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08-14-2012, 10:00 AM
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#1
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New Member
1997 30' Excella
Blowing Rock
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
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Is This A Mistake? Lots of Skin Damage!
I have an opportunity to buy a 1997 widebody Excella 30' that is salvage title and I may be able to get it for $4500 or $5000. It has 7 or 8 panels that are crumpled from falling on it's side, but it is road worthy. The trailer will be gutted on the inside, so no worries there. My intention would be to complete the interior renovation over the next year or two and then worry about the exterior panels. From these threads I assume all these panels will need replaced and cannot be reasonably repaired. Any advice on total cost? Has anyone seen damage this extensive? Is this a reasonable deal for a DIYer? I will be mirror polishing the beast. I'm a newbie to the forum. Any help is really appreciated.
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08-14-2012, 10:20 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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If I wanted to polish something, I would look for one with straight panels.
Replacement panels cost lots more than finding a trailer with good ones.
For an idea of the cost of replacement panels, see: http://odmrv.com/catalog/index.php?m...d3512e08b94032 Note that these are just the costs of the panels, not including shipping or (especially) installation.
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Vaughan
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08-14-2012, 10:30 AM
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#3
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
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There is a lot of visible damage and most likely a bunch more that you can not see. Frame, outriggers and internal ribs could all be damaged, but you would have to dismantle the trailer to find out. In the picture of the front of the trailer, it appears that the shell is separating from the floor/frame. I would pass.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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08-14-2012, 10:38 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1999 27' Safari
Palo Alto
, California
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 321
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You should be able get a similar trailer with a perfect body for less than $10k... I would imagine that the panels alone without any labor would cost about that much. Plus as above there is bound to be damage you cannot see. I would pass.
If you do go ahead anyway, you want to fix it in the opposite order - first fix the shell and frame and ensure everything is sound and water tight and only then begin the interior restoration.
It's sad, but this trailer is really only economically viable to part out.
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08-14-2012, 10:42 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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The fact the insurance company totalled it should be good enough reason to question the whole deal. I'd pass, as well. Even if they gave it to you, I'd pass, as well.
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08-14-2012, 10:47 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing
, South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Leary
The fact the insurance company totalled it should be good enough reason to question the whole deal. I'd pass, as well. Even if they gave it to you, I'd pass, as well.
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I disagree. I'd pass even if they were paying me to take it. Sal.
__________________
Sal & Nora
Let us live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain
AIR 42483
TAC N.J. 17
WBCCI 24740
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08-14-2012, 10:59 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Denver
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 768
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Dude,
Welcome to the best source of Airstream info anywhere. I am down in the Lake Norman area. I agree with everyone that's posted. Don't buy it. Airstreams with flooring and frame issues can be challenging enough, but to buy one that's rolled.....you're just asking for trouble.
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08-14-2012, 11:24 AM
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#8
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New Member
1997 30' Excella
Blowing Rock
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
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All who have responded - thanks so much for your knowledge and feedback. I will pass on this one! What a forum. I really appreciate everyone's willingness to respond so quickly.
Thanks,
Chris
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08-14-2012, 12:23 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1994 30' Excella
Livingston
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 101
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Don't do it.
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08-14-2012, 12:46 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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What's also freaky,is what happened to the clearcoat? Was a '97 in that era when AS was buying panels that were "pre clearcoated"?
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08-14-2012, 12:51 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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On closer inspection, the propane tank cover looks pretty nice. Nicer than mine, anyway.
It wasn't easy, but I found something good to say about it.
Keep looking, the right one will come along.
__________________
Vaughan
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08-14-2012, 01:16 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,062
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I trashed 80% of my '73's interior for some obscene odor that would not quit. $1500 bought this 1972 29' - just for spare parts and a complete good interior. Since this a 'weekend' hobby of mine it still sits untouched and costs me $40 a year to keep license plates on it.
For your 30' it looks like someone is trying to recoup on their labor from all the repairs already done. If you could find two salvage trailers and merge them into one sweet RV you would still be umpteen thousand dollars behind the curve. I will testify to that in any Court in the land.
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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08-14-2012, 02:56 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Burned airstream
I see you've already decided to pass on this Airstream. Good Decision.
To me, this doesn't look like a rollover, it looks like fire damage. Throw and empty soda can in a fire and watch what the aluminum looks like before it completely burns. You'll see the same shrinking crumple that's visible on the rear segment. That aluminum is at least partly oxidized and you could probably poke your bare finger through the most damaged parts. The frame, floor, ribs, etc. are all toast.
The windows might be salvageable, but you might not even be able to take the aluminum to a recycler. A fair price - move the decimal place one position to the left.
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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08-14-2012, 03:13 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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Bad idea..... best to pass.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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08-14-2012, 03:31 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1986 32' Excella
Currently Looking...
Canton
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,342
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Are they parting it out? I'd be interested in buying a few parts if so.
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08-14-2012, 04:05 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy 24
Currently Looking...
Milltown
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,087
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Run.... don't walk away!!!
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