Is this worth repairing?

[sockeyeron]

We had a major storm last week and a large tree fell on the back of our 65' Caravel. I just bought it from the original owner 2 months ago. The damage is on the extreme rear roof and the roof of the shower is broken in. Otherwise there is no other damage.What is between the outside aluminum panels and the inside fiberglass?

How do I post pictures?

Thanks.

[Kevin245]

Sorry to hear about the damage. Post #7 of the attached thread gives information on the posting of photographs.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...ics-44928.html

[dwightdi]

I hope you bought insurance with a stated value for the trailer. If you did, have the insurance adjuster look at it. It will likely be totaled as the cost of repair will exceed the wholesale value of the trailer. Some people buy them back at scrap value and fix the units themselves or live with it. The trailer needs to be at least made weather tight or things will only get worse quickly. If you can not repair it yourself, there are many parts that have value and can be sold here or on Craigslist.

[MissyT]

Here are the pictures of the damage.

[joqin]

there is a couple ribs for the panels to rivet to,but all you have is an inside panel and an outside panel w/some insulation in between. if you or someone around there is handy, gently pound out the panels to their original shape an d see how they fit!. the fiberglass shower may need some skill, but it will cover a poor looking inside panel! I've seen airstreams with big dents on the outside that did not show on the inside. the hard part is getting it to not leak!! joe q in minnesnowda( 100 degrees today)

[colberjs]

Man!! Hate to see that. Hopefully you will be able to get it fixed. It stinks that you just bought it.

Have you got to camp in it yet or were you going to fix it up?

[sockeyeron]

We got to camp in it the first night we bought before towing it home.

[sockeyeron]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

I hope you bought insurance with a stated value for the trailer. If you did, have the insurance adjuster look at it. It will likely be totaled as the cost of repair will exceed the wholesale value of the trailer. Some people buy them back at scrap value and fix the units themselves or live with it. The trailer needs to be at least made weather tight or things will only get worse quickly. If you can not repair it yourself, there are many parts that have value and can be sold here or on Craigslist.

Its insured for the full amount I paid and just a $50.00 deductable. I can take the cheque or a cheque and buy it back at scrap value. Its interesting that there is no damage in the actual cabin just in the shower inside.

[BIGED52]

Hi There! The possibility of repairing the damaged segments and getting them to seal is not very likely. Now that is the bad news! I am sure others here will most likely advise you to purchase replacement segment sections from a source like InlandRV.com in Corona, Calif. However, there is another option. In the Classified ads here on the Forums there is a listing for an endcap from a 1967 Airstream. It may be a very good replacemnt for your damaged endcap! Keep in mind that rivet holes most likely will not line up perfectly and new holes may need to be located to close the seams between the existing trailer roof panel and side segments to attach the replacement endcap. That is all possible to do and is most likely the best repair you can do to this damage. The rear segments should be a match as '65 to '67 are still in the same body styling as far as the shell goes. A bonus is that the part is located in the Pacific Northwest so easier to travel to to see if you want to go that route. I would look at it and haul it back home in a Pickup bed if that works for you. Two bonuses here are 1) price is reasonable VS. new segments and 2) The aluminum is a perfect match for your existing trailer. You decide if this works for you. Good Luck, Ed

[Aerowood]

That is very repairable by panel replacement, either new panels or salvage panels, I like the salvage panel suggestion by BIGED52. All the info for repairing this is available on the forums, so don't be afraid to ask for help. I would not total the trailer out because you would then have a Salvage title and that can cause insurance problems and future value of the trailer