before I buy

[KevinG]

My wife and I have been looking to invest in an Airstream for quite some time now. I recently came across a 1973 Land yacht 29ft for $4,500. It is all original. For the most part, it is in good shape. The shell and floor is in great shape and the appliances all appear to work. Needs lots of cleanup, some cabinets rebuilt, and other general minor repairs. Does $4500 seem like a fair price?

[Mrs.Mod]

Welcome to the forums!
Any chance you could take and post some pictures? $4500 doesn't sound TOO far off but you say it's pretty good condition but then you say it needs a lot of clean up. What do you mean by 'cleaning up'? New upholstry needed? New floor needed? Any weird smells?

[idroba]

You do understand that any 40 year old RV in "mostly original" condition has 40 year old furnace, AC unit, refrigerator, water heater, water pump, old stile Univolt converter, and axles and brakes as well as tires which all will need replacing in the next few years, if not immediately. I am not trying to discourage you at all, Airstreams are fun and great trailers, it is just that you need to realize that 40 year old anything will need lots of upgrades to make it a pleasure to camp in.

BTW, a 73 probably does not have a gray water tank in case you did not know that. They started to be standard only in '74.

The price is on the edge of OK, depending on what really will need to be done to it. You used the term "invest in" ... You may be investing more than you think, but if you get to use it you will have fun.

Keep us informed, everyone here likes to help.

[Foiled Again]

Ditto on what Idroba said.

On top of that every RV depreciates. If Princess Diana or some other mega-celebrity had owned it, it might be an investment. It's a hobby.

It's not a cheap hobby either. Do a search on "full monte" or "replacing frame" to get an idea of what you could be in for.

I watched too many episodes of "This Old House" and got one of my own. Sanity eventually returned. If I ever decide I just must have a vintage restoration, I will pay somewhere between $35,000 and $60,000 to have someone ELSE who does beautiful work do it for me!

You may believe that you can do it for less, and you can if you dismiss the value of your own time. If you track your time - even at minimum wage - you'll probably spend as much. Figure $10,000 minimum to get it in safe running condition, with all leaks addressed, working appliances, axles, and needed upgrades to power. If you aren't too adventurous about the interior furnishings you'll still need another $10,000 over time to repair damaged seating and tables, replace all of the old foam & upholstery, do new curtains, flooring, shower head, faucets, toilet, etc.

As I reread this I sound really negative. Some people just love tinkering on projects like this - and many times the whole family participates. If this is the case with you then go for it. Just don't imagine that the process couldn't possibly cost that much or take a year or more.

Paula

[KevinG]

I realize that everything may require replacing... I guess I was just hoping it would work well enough to the point where I could do it as I go. I am pretty handy so wood flooring and upgraded countertops will be a peace of cake. My wife has a great eye for style so between the two of us, Im sure we can handle most of it.

No weird smells, definitely will want new upholstery. By good condition I mean that the body is straight with no dents and the floor seems solid.

I think it does have a grey water. I was looking at the dump valve and it has 2 separate pipes feeding in to the dump pipe (one is slightly larger than the other).

I am really looking forward to getting to know you guys.

Ill work on a couple pics.

[Foiled Again]

Just noticed you're in Arizona. Great place for Airstreams to avoid leaks and floor rot. Has your prospective one lived it's whole life there? Then it's a brighter picture to start.

Paula

[KevinG]

Defnitely been in AZ for a long time. I am not sure if it has been here forever.

[Sneakinup]

Typically a small pipe running in to a larger pipe in your bumper area indicates that the gray water is just connected to the larger exit pipe. If you have 2 waste valves in your back compartment, that should indicate two tanks.

I have both gray and black-water tanks and both pipes are the same dimension. You might want to make certain before purchasing.

[Splitrock]

Originally Posted by KevinG

Does $4500 seem like a fair price?

Yes

[Bill M.]

Can not help with the price. I do know that for us we put a lot of time and money in our older Airstreams, (1988 models). I know that you do not want to get "stuck" but the way to assure that is to worry about a few hundred dollars one way or the other on the purchase price and miss one in pretty good condition because of it. Condition is everything on these older units. Might depend on how you are going to use it. You do need to budget time and money for tires, wheel bearing check, brake check, changing the front light connector. You do need to check the frame for rust, particularly where the A frame goes into the body at the front. The axles may be shot, you can probably pull it short distance and camp in it anyway. I know several people that seem to do just fine with 70's trailers and the original axles.

The other thing I know is that the trailers in the 70's that people I know have are awful nice trailers. I like them better than the new trailers for the interior and the exterior finish (Alcald).

RV parts and labor are expensive. Your decision I guess is whether you want to get started cheap and put the labor and money in the back end. Sounds like you might have found a good place to start. How would you feel about dumping another 4-8 grand or so it it a little at the time down the road?

Me, if the body is good, the floor is solid or only small areas of rot, the black and gray tanks do not leak and the valves work, and the axles move a little up and down, I would think it to be an okay starting point.

[Eric H]

Honestly I think $4500 is a bit high unless they are in very high demand in your area. It's a big trailer (which are worth less) and I would count on it needing new axles to get it road worthy even if everything else works (the old axles may do alright, but 40 years on the old rubber in the axle is going to take it's toll). I would pay in the 3K range IF the shell were in perfect condition. Just my two cents.

[Gene]

It is as much an investment as investing in subprime mortgages. This is toy. It is fun to travel in, but costs a lot to make up to date and maintain. Even the news require constant maintenance and are commonly described as "money pits".

I've remodeled some houses over the years and it is time consuming (always more than I thought) and can get expensive. But the parts (2 x 4's, Romex, insulations, etc.) are readily available and can be found at discounts rather easily. I've made a lot of money (even counting my labor) when I sold the houses, but these are not the same thing. Parts for RV's are not always available and never are cheap.

You'll not get your money and time out of a trailer when you sell it, so chose something you are sure you'll want to use for decades.

If restoration is what you enjoy (and not all of it will be enjoyable) and it keeps you off the streets, you are sure this trailer is to be part of your life for a very long time, and you are willing to spend the money, go for it—after you've checked it out thoroughly. Consider seeing if someone from the Forum can inspect it for you so you get an objective viewpoint.

As for the grey tank issue, some have had grey tanks installed on ones without them. I don't know what that entails, so check the Forum for advice on that.

If it is the right trailer for you, Bill's advice is correct—quibbling about a few hundred dollars on price is nothing compared to what you'll spend on it over time.

Gene

[KevinG]

These are all great things to take in to consideration. I know all about money pits ( I used to own a boat). We are looking for an Airstream that will stay with us for a long period of time and i am good with making improvements over time. Airstreams are in high demand in my area. I have been watching craigslist daily and most of them below $5,000 are either sold immediately or are gutted.
After thinking about about it, I may hold out and see if I can get the guy to $4k.
You guys are great. I cant wait to become more of a productive member of this forum.

[Splitrock]

Originally Posted by KevinG

After thinking about about it, I may hold out and see if I can get the guy to $4k.

That means you value the opportunity at $500.

Sounds low . . .

[kevin242]

$4500 doesn't seem to high for a solid-floored dentless trailer. Where we live, that trailer would likely be higher priced ($5k-$7k). Holding out for a few hundred lower could be the difference of someone else buying it out from under you.

If YOU like it, and think it's good for you - it doesn't really matter what others on this forum say it's worth.

[mrgreen]

Originally Posted by kevin242

$4500 doesn't seem to high for a solid-floored dentless trailer. Where we live, that trailer would likely be higher priced ($5k-$7k). Holding out for a few hundred lower could be the difference of someone else buying it out from under you.

If YOU like it, and think it's good for you - it doesn't really matter what others on this forum say it's worth.

seems like a good price to me, if ones that you like come up all the time then let it go, if not buy it whilst it's there as it may not be tomorrow!