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Old 08-27-2007, 09:42 PM   #1
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yourtown , anywhere
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2
wannabe a newbie

Hey from Rochester, MN.

Just a quick intro...my name is Steve and I want an Airstream.
(Hi, Steve) I'm a forty-something year old bass player who has
a hankering for great music, dancing girls, and an aluminum trailer.

I've listened to the VAP episodes 1 through 51 in a span of three
weeks and gone from anticipation to depression in the same amount
of time. I foolishly thought I could have a decent vintage trailer
in rough, but serviceable shape for 5 grand and be able to use it
for band gig excursions. I have come to realize that my dreams
are probably underfunded and somewhat unrealistic, but I can't
give up the dream, so I'm looking forward to owning an aluminum
tent complete with a camping toilet and a cooler full of beer next
to my sleeping bag.

I'd appreciate any words of wisdom from the braintrust that is the
airstream forum.

Some say Clapton is God, I say B.B. is King....

Peace
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Old 08-27-2007, 09:58 PM   #2
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1974 31' Sovereign
1970 23' Safari
1956 26' Cruiser Overlander
Lambertville , Michigan
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Hey Steve,

Welcome to the forums and don't get discouraged. Add a few more thousand and you will have what you need in a reliable trailor. If youare mechanically inclined and have the wherewithall to get involved in fixing something than you are in good shape. Keep looking they are out there.
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Old 08-27-2007, 10:19 PM   #3
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1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
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Conifer/Evergreen , Colorado
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Hi Steve...welcome to the forums!

Don't give up on your dream! There are trailers out there that meet your description. (although, you don't give us much to go on! Age? Size? Model?)

We've bought two that were very useable "as-is", for under $5000 both times. The added expense comes when you are a nester and want to fix'em up and customize 'em! Then the projects and money spending begin...but you can do it as you go along!

Keep an eye out for a diamond in the rough...the classifieds here, Craig's List, local papers, back of barns...etc. Keep in mind, once you know what you are looking for and what a fair price is...it's all in the negoiating!

Good luck in your search!

Shari
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Old 08-27-2007, 10:30 PM   #4
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2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson , Arizona
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Hey Steve...liked your intro! Welcome to the forum and to the common dream we all have. Keep the faith, watch the ads and drive-bys you may see (you never know what they'll say if you stop and ask if it's for sale!)... And eventually the Aluminum Gods will smile on you...I'm sure of it!

You're in the absolute best place to gain information and moral support for your quest of aluminum...

Fare thee well, oh brave one!
TB
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Old 08-27-2007, 10:33 PM   #5
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Welcome to the Forums. We're gald to have you with us. Good luck in your search. Seek and ye shall find.
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Old 01-01-2011, 08:36 AM   #6
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Summerville , South Carolina
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You'll finally find it - took us three months plus being totally obsessed to find the right one for us - act quick - because the good ones get snatched up quick! You also have to take a few chances - we drove round trip 1300 miles to get ours just on the faith of a forum ad and talking to the owner! Turned out it was perfect! Search every "used airstream sight, craigs list in your and surrounding states, e-bay etc. Hope you find it - finally getting one makes you feel like you just won a race!
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Old 01-01-2011, 08:55 AM   #7
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1973 25' Tradewind
Bloomsbury , New Jersey
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Hi

Hi Steve,
The rest of the posters are right, keep your eye out and it will come. I picked mine up in Aug 2010 for that 5K you spoke of. It had been for sale for 8K and did not sell. I am not an expert, and I know my Tradewind (25ft) will need work (they all do) but it's in quite good shape IMO for being 38 years old. I was on E-bay and Craigsist for months looking. I knew I wanted a Tradewind or Overlander (27ft) I happen to like 69-75ish, mine was built in Oct 72 as a 73 model. It's mostly original, newer tires, new fridge, newer hot water heater, well cared for. The owner gave me his Reese dual cam hitch, and the service/manual books. Here's a pic or two. MPJ
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Old 01-01-2011, 09:27 AM   #8
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1956 16' Bubble
Dallas , Oregon
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money for nothing

greetings--save up the what you can and get a trailer in the best condition possible from the start. And make sure you look at a lot of them. It's cheaper to pay up front than rebuilding a trailer on your own. once you start putting money into them--it adds up quickly.

the general pricing goes a little like this for vintage airstreams from what I have priced when I was shopping for mine: the shorter the trailer the pricier but more collectable--also more easy pulling. You can come by the monsters with less cash--but then again--they are predicting $5 gallon gas in a year and a half--and where do you park those tankers?

I think one of the "sleeper" best buys is the caravel model. They seem to be priced way below other smaller airstreams like bambis, pacers, and bubbles (bambi's are a very sought after size and model).
Then the Globetrotter a little bigger (around 18-20 feet i think) is another in between size best buy in my opionion. I own a rare bubble (16') and I like the size and was lucky to find it 70 miles from home. Figure out what you want and have cash in hand when you find a good buy. good luck and inspect closely. ted

ps--for example: if you take a look at the thread I started on my rebuild--i've already doubled my purchase price--but i knew that going into it and am able to rebuild it as i want with the materials i want. So you probably want one that has everything working and presentable from the start. Take your time and save your money!
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