Visit our Popular Forums

Inestein · 08-26-2019, 09:43 AM

I have a short amount of time to make a decision on bidding for this 19 foot 2019 Tommy Bahama. It looks as if it was on route for delivery and took a spill off the delivery truck so it's crunched a bunch on the outside.
I wonder if it is worth bidding on and getting all of the replacement panels and learning how the hard way. If I was able to get it back to pretty do you think it would be sellable with a salvage title?

I'm pretty new to all of this and I bought my first Airstream this year and have done a few rivets and small repairs on interior.

This is just a giant project but if I could get it cheap enough I would love to bring it back to life.

I feel confident in my repair skills so I am not deterred by never having done it just another skill to put under my belt.

Thanks for any input

n2916s · 08-26-2019, 09:48 AM

If you can get it for next to nothing, the appliances could be salvaged. Rebuilding a rolled unit would be a monster project, would still have a salvage title and would not be worth what you put into it.

uncle_bob · 08-26-2019, 11:14 AM

Hi

Until you tear into the trailer there is no way to know what needs to be done. It could only be $20 or 30K of repair parts. It also could be a lot more. Once you get into a "pull shell off frame" process you need an area big enough to do the work as well as the time to do it.

As noted above, once you are done, resale is not going to be easy. If this is a "buy and flip" sort of thing, you are not going to get a lot selling it that way. Having your money tied up for a year while you do the work ... yikes ....

Bob

journeydog · 08-26-2019, 11:38 AM

Sounds like a big DON'T to me...

Inestein · 08-26-2019, 04:35 PM

Dang....It really looks like you can just fix a window and awning and just go with a crunched brand new unit. The inside was not even unpacked as it had not made it from the factory to the sales floor. It is currently at 10k on the bidding. I have not had a chance to inspect in person but my wife is frowning as I tell what I would like to do.
I guess happy wife happy life so I cry as I walk from it.
I wonder if I created a rental from it if it would be insurable.

AlinCal · 08-26-2019, 04:57 PM

I agree on staying away from.

Or you could just patch it up a bit. LOL

Inestein · 08-26-2019, 05:08 PM

Here is how bad it is...

Inestein · 08-26-2019, 05:09 PM

I almost want to just hop in and go camping!!

Foiled Again · 08-26-2019, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inestein

I almost want to just hop in and go camping!!

Yep, me too. But not in that one!

overlander63 · 08-26-2019, 07:02 PM

Here's a quick reality check for you, based on looking at the pictures for ten seconds:
Replace main awning= $4000
Replace panoramic window= $2000
Replace rock guards= $1400
Replace main door assembly= $2000
Replace right side sheet= $2000
Replace right window sheet= $2800
Replace two rear segments= $4000
Replace two front segments= $3000
Replace segment protectors= $1600

Plus whatever isn't obvious or visible.

Inestein · 08-26-2019, 07:46 PM

Yep....I don't have that extra $$ laying around. I don't have that much time free either.

I do love ours though so I need to just be happy and I am sure there are plenty of things to do to it. I just bought that switch for the bath fan so I can run it at a slow speed all the time. The more I read around here the more I will have to get to doin'.

smithcreek · 08-26-2019, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inestein

I just bought that switch for the bath fan so I can run it at a slow speed all the time.

Well heck, if you can replace that switch you should have no problem with the repairs on the Tommy Bahama.

uncle_bob · 08-27-2019, 06:47 AM

Hi

If they have it up for auction - a pro looked at it and it will cost more to repair than it will sell for. That's just how it works .....

Bob

alreardon · 08-27-2019, 01:08 PM

There could be frame damage. Big DON’T!

Inestein · 08-28-2019, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

If they have it up for auction - a pro looked at it and it will cost more to repair than it will sell for. That's just how it works .....

Bob

Yep.. gave up. I just have an impulse problem.
And Rose colored glasses. And .. and.. and.

Thanks for everyone's comments. If you ever meet me it will all make sense! 😆

Ray Eklund · 08-28-2019, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inestein

I almost want to just hop in and go camping!!

******
Look at it this way... no one will break in or steal your trailer.

If it tows well and the damage is mostly appearance... and you do not mind making new friends every time you set camp or fuel up the tow vehicle tank... go for it.

It will never be worth more than what you are paying today. Expect to own it a long time and your insurance agent needs to be called before purchase.

These Salvage Titles are purchased cheap from Insurance Companies. When they total them it is a total financial loss, less salvage.

A unlocked rusted up beat pick up may be stolen from time to time, but a light roll over trailer... you can describe it to the local police if it is stolen and found quicker than you may want.