73 Airstream 20’ endcap tree limb damage?

[TMcd]

I want to buy this but I am not sure what it’s going to cost me to fix. I hear a 1000 in parts. Who would do this? Tia! Theresa

[CRH]

I believe that parts estimate is low

[TMcd]

That’s what I was told from a man who sells them. Thanks!

[majorairhead]

I didn't do the poll, cuz I have no idea what it would cost.

But I DO know Airstream @ Jackson Center Ohio could give you an estimate, and fix it.

Good luck.

[Bill M.]

For a proper repair to look good for a good rebuild I think it will be $2500 to replace a segment. And then the whole trailer will have to be polished to get a match if you ever do get it matched.

So If I was looking for a shell for a rebuild I would expect to put $10 grand into it with some else doing the work.

I had a dent about that bad in my trailer that we camp in. I used a suction puller and got a lot of it out and then stripped the clear coat and recoated the trailer without doing a hard polish. I just use an Al polish on a rag and left all the brushed finish I could. But to someone looking to do a full monty restoration it is still a damaged segment that would be replaced. My fix made it usable but did not remove the value of the loss.

[tminter]

I read where someone had damage Similar to that. Take a piece of plywood and an inner tube large enough to cover the dent. In the plywood drill a 2” hole. Then take the inner tube, cover it with Vaseline, put it over the dent. Then put the plywood on top of it and insert a heavy duty 2” shop vacuum hose and turn on the vacuum. If that doesn’t work, add a second vacuum. Then laugh all the way to the bank with the money you saved.

[TMcd]

Thank you! Lol !

[TMcd]

Thanks everyone.

[Foiled Again]

I took a closer look at your picture, and noticed that a patch had been riveted over one segment, and that the damage involved creases rather than simple dents. Dents can be made nearly invisible with suction (plus a bit of luck). Creases require replacement. The type of aluminum alloy used by Airstream has changed several times over the years, additionally the front and rear ends used to have different profiles: for instance, theer was the "whale tail" unique to the old California factory. The one you are looking at is a 5 segment model, but not the most recent profile. Anyone wanting an invisible replacement will need serious skills with an English wheel or a donor trailer which is being cannibalized for parts, or both.
If the damage doesn't leak you could choose to live with it, otherwise letting this one go to a professional renovater who has an inventory of carcasses might be more advisable.
If you have serious money to throw around, you could always look up the custom build Bowlus Road Chief. (That suggestion is me being totally EVIL. This design was brought back from the dead and its quality leaves Airstream in the dust. The price tag - get out the smelling salts. The upside? You can tow it with a full size sedan.)
Seriously, if you are hunting for a gently used Airstream, right now the happy hunting ground might be right where I am - Travelers Rest and Resort in Dade City Florida - a retirement/snowbird community where there are 20 which have not moved in 10 to 20 years.