Upgrading from tent-trailer to Airstream...

[kirkland1833]

Hi there,

My husband, daughter and I are travelling around the country for a year in an 8' Coleman tent trailer. We recently decided that we'd like to upgrade to a hard-sided trailer and we're in the market for a 20' or 21' Airstream. Since the standard floor-plans don't fit our needs, we'd like to find one with a bad interior, have it gutted, and build a new interior that works for us.

Since we're travelling full-time, we're never in one place for more than a week. I'm finding it difficult to figure out how to buy one from the road. We're working with a guy who will do the remodel. He's looking for one, and we're looking whenever wi-fi allows.

Any thoughts on good places to look (other than the classifieds here)? CL seems sketchy, and I'm not much for e-bay.

Thanks in advance!
Karen

[SteveH]

Like shopping for any used item, they are where you find them, and the size you are looking for seems to be the most difficult to find because they are so easy to pull, and so desirable.

I've bought several used trailers, and all I can tell you is to keep looking. Even bought one on EBAY, and had to drive halfway accross the country to get it. There are several dealers that list their used inventory on the web, so that's another source.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your search.

[KathrynOKC]

ebay isn't bad. I have purchased several large ticket items there, like any purchase for an individual check their past sales and purchase seen if you like. Airstreams are for sale all over the US on ebay.

[perryg114]

CL is not bad. There are scams on there so if someone says they are selling the trailer for someone else through a service and they deliver it to you then run. It is most likely a scam. They get flakey when you ask them where the trailer is located so you can look at it. I bought my trailer through Craigs List. All owners lie or are ignorant or some combination of that. All unrestored air streams leak and most have floor rot and frame rot.

Perry

[Jim Foster]

Many used Airstreams trade hands without ever "hitting the market". It happens all the time. Friends or friends of friends or relatives snap them up. Many times, they are the "cream of the crop". Nice folks who for whatever reason sell their nice Airstream. That's how we got our '83 Excella.

In your travels if you see an Airstream at an RV park, especially if it has the red numbers meaning they are members of WBCCI, ask the people if the know of anyone selling a nice Airstream. You might just get lucky.

By the way, when we got our first Airstream it was an upgrade from a tent.