inspecting an old Airstream

[jerrypeterma]

hey everyone,
I was wandering how and who do you trust to do an inspection of a old AS. Can you call a company and pick and choose what you have inspected. Ex: heating system one month and maybe ac next time.
Thanks
Jerry

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by jpeterman

Can you call a company and pick and choose what you have inspected. Ex: heating system one month and maybe ac next time.

You could, but why would you want to? If you're getting the trailer inspected before purchasing, you want to know everything that's wrong (and right) with the trailer before plunking down your hard-earned cash.
If you own the trailer already, and want to know what shape it's in now, you wouldn't want to pay someone to just look at the furnace, or just the water systems. You would be paying someone a fee to look at something, then have to pay someone (maybe even the same someone) a fee to look at something else next week or next month.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by jpeterman

...I was wandering how and who do you trust to do an inspection of a old AS....

Jerry:

I have often thought about this same question....absolutely, without a doubt, the BEST inspector is a hobbiest who has completed a total rebuild.

To properly inspect for perimeter rot (frame to floor to shell integrity) it will require a minimum of two or three hours - possible longer.

The goucho needs to be partially removed, same for the beds, sinks, bath, and cabinets - and anything else hiding the interior perimeter. And then, maybe drill a couple of rivets in the front and rear belly pan to get a 'scope up there to inspect for frame damage.

Remember, a lot of shops are charging upwards of hundred bucks an hour for labor, so it would be asking a lot of a hobbiest to invest a half of a weekend in an inspection - but that's what it would take to "do it right".

After the inspection the two of you would have to do some searching here in the Forums and on the 'net and debrief the inspection - compare notes and decide which systems need replacing, which are good, and which ones could be repaired....and arrive at a realistic cost (both in time and money) to effect repairs.

[RBolton]

Originally Posted by overlander63

You could, but why would you want to?

I can see where single system inspections would make sense. If you are doing a restoration and not completely comfortable with your abilities or knowledge of these systems then having an expert evaluate your work "as you go" could save you a lot of time and money later on. Much like a housing inspector would inspect each phase of a build.

Roger

[Janet H]

We have a rudimentary inspection report available as a jumping off place http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...ist-43294.html

[Lothlorian]

I had to replace the water heater, floor, converter, plumbing, and vents. Check around the floor by the toilet, tub, behind the sink and look for rot. If your pencil can stick into it then it is bad. Here is my thread. When my wife and I bought our trailer we were very new to all of this. We were told it just needed some little things done. That was not the case. This forum led me to all the problems and solutions. If the people in this forum were all educators we would have the best school system in the world. No regrets we have fun fixing it up. Projects my wife and I do is what makes our marriage work. We are a team.

The Overlander is pretty easy to work on if you have the correct tools and directions. Check out my link. My overlander is one year older then yours.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...ion-38204.html

SIU Bound

Brian

[jerrypeterma]

after reading the replys to the question of inspections, maybe I can figure it out myself. I've already fixed 3 weak spots in the floor using the tech. in When I figure out putting pictures on the forum, you'll see where we are.
Thanks for the help.
Jerry