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Mojosmallbis · 03-07-2025, 12:00 PM

Hi ya'll! I recently bought a 22' 1972 Argosy and gutted it with the intention of converting it into a tea and coffee trailer business. I ended up going with a brick and mortar business option instead but now I have this gutted trailer. I am trying to sell it but debating if I should go ahead with rebuilding it, to list it as a completely built out trailer. Any thoughts on if it's better to sell gutted or rebuilt?

overlander64 · 03-08-2025, 08:50 AM

Greetings Mojosmallbis!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Argosy ownerswhip!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojosmallbis

Hi ya'll! I recently bought a 22' 1972 Argosy and gutted it with the intention of converting it into a tea and coffee trailer business. I ended up going with a brick and mortar business option instead but now I have this gutted trailer. I am trying to sell it but debating if I should go ahead with rebuilding it, to list it as a completely built out trailer. Any thoughts on if it's better to sell gutted or rebuilt?

I am afraid that you are in a situation where it may be almost impossible to escape without loosing money. There are many Airstream and Argosy travel trailers on the market that have been gutted, and are bereft of the interior pieces that can be reused as patterns or restored to keep the interior original. Should that be the case with your 22' Argosy, you are already starting with a major negative to overcome in the market.

When you mention building out/rebuilding the trailer, you might be thinking either of two methods -- as a travel trailer or a concessions/business trailer. Either one is going to involve a considerable investment of time and monetary resources. Whenever doing a restoration/renovation, particularly a renovation, you have to have a feeling for the market potential and then the quality of the renovation has to be commensurate with the price asked -- then it may take time for the particular customer that will like your renovation. The same could be said with a concessions/business trailer only the marketing could be even more difficult due to the specialization necessary for the particular concession/business use. Whether the intent is to renovate for RV use or concession/business use, you would be looking at the such things as inspecting/repairing frame, new axles, replacing subfloor(?), new 120-Volt AC wiring, new 12-Volt DC wiring, New fresh water plumbing/water heater, new waste water plumbing, black tank, wash water tank, new/re-certificed LP Tanks, new tires, new paint.

My suspicion is that unless you want to renovate the trailer to use as your own RV for a few years, it would not be economically feasible nor feasible from a time perspective if you are just starting up a new brick and mortar business. I am afraid that the same would be true for renovating for a concession or business trailer. You may find that your best option, economically speaking, is to cut your losses, and sell your 22-foot Argosy Travel Trailer as is, where is. I wish that I could be more positive, but a gutted Argosy or Airstream trailer typically is not a hot commodity.

Good luck with your decision!

Kevin

Belegedhel · 03-08-2025, 11:55 AM

Most people looking to fix up a trailer would prefer it start out complete, rather than gutted, so depending on what you paid for it initially, and have spent so far, you will likely lose some money selling the trailer gutted. Most people don't see the work you did gutting it as worth money--just the opposite.

Worse yet, if you spend a bunch of time and money building the trailer out, you run the risk of losing both time and money on the effort. My guess is that you stand to lose less money selling it gutted.

good luck!

Mojosmallbis · 03-09-2025, 02:53 PM

Thanks for shedding some light! I am agree that I am just going to have to cut my losses and hope my trailer sells sometime soon, as is.

Mojosmallbis · 03-09-2025, 02:57 PM

Still trying to figure out how this Forum works! I didn't realize that sending a "Thanks" isn't the same as a reply haha! Thank you again for your reply! I appreciate the insight and having to opinions to bounce ideas off of. Maybe if I can put some of the originals back into the trailer, it would be a little more desirable or not worth my time?

overlander64 · 03-09-2025, 05:38 PM

Greetings Mojosmallbis!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojosmallbis

Still trying to figure out how this Forum works! I didn't realize that sending a "Thanks" isn't the same as a reply haha! Thank you again for your reply! I appreciate the insight and having to opinions to bounce ideas off of. Maybe if I can put some of the originals back into the trailer, it would be a little more desirable or not worth my time?

Any pieces of furniture, cabinetry, bulkheads, or similar items that are complete enough to act as patterns for a rebuild should be a plus for a potential sale. The same would be true for the original fresh water tank if it is still in fair/good condition as well as possibly the waste tank. The original water pump, if the PAR, is rebuildable so a restorer may be interested in that if it is available. So far as appliances like refrigerator, range, water heater there isn't as likely to be as much interest -- if the refrigerator is exceptionally clean and was operational when removed it would have some potential value as would the range. Water heaters and furnaces typically have little value as they are most usually replaced with new units during a restoration.

Good luck with your sale.

Kevin