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Old 06-09-2009, 01:31 AM   #1
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edmond , Oklahoma
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Question Hello, I need some help... what do I do?

Hello, my name is Mason, I am 23 years old and I have have just been given a 1959 Airstream trailer from my future in laws. They have told me I can do whatever I want with it. If I sell it they wanted it to help with costs of getting married (ring, wedding, honeymoon...).

I enjoy working on cars and most anything mechanical. I helped my dad restore his '72 Corvette growing up. I drove and maintained a '72 Chevelle, and restored a couple older enduro motorcycles. So I am not afraid to restore this beauty to sell it.

Only problem is my dads nice huge shop and all the tools are back in Oklahoma while I am currently in Washington with the camper.

Decision I have to make is:

Work on it here in Washington with few tools, try to sell it
or
Take it back home to Oklahoma and finish it completely. That is if I can, pulling it with my girlfriends 2000 Nissan Exterra v6.

So with that said I have three questions:

What model is this camper (number on tag 18D-0144159)?

Will it be hard on the exterra to pull this back to Oklahoma?

What is this worth as-is and completely restored?
More pictures...Picasa Web Albums - mason - Airstream

Thank you for any help!!
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Old 06-09-2009, 03:32 AM   #2
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Does this remind you of your trailer. When you walk in the unit and look to the rear - is the bed on the left and the bath on the right.

Can you please post some pics of the interior - we'd love to see them.

http://vintageairstream.com/archives...204/index.html
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Old 06-09-2009, 04:06 AM   #3
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If the end result is always to sell...sell it now.
You will not make a profit.
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Old 06-09-2009, 04:45 AM   #4
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how much do ya want?
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Old 06-09-2009, 05:00 AM   #5
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Ask Yourself this,Do You like the trailer the way it sits now ? would you like to camp in it ? Pretty sure You could tow it with what you have as its a lightweight,hopefully others will chime in on the safety issues,To me it seems like you want to keep it and do some work on it slowly...think it over,attend an airstream rallly ,See what its all about before you dump that sexy beast in someone else's hands to do god knows what to it ...you have a rare oppurtunity,Think it over really well !!!
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Old 06-09-2009, 05:01 AM   #6
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I have a 59

I have a 59 that is very close to this one. I paid $2,500 for it and after 4 years of work I was offered $25,000 for it. Mine has a weight of 2,200 pounds with all the stuff in it so you need to check your max towing capacity of the car.
Good Luck
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Old 06-09-2009, 05:13 AM   #7
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Click to see Price vs. Condition - Airstream Values

I agree with klattu -- you will not make a profit if you attempt to bring up the value. Keep it if you have a curiosity about camping with it. It sounds like you have good mechanical skills for upkeep. Selling this would be fairly easy. Smaller vintage Airstreams are in high demand -- especially if fairly original inside!
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Old 06-09-2009, 06:13 AM   #8
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sounds to me like the object is to sell not own and use...
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Old 06-09-2009, 08:32 AM   #9
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I'm restoring my AS and if you want to make money, sell it now... I'm restoring it to use it. You always run into issues once you try to fix it up that you didn't think you would..
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Old 06-09-2009, 08:42 AM   #10
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It's a quality of life situation

I probably could not get my money back out of my trailer that I have put into it. Much less compensation for my time and effort. But I have had many, many, many great times using it. If you are on a tight budget and are just getting married, it might end up putting a strain on your wallet. So unless you really like the trailer, sell it to me
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Old 06-09-2009, 08:48 AM   #11
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You are a very lucky lad! Adios, John
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Old 06-09-2009, 09:20 AM   #12
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Welcome!

Hi Mason, The outside of this trailer looks to be in good condition. The inside at lest by the the door will need a new floor. The Nissan will struggle with the trailer(Specs). The Airstream will need new tires and maybe wheels, repack the bearings and the coupler looks like it will need some work. The Nissan will need a weight distribution-anti sway device. Thats just to get everything moving.

This trailer will be worth some money if it is restored correctly. This will take time and money. If you need the money now sell the trailer and don't look back, but if you like camping and the Airstream lets get you setup to get this trailer back to Oklahoma.

I see the offers poring in already. I live in Edmond's just north of Seattle if you are close I might be able to help. Don't worry I'm not in the market for another trailer. Good luck!
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Old 06-09-2009, 10:33 AM   #13
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If you sell it remember this model is probably going to be very desierable because of its size age and model. Dont let somebody get too lucky on the price.
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Old 06-09-2009, 11:09 AM   #14
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The '59's are a great year for a vintage Airstream. I know, you're thinking I'm prodigious, but that is the year I wanted from the beginning. I like the fact it has no plastic, quality mahogany interior and is well put together. You have a rare opportunity here and it is up to you to make the decision. As others have said, if $ is tight, sell it now, the way that it is. If you can't decide and $ isn't an issue, hold on to it, take it out camping a few times and then decide if its the direction you want to go. Does the wife to be like camping? She'll need to be on board if you go that direction.

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Old 06-12-2009, 01:16 AM   #15
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Thank you so much for the suggestions!

After going over things said here I am leaning towards selling it here in Washington state (Mount Vernon).

Here are some interior pictures and the link to more:
Picasa Web Albums - mason - Airstream

What are the bids? Suggestions for a selling price?

PM Me!

Thanks Again!
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Old 06-16-2009, 09:36 AM   #16
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if its not sold allready list it on the classified page here.
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Old 06-16-2009, 11:45 AM   #17
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You have a gem. You are getting married and your inlaws are giving you the airstream? Think of all the good times that went on with that airstream. My wife and I always talk about how her late father would have loved our airstream if he was still around. If you know how to fix things then keep it. You will have a life time of enjoyment and they are not that difficult to work with.

If you do not have the tools, then tow it to your dads and keep it until you get settled. I am not the mechanic and I fixed my old airstream up. I had it fixed up and started using it within 8 months of purchasing it. The first trip was on the old axels because I could not afford new.

I used cheap tools from harbor freight. They still work today.

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Old 06-16-2009, 12:26 PM   #18
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1965 22' Safari
Staunton , Virginia
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Polish to sell!

If you really want to just sell it, then your time would be best spent polishing it. Yes, it's a pain, but if you have a place to work and are willing to put in the effort, it would probably triple the value on an ebay auction. Here's a good account of how to do it:
Polishing

For older Airstreams, the smaller ones are worth more than the big ones. Look around in the auction history on ebay and see what they have been going for. Take the trailer over to an RV service place and have them test the systems so you can give an accurate account of what works and what doesn't work. Don't be tempted by any "I'll take it off your hands for you" offers- a 1959 "18 footer" is the holy grail for a lot of Airstream collectors and wanna-be's. They sell for more on the West coast, so if you can do the work out there, you'll have a better audience when it's time to sell. We're all just drooling a little thinking about being handed one by the in-laws.

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Old 06-16-2009, 12:38 PM   #19
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Keep it! You will most likely never get this chance again. The hardest parts of getting this little camper ready will be the floor, polishing it out and adding an AC without hurting the looks of the camper.
Looks like almost everything is there and the body looks straight. If you like the outdoors at all, you'll love this little camper.
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Old 06-16-2009, 02:13 PM   #20
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I too am drooling at the thought of being *given* this trailer. However, after buying mine, I am absolutely not in the market for another for years, decades, to come! One thing I've learned is, if you decide to fix it yourself with ANY inclination of selling in the future, then fix it right. Ask your questions here and follow the recommendations for correct repair. It will take a lot of time and probably a lot of cash to do it. But, trying to sell this gem with poor repairs will likely reduce the value. It's twice as hard to fix an improper repair job than fixing the original issue!!!

Good luck with your trailer and your wedding.

Laura
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