Young Traveler... Looking For His First Airstream!

[EricFarewell]

Hey there,
My Name is Eric Farewell, I'm 21, and a photographer.
I live North of Atlanta, but travel a TON.

I grew up in an old 1975 MCI-8 Motorcoach, traveling the
US at least 6 months of the year. I'm looking for an Airstream
to spawn a year long trip, starting with a venture up to Alaska
to replicate my trip last year astride a motorcycle.

(Story from that trip: www.bowtietour.com)


Because of my youth, and my fairly low income photography business,
I'm trying to get into a vintage trailer that is in good shape, but is
affordably priced. I'd like it to be "ready to roll" and ready to live in,
but I don't mind doing a little work.

I'm thinking 22' and up.


Anyway, I'm excited about joining in on the forums here, thank ya'll for
having me, and any advice you can offer!

[Silvertwinkie]

Hi Eric. Unless you get lucky, typically you'll pay now or pay later when it comes to vintage. Though they are well built, I consider Airstreams like Italian sportscars. Beautiful, but at times high maint.

That said, there is a classified section here, you can try rvtrader or craigslist. I've looked from time to time and seem to see some around $3000 and they typically go up from there depending on condition. The ones I've seen for less than $3k, have teneded to need some work...some lots, others less.

Oh, and welcome to the forums....

[urbanfood]

Originally Posted by EricFarewell

I'm trying to get into a vintage trailer that is in good shape, but is affordably priced. I'd like it to be "ready to roll" and ready to live in, but I don't mind doing a little work.

hi eric,

welcome to the forums! you'll find a ton of info here.

unfortunately, vintage/good shape/affordably priced are three words that just don't go together in the english language.

a major consideration in pre 70's trailer is frame/floor rot which your guaranteed to have some.

also a major consideration is your tow vehicle. do a search here and you'll find more than enough info on the subject. once you get above 22', you're definately approaching the serious tow vehicle range.

good luck and keep us posted!

[EricFarewell]

I'm towing with a 2002 Trailblazer "quasi-SS"
Real world tow capacity is around 5,500 lbs.

I know that finding one in good shape, and low
priced is going to be difficult, but I'm hoping that
with a $5,000 budget, I should be able to get into
something that will work...

Any of you know someone? ;-)

[Dawgfan]

Check Atlanta FREE Classifieds there are Airstreams in the trailer section. They come and go, so check often.

[Fyrzowt]

Eric,
Welcome to the forums, and good luck in your search for an Airstream that works for you.
Dave

[InsideOut]

Your choices are going to be pretty limited with a 5500 lb tow rating. Keep your eyes peeled for a vintage Bambi, Caravel, Traveler, Pacer or GlobeTrotter, Argosy Minuet (thet tend to be light)...or other 19' or less trailers. Otherwise, you will be needing more TV than you have. We towed our GT the first couple of trips with a marginally rated TV and it is no fun. You should only depend on 80% or so of the towing capacity...which puts you at about 4400 lbs max. With patience, your $5000 budget may be able to find one w/o much needed work to hit the road...

Check out this Airstream Weights chart to see what other models may work, keeping in mind the weights shown are dry, no optional equipment or modifications or "stuff". Also there is lots of good information in the "On the Road" Forum including Tow Vehicle & Full-Timing discussions.

Don't mean to be discouraging...just want the experience to be all you hope it will be and safe!

Shari

[EricFarewell]

Awesome advice guys, thanks!

My plan is not to tow it full time.
I'll move about once a month, after
I've shot everything I can/ need to in the area.

With 1-2 people living in it for a year+, 19' can get a little small...
22' would be ideal, though bigger would of course be better ;-)
I understand that I'm limited with my dang 6 cylinder, I just
hope I can get into something that's not rotten, quickly!

[EricFarewell]

Any thoughts on what to look for when I see this one?

http://www.airforums.com/class...p?product=3185

[rickandsandi]

Erik- Welcome to the forum! You are going to make some friends here and find lots of really good solid information. As noted by my fellow forum members, you are asking for a lot. But hey, go for it when ever possible right? First off, yes you are underpowered and have too short of a wheel base for anything 20' or bigger. Now that is my opinion and I usually tend to do things on the conservative safe side. Also remember hills and stopping power. As for finding the right AS, they are out there but it takes patience and lots of looking. There are some out there for $5,000 but whenever looking for a vintage from experience, whatever you pay for your AS figure that much to get it road ready. Don't get discouraged, there is always a diamond in the rough waiting for the right person out there. Keep us posted!

[enduroryda]

Wow..I just read your whole Bowtie Tour........what a cool adventure. Your doing what I have only dreamed of doing. Some day....

Thanks for sharing! Good luck with your Stream search. Your going to love it once you get one! The comraderie which is experienced between bikers that you spoke of is pretty similar...you'll fit right in!

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by EricFarewell

Any thoughts on what to look for when I see this one?

http://www.airforums.com/class...p?product=3185

That one looks like it may be right up your alley!

This Price vs Condition guide will help you figure out what to look for.

Good luck!

Shari

[EricFarewell]

Alright, I just searched for "Argosy Versus Airstream" and read a bunch of threads, but couldn't really find what I was looking for... What are the benefits to buying an Argosy? I'd really prefer the bare aluminum look of the Airstream, but I suppose I could always have it polished.

Shari, thanks so much for the link to that guide.. HUGE help!

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by EricFarewell

What are the benefits to buying an Argosy? I'd really prefer the bare aluminum look of the Airstream, but I suppose I could always have it polished.

An Argosy owner will probably have a lot more benefits, but for starters, they are usually:

• lighter weight than comparable Airstream (by length/model in same year)
• have wrap around windows (most vintage don't - prototyped in Argosy)
• some have aluminum floors (no rot)
• Minuets are narrower than Airstream cousins
• less expensive
• have some interior proto-type features Airstreams don't
• don't have to polish...but can, except for steel caps
• they have their own "cult-following"

Shari

[EricFarewell]

Excellent list again Shari, thank you so much!
By the way, Edgewater is near one of my favorite places... I love that whole area,
but Evergreen is just about heaven.

[InsideOut]

Most people don't have a clue where Edgewater is...even folks here! You musta spent some time here...I agree, Evergreen is pretty cool! Although it's growing and changing...

Shari

[EricFarewell]

The growth is sickening... Awesome Church headed up the mountain
"Lookout Community Church", check it out.

Been through Denver a plethora of times, spent a couple of months in
the mountains just outside of Evergreen.

[CanoeStream]

The Minuets are small but are one of the few choices you want behind a 6 cylinder tow vehicle. You are the one saying you want to travel long distances ... even Alaska. I'd assume you'd want to end with the same tow vehicle you start out with. That's always a flip of a coin but you could stack the deck against that happening if you get too large in trailer choice. Hey -- at your age I still had 25+ years of tenting ahead of me ...

The Argosy was made by Airstream and was the first trailer to prototype panoramic front windows. And the one in the want-ad definitely will need window protectors before active travel! See this thread.

[EricFarewell]

One more question... At 6'4" should I worry about my height?

[Road Ruler]

My buddy was 6'4" and owned 3 Airstreams over the years. He never mentioned a clearance problem if there was one.. I am 6'2 and only have to watch it when I go under the Airconditioner.