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chickin · 09-13-2005, 09:27 PM

Hello to all,

This is my first post on this forum and I am looking for some advice from you experts. I found this Airstream locally that needs repair. It is a 2003 25' Safari with the bath in the right back corner. Can any of you tell me if this is a repair that is possible to fix? If any of you have a ROUGH guesstimate of the dollar amount of body damage you believe is there I would appreciate that as well. Also does anyone know of a good repair shop in Texas that can handle the work? Thanks in advance for your he, I can't wait to join in on the Airstream livestyle.

SilverSurfer · 09-13-2005, 10:36 PM

How did that happen?

desi arnaz · 09-13-2005, 10:48 PM

how much do they want? i think i have seen her before? looks like i could fix her up?each panel is $350 which is way too much.easy enough to remove all the panels and build up. i dont think you have any ribs until you hit the window? is the frame bent?
you do have some cross members though....i think under $10,000 should do it?

chickin · 09-13-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

How did that happen?

Not sure how it happened.

desi arnaz · 09-13-2005, 11:31 PM

looks like he had a long camper on the t/v and he jackknifed it? just a guess.

InsideOut · 09-13-2005, 11:40 PM

Does it have a clear or salvage title?

Shari

chickin · 09-13-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Does it have a clear or salvage title?

Shari

Salvage..... Will this make a difference in the repair cost?

desi arnaz · 09-13-2005, 11:46 PM

ARE you the person that dumpped the boyfiend b/c he said you had tooooooo many a/s? do you really want another?

~

InsideOut · 09-13-2005, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickin

Salvage..... Will this make a difference in the repair cost?

No, but it may make a difference in it's resell value and your ability to insure it.

Shari

summerkid · 09-14-2005, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desi arnaz

ARE you the person that dumpped the boyfiend b/c he said you had tooooooo many a/s? do you really want another?

~

oh please. if i had salvage lying around in the driveway, even *I* wouldn't have blamed him.

but "boyfiend" .... now that is pure genius. why didn't *I* think of that 28 years ago?

rlambs · 09-18-2005, 09:57 PM

Call Steve at P&S trailer polishing (419-638-6261) and send him the pictures he will give you an estimate.

Foiled Again · 09-19-2005, 04:16 AM

Tin Hut:

I had some custom work as well as warranty work done by a dealer and the result exceeded my expectations for technical ability, professionalism and quality. I'll post some pics. I wanted docking and back up lights on the sides and rear of my trailer so that when I have the running lights on and in reverse it lights the perimeter so I can back up or hook up (they can stay on in park as well). David Tidmore (sales/service mgr at Roger Williams Airstream, Weatherford TX) fabricated alumn. housings for the light and mounted two on each side inset in the belly pan and two on the back storage door.
--------------------------

I'd call these folks based on what Tin Hut says. BTW, I've been to Jackson Center and I've seen the end segment (5 curved roof panels, curved side panels, etc. put together as a single unit, then the whole thing is rivited onto the body. Your wreck looks like you could just replace the end panels, but I'm betting it's 5K plus.

And a salvage title means it has been scrapped, then brought back from a junkyard.... States started doing this to prevent the sale of unsafe vehicles to unwary consumers. If you can get the wreck and the repairs for significantly less than the cost of buying a comparable 2003, you'll have a lovely A/S to use... but odds are you won't get your money back if you try to sell it.

Tin Lizzie

05ModPod · 09-19-2005, 06:06 AM

As they say anything can be fixed - if you have the time, the money and the patience but the biggy is a a place to work on it.

We got our 99 priced out - and just the major parts were to a tune of around $5000 - the panels that are custom radius. We were going to settle with the idea that she would have some character blemishes.

But when you add in the time, the patience and the place to work on her (Canadian Winter we need more than a leanto

.

The big question was the frame straight? and that we would not be able to determine until after some heavy strip down underneath so a lazer could be put on her. You will never keep her in tires if she is not straight.

She looks very doable though - and as Shari says - the re-sale will not be there but if you are looking for a nice trailer for dirt cheap then you have yourself a good deal - if she is straight. Good Luck

desi arnaz · 09-19-2005, 08:36 AM

i say fix her...................you should see my front yard, looks like a war zone.....

Gordon Watt · 05-13-2006, 03:26 PM

It looks like it took a pretty good whack. The whole trailer is likely knocked out of alignment. I would walk away unless you got it for nothing.

lynn · 05-13-2006, 06:33 PM

I would contact North Dallas RV and talk to Pat Moore ,they have been repairing Airstreams for years. It looks like they could just order a new front end and replace. I could not tell if furniture is damaged.The rest of the trailer appears to be ok.It all depends on your purchase price.

hmsteader · 05-13-2006, 06:53 PM

You might give the following a call:

BILLY SIMS TRAILER TOWN
1615 Loop 289 South,
Lubbock, Texas
(806) 745-8791 or (800) 588-8796
(You will want to talk to Jim)

They did some minor body work for me and I'm very well pleased. Do a Google search on Billy Sims as they have a good Web site.

Another possibility is:

P & S Trailer Service (Steve & Kevin)
4702 W Us Highway 6
Helena, OH 43435
(419) 638-6261

Best of luck,
Jim

53flyingcloud · 05-13-2006, 07:37 PM

It's the things that you can't see that would worry me..
Personally, life is too short..I'd walk away from it.
There's more than enough problems to be had with a "perfect" unit, let alone a unit you knows that has been wrecked.
Paula is right about the end caps, they can be replaced as a single piece.
I suspect that's not all that would need to be addressed, judging from the pictures, it took a significant blow.
Still, it's up to you..
Issues about salvage title..is one headache that can be a heart-breaker.

ciao
53FC

Janssvt · 05-13-2006, 08:41 PM

We had to have the 2 top right side panels replaced after a tree hit it, several years back, no rib damage, the bill was $4,500.00 just for that. They had to replace the inside front dome also. I sure wouldn't take this one on. Walk away...

59toaster · 05-14-2006, 07:33 AM

Thats sort of damage is from a Jack Knife. The sheet aluminum is the least of the concerns I would have. I would have some real concerns about frame damage. Problem is till the belly is dropped and you start measuring you might not know.

If you are serious about it and its a REALLY REALLY REALLY good price, start by measuring from a central point on the tongue to the a common place on the axle mounts to both sides to see if the tongue is till in line with axles. Then start inspecting the floors for humps and low spots to try to get an idea if the frame bent up or down.

If the tongue is off or you find waves in the floor you might be looking at some costly frame repairs if you cant handle the welding yourself. I'd walk.