noob here looking to by retro 1975 31’

[Rhetro]

Hello all,

I’m looking at a 1975 31’. It’s currently on ebay for 18k and the auction ends this sat. I don’t know what these typically go for.
I know NOTHING about these other than I like the retro vibe -and always have since I was a kid. Don’t want anything new and couldn’t afford it anyway.

I have some acreage south of San Antonio TX that I would love to put it on.
In the event that I retire sooner than later, it might be nice to travel with it. But my primary goal is to use it as a ranch domicile. Nothing other than a weekend retreat. I haven’t ruled out other options (tinyhouse, shipping container, mobile home, etc). Sure, I realize that there will be maintenance, and upkeep. I’d probably but it under a pole barn to protect it from the elements.

Figure on asking you experts about red flags that I’m probably not seeing.
Thanks for reading

[Hittenstiehl]

A 75 is not that old for a vintage Airstream and 31 ft gives you lots of options. If it's in good shape it sounds like a good project. These days they're flying off the shelf so it's hard to say what a good price is. You claim you know nothing about them so maybe do a little research so you know what to bargain for. I would say you need to be handy, patient and resourceful. Depending on it's shape you might need some spare change also as one project begets another. If you are going to park it versus pull it some things like axels are not as vital. Floor damage , rear end separation, and electrical would be good to look at.

[Bubba L]

If it’s the one I looked at on EBay a few minutes ago, it looks pretty good. If everything they stayed is true, it may be worth it. If that’s the one in Michigan, it could have some lack of winterization issues. Don’t know it had the polybutylene piping that early. There could be issues with that. You could probably take it easy and get it home, but the axles, if original, are shot. So it may ride a little rough. If you plan on it sitting in one spot, it would be fine. If you plan on traveling in it, new axles. Good luck and if you get it, I hope you’re happy with it. Good luck and let us know.

[Belegedhel]

Maybe you could post a link to the trailer you are looking at. Yes, even wrecks are going for that kind of money these days, but a wreck is still a wreck. A 50 year old trailer, unless it has had a lot of work done on it already, is going to need a lot of work, whether you intend to tow it or just park it.

I am many years into a rebuild that I never intended to start... If you don't know anything about these trailers get yourself educated before bidding anything sight unseen. Try looking at the "Full Monty" renovations to get a glimpse of your future.

good luck!

[RichHog]

The Wally Byam Airstream Club has a San Antonio “unit
as they called them it that one is the Alamo Unit. Look them up if you buy this trailer or any trailer. Great people who can help you with any problem right in your backyard.

[Rhetro]

Hey folks, thanks for all the input.
I’ll probably heed your advice and thoroughly research these things, so there’s no reason to spring for the first one I see -probably a big mistake with something like this. While I don’t doubt the validity of this listing, I’m also in no hurry. I’m interested in late 70s and back for the nostalgia factor so I probably really need to investigate given that I’m buying a mobile antique.

Here’s the listing I was referring to:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Airstr....m46890.l49286

And thanks again

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by Rhetro

Hey folks, thanks for all the input.
I’ll probably heed your advice and thoroughly research these things, so there’s no reason to spring for the first one I see -probably a big mistake with something like this. While I don’t doubt the validity of this listing, I’m also in no hurry. I’m interested in late 70s and back for the nostalgia factor so I probably really need to investigate given that I’m buying a mobile antique.

Here’s the listing I was referring to:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Airstr....m46890.l49286

And thanks again

The listing says "The floors are solid with no soft spots" which could be true, but it's also possible they are just basing this on the part of the floor that gets walked on, not the hidden areas behind/under cabinets. Rot usually starts where the floor goes under the wall, which is also where it's least likely to be noticed.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Don't base anything on an eBay auction price days ahead of the event. There are a lot of folks who only bid in the last few minutes / seconds. The price could easily double or triple from where it is at right now. (It also could just sit there ... who knows ....)

Bob

[TouringDan]

Probably a good idea to wait. Get educated by studying this forum and look at lots of them so you can learn something about what they are worth and what you want. Go to a rally so you can talk to owners and see their Airstreams.

Late 70’s are good Airstreams. My son and daughter-in-law have a 78 Caravanner. I am helping them renovate it. They’re in Fort Worth.

The more questions you ask the more you can learn. We are here for you.

Dan

[helwigc]

Following

[Monza]

Id say it looks good. Just know there good be a long list of things that need fixing. Its old, it'll need some love.

Stored indoors its whole life, big bonus.

[Wazbro]

They way it's written the tires are at the end of their life. Add read as new tires installed in 2016, now 2021 5 year old tires is right around end of life (yes it is actually worse for the tires if they were only used twice in that time).

[Rocinante]

The world is full of gutted and failed Airstream restorations and remodels. The world is also full of sellers who make unsubstantiated and sometimes false claims about older Airstream trailers. Be on your guard, check everything out in person, and trust no one with your money until you've actually been in the unit and seen the title.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The next layer to this onion is that the "difficult" trailers get resold a lot. Somebody buys them, spends a year digging into what's involved and bails out. The same trailer may be resold a half dozen times in a decade of so. One in good shape comes up, gets fixed and might be resold 20 years later ....

Even with all this thrashing in the market, there aren't a lot of them being sold at any one time.

Bob

[Rhetro]

yeah. all the stuff i wasn’t really weighing.
glad i’m here.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

So just in case somebody comes along a year from now and wonders how the auction worked out:

There was only one bidder. The trailer sold for the reserve price of $18K.

Bob