1970 25' Land Yacht Value?

[baldwinh]

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1j3wvzglc...yAXosvI1a?dl=0

A friend of mine is considering buying a 1970 25' Land Yacht in need of restoration. Asking price is $4500. Has new tires, new LED interior lights, new furnace, but no water heater or black tank and fresh water lines need to be replaced and hooked to fixtures. I pasted in here a link to my dropbox folder with photos of the unit, hoping some of you might take a peek and give us an idea of whether he should persue this or not.

Thanks in advance
Herb

[70CT]

What’s the frame look like? I’m guessing your friend would be replacing outriggers at a minimum looking where the steps used to be. That means they are probably replacing subfloor as well. Interior and exterior look pretty good, based on what is visible. Assuming the frame is not in terrible shape, I’d say 45 hundo is a fair price.

It’s also good that it is the vintage model and it’s 70% restored. At 65% I’d be walking.

[baldwinh]

Thank you for your insight. I got under the rear end and could see the subfloor, the water tank(s) were gone, he says he has those in the barn. Owner has already replaced the floor with new sheeting throughout, I could only see the frame at the rear where the under-sheeting was now gone. In the middle and up front, there was some type of sheeting (aluminum?) covering what I assume is insulation and the wood floor. Yes, the steps are missing and the mount for the steps is in bad shape. I guess we need to go back and try to get a better look at the frame, we'll take a flashlight with us this time.
Thanks again for your input.
Herb

[Belegedhel]

I can't get into the drop box, so can only comment on what I am seeing.

First, $4500 is not a terrible price if the shell is in good shape. That being said, you should not expect a very functional trailer for that kind of money. When you say that the current owner has "replaced the floor with new sheeting," what does that mean? It looks like there is OSB visible--is that a PROPERLY installed replacement subfloor, or just the cheapest wood sheet available screwed onto a rotten subfloor?

At any rate, manage your expectations. You probably are not buying a partially restored trailer, you are buying a trailer that is in need of a shell-off. The superficial fixes that look to have been applied are typical of someone who either thinks they are going to put in minimal effort and cost of materials and have a useable trailer when finished, or a flipper who is just looking to make a fast buck by putting lipstick on a pig. Either way, it looks like they lost their mojo, and you are buying an aborted project.

If you are looking for a big project, then go for it. If you are expecting to be camping in a few weeks, then look for a trailer in ~$12,000 range that has already had all the work done and is routinely being used as a camper.

good luck!

[70CT]

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

I can't get into the drop box, so can only comment on what I am seeing.



First, $4500 is not a terrible price if the shell is in good shape. That being said, you should not expect a very functional trailer for that kind of money. When you say that the current owner has "replaced the floor with new sheeting," what does that mean? It looks like there is OSB visible--is that a PROPERLY installed replacement subfloor, or just the cheapest wood sheet available screwed onto a rotten subfloor?



At any rate, manage your expectations. You probably are not buying a partially restored trailer, you are buying a trailer that is in need of a shell-off. The superficial fixes that look to have been applied are typical of someone who either thinks they are going to put in minimal effort and cost of materials and have a useable trailer when finished, or a flipper who is just looking to make a fast buck by putting lipstick on a pig. Either way, it looks like they lost their mojo, and you are buying an aborted project.



If you are looking for a big project, then go for it. If you are expecting to be camping in a few weeks, then look for a trailer in ~$12,000 range that has already had all the work done and is routinely being used as a camper.



good luck!

Agreed, I bought my 74 Globetrotter for 6,500 and will likely put another 20k in it to complete. It was superficially restored but needed a full shell off reno.

[1973Argosy]

It is sitting mighty low on the tires. For sure this trailer needs new axles. Like others have stated it's not a bad price for a unit that will need a lot of work.

[baldwinh]

Thank you all for your information and your input on the 1970 25' Land Yacht that my friend is considering buying.

I have passed along all the info to him. He is currently in Georgia for a few weeks but will be returning here to Texas and if it's still available, I think he may just go for it.

Thanks again for your time. Happy New Year to you all.