Newbie about to take the plunge! Help?!

[go_lope]

Hey y'all!!

I'm new here on the forum. I started out on a mission for a small vintage camper, like a Shasta, that my daughter and I could take to the lake. I couldn't help (who couldn't?) but to fall in love with all the AS I came across during my search and finally just gave in to it. The magnitude of this decision is not lost because just the idea of going from a Shasta-style to an AS was intimidating. But after a lot of soul searching, I feel like it's a better investment financially (although bigger) and would afford us more opportunities. I love a good project! I'm not a master mechanic or carpenter by any means, but I am pretty handy and a quick study. Plus, I have a good friend that really is and he's just a phone call away. (Don't think I would even consider this without a backup plan and support crew!).

Just when I thought I was going to lose my mind and go cross-eyed looking, I pasted by a good family friend's house on my way to work. He had a new RV out front and his old AS parked in a shed in the back. Although it was bigger than I initially wanted and I figured it was way out of my price range, I begged (nagged) my husband to call thinking he might be motivated to sell since he had a new one. And guess what?? This is where things start getting REAL...

It's a 2001 Excella (30'). He bought it new from an insurance company because it was wrecked (why he was able to buy it new, he said). Apparently, it was on it's way to the dealership when it was rolled on it's side. He bought it with the intention of replacing the aluminum panels but said he was quoted more than he paid so he never did. It seems to be merely cosmetic as the trailer is completely functional. The worst part of the damage is on the street side towards the back, plus some scratches along the entire side. It's not caved in and you can't tell from the inside of the trailer...it just looks like some big wrinkles in the aluminum. The two front corner windows are plexiglass that he installed. He has the original replacement windows that came with the trailer, he just never had them put in because the plexiglass was serving the purpose just fine. The only thing missing is the radio but the wiring is all there as if it was just unhooked. All appliances work and the tires a year old. There's a tiny bit of what looks like water damage by the front door by the kitchen cabinet but it feels solid. It's been used over the last 14 years but not in a year or so. It doesn't smell like smoke or mildew. Other than dated decor, it's pretty clean for a 14 year old trailer.

Here's where I could use some advice: He's asking $10,000. I know this man and I trust that he's fully disclosed everything, good or bad. I also found a 1973 Ambassador locally for $13,999. My husband thinks that despite the body damage, it's ridiculous to even look at one that's 28 years older and $4,000 higher. My initial reaction is that he's absolutely right however, I don't know enough about the aluminum bodies, structural design, etc., to really know for sure. That's a lot of money to me and I want to make the best informed decision possible. My gut and common sense says 'Yes', but they also say, 'There's a lot to these Airstreams that you don't know and this could be one'.

Any questions, comments, advice, or suggestions would be more than greatly appreciated!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Welcome to the forum !!

This is a bit exciting isn't it? There are a lot more choices out there than you would ever think. You never quite know what may be around the next corner.

If you ever *do* decide to fix any of the damage, it is *very* expensive. It is not something you can easily do all by yourself. The aluminum sheets have to come from Airstream. One risk you have is hidden leaks. Water gets inside the skin and runs down under it. It hits the plywood floor where you can't see it and rot sets in. That also is an expensive repair.

Find somebody with experience (there are lists here on the forum) to come inspect the trailer for you. Listen very carefully to what they come up with. Understand that any inspection can only find just so much. Make an informed decision on your purchase.

What I would do vs what you decide to do really is not relevant. As long as you understand what is what, do what makes sense to you.

Bob

[Woosch]

I would be very nervous here. An Airstream that rolled on its side???!!! I can think of a lot of bad things that can happen that you can't see it. Just rolling it back on the tires would make me cringe.
If it wasn't with it to the insurance company to fix, I'm walking away from this one.
As Uncle Bob says, there are a lot of choices out there.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Pannel damage on an AS is a very expensive thing. Any accident (or hail incident) that involves many panels will be a gotcha. That plus the relatively low NADA values on any trailer get you to a verdict of "it's totaled" pretty quickly. Unfortunately there are a number of trailers that get into this state every year. The same sort of hail issues also take out fairly new cars and trucks.

Get it inspected ....

Bob

[Belegedhel]

It would help if you could post some pictures of it so that we have a better idea of what the damage looks like. That being said, I would point out that we all buy these trailers more for the aesthetics than anything else. If you wrinkle up half the trailer's skin, then the aesthetics are at 50%. Repair to get it looking OK will be WAAAAAY more than the $10k you pay for it, so if you do make the buy, it better be with the thought in mind that you have no intention to repair it.

good luck!

[go_lope]

Thank you for the input!!

I totally get it...I gasped when I heard "rolled on its side". I was looking at this thing thinking trying to imagine it because it's not damaged to the extent that I thought it would've been. It even has a clean title, not a salvage title. I'll try to get some photos posted to give y'all a better idea. Honestly, if hadn't told me the story, I would've just thought he backed into something. I can live with a little "cosmetic character" as long as that's the extent of it because I'm a realist-- that new Bambi just isn't feasibly in my future .

I'm going to look at the 1973 Ambassador tomorrow. It has the skylights and a rear bath, which I would prefer. Of course, I have no real basis for those preferences other than I love natural light and I think the little tubs are neat lol.

[AirstreamCSH]

For $10k, I'd take that risk.

[mccrosti]

An Airstream is a monocoque design system, which means the skin, floor and frame are all required to make it work. For example, if you pull the chassis out from under one of these they are surprisingly flimsy. It requires the floor to provide strength. My concern in an Airstream that rolled would be unseen damage. Personally, I'd be leery of it.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

.... but the guy's asking price is only $10K .... who knows what he'll come down to in order to sell it .... hmmmmm ....

Yes, it is a risk. It also sounds like an attractive price. Get a good inspector (from the lists on this forum) in to look at it. Then you will know much more about how much of a risk there is. The only thing we can do is make guesses. You *need* more than a guess.

Bob

[go_lope]

So, I looked at the '73 Ambassador today. All original and functioning...rear bath, mid twin beds, and skylights (that the owners didn't even know existed until I pointed them out). Excellent body condition...can't say I noticed a ding one. The interior was dated of course but all tambour cabinets worked beautifully (I opened every. single. one.) and I had a renovation of sorts in mind when I set out on this venture.

So now I'm faced with a decision: 2001 with exterior damage for $10k or 1973 in excellent condition that they're asking $13k, but made it very clear they would entertain an offer.

Here's the reality (that may make some cringe): I want to redo the interior-- paint and lighten it up. I despise the functional couch in the 2001 because it's hideous, regardless of comfort. I do love the tambour cabinets and as long as I can give them a facelift, they'll stay. And I will say that the 1973 looks like it would be a lot easier to renovate *to me*.

Questions, comments, guidance, and any direction would be greatly appreciated!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Grab a bucket of paint and go to it !!!!!

I would also get the Ambassador inspected by somebody who knows what they are looking at. So far it sounds like a much better way to go.

Bob

[Twinke58]

I would go with the 73. It's vintage and way cooler. Also the skin is better because it's thicker. You can also join the Vintage Airstream Club (VAC) an intra club of the WBCCI. Wally Byam Caravan Club International.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forum

[go_lope]

Originally Posted by Twinke58

I would go with the 73. It's vintage and way cooler. Also the skin is better because it's thicker. You can also join the Vintage Airstream Club (VAC) an intra club of the WBCCI. Wally Byam Caravan Club International.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forum

The skin is thicker on the older ones? I didn't know that but it makes total sense...

I went back and looked at the 2001 because he had pulled it out of the shed...wow. Not only was the damage WAY worse than I could initially see, I found another spot with water damage that looked moldy.

[Twinke58]

I would go with the vintage. I have one myself and love it. With water damage the floor rot is the worst. I know cause I just replaced my floor with a shell off redo. I'm still redoing mine. Year 2. But for you I would go with the one that has less body damage and camp ready.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forum

[go_lope]

That's what my gut is telling me...it's so exciting and nauseating all at the same time because I've never taken on a project of this magnitude. Even though I've never tackled a subfloor, I've read enough to know I'm not ready nor do I want to if at all possible!

My husband (who's not a fan of buying the 1973) says I shouldn't touch axels that old. How do I know? I have no idea about how to go about inspecting that aspect of the trailer. I see a great exterior and interior that is totally re-doable.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The main wear items on the axles are the bearings (just replace them) and the brakes (have them checked)). The axles themselves don't rotate, so not much to wear there. Do have them checked, but don't worry a lot about it being a gotcha.

Bob

[Belegedhel]

Buying any used Airstream is like buying a used car. It is buyer beware regardless of the age, and the only way you can mitigate your risk is to inspect thoroughly. I already offered my 2 cents on the rolled trailer, now for a few comments on the '73 (bear in mind that I own a '73):

This trailer is over 40 years old, so manage your expectations--there will be work to do that will go well beyond new paint and curtains. You wouldn't expect to buy a 40 year old car and then drive cross-country in it, nor should you expect to do so in a travel trailer.

Go to the "Portal" page and scroll down, looking on the right hand side of the screeen. There is an interface there that helps you to find volunteer trailer inspectors, and a Trailer Inspector's Checklist. At the very least, go through the checklist--this will help you to know what you are up against.

My opinion is that for the asking price (even if there is negotiating room), the trailer should be ready to go camping. If the floor is rotting away (especially in back), or there are major appliances that don't work, then the price should be adjusted down accordingly.

In my mind, when someone advertises a vintage trailer as "all original," that is more of a red flag than a benefit. It tells me that nobody has done any rennovation work on this trailer since 1973, and there is likely to be a lot of work to be done. Just my cynicism, perhaps.

The axles on these trailers use rubber torsion "springs" built in. Rubber loses its "spring" after 40 years, so if these are the original axles, they will likely be ready for replacement--this is a question to ask, and also something you need to educate yourself on as to how to evaluate them. Swapping out the axles may seem like major surgery, but it is one of the simpler repairs you can do on a vintage trailer. It literally involves removing 4 bolts per axle and disconnecting the brake wiring. You can pay your local mechanic to do it if you aren't hands on, but just be advised that vintage trailer ownership is a hands-on business unless you want to go broke paying a technician to do all the work.

Note, also that in 1973, trailers didn't have all of the modern conveniences that come standard today. In particular, you are likely to be lacking a grey water tank, unless someone retro-fit one in. Another question to ask... And depending how you plan to use the trailer, it might not matter to you.

The shell aluminum wasn't thicker back in the 70's, but they did use stronger alloys. Your '73 shell is likely to be 6061 T6, which is far less dent prone than today's softer alloys.

Good luck!

[go_lope]

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

Buying any used Airstream is like buying a used car. It is buyer beware regardless of the age, and the only way you can mitigate your risk is to inspect thoroughly. I already offered my 2 cents on the rolled trailer, now for a few comments on the '73 (bear in mind that I own a '73):



This trailer is over 40 years old, so manage your expectations--there will be work to do that will go well beyond new paint and curtains. You wouldn't expect to buy a 40 year old car and then drive cross-country in it, nor should you expect to do so in a travel trailer.



Go to the "Portal" page and scroll down, looking on the right hand side of the screeen. There is an interface there that helps you to find volunteer trailer inspectors, and a Trailer Inspector's Checklist. At the very least, go through the checklist--this will help you to know what you are up against.



My opinion is that for the asking price (even if there is negotiating room), the trailer should be ready to go camping. If the floor is rotting away (especially in back), or there are major appliances that don't work, then the price should be adjusted down accordingly.



In my mind, when someone advertises a vintage trailer as "all original," that is more of a red flag than a benefit. It tells me that nobody has done any rennovation work on this trailer since 1973, and there is likely to be a lot of work to be done. Just my cynicism, perhaps.



The axles on these trailers use rubber torsion "springs" built in. Rubber loses its "spring" after 40 years, so if these are the original axles, they will likely be ready for replacement--this is a question to ask, and also something you need to educate yourself on as to how to evaluate them. Swapping out the axles may seem like major surgery, but it is one of the simpler repairs you can do on a vintage trailer. It literally involves removing 4 bolts per axle and disconnecting the brake wiring. You can pay your local mechanic to do it if you aren't hands on, but just be advised that vintage trailer ownership is a hands-on business unless you want to go broke paying a technician to do all the work.



Note, also that in 1973, trailers didn't have all of the modern conveniences that come standard today. In particular, you are likely to be lacking a grey water tank, unless someone retro-fit one in. Another question to ask... And depending how you plan to use the trailer, it might not matter to you.



The shell aluminum wasn't thicker back in the 70's, but they did use stronger alloys. Your '73 shell is likely to be 6061 T6, which is far less dent prone than today's softer alloys.



Good luck!

Thank you!! That's exactly the kind of information and delivery I was looking for .

I know "all original" is highly sought after and regarded and as much as I appreciate the vintage character, I'm a fan of modern enmities as well. Probably a generational thing as this trailer is 5 years my senior .

You've given me a lot of good specific points to consider. I guess it's between God and my gut now...

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by go_lope

Thank you!! That's exactly the kind of information and delivery I was looking for .

I know "all original" is highly sought after and regarded and as much as I appreciate the vintage character, I'm a fan of modern enmities as well. Probably a generational thing as this trailer is 5 years my senior .

You've given me a lot of good specific points to consider. I guess it's between God and my gut now...

Hi

.... and the inspection report from the inspector. Please don't leave this part out.

Bob

[go_lope]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi



.... and the inspection report from the inspector. Please don't leave this part out.



Bob

Yes! [emoji6]