Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Airstream Forums > Airstream Knowledgebase > Airstream Trailer Forums > Sovereign > 1970 - 1973 Sovereign
Click Here to Login
Register Vendors FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search Log in

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-17-2012, 08:57 PM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
My 31' 1971 as

its as mint as mint gets for all original condition, everything works. I got a steal on it at 2k as it needs nothing, what do you guys think its worth? how good of deal did i get?
northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2012, 09:08 PM   #2
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by northamerica View Post
its as mint as mint gets for all original condition, everything works. I got a steal on it at 2k as it needs nothing, what do you guys think its worth? how good of deal did i get?
I'm not sure that your axles are OK, after 51 years, since they only last ball park 25 to 30 years.

How about window and door gaskets. and especially the sewer vent pipe cover gaskets that only last 2 to 3 years ?

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2012, 09:10 PM   #3
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by northamerica View Post
its as mint as mint gets for all original condition, everything works. I got a steal on it at 2k as it needs nothing, what do you guys think its worth? how good of deal did i get?
Sorry, I meant 41 years.

I'm a senior,so I can make mistakes.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2012, 09:50 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
FreshAir's Avatar

 
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville , California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
Images: 2
Picture?
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407

Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.

1966 Trade Wind

1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid

1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
FreshAir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2012, 09:57 PM   #5
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
ill take A bunch inside and out tomoro
northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2012, 09:48 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
FreshAir's Avatar

 
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville , California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
Images: 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In View Post
Sorry, I meant 41 years.

I'm a senior,so I can make mistakes.

Andy
Sorry, Andy, pulling the 'senior' card doesn't work for me.......either.
Neil
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407

Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.

1966 Trade Wind

1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid

1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
FreshAir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2012, 09:05 PM   #7
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
im trying to upload pics, hope theese work
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	as1.jpg
Views:	119
Size:	110.0 KB
ID:	166492   Click image for larger version

Name:	as2.jpg
Views:	133
Size:	120.0 KB
ID:	166493  

Click image for larger version

Name:	as3.jpg
Views:	121
Size:	104.9 KB
ID:	166494   Click image for larger version

Name:	as4.jpg
Views:	110
Size:	99.5 KB
ID:	166495  

northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2012, 09:06 PM   #8
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
more pics
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	as5.jpg
Views:	111
Size:	97.0 KB
ID:	166496   Click image for larger version

Name:	as6.jpg
Views:	123
Size:	83.2 KB
ID:	166497  

Click image for larger version

Name:	as7.jpg
Views:	121
Size:	79.0 KB
ID:	166498   Click image for larger version

Name:	as8.jpg
Views:	116
Size:	115.6 KB
ID:	166499  

northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2012, 09:07 PM   #9
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
so there it is, no real damagae, no water damage, over all 8 out of 10 condition i would say, Whats it worth, I payed 2k for it the way it sits
northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2012, 09:10 PM   #10
Site Team
 
Aage's Avatar
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa , ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
Images: 25
They worked Just Fine! Wow, while I do agree with Andy that you need new axles, the body and what I can see of the interior looks sweet!

It must have spent lots of time indoors, or it has been stripped, because I don't see any pealing of the clear coat at all.

Of course, with time you will find out for yourself about how good a deal you got; you can't see a lot of the things that may need done without looking closely and poking around a lot.

But leave it to say, you have one lovely looking trailer, congrats!
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
...John Wayne...........................
Aage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2012, 09:12 PM   #11
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
thanks im gonna pull the wheels and bearing and inspect the axles this weekend, what should i look for, just normal wear?
northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2012, 07:10 AM   #12
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by northamerica View Post
thanks im gonna pull the wheels and bearing and inspect the axles this weekend, what should i look for, just normal wear?
You don't need to pull any wheels to check the axles.

You should be able to see about 3 inches of the tires "above" the top of the wheels.

However, the following article will help give check them out very thoroughly.

The Dura-Torque Axle

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2012, 09:31 AM   #13
Rivet Master
 
crispyboy's Avatar
 
1994 30' Excella
alexandria , Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,321
Images: 3
I would also jack up one side of the trailer and see how much the tire drops down.
The side profile shot of your trailer things look to be worn out but you need to do some checking.
If axles must be replaced my suggestion (not that you asked for it) is to skip the 22.5 degree down angle and go with a 32 or 35 degree down angle, what ever the axle manufacturer supplies.
Attached is a photo from a 1989 29' Excella. Granted there are differences in the wheel well shape but you should get the idea that this trailer stands up a little higher. This will help with ground clearance issues and the fact that most folks tow with pickup trucks which sit much higher off the ground that the tow vehicles of yesteryear.

__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
crispyboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2012, 09:36 AM   #14
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by crispyboy View Post
I would also jack up one side of the trailer and see how much the tire drops down.
The side profile shot of your trailer things look to be worn out but you need to do some checking.
If axles must be replaced my suggestion (not that you asked for it) is to skip the 22.5 degree down angle and go with a 32 or 35 degree down angle, what ever the axle manufacturer supplies.
Attached is a photo from a 1989 29' Excella. Granted there are differences in the wheel well shape but you should get the idea that this trailer stands up a little higher. This will help with ground clearance issues and the fact that most folks tow with pickup trucks which sit much higher off the ground that the tow vehicles of yesteryear.

That's more like it.

And, a higher degree of torsion arm angle, from original, is the way to go as well.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2012, 09:22 PM   #15
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
can someone post a link to where i can get the best deal on axles
northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2012, 09:56 PM   #16
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by northamerica View Post
can someone post a link to where i can get the best deal on axles
Make sure the axle dealer doesn't down size the brakes, from 12 inch to 10 inch, just to decrease the price.

Also, upgrading to something better than original, for your 31 footer, will cost a little more, but it will save you money in the long run.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2012, 05:34 AM   #17
2 Rivet Member
 
1971 31' Sovereign
f. forances , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
so tell what and where to order
northamerica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2012, 06:57 AM   #18
Rivet Master
 
Minno's Avatar

 
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington , Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,989
Andy can't tell you that as he's a dealer. But I can. Call Andy. He'll get you exactly what you need and have it dropped shipped to you from the factory. Simple bolt on replacement. Pricey, but easy to install and the axles will have 12 inch brakes. Send Andy a PM to get his phone number.
Minno is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:36 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.