I am going to look at what we were told is a 1956 28ft ???. The only other thing I know is she said the dry weight is 3170 lbs. I don't know the vin # yet. My question is what are the pros and cons of a trailer of this vintage? I am trying to get as much information as possible so as not to get caught up in an Airstream buying frenzy. I have already checked out price vs condition. I am just wondering what the deal breakers would be for a trailer of this age. I know it has been sitting for alot of years possible most of its life but as for condition inside or out I have no idea.
I am going to look at what we were told is a 1956 28ft ???. The only other thing I know is she said the dry weight is 3170 lbs. I don't know the vin # yet. My question is what are the pros and cons of a trailer of this vintage? I am trying to get as much information as possible so as not to get caught up in an Airstream buying frenzy. I have already checked out price vs condition. I am just wondering what the deal breakers would be for a trailer of this age. I know it has been sitting for alot of years possible most of its life but as for condition inside or out I have no idea.
I'm sorry, that's all I know until tomorrow when I look at it. My father in law spoke to the owner's widow and that is the information she got from her bill of sale. Unfortunately my father in law didn't get too much info from her.
I'm a fan of '56, too! can't beat a thirteen panel! So coooooool....
Hmmm. 26' would be a Cruise/Overlander. 30' a Sovereign. Depends on where they measured from. Mine started as a 20', revised to a 22', revised to a 24', ended up being a 26' Custom Cruiser! 3100# sounds pretty light for a 30 footer. A serial# would help. Not enough info to make an informed decision here. Proceed with caution.
Pros/Cons depends on the selling price and how much $ you are willing to shell out. Beware of the "doesn't leak" "floor is solid" claims. Best guess for something with the old "sitting for alot of years possibly most of its life" status is frame rot. Worst case scenario (or maybe best case... if you "have a dream") is a master plan and lotsa $. Or you could luck out! I would seek professional help. Don't get caught up in irrational exuberance. Unless you are into that sort of thing!
Gotta go check on the '67 now & give her a hug,
__________________ "Reality Is The Leading Cause Of Stress"
"There are only five great men in the world and three of them are hamburgers."
One major difference with the older trailers is they had no on- board 12v systems or battery and many were park models, meaning you had to plugged in to have any power. Also some had archaic hydraulic brakes, recognized by the mechanism on the tongue. You also will find weird 110v. water heaters, hand- pump pressurized fresh water tank systems and lots of other surprises. Vintage rigs definitey come with challenges.
__________________
Murray
AIR #189
"If aluminum isn't magnetic- why am I so attracted to to it?"
Sorry I can't be of any help with your vintage questions Rhonda but she sure does look great to me! I love the original appliances, I wonder if you could use the doors for "face plates" or doors over new appliances if that is the route you were going. I'm also a big fan of all those segments. Looks like a nice find.
__________________ CJ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.-Eleanor Roosevelt It is never too late to be who you might have been.-George Eliot
Yea! The skin looks great! And 13 panel end caps with no dents from fallen tree limbs! And all of the original appliances, furniture and fixtures are there. By the looks of the rusty hitch and bumper it is almost guaranteed that water has crept along the frame and under the floor. I would be prepared to strip the inside, rip up the floor and have some rebuilding done on the frame. The amount of rebuilding is the big question. Axles, brakes, wiring, plumbing, heating are things to consider. Like Yuki said "lots of work", but there are is a lot of really great original stuff to work with.
__________________ "Reality Is The Leading Cause Of Stress"
"There are only five great men in the world and three of them are hamburgers."
I agree with the above - in my opinion from a major search of the 50's models, any that you find will probably need a lot of work - but thats ok if you are up to up. Mine took be 3 1/2 years to do, but its 98% done (they are never DONE) and it sure is fun using it - yes there were times if someone came along with $1 I would have taken it in a milisecond - but again it sure is cool to have it done.
My major concern is the frame - I would somehow inspect that - rusted sections can be repaired - but if the whole frame is toast, I would pass on it.
When I looked at the picture the frame looked bent to me too, but didn't know if that was some sort of picture illision
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