What's it worth? All original '84 25' Sovereign

[CasaDeShine]

Hello! We are looking at an airstream to purchase but don't want to overpay. What is the communities' opinion on what this 1984 (85 model) 25' Sovereign is worth? Rear Full Bed. We would be the third owners, most everting is original other than carpet replaced with laminate and the toilet was replaced. We are told everything works. Been kept under a roof. Didn't see any water damage or separation. Dent was from a cow that rubbed on it.

[nvestysly]

Perform a search on Airstream Classifieds as well as RV Trader and maybe Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I suspect you'll find prices range from $20k - $30k.

If you like the trailer, can verify everything works (at least works at this point), not too many issues that you cannot overlook/live with, then it seems like a good RV.

Only you can decide what it's worth to you.

[Belegedhel]

Welcome to the Forums!

The fact that it has been stored inside is a bonus. If the floors are truly rot free and there is no rear end separation, then that's great. That being said, it is a 30 year old trailer, which means that every window, hatch, and door seal is going to need to be replaced, the axles are due for replacement if they haven't been, and that dent in the front is somewhere in the $2000 range to get repaired professionally.

When I see "all original" in a vintage trailer, I just think "old". All of that yellowing plastic is getting brittle and the soft goods (upholstery, drapes, etc.) are likely to need to be replaced as well.

The market for vintage Airstreams is softening, so you may have a lot of leverage to bargain. Look at the Portal tab above, and then scroll down until you find the Trailer Inspector's Checklist. Go through the checklist on the trailer, and you will know the real condition of it. Every trailer owners says there are no leaks and everything worked the last time they used it, but things get expensive fast when you have to start replacing major appliances.

good luck!

[rwnash]

The only thing that I can add is to check the plumbing. My unit came with polybutalyne (PB) plastic water supply tubing. After a few failures I had to replace it all with PEX. A big job. The PB is gray and was used in manufactured housing in the 80's? Lots of problems and lawsuits.

The problem with making repairs is that the plumbing goes in before most of the interior. I had to remove many items to replace all the PB. I also purchased both crimp and compression PEX tools - depending on access to the joint one or the other worked. (Originally I did a partial replacement. If you go that route, which I don't reccomend, get the CORRECT transition fittings which are not a common harware item.) Basically, if you are handy (almost a requirement if you own an old trailer of any make) it is time consuming but doable.

One other item: Our unit had a "pull out pantry" which was very heavy and wore out the inadequate drawer slides. I did away with it and made a cupboard when I remodeled the galley.

Good luck with your decision; if you need any further insight/advice let me know.

Whit Nash

[slofoks]

Just a side note on the yellow plastic. If the plastic is not too brittle, a lot of times the yellow can be taken out with a hydrogen peroxide cream you get at a hair dresser supply. It is in a gel form. If the parts can be removed, brush a layer on the part, cover with saran wrap and put out in the sun. It will be white very shortly. The saran wrap helps keep it from drying out too quickly. It works without the sun as well. I have applied this to parts in the trailer and been very pleased with the results.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you take the $20K to $30K number as "real":

1) I'd knock off $5K for the dent. You never quite know what a fix will cost and it very much does reduce the value of the trailer.

2) Tires would be the next "question". If they are > 6 years old, they need to be replaced. Done at a shop, you would spend > $1K for name brand replacements. Off comes $2k (do we see a pattern here ....).

3) Battery likely needs replacing. It's a good bet that the "typical" trailer needs this as well.

4) Brakes / bearings / axles all need to be checked before you head off down the road. Again, this is something it would have in common with the typical trailer.

Does that mean you start at $13K? Probably not. It does mean that if you take the $30K number, maybe $23 is the top end.

Any trailer that is 40 years old is going to be a "project". There are a lot of things on it that will need work. That's true of this one or any of the others you find. It also includes ones that folks have "worked on" over the years. You never know just how good (or bad) a job they may have done....

Likely project tasks:

New A/C

New converter / charger

New fridge

As noted above, new seals everywhere and on everything

The tires / brakes / bearings noted earlier

New cushions everyplace.

Replace various electrical bits and pieces here and there.

Replace various plumbing bits and pieces.

If floor rot / frame rust shows up, you are into the "yikes !!!" category.

Will every trailer need every project on that list? Nope. Are there other things that may well pop up? Most certainly. The only point here is, make sure there is "money in the budget" to do $10K in work on the trailer. If it comes out less, you win. If it's more, sorry about your luck.

Fun !!!

Bob

[Boxite]

I doubt a cow did that. More likley it’s a JackKnife while backing up or attempting too short of a turn.

$5K is about right for the repair cost if performed by a competent shop IF the interior panel is unhurt. Be certain all the seams and rivets are reinstalled “wet” with sealant when you do it.

It’s worth what someone or you will pay for it. Deducting for things like tires isn’t something I’d consider if I were a seller. The seller doesn’t “owe” you new tires.
It’s an older/used trailer and those sort of things are part of being older. It’s not any different than “deducting” for an old water pump. or battery, or light bulbs.

(You should plan on servicing brakes, wheel bearings, etc. anytime you buy “used”.

[cbburke]

One thing I have not seen mentioned. The furnace is WAY past it's service life. The interior heat exchanger is raw metal and will corrode even when not used. If you ask Suburban they will tell you the unit is way past it's service life and must be replaced.

[CasaDeShine]

So far this is all really great info! I am so thankful for such a helpful and responsive community!

I wanted to post a few things in response to the condition of a few things: The tires, brakes, and bearings are only a couple years old, and they installed a brand new battery this past weekend. So hopefully those things aren't an issue. No floor rot to be found upon our inspection, and no separation that we could find.

Thanks so much to everyone who has offered things to consider! And, keep it coming if there is something else not already mentioned. We are highly considering finalizing on this Airstream!

[nvestysly]

Just noticed your location - Maryland is listed on your avatar.

If you need some service, and body work, there's a great guy in your neck of the woods. I think he's based in Ruther Glen, Virginia, just north of Doswell. Most people know him as DJ - he worked for an Airstream dealer and then went out on his own. We've heard nothing but positive comments about him - reasonable price, easy to work with. Several trailer owners we know use him almost exclusively and travel out of their way to have DJ perform work on their trailer.

Look him up online - Broken Rivets - he's on Facebook and searching for Broken Rivets RV Service will yield several ways to contact him.

[Atwebs]

An older Airstream is only worth want someone is willing to pay for it, if you like it and it seems to be your style, it is a great price.

For an older trailer it might be wise to bring in an evaluator to check all the systems. Tires, brakes, batteries are all the really easy fixes. But there are so many other systems; gray and black tanks, water, water heater, axles, furnace, AC, refrigerator, stove, electric... just a bunch of stuff.

And look at all the things you didn't think about checking out. Is the mattress comfortable or old and dusty and needs to be replaced? Will you be able to live with the upholstery and seat cushions or do those need help? For both mattress and cushions, keep in mind foam breaks down over time so even if they look fine sitting or sleeping can be miserable.

You get the idea, every Airstream is unique and just because it's "all original" doesn't mean it's more or less valuable than one that's been modified. And, don't take everything we say here as gospel truth...these are opinions!

[CasaDeShine]

I am happy to report after much consideration and super helpful comments from you all- we purchased the airstream at what we thought was a very good deal!

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by CasaDeShine

I am happy to report after much consideration and super helpful comments from you all- we purchased the airstream at what we thought was a very good deal!

Hi

Congratulations !!!!

Now the real fun starts .

There are some things that you must do to be safe. They are pretty obvious and are in the "just get it done" category.

Past that, look at it as a blank canvas. Sit back and think about what you really want to do with the trailer. Ignore what some dude named Bob thinks is cool, it's up to you. Work through a couple plans and then start to dive in.

Bob

[Boxite]

Originally Posted by CasaDeShine

I am happy to report after much consideration and super helpful comments from you all- we purchased the airstream at what we thought was a very good deal!

Congratulations!

I’d add that the comments offered above should be viewed as suggestions…not absolutes. (Ex: the furnace heat exchanger is probably not “raw metal” but is more likely aluminized or, in some models, stainless. An inspection will tell you if it needs replacing/repair…not time since manufacture alone. Same with water heater, AC, etc.)

I’ll bet you have some good times with this AS. Take your first trips to be short ones until you get accustomed to the idiosyncrasies of this.

Again, Congrats!

[NevadaGeo]

Welcome to the elite of elite clubs!
Now take it out and enjoy! You don’t have to change any of those things unless you decide you want to.
You automatically have a better unit than any of the new models made in the past few years, made back when “Quality “ was important to Airstream.
But stay away from salted roads. Salt is not good and is hard to get washed off. I saw someone pulling an airstream on wet salt or wet magnesium chloride yesterday up here near Reno. They spray it on the road and you think you’re driving behind a leaking water truck.