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silfurhafmey · 01-02-2016, 11:19 PM

Hello,

I'm interested in purchasing a 1973 Sovereign 31' on Craigslist. The asking price is $7000 for a gutted trailer. Which is fine as I'm looking to do a frame off reno but $7000 seems a bit steep to me. The shell looks amazing and so do the chassis and frame! I did message them to find if there's any structural concerns. What are your thoughts?

nickclifford · 01-03-2016, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silfurhafmey

Hello,

I'm interested in purchasing a 1973 Sovereign 31' on Craigslist. The asking price is $7000 for a gutted trailer. Which is fine as I'm looking to do a frame off reno but $7000 seems a bit steep to me. The shell looks amazing and so do the chassis and frame! I did message them to find if there's any structural concerns. What are your thoughts?

i'm no expert here, but seems a bit high .. i purchased a '72 Sov about 18 months ago in CA (everything seems more $$ here), good frame & floor.. a couple of small areas of rotted wood. Good interior, 100% original inc green carpets. pluming good but needs new axles, water heater, heater & probably fridge which only runs on gas right now. windows need attention of course & it leaks ... I paid $6000 + delivery fees ..

4RXLA · 01-03-2016, 12:44 AM

Seems high for a gutted trailer

silfurhafmey · 01-03-2016, 10:22 PM

Thanks guys! I had a feeling it was a bit of a stretch. I appreciate your feedback!

I did find one here in town and they're selling it for $7500 with contents inside. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow and see if I take a gander.

lesnlearned · 01-30-2016, 08:54 AM

I just bought one last month from northern Michigan it was complete and had no stated issues other than some 'minor' rear rend separation (that was misleading of course). I paid $4800. It was almost half of that again to relocate it here, but shouldn't be factored into your costs. Gutted it myself over three weekends. Easy to do!

silfurhafmey · 01-30-2016, 10:19 PM

Thanks for your feedback! I guess if I got one with the contents inside I could part it out. I would love to remodel it to fit my needs. Obviously, I'm not a purist but I love the vintage design but have an element of surprise with modern interiors . You'll have to post pics when you're done.

btyler48 · 03-14-2016, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silfurhafmey

Hello,

I'm interested in purchasing a 1973 Sovereign 31' on Craigslist. The asking price is $7000 for a gutted trailer. Which is fine as I'm looking to do a frame off reno but $7000 seems a bit steep to me. The shell looks amazing and so do the chassis and frame! I did message them to find if there's any structural concerns. What are your thoughts?

I just bought a gutted 1972 Sovereign for $1500.00 in North Carolina.

ALANSD · 03-14-2016, 11:23 AM

Finding a good frame with a great shell is worth a few extra bucks. If you are going to build the custom interior anyway, it will save you having to take all that interior stuff apart. it's not as easy to get rid of as you might think, too.
just mhop

silfurhafmey · 03-14-2016, 10:16 PM

Thank you for all your comments and feedback!��

silfurhafmey · 03-14-2016, 10:18 PM

Those questions marks are supposed to be a happy face. Emojis don't transfer well on the forum

silfurhafmey · 03-14-2016, 10:19 PM

Btyler48 I hope to be as lucky as you!

btyler48 · 03-15-2016, 07:31 AM

Now I need to start rounding up all the parts to put it back together again. Starting with the sub-floor which has a few rotted spots.

Lumatic · 03-15-2016, 08:07 AM

Sovereigns don't fetch as high a price as the smaller Airstreams. The price does seem high, but, is a relatively minor point compared to the price of restoration whicn will probably cost you $15K if you do all the work yourself.

Keep in mind that your will end up with a trailer you put 15 to 20 grand into, but if you sell her you will be lucky to break even.

silfurhafmey · 03-16-2016, 12:55 AM

Lumatic I didn't realize they didn't fetch as much as the smaller trailers as my focus has solely been on Sovereigns. I need all the sq footage I can get as my goal is to live in it full time. I don't even want to think about the reno costs but I've been realistic about what I'll need to shell out. Thank you for your feedback!

ALANSD · 03-16-2016, 06:51 AM

There was an abundance of 31 footers made thru the 70s into the 80s, mostly by Beatrice foods when they owned Airstream. These are cheaper because of that but can be great trailers. Good size for many, lighter in the early years and great for remodeling.
I've owned two, a 78, and an 80.
The rear bedroom models are more desirable and will sell for more money.

btyler48 · 03-17-2016, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANSD

There was an abundance of 31 footers made thru the 70s into the 80s, mostly by Beatrice foods when they owned Airstream. These are cheaper because of that but can be great trailers. Good size for many, lighter in the early years and great for remodeling.
I've owned two, a 78, and an 80.
The rear bedroom models are more desirable and will sell for more money.

Hi all, I see mentioned above about the rear bedroom model. The one we just bought has been already gutted and it had a rear bath. We hope that can be changed by putting the bedroom in the back and the bath on either side of the hall. Anyone know if that has been done before?
Thanks

Lumatic · 03-17-2016, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btyler48

Hi all, I see mentioned above about the rear bedroom model. The one we just bought has been already gutted and it had a rear bath. We hope that can be changed by putting the bedroom in the back and the bath on either side of the hall. Anyone know if that has been done before?
Thanks

Yes it has been done. There have been several recent threads about it.

ALANSD · 03-17-2016, 11:33 AM

if its gutted, sketch out your design idea and go for it. It will require replumbing and tanks replaced.

lornahanen · 04-21-2016, 05:54 PM

Hello!
How funny! I bought a 31ft Sovereign Land Yacht (1972) last October for like $7500 and I have been living in it ever since (in Santa Rosa, of all places).
I understand about wanting a gutted one. That is what I was originally looking for. After several months of looking for "the Airstream of my dreams" (which at that time would have been anything) I took notice of the market. I really noticed the stretch between what I wanted (and was convinced I could find) and what was realistically out there for sale.
My bottom line would be: persevere: keep looking and Thee...Thou... Though art..
You will find what you're looking for!!
Namaste' Lorna Hanen

silfurhafmey · 04-21-2016, 11:47 PM

Hi Lorna!

Thank you for stopping by and saying hello! I appreciate your words of encouragement. So happy to hear you found your Airstream

I have a couple questions. I hope you don't mind me picking your brain?!?

Where did you find your Airstream? I was thinking we may have been looking at the same one but I was too late. There was a lady here in town that posted in Airstream Classifieds and when you said you lived in town I thought you may have purchased it from her.

You said you lived in yours. Did you have a hard time finding a place to park it?

Looking forward to hearing from you