that tow capacity numbers are heavily based on powertrain cooling requirements pulling up a mountain grade in the desert at over 100 degrees at full max a/c and at highway speeds, I'd keep an eye more on payload than max tow capacity (unless you really want the oil burner.) I'd get a Sierra Denali or F-150 Ecoboost myself; I'm not sure the kinda-squidgy off-road Raptor suspension (I've briefly driven one) would be my first pick for towing.

Tom

ALANSD · 01-26-2011, 05:45 PM

I towed 2 different 31 foot Airstreams for awhile, and now I have an older 26'. I use an Excursion V10. The mileage is as good as a diesel and the fuel is cheaper.

Bird's Nest · 01-26-2011, 08:30 PM

We had a Nissan Armada when we purchased our 28' CCD. Pulled it home just fine but we didn't want to haul around a generator in the back so we bought a GMC 2500. The truck worked better for all of our bikes too. We sold the 28' CCD but my husband loves his truck. He put a Bully Dog chip in it and runs it on a setting that improves his mileage.
The Armada was getting long in the teeth but it was by far our favorite family hauler.