Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-18-2014, 11:19 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
Nashville , Tennessee
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Exterior Damage: Is It Worth It?

Hi, all. I do not own an airstream yet, but my wife and I are looking. I have found this one, and I have only taken the following exterior pictures of it. There is obvious damage to the top of the unit, toward the front. I would imagine that there is rib, skin, and interior damage, as well as more that I don't see from the outside.

I figured this forum was the best resource, to find out from current owners, whether the you could recommend whether it is financially a bad decision to even try to repair this particular trailer, or if something this is far too involved to make it worth the trouble. You may tell me that it is not as bad as it looks, and the repair is manageable. I just don't enough about it.

If you tell me that it is worth finding out more about it, then I will approach the people whose property it is on, since there has been an orange sticker on it from law enforcement, notifying them that it will be towed soon, if it is not removed from that spot.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1397884724.279911.jpg
Views:	337
Size:	144.2 KB
ID:	209935Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1397884749.463095.jpg
Views:	307
Size:	159.2 KB
ID:	209936 Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1397884678.415177.jpg
Views:	320
Size:	188.9 KB
ID:	209934
__________________
Using Tapatalk
surfside1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 11:35 PM   #2
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by surfside1 View Post
Hi, all. I do not own an airstream yet, but my wife and I are looking. I have found this one, and I have only taken the following exterior pictures of it. There is obvious damage to the top of the unit, toward the front. I would imagine that there is rib, skin, and interior damage, as well as more that I don't see from the outside.

I figured this forum was the best resource, to find out from current owners, whether the you could recommend whether it is financially a bad decision to even try to repair this particular trailer, or if something this is far too involved to make it worth the trouble. You may tell me that it is not as bad as it looks, and the repair is manageable. I just don't enough about it.

If you tell me that it is worth finding out more about it, then I will approach the people whose property it is on, since there has been an orange sticker on it from law enforcement, notifying them that it will be towed soon, if it is not removed from that spot.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Attachment 209935Attachment 209936 Attachment 209934
It's already been patched, so a few more won't hurt, if done properly.

If you looking at that coach as a fixer upper and then travel with it, it appears from the photo's that the axles need replacing, amoung many other things.

A price of maybe $ 1000.00 is enough, but only if the inside is reasonably OK.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 11:49 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
ROBERTSUNRUS's Avatar

 
2005 25' Safari
Salem , Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
Images: 18
Blog Entries: 55
Welcome to the forum.

Hi, not an expert on fixing old trailers, but it would depend on what the trailer cost you and your ability to fix it your self. It also looks like it has a huge patch above the belt line and just behind the door. Wonder what that may be hiding?
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
ROBERTSUNRUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 02:08 AM   #4
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
vinstream's Avatar
 
1962 19' Globetrotter
1963 19' Globetrotter
1961 19' Globetrotter
Wheat Ridge , Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 624
Images: 2
on that age trailer... Hell NO move on!
__________________
www.VINSTREAM.com
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
WBCCI # 1962
Instagram #Vinstream
vinstream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 03:59 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
The clear view window is broken. How long has it rained in the trailer? Unless it was free and I could repair it myself...
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 03:59 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
What is the orange sticker? Is the highway dept. coming to get it soon?
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 04:25 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
RM66caravel's Avatar
 
1966 17' Caravel
Newport , North Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,291
Can be fixed so if it were cheap and could be towed and if I were in the market then maybe but the door is strapped shut and besides the obvious what's it look like smell like and is there an interior? Better than some that I have seen!
Cliff
__________________
Gotta get busy! Have a great day! Now where did I put those revits?
RM66caravel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 04:31 AM   #8
4 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
ottawa (greely) , Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 390
Blog Entries: 1
The trailer looks like a older one and if you look at the trailers wheels ,large patch it tells you that the owner didn't really take care of it or didn't do proper repairs so if you buy it once you start working on it, the terrible work or maintenance on this trailer will cost you more then if they just left it alone, if you want to do it right it's going to cost a lot as your going to need some ribs,two full upper half panels running the length of the trailer ,a full roof panel,plus interior roof panel,upper side panels, plus window looks bent ,and that's just the start ,plus labour,everything is telling me stay away from it! Unless it's some kind of rare trailer ,famous trailer( I don't think so )it's gotta be very special to you as the cost is going to exceed finding another trailer the same but well cared for.
__________________
2012 silverado ext cab 4x4 ,5.3 L , 6 speed trans,3:42 final drive,tow package standard box 6 1/2 foot . 2014 honda forza 300 scooter, #2 2015 honda crf 250 L (Dual sport)
scamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 05:15 AM   #9
3 Rivet Member
 
1982 34' Limited
Harrowsmith , Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 142
There is enough work in those 70's trailers without involving yourself in massive bodywork I think. Unless it were free, I would run!
BradB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 05:55 AM   #10
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Colin H's Avatar
 
1957 30' Sovereign of the Road
1959 28' Ambassador
1949 24' Limited
Peru , New York
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 745
This is repairable, however it will take quite a bit of work. You don't have to replace the roof panels, only the area where the worst damage exists. The interior skin will have to be removed in this area as well, in order to access the damaged ribs. The ribs will not have to be replaced either, however they will need a lot of metalwork & reinforcement. I have repaired damage like this without replacing or patching the roof & the end result was un noticeable. The other side of the coin is that what other problems exist with this trailer? It likely suffers from every other issue that this era suffers from, so its going to be a lot of work, any way you look at it. It sounds like you could pick it up for a song, if not free. If that's the case, go for it, however keep things in perspective & approach the repairs very methodically & at a pace you can you can afford.
Good luck,
Colin
Colin H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 06:15 AM   #11
Rivet Master
 
1966 17' Caravel
Bethel Park near Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 541
Images: 10
Send a message via Skype™ to aceflys
I won't touch that with a ten foot tree(Oh that already happened). You will be in it 3 times the $$$ then that will ever be worth. In the long run it is much better to find a good AS to start with. Just in axles and the door lock you're already in $1500 the range. That window is not cheap. The step is hang down the missing door on the side. The water damage on the inside, frame rust, floor rot it go's on and on. I would move on! You can thank me later.LOL

Ace in PA
aceflys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 07:25 AM   #12
Rivet Master
 
RM66caravel's Avatar
 
1966 17' Caravel
Newport , North Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,291
There may be some useful parts in her and although she has been mistreated she may still be useful! Maybe as a major project for the rich and famous or as a donor for a less damaged project.
Cliff
__________________
Gotta get busy! Have a great day! Now where did I put those revits?
RM66caravel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 07:52 AM   #13
'06 75th Winick Prototype
 
2006 19' International CCD
1968 22' Safari
The Swamps of Hell , Lousy-Anna
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 228
You could make a LOT of Coke cans out of that one...even with FILLING the Coke cans I doubt they'd be as wet as the floor in that old hulk.
ggoat!!! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 07:59 AM   #14
Rivet Master
 
1981 31' Excella II
New Market , Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
It would be a great junk storage trailer. It might also be a good donor trailer. Looks like the end caps are intact and those are expensive pieces. The windows are still there as well as the door.

Perry
perryg114 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 08:18 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Belegedhel's Avatar
 
1973 21' Globetrotter
Houston , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,314
You have to ask yourself: Do you want a camper or a project? If you want to camp, then keep looking. If you want a project, then its a question of how big of a project you are willing to take on. The good news is that the roof damage can be repaired with flat sheets, so the repair will be labor intensive but at least you won't have to buy formed end cap pieces. The bad news is that this trailer is likely a candidate for a shell-off, the interior is surely a throw-away, you are missing expensive vent covers, and the thing looks like it was abandoned on the side of the road. You might not even be able to find the owner, and if you do, getting a title might be the next hurdle. So, in summary, even if the trailer were free, it would be a very expensive and hassle intensive free trailer.
Belegedhel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 08:39 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
J. Morgan's Avatar
 
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton , Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
Images: 11
The way I see it is that the damage looks worse than it is, especially considering that the first thing I would do is gut it anyway.

If the price was right I would be all over that trailer.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......

J. Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 08:46 AM   #17
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Colin H's Avatar
 
1957 30' Sovereign of the Road
1959 28' Ambassador
1949 24' Limited
Peru , New York
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 745
Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan View Post
The way I see it is that the damage looks worse than it is, especially considering that the first thing I would do is gut it anyway.

If the price was right I would be all over that trailer.
Bingo! If its super cheap or a freebie, what's to lose? If they have plenty of time, the roof can be fixed quite cheaply. Endcap damage & side swipes are the toughest, as that is what you see, every time you look at it. When was the last time you were so critical about some roof "inconsistency". Most never get on their roofs for the life of their ownership. Sure there are better trailers out there, but I've seen many people buy significantly worse too.
Colin
Colin H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2014, 09:36 AM   #18
Rivet Master
 
InsideOut's Avatar

 
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen , Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,701
Images: 108
As others have said, if price is $0-1000…maybe. it will take a boatload of time & a fair amount of money to restore this one - depending on the interior damage and condition. Check this link out to get an idea of what you'd be in for….then add some.

Price Guide

This one is definitely in the lower "As Found" category. There are lots of 70's Sovereigns out there that you may spend a bit more on up front, but you'll be camping a lot sooner!

Shari
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002

RMVAC | ACI - CO Unit (Formerly WBCCI) | BIRDY - our 1956 Safari | 1964 Serro Scotty
InsideOut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2020, 09:56 PM   #19
1 Rivet Member
 
Nashville , Tennessee
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Results

So, while everyone was kind enough to offer their advice with some very good points, I went back and the trailer was gone. I never talked to the owner. After speaking with a neighbor, it turns out that the picture I posted was as far as he could get it with his current tow vehicle. He came back with a better one, and took it home, I guess. Needless to say, it was a project I no longer needed to worry about.

Sorry that I failed to respond to all your posts, but thank you for your help. Now, on to the next one. I did get a ‘65 26’ Overlander. I’ll post my next question in a new thread.
__________________
Using Tapatalk
surfside1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1953 Clipper exterior damage yukionna General Repair Forum 29 05-18-2010 09:48 PM
Hail damage - What is 79 Excella 24' motorhome worth? barmarlis Classic Motorhomes 6 10-05-2009 07:01 AM
Bathroom water damage? Worth fixing? Curtis-79MH 1966-68 Caravel 3 09-12-2006 10:55 AM
possible interior exterior damage nu2argosy All Argosy Trailers 4 01-13-2004 04:51 PM
Exterior Damage BRH Ribs, Skins & Rivets 1 12-07-2002 08:32 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.