New Member w/ Personal Airstream History - Page 2

Lothlorian · 11-18-2008, 08:02 PM

Welcome to airstream forums. I bought mine about 13 months ago and I found it on Craiglist. My advice is to take your time and not rush anything. When I was looking for a travel trailer I was not looking for an airstream. I was looking at everything from travel trailers to motorhomes. I found the airstream on craiglist and took my wife to look at it. She fell in love with the layout of the interior.

My airstream had major problems which I was not aware of and after I bought it I found out I needed to do repairs. To my surprise this forum and the advice I received from forum members made fixing the trailer fun. I was able to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time.

I see airstreams, avions and spartans on the craiglist. I am hooked. I dream about getting a spartan someday and fixing it up.

Lothlorian

TBRich · 11-18-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GACStreamer

Hi TBRich,

I noticed that you have a newer Tacoma - mine is a 2006, four door. I do not have any hitch on it. Does yours do well pulling the Airstream??? What did it cost you for the towing hitch to be added??? Did you have to mirror extensions put on instead of the factory mirrors???

Hey Jeff... We have an 07 Tacoma Double Cab...it has a factory tow package and we use a Equal-I-Zer Hitch set-up...I don't know the actual cost of the Equal-I-Zer because it was part of the purchase price/deal we made for the Airstream. The Tacoma is rated to tow #6500...the Bambi is #4500 loaded...and it does fine with it. It would probably still be OK with a 20' or 22' but at 23' we'd probably need a larger truck (though I know there are those who tow that length with a Tacoma). Remember that the newer Airstreams are heavier than the older models, so it's really all about weight, wheel base and hitch set-ups... We use inexpensive mirror extensions that clip onto the standard side view mirrors, but we are thinking about better ones. Good luck! Hope to see you on the road soon!

GACStreamer · 11-18-2008, 08:34 PM

Thanks to Lothlorian and TBRich for the info.

63Silver · 11-18-2008, 08:47 PM

Jeff,
Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you have a great history with Airstreams that needs to be revived. Take your time looking, we looked for over 2 years before we found ours. Most older models had rear baths so your search will be more difficult. Good luck with your search.

63silver

gail · 11-18-2008, 08:51 PM

Welcome! We just bought our gal and thought we were not going to find one at a good price. We did! Check out all the craigslists daily and the site we have here as well as airstreamclassifieds. Ours is getting a check up and we hope to be on the road by Jan. for long weekend streamin.

GACStreamer · 11-18-2008, 09:03 PM

Thanks, 63silver. Did you do the remodel yourself??? Were the costs high?

GACStreamer · 11-18-2008, 09:04 PM

Thanks, Gail. Did you find yours on Craigslist? Was it local, or did you search nationally?

gail · 11-18-2008, 11:40 PM

I found many some missing out by an hour and some days.
Try www.jaxed.com go to mash and then go from there. good luck.
ours was 8 hours away.

funkill · 11-19-2008, 07:27 AM

Hi Jeff ---- my grandparents were also avid airstreamers. Guess I got the bug from them and, after looking for about a year, one 'bout bit me in the arse - so I had to get it. Unfortunately, I did not do my research and the *clean* trailer turned out to need some work. I'll spend the holidays replacing the axles and installing a charger/converter. Then I'll start on some of the cosmetic parts. First off though, I need a new TV - my Xterra seems to be *slightly* undersized.

Looking at an Armada later this week before my Thanksgiving Day tow to visit my cousins.

Anyway - welcome and I hope you find your AS soon. I'm about the same age as you

and doing this as a single girl - just can't wait to see if I meet the right guy and hope he wants an AS as much as I. I am definitely learning LOTS. If you check out my other thread - you'll see some photographs I scanned in of my grandparents - traveling all over! I found, literally, hundreds of photos. Wonderfully heartwarming - wish I would have been *allowed* to spend my summers with them like you did with your grandfather.
fun find --- vintage family AS photo's

**moosetags** · 11-19-2008, 07:45 AM

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. Airstreaming is still the fun and adventure that you so fondly remember.

66Overlander · 11-19-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GACStreamer

Thanks, 53flyingcloud.

I have already gone through these classifieds. There are some possibilities, but I am trying not to be so picky. My only requirements are:

1. 1965-1982
2. 21'-26'
3. Don't like the rear bathroom floorplan, which eliminates a lot of my options.
4. No major issues like plumbing, electrical, gas lines, etc.

All Airstreams in that era of 26' or less in length had rear bathrooms. It is only in the 1973+ (or so) 27', 29' and 31' models that the side bath even became an option on. And seeing a side bath on a 27' is very rare and a 29' side bath only slightly little less rare. It is not until you get to 31' that a side bath starts showing up with any regularity, but even than it is still less common than rear bath 31' models in that time frame.

As far as condition (especially look for soft floors, frame rust, rear end seperation, and rear end sag issues), read up on this site using the archives. Go look at every Airstream you can, even if you don't think it is right for you because of age, size, model, or condition, because you will learn things by doing so. If you can, enlist the team of volunteer trailer inspectors on this web site to help you look over any potential purchases - experienced eyes help a lot.

Good Luck!

whitsend · 11-19-2008, 08:34 AM

How do we find our Airstreams?

The first 2 - a 28' Safari (traded away) and the current 30' Classic - from our local AS dealer. Buying new is great, all the amenities are already "there", and the most expensive way to go.

But then, during our last Texas Vintage Rally (February 2008), I was bitten, infected, smitten, whatever - Vintage'itus. And I blame members of our local WBCCI Unit for showing me the beauty of a 55 year old, 13 panel hunk of gleaming aluminum.

Almost a year of dreaming, reading, electronic shopping, trips to look'see. Success came a couple of months ago when a friend forwarded an ad on eBay for a 1954 Cruiser. PERFECT for our needs (read that "wants"). Had to have it so much that I was willing to drive over 1,600 mi. one way to bring her home (right at the recent apex of the diesel prices!). She needs all the usual - a shell on floor replacement, electricals, waste tanks, plumbing, flooring, etc. - the usual you'll read all about here. And I've never done ANY of this kind of work myself, so I have a ton to learn. Thankfully I have several AS friends who have generously offerred much needed help. Do I regret anything? CERTAINLY NOT!! It may take a couple of years, given my skills and available money, but in time our "Miss Kitty" will be reborn - a killer vintage Airstream!! And I have to note here that it was that same AS best friend who turned me on to the ad on eBay who insisted (without even being asked!) that he was going to make that long drive from central Texas to within 13 miles of the N. Dakota / Canadian border with me, sharing the driving chores as well as providing lots of laughs. Is there any better demonstration of a friend? An Airstream friend at that!!

Do your research, be darn sure of what you need (vs. just wanting), watch every classified ad you can find, put out the word to your friends. Find local AS rallys and go. You'll be made to feel very welcome, ask questions, tour their trailers. YOU WILL find what you're looking for. If you can, come on down for some (by comparison) warm sunshine & attend our 2009 Texas Vintage Rally the first week of February 2009 in San Antonio, TX!! We're expecting well over 100 Airstreams, including lots of Vintage trailers, not to mention all the seminars to learn from. Like ole Bob Barker used to say - "COME ON DOWN!! I guarantee you'll have the time of your life.

This is an exciting time for you, the start of a wonderful journey. YOU WILL FIND AND MAKE THE VERY BEST OF FRIENDS TOO!! Airstreamer's are absolutely awesome people. Pease do keep posting your questions and eventual results.

66Overlander · 11-19-2008, 08:47 AM

One more thing -
Have the current owner demonstrate that the systems (water, fridge, furnace, etc.) work - don't take their word for it, especially if the condition causes you to be suspect or if the trailer hasn't been used recently (i.e. not THIS year). You'll get a lot of "the previous owner said it worked, but we never checked" (means if probably doesn't work) or "it worked the last time we used it" (means three+ years ago). You're better off not believing these claims. Trust but verify BEFORE purchase.

GACStreamer · 11-19-2008, 09:13 AM

Thanks to Funkill, Moosetags, 66Overlander, and Whitsend for all your words of encouragement. I have not ruled out the rear bathroom, it's just not my first choice. I do know that the small lengths had rear bathrooms - the reason my grandparents bought a 31' was because of the side bathroom - I believe 1973 was the first year for the side bath for the 31' - I could be wrong.

My search will be slow and patient, as I am exploring financial options and any time needed for repairs and upgrades.

Thanks again to all.