To do or not - axle replacement before sale

[tomcook]

1992 34' Excella 1000. DEFINITELY in need of axles.


I am considering selling and would like opinions on whether I should pay roughly $3,750. parts and labor to have the 3 axles replaced
OR sell "as is" and take a hit on sales price.


Thanks all.


Tom

[Bill M.]

Just as a guess if you have a shop lined up and can get it done for that price I think putting in the axles would be a good move. That is something many buyers would rather not deal with.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Just as a guess if you have a shop lined up and can get it done for that price I think putting in the axles would be a good move. That is something many buyers would rather not deal with.

Good advice IMO . . . on the other hand . . .

Originally Posted by tomcook

. . .
. . . whether I should pay roughly $3,750. parts and labor to have the 3 axles replaced . . .
. . .

Tom, do you have a shop lined up to do this work, and does it have a limited time frame for you to get the trailer there? These are relatively important factors IMO.

Why not place an ad ASAP and offer two prices?
-- as is, or
-- after installation of the axles.

This would let the buyer choose his or her preferred path. There may be buyers who would take it as-is, pay the shop to do the axle work, and also pay for additional work of their choosing. This might be very attractive for some folks IMO. Timing and transport are still TBD.

Why try to pre-guess this? Give the buyers a variety of options, and let one or two lead the way IMO. You might actually get a bidding war going, in this Covid-19 "seller's market," from all indications in the news!

Good luck.

[CBWELL]

That is an added selling point for a buyer. If you can afford the price, I suggest doing it, as well as new tires.

[azflycaster]

$3750 is not a bad price for 3 axles, Jackson Center charges $1700 per axle for new.

That aside, why not be upfront with buyers and discount the price accordingly. You might have a buyer who is going park the trailer as a summer cabin or hunting lodge and does not care about the axle condition.

[B. Cole]

As is. With the market now, it's sold one way or another.

[OTRA15]

. . . but the profit may be higher with new axles IMO? [Please see Post #3]

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

. . .
. . . You might have a buyer who is going park the trailer as a summer cabin or hunting lodge and does not care about the axle condition.

Bingo!

[A W Warn]

My inclination would be to sell it "as is".

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by B. Cole

As is. With the market now, it's sold one way or another.

What he said and of course if you had to you could drop the price $2000 to offset the costs.

[rideair]

Question also becomes, which axles (lbs rating) shock mounts?, brake size (10" or 12"), EZ-Lube, etc...

If memory is correct, came with 3,200, mounts, 12" and standard hubs.

Also, what's the name of the shop, I might need them myself for a 1996 34' Front Kitchen.

Enjoy,

[Wazbro]

Another option a buyer might want is a lift, very cheap add-on to axle replacement. Compared to seperate.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Are the older OEM axles even available. I don't believe they are.
The 'shop' needs to have the AS experience to order the proper axle the first time.
Best to contact the factory with the VIN, they should be able to help with getting the proper axles orderedmthe first time.

Bob
🇺🇸

[tomcook]

The "old" axles are not available. I did contact Jackson Center after Out-of-Doors Mart - "The Longest Running Airstream Dealership in the World!" told me, "We don't do axles."



JC sent me a Dexter form with so many questions that I didn't have the answers to including several that I didn't even know the meaning of some of the words.


My new found shop is "Broken Rivets RV Service" in Ruther Glen, VA. a few miles north of Richmond. Ex-Airstream dealer employee who got tired of the way they "serviced" their customers.


Check out his Facebook page to see some of his work.

[rideair]

tomcook,

Ok, I've spoken with him at length over the phone and had planned on having him do my axles. He's going to be at the WDCU rally in May at the campground in Staunton, VA.

I think he currently booked out to May, though not 100% sure.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by tomcook

The "old" axles are not available. I did contact Jackson Center after Out-of-Doors Mart - "The Longest Running Airstream Dealership in the World!" told me, "We don't do axles."

JC sent me a Dexter form with so many questions that I didn't have the answers to including several that I didn't even know the meaning of some of the words.

My new found shop is "Broken Rivets RV Service" in Ruther Glen, VA. a few miles north of Richmond. Ex-Airstream dealer employee who got tired of the way they "serviced" their customers.

Check out his Facebook page to see some of his work.

Are you still considering selling the trailer "as is," as suggested in earlier posts? This could be the most satisfying route for you IMO.

[tomcook]

Paul said, "I think he currently booked out to May, though not 100% sure."


That sounds about right. I called him early January and got a March 15 date - which I cancelled yesterday so you might give him another call if you want to have him do your axles.


I've had a bit of a financial life change recently, the reason for considering selling. Don't see using it before fall at earliest which is why I cancelled March axle date. No reason to replace tires and start that 5 year clock until we are at least considering a trip.


Kids are grown, would consider something a little smaller. Big enough to have a dinette. But really LOVE the space of the 34'. And have no idea how to price it. There just aren't enough 34's to get a base to work from.


If others' posts on other threads are correct, looks like I should sell it now and replace it in a year or so when the prices come down. But I gave up trying to time the stock market years ago.


Can you tell I'm undecided ?

[OTRA15]

Per my earlier 4 posts, I would suggest advertising ASAP, instead of stewing in the indecision IMO. Your call.

Good luck . . . over and out.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by tomcook

1992 34' Excella 1000. DEFINITELY in need of axles.


I am considering selling and would like opinions on whether I should pay roughly $3,750. parts and labor to have the 3 axles replaced
OR sell "as is" and take a hit on sales price.


Thanks all.


Tom

Colin Hyde got me the axles for my 93 34' a few years ago. I would NOT replace them if I am planning to sell the trailer. When I put the 93 up for sale and mentioned that they had new axles, the most common comment I got was "oh, why, is there something wrong with the trailer that it needed new axles". You are not required to disclose that you think it needs new axles, other may not think so, trust me.

The buyer should hire an inspector to tell him what the trailer may need, if he is not qualified himself.

[Lola77]

$3750 is cheap. I just paid $3500 for 2 axels last summer.