How much is this worth/What needs to be fixed?

[Slk225]

Hi everyone!

My name is Stephanie. I'm new to this forum and to Airstreams in general. I've come across an Airstream for sale that is very close to my house. I've always been so fascinated by them, but never have been seriously considering getting one until this past year. I have done a lot of reading over the last few weeks, but I figured I'd come to the experts for help!

It's listed for $6,000 (I'm assuming it's not worth nearly that much money but she said she is very flexible). She believes the Airstream is a 1971 Sovereign 31 feet long. Big issue (I think): there is no title. The original owner died and it was left on her property when she bought her house. It hasn't been used in at least 6 plus years and she doesn't know much else about it.

Any information you can give to help me would be so helpful! What definitely needs to be fixed and how much will a complete restoration cost? (ballpark estimate) I know this seems like a very large project to take on for a first Airstream, but my family is very handy and we are able to do most of the handy work ourselves. Thanks in advance!

[rmkrum]

Have a look around the forums for restoration threads that may give you a sense of what you may be up against.

The Title may be a problem. Check with the New Jersey DMV (or equivalent) on how to handle that. It may be as simple as a bill of sale or other documentation. Possibly a search to determine status of the last owner. Dunno about what it would take.

One big indicator of if this is worth the work: Look for rear-end sag. Look that up on forums.

Does the trailer have an off smell? Mildew, rodent droppings or urine stink? Those can indicate a need to strip out and re-do all the insulation in the walls and under the floor.

Signs of rust or corrosion on the frame and body panels?

Soft spots or signs of rot in the floor or storage compartments, or under cabinets?

Water leaks?

Do the appliances and electrical stuff work?

At first glance at the photos, it looks decent. How long ago was it parked?

You don't have to necessarily answer these questions in the forum, but you should ask them for yourself...and many others will happily chime in in a few minutes...(grin)

[Kevin245]

The surging economy aside, 31 foot 70’s era Sovereigns are commonly available, especially rear bath models. For $6K I’d expect a fully functioning rig. The big ticket items are the appliances and the frame.

Based on the photos, IIWM I’d keep looking.

[Belegedhel]

Welcome to the Forums!

What you have there would be described as a "field find." I wouldn't pay more than a couple of grand for it, tops. Basically everything needs to be repaired or replaced, starting with the sagging axles, the rotting subfloor, the rusting frame, and the rest of the ~50 year old interior. If you do all the work yourself, You can still count on spending 10 or 20K depending on how fancy you want it to be.

You have to ask yourself, do you want to go camping, or do you want a multi-year rennovation project. If it is the former, then look for something in the $10-12k range that has been camped in routinely and recently. If you want a project, then read all of the "full monty" rennovation threads on this site, and listen to all the back episodes of the Vintage Airstream Podcast. After all that, go shopping for a trailer.

good luck!

[Kazelle]

Frankly that looks to be a very expensive project even if the trailer was free. While you may be very handy at household things like building cabinetry or installing sinks, there are going to be issues with this trailer that you may not be able to do yourself, like replacing water and waste tanks, repairing or replacing the belly pan, doing work on the brakes and axles, etc. If you are planning to park it in your backyard and use it as a guest house or something you may be able to do everything well enough yourself.
If you want to pull it, it is going to take many thousands of dollars and a fair amount of time to get it fully functioning again.
31 ft is a lot of trailer. Do you have a tow vehicle suitable for that?

[davidlparker]

All of the posts have worthwhile suggestions. I have another. Call P and S Trailer Service (they have a website) and ask if they will look at your pictures, talk with you afterwards and give you a rough estimate of their price to do the repairs. It is a certainty you will need new axles. P and S charges about $3,000 to replace axles. I doubt you have the skills and equipment to replace the axles. Overall, I agree with many of the posts. This unit is overpriced at $6,000. An idea of the costs of work done by professionals will give you a picture of what you face when a task is beyond your skill set or if you get anxious and want to go camping sooner rather than later.

Good luck and you have my best wishes.

David Parker
1989 Dodge D-350
1993 Excella 32'

[Slk225]

Wow thank you all for your advice! I have a bunch of other pictures but couldn’t figure out how to upload them all and I guess you can’t post photobucket links here either but I will update ASAP.
I had a feeling it was significantly overpriced. There is some floor rot in the front under the windows and I’m assuming there’s probably some in the bathroom as well. I did the test of jumping on the back and the whole thing did move together shockingly so I don’t necessarily think there’s rear end separation. I also took close up pictures of that area to show you guys.
I would like something that I could work on for a while if I can get it pretty cheap, but I also don’t want to be stuck stationary for years! Once I’m back home on my computer I will update the pictures. Thank you again you have all been so helpful!

[Slk225]

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[Slk225]

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[Slk225]

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[Slk225]

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[Belegedhel]

Lots of rotting subfloor in these pictures. Not an easy fix. But, the truth is, that any 40+ year old trailer that hasn't been maintained and used is going to look just like this. The money you pay for the trailer is just the down payment, compared to what you will spend in repairs. But I would reassert, that you can find trailers just like this, in just as poor of condition, for $2-3k less.

good luck!

[mikextr]

If the exterior shell is complete, intact and dent free with undamaged window frames and door then $2500 would be a fair price. Everything else about the trailer will either need to be repaired or replaced. Plan and budget for a complete frame-off restoration. If, by some miracle, the frame and subfloor don't need repair and you can camp in the trailer in its current condition, then you are way ahead.

The lack of a title is a problem that should not be ignored. Besides the towing legalities, there's the possibility that an heir to the deceased gentleman or the rightful owner could reclaim the trailer. Don't put a dime into this trailer until you have checked with your state tag agency and you fully understand what is required to get a legal title in your name.

[JRookie]

That is a 1969 Airstream based on the corners of the front windows and bathroom window. We paid $5500 for ours in 2008 and everything worked. Since then, I've replaced the black tank and dump valve. New axles cost me ~$1350 (including shocks) and we replaced them ourselves.

Good luck with your decision!