I believe I'm finally pulling the trigger!

[msh441]

After lurking on these forums and scouring the classified for the last four months, I believe we will finally be taking the plunge into Airstreams.

The last few years we owned an early 90's 21-foot Ford Class C RV. It was definately 80's styling (as RV's are generally about 10 years behind the norm), but it was straight, clean, dry and everything worked as designed. It was perfect for my wife and I and our two young kids.

Fast forwarding a couple years, my wife finally talked me out of our spare car: my old '94 4-Runner... and into a big bad Nissan Armada. With the kids now bringing their friends along (and our combined stuff) we needed somthing with a third row seat.

After buying the Armada, my dad (an avid Airstream owner) started placing the seeds of doubt: "Why have an RV when that 5.7L V8 truck will tow any trailer you could ever want?". Didn't take long before my wife agreed, the RV was sold and the search was on.

After 3-4 months, I believe I've finally found a unit that is in my budget and I believe it'll be a great base that we can camp in right away... and build upon to make our own over time.

Its a 23' 1973 Safari Land Yacht.

The ad details indicated:

--new water system, water heater, plumbing (piping),and faucets.
--added full wrap awning for front window.
--cabinetry is in excellent condition.
--new vinyl flooring .
--new twin mattresses.
--propane system works very well (two 7gal tanks)
--original refrigerator (working)
--forced air (ducted) furnace still works
--windows are tinted.
--air conditioner still works
--outside Zip-Dee awning needs to be repaired. Unrolls to set-up, but
you need to hand roll it back up. Fabric is in great shape.
--stove & oven both work perfect
--trailer also has (optional) bunk bed
--am/fm 8-track player sound system (original)
--newer tires with vinyl covers.
--wheel bearings on axles were repacked a few years ago
--trailer brakes work, but a few of the exterior running lights don't work (either needs new bulbs or
new light mounts).
--all interior lights and electric outlets work great.

Speaking with the owner I got a ton more info on the trailer. The owener was really helpful, straighforward and sent me a ton of additional pictures. We agreed on a price and things are moving ahead. Again, I have a ton of additional pics, but the upload limit was 10, so...

Theres a little rot in the sub floor in the bathroom, under the shower seat. But I've seen much, much worse. I'm going to be looking at reinforcing of replacing that sectoion of the bathroom sub floor sooner, versus later. I plan of fixing the awning spring and adding a matching awning to the rear window as well. The driver's side front window only has one pane of glass and I plan on replacing the exterior pane, soon. Other than that, a little rust neutralizer here and there... maybe a shot of undercoating in the wheel wells and I think it'll be good-to-go.

This trailer is not without it's niggles... but again, I think for the price, it'll be a GREAT starting point for whatever direction the Airstream experience takes us.

Now I just gotta drive to Boise to pick her up this next weekend!

If all works out as planned, we'll be camping the following weekend with my dad and his group at Rasar State Park!

[hissilver]

Welcome! it appears that the adventure is about to begin.

Happy Trails to You

[2 Cowboys]

Looks nice & clean. Welcome to the big Airstream family!!

[Alumaholic]

Just like my first Airstream.
Let me know if I can offer advice as you make it your own.
Please provide a close-up photo of that segment just to the left of the propane tanks as you stand facing them.
If there is a similar "buckle" in the segment to the right of the tanks, the tongue of the trailer may be compromised where it meets the frame behind the skin (just a my tongue was).

[karenjude]

Looks like a beauty!

[Hibby]

Don't do it... This is where everything begins to go downhill. My wife and I bought our first 22' Sport about three years ago, and before we knew it, upgraded to a 30'. Now we're "accessorizing" and I'm paying close attention to the towing capacity of my vehicle. We have toasters, hot air popcorn poppers, and bean bag footstools. We've added a Verizon Jetpack, a Wilson 4g cellular booster, solar, and two Honda generators. We camp at places that end in "resort" and cost $50 a night. We have an iPhone App called "Walmart". I shop at Filson now instead of Orvis.

Buy a Jayco.

[Hibby]

Ok, seriously, just do it... Jayco's are for sissies.

[msh441]

Originally Posted by Alumaholic

Please provide a close-up photo of that segment just to the left of the propane tanks as you stand facing them.
If there is a similar "buckle" in the segment to the right of the tanks, the tongue of the trailer may be compromised where it meets the frame behind the skin (just a my tongue was).

Can you be more specific as the where your seeing a buckle in front on the right? Just below he window, perhaps? PO says that's from the same object that took out the outer pane on the right. But I'll take a closer look Saturday if you can tell me what to look for.

[OilnH2o]

I recognize that vinyl on the walls! (It's in mine - I'll bet ceiling vinyl as well) It looks good - but look close! And enjoy if you do buy. And, welcome to the forums.

[mefly2]

Enjoy - it is a great start!

[msh441]

Well, after about six months of ownership, there've been some significant changes to my little safari.

First thing I did was rebuild the Groucho with new foam and Sunbrella fabric. Complimentary Sunbrella fabric covers on the mattresses as well.

[msh441]

... Then, she got a new Suburban NT30 furnace, a new stainless face in the fridge and all the exterior lights were brought back to fighting shape as well and the antennae gears.

Next, I had carpet cut to fit and the edges bound, so it'll pull out easily for cleaning, but ads an air of cozy warmth on the feet. The bathroom section is cut/bound separate from the rest of the trailer, so I can pull it out while showering (or for more frequent/easier cleaning).

[msh441]

Next Ill be working on curtains. Somthing in a gold-ish color. Accordion pleat. We'll see how it turns out.

Planning a 3-1/2 week trip this summer with the wife and two kids through Washington (home), Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Oregon. Should be an experience.

[2PNPOD]

Wow, your updates look amazing. Love the new carpet w/the ability to pull it out for cleaning! Okay so I gotta ask, where do you go for the carpet job...an RV place or a carpet place?

Also, what about the sunbrella/upholstery work...would you mind sharing a little about this? Thanks, your airstream looks awesome.

[2 Cowboys]

Yes, it looks awesome! And we'd like to know where ya got the carpet edge/bound as well. We've already done the Curtains & Coucho, due to the previous owner being a HEAVY smoker.
:sigh:

[msh441]

For the carpet, I went to my local carpet place in Burlington, WA (Flooring Outlet). Thankfully, they had someone who could do binding on site. Total price was just over $600. But based on the shape of the floor, I also probably have enough carpet left over to do it again when this wears out or make some matching runners for the high wear areas.

Upholstery I did locally at an upholsterer in Anacortes, WA (Classic Upholstery & Foam). Got a really good deal on foam (the most expensive part). I bought Sunbrella fabric off e-Bay once I was told how much I would need. Foam, fabric and labor was $1200.

[2PNPOD]

Originally Posted by msh441

For the carpet, I went to my local carpet place in Burlington, WA (Flooring Outlet). Thankfully, they had someone who could do binding on site. Total price was just over $600. But based on the shape of the floor, I also probably have enough carpet left over to do it again when this wears out or make some matching runners for the high wear areas.

Upholstery I did locally at an upholsterer in Anacortes, WA (Classic Upholstery & Foam). Got a really good deal on foam (the most expensive part). I bought Sunbrella fabric off e-Bay once I was told how much I would need. Foam, fabric and labor was $1200.

Thanks for the pricing and details!

Our Caravel doesn't need carpet or upholstery, but if we ever get started on another project AS, which we'd like to attempt someday, I would need to have this kind of work done. Honestly, I never imagined having a carpeted trailer, figured it would be hardwood/laminate flooring, but it's just so cozy in our Caravel; which is why I love your solution.

[2 Cowboys]

We have a lil 1-man "shade tree" upholstery guy who works out of the front room of his house. He's upholstered EVERYTHING we've own or hung in the windows for the past 2 decades. I tell ya he's worth his weight in Gummy Bears!!
As for the flooring, we threw down VERY cheap H/D carpet. We want to install this great (hard wood) looking linoleum that was used in the offices of my last job (of 22yrs), before I retired. But we need to do some major floor repairs before we invest in that stuff.

[msh441]

My original intention was a heavy weight vinyl flooring. Something with a wood print. Pretty heavy duty stuff. But after camping in it with bare floors and seeing the warmth carpets added to my dad's trailer, I had to have carpet.

[dirigible25]

Nice looking AS, I am in the process of making some changes to my Safari as well. Will post some pictures later as work progresses. And extend my welcome to a fellow Washington resident. Let us know where you are planning to take your trip, and of course continue with the pictures of the progress, as well as any trip photos you take.