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Aluminati · 10-11-2007, 08:59 AM

Now I am feeling buyers remorse....There is so much that I dont know...my trailer is two hrs away from me...and with my luck...it looks like it is not going to be good when I do....
I am just thinking about how much it is going to cost me in time and money if I have to weld a frame from scratch! and I know enough about mig welding to get myself into trouble.

InsideOut · 10-11-2007, 09:09 AM

As Howie Mandel would say..."For $500 you made a good deal!"

Don't have buyers remorse (have you checked the Price vs Condition Guide?)...just be realistic in your restoration project. At $500 you paid less than "basket case" condition...that's a great deal! Once you have it in your possession, can get started cleaning it up and "dig-in", it will be fun and very rewarding to watch the transformation!

Shari

**azflycaster** · 10-11-2007, 09:50 AM

I would not get upset at all. $500 for an Airstream is a good deal. It is going to take time and money to get the trailer into the shape you want, but look at the other side of the coin. If you are going to totaly gut the trailer, you have a box full of treasures that many vintage owners are looking for. Many of the items that you will be removing are worth money. You can sell much of the vintage interior to help pay for the work you need.

Aluminati · 11-03-2007, 06:06 PM

Well I took the trip to see my new girl. She is getting her bearing packed and new tires.

The dealer informed me that I did not need new axels. Not right now. He pulled it out of the Muck and pulled it 20 miles back to the dealership.

He did inform me that I did need new breaks and it could use some shocks.

The entire floor needs to be replaced.
The Out riggers are solid, just some rust on it.
He said the frame was solid, there is no sign of seperation, sag, or anything.
The bottom of the trailer looks solid.
The "trailer arm" I believe only has surface rust on it.
The dealer showed me how to make the step come out. He pulled the little handle and the stair came swinging out...just light surface rust. I jumped on it..."in retrospect" was not smart...but it held my weight just fine and I dont miss a meal.

All in all, The dealer was impressed how well it pulled beign that it has been sitting for so long.

byamcaravanner · 11-04-2007, 03:52 AM

Great news!

Sounds like you are doing things right. The condition of the trailer seems to be about what is to be expected.

You're on your way! Enjoy the journey.

Aluminati · 11-04-2007, 07:27 AM

He did note that he did not use the wire harness...he just pulled it. The wire harness was rusted and he did not want to take a chance with frying something out.

What I did not ask him was how did he get the Reese hitch : or jackstand to work. He also noted that he would not be suprised if everything worked. He also said, being that there are holes in the walls form someone taking out speakers, dont be supprised to find field mice in there or signs of field mice.

Which I have already found by opening one of the hatches from the outside. I also found signs of field mice in the stove...wall insulation in the stove

and there are more hornet nest than I can shake a stick at. I will clean thoes out in the dead of winter just to make sure everything is dead!

byamcaravanner · 11-04-2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aluminati

I also found signs of field mice in the stove...wall insulation in the stove

and there are more hornet nest than I can shake a stick at. I will clean those out in the dead of winter just to make sure everything is dead!

Same as what I found in the belly... don't worry though 'cause nothing was alive. LOL!

Be careful... in the dead of winter you may find NEW inhabitants.

Aluminati · 11-05-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

Same as what I found in the belly... don't worry though 'cause nothing was alive. LOL!

Be careful... in the dead of winter you may find NEW inhabitants.

What do you mean NEW!! inhabitants

byamcaravanner · 11-05-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aluminati

What do you mean NEW!! inhabitants

I'm sure various little creatures would find the insulated belly of our Airstreams very comfortable during our cold Midwest winters.

Frank's Trailer Works · 11-06-2007, 11:02 AM

I think my remod will include built-in Decon dispensers in the belly pan....

Aluminati · 11-20-2007, 10:38 AM

After much toil... I am going to pick my baby up this weekend.
She was getting new tires put on her.

She is at the Dealership.
The guy checked it out and told the the following.

Shocks need to be replaced down the road.
"I DONT NEED NEW AXLES!!!" They are in great shape..."from dealer not me"

I do need new shocks.
They packed the bearings

I dont need new brakes

and ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORK...ALL OF THEM!!!
The dealer said I was VERY LUCKY.

He said he was amazed that I did not need new brakes

It has been sitting in the same place since 1979!!!
I nothing but respect for the quality and craftsmanship of Airstreams!!

TomW · 11-20-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aluminati

..."I DONT NEED NEW AXLES!!!" They are in great shape..."from dealer not me" ...

I sent you a PM.

Tom

PINKBIKE · 11-20-2007, 04:35 PM

Please help me understand why I can not see his pics anywhere, thanks

Inland RV Center, In · 11-20-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aluminati

After much toil... I am going to pick my baby up this weekend.
She was getting new tires put on her.

She is at the Dealership.
The guy checked it out and told the the following.

Shocks need to be replaced down the road.
"I DONT NEED NEW AXLES!!!" They are in great shape..."from dealer not me"

I do need new shocks.
They packed the bearings

I dont need new brakes

and ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORK...ALL OF THEM!!!
The dealer said I was VERY LUCKY.

He said he was amazed that I did not need new brakes

It has been sitting in the same place since 1979!!!
I nothing but respect for the quality and craftsmanship of Airstreams!!

Any torsion axle that has not been exercised in 28 years, is bound to be bad.

There are two things to check to make sure the axles are ok.

The first is the following article, which will help you check out part of the axles.

Dura Torque Axle

The second thing to check, is how much bounce can you get from the axles if you jump up and down in the trailer?

Or, another way to check out the rubber rods, to make super sure that they have some life left, is jack up one side of the trailer. The tires should drop about 3 inches.

If not, then the rubber has solidified and will not offer any cushion to the chassis and shell.

If the rods have hardened, many different damages will happen to the trailer, since it would have no shock absorbing ability other than the tires, which is not enough.

If the rods are bad, and they should be since the trailer has sat for many years, you will, when towing, shear rivets, cause frame fatigue, fatigue cracks in the shell, broken wires, broken copper tubing in the AC, water leaks, and, rear end separation, to name a few.

An Airstream trailer loves a soft ride. If it has a rough ride, it will be very rough on you pocket book as well.

Also check the exterior gaskets. They should all be shot by now.

Keeping exterior water out of the interior of your Airstream, is very important.

You say part of the floor already needs replacing.

Before you attempt any interior repairs, you should make absolutely sure that the shell is water tight.

Others here will tell you many horror stories of what water can do to the interior of your Airstream.

Andy

Aluminati · 11-21-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Any torsion axle that has not been exercised in 28 years, is bound to be bad.

There are two things to check to make sure the axles are ok.

The first is the following article, which will help you check out part of the axles.

Dura Torque Axle

The second thing to check, is how much bounce can you get from the axles if you jump up and down in the trailer?

Or, another way to check out the rubber rods, to make super sure that they have some life left, is jack up one side of the trailer. The tires should drop about 3 inches.

If not, then the rubber has solidified and will not offer any cushion to the chassis and shell.

If the rods have hardened, many different damages will happen to the trailer, since it would have no shock absorbing ability other than the tires, which is not enough.

If the rods are bad, and they should be since the trailer has sat for many years, you will, when towing, shear rivets, cause frame fatigue, fatigue cracks in the shell, broken wires, broken copper tubing in the AC, water leaks, and, rear end separation, to name a few.

An Airstream trailer loves a soft ride. If it has a rough ride, it will be very rough on you pocket book as well.

Also check the exterior gaskets. They should all be shot by now.

Keeping exterior water out of the interior of your Airstream, is very important.

You say part of the floor already needs replacing.

Before you attempt any interior repairs, you should make absolutely sure that the shell is water tight.

Others here will tell you many horror stories of what water can do to the interior of your Airstream.

Andy

This is my plan:
1. Get her home.
2. Clean her up inside.
3. Make sure everything works.
4. Gut her out
5. Replace Floor
6. put in insulation
Put walls back up.