Visit our Popular Forums

F250PUP · 02-12-2010, 07:02 PM

Can you tell anything from these photos?

I am close to finalizing this trailer.

Tom Nugler · 02-12-2010, 08:07 PM

I found the second picture the most informative. I don’t see any regulator for the missing tanks. Think about $250 to $300 to replace them. Are you getting the weight distribution bars and anti-sway bar? I see the mounts and they look in pretty rough condition. New WD hitch and sway bar $300 to $500. Check the umbilical cord to the tow vehicle. It looks original and probably has loose/corroded connections. Could make for an interesting ride home without lights or brakes.
The third and fifth pictures seem to show condensation in the windows. Wing windows are good sources for leaks.(fighting one now) I like the front couch set up. See if you can lift the plywood under the cushions and check for wet, loose or rotted wood.
Take a good look in the rear hatch as well. Known issues with leaks in there as well.
It looks all too familiar to me. These are the exact items I had to correct last summer with my "new" ’72 TW.

Good luck,
Tom

silverleeper · 02-12-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F250PUP

Can you tell anything from these photos?

I am close to finalizing this trailer.

Take a hard look at the first photo. It looks like there is rear separation. Basically means that this Airstream will need floor and frame work. Take a look here. Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame - Airstream Forums. Look for the words separation and sag.

Rhonda · 02-12-2010, 08:46 PM

Any wrinkles around the wheel wells? That's a good sign that there is tail sag. I looks like alot of work from the pictures! All I can say is I hope you don't pay too much because there will be alot of work and $ involved. I do think the curved cushion is cool though!

bolerama · 02-12-2010, 09:53 PM

Really cool L-shaped lounge. Looks like it's ready for a martini party. Get out the smoking jacket too. I love the layout! (Sorry, can't help with any mechanical issues).
Lisa

Aage · 02-12-2010, 09:58 PM

I would say that she is showing her age, and a total lack of maintenance or care.

What about the appliances, stove, oven, refer, water heater, AC? Are they there? Do they work well? I'm going to bet they don't, seeing the rust and leaks on the other parts.

Add about $2,500 in parts if they don't...

F250PUP · 02-13-2010, 04:40 AM

Thanks all for the help. I have attached three more photos. I don't see any wrinkles around the wheel well. As best I can tell, this has been sitting since 96, last date on license plate.

I had assumed the furnace, Refrig and hot water heater didn't work. AC blows cold, but will need to be re-charged.

On the refrig I was just going to buy a "college" type 110 refrig. Furnace small space heater if needed, as we will be plugged in initially. Will need a hot water heater though.

I have set aside about $7500 for this project including acquisition cost of $1500 to 2000.

Thoughts? Even of I throw, I mean invest 10k into it I still have great rig at a even better price.

wlj1943 · 02-15-2010, 09:23 AM

Hi f250pup,
I strongly suggest you service all the wheel bearings before you tow this unit any distance more that a few hundred feet. It has been my sad experience with many trailers that have sat for a long time with weight on the wheels that the moisture and acids in the grease, plus the lack of rotation to distribute a grease film in the races and tapered rollers all combine to destroy bearings. This is true on all trailers that do not get moved for long periods of time. Here in the Northwest it can happen in just one year; as fast or faster when I lived in the Gulf Coast.

Any visible marking on the races (inner are hard to see because of the roller cage) or on the rollers indicate fretting corrosion at work; the bearings will begin to spall and rapidly fail. After having road towing failures over the years, I now figure on just replacing all bearings and seals on any trailer that has sat for a long time. There have been many posts on the forum about this by others. It also lets you inspect the electric brakes, which often need help too.

When I store my trailers, I take all the weight off the wheels and rotate same a turn or two periodically (once every month or two). No more bearing problems. Note Airstream always recommended servicing wheel bearings at least once a year (at the start of the season for us northerners).
WLJ1943

I

Bo&Susan · 02-15-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F250PUP

Thanks all for the help. I have attached three more photos. I don't see any wrinkles around the wheel well. As best I can tell, this has been sitting since 96, last date on license plate.

I had assumed the furnace, Refrig and hot water heater didn't work. AC blows cold, but will need to be re-charged.

On the refrig I was just going to buy a "college" type 110 refrig. Furnace small space heater if needed, as we will be plugged in initially. Will need a hot water heater though.

I have set aside about $7500 for this project including acquisition cost of $1500 to 2000.

Thoughts? Even of I throw, I mean invest 10k into it I still have great rig at a even better price.

If you like it, buy it. We paid $950 for ours, though much worse shape than this one appears to be in. We thought we would have to invest $10,000 in it. But after a month into it we have realised that shopping around and doing all the labor ourselves it won,t even come close to that. Ours was basically a shell with an a.c. and needed a new floor and frame repair. We did however find an old Duchman trailer for $300 to strip. It has working, ac/heat, waterheater, stove, fridge, stanless sinks and numerous other things we can use. Plus the people in these forums are so helpful, regardless of your questions they respond in seconds. Susan

adonh · 02-15-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverleeper

Take a hard look at the first photo. It looks like there is rear separation.

I don't think there is any doubt of rear end seperation from looking at the first picture. You can see where the frame has pulled away from the body and the hatch cover. This will be an expensive repair that in most cases can only be provided by an experienced Airstream service facility. When you throw in the fact that the axle's, brakes, bearing, tires, propane tanks, appliances, AC, hot water heater, windows, brake and stop lights will all need to be replaced or repaired this will be an expensive project. Can it be done, yes, others have. But don't under estimate the cost or time to do this.

Don

drag'nwagon · 02-15-2010, 10:23 AM

F250PUP,

For the purchase price that you indicated I would buy it, unless there is something else hidden. The trailer is definately in need of some frame work but if the frame is not totally rotten I can give you some ideas as to how I "shored up" my '74 31'.

I would not worry too much about the propane system as it is reletively easy to fix or replace. The water system however can be a big job, but not too costly unless you have to buy new tanks. Appliances can get costly, especially a new reefer if needed ($1,000).

What are your plans for this trailer?

Aage · 02-15-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F250PUP

Thanks all for the help. I have attached three more photos. I don't see any wrinkles around the wheel well. As best I can tell, this has been sitting since 96, last date on license plate.

I had assumed the furnace, Refrig and hot water heater didn't work. AC blows cold, but will need to be re-charged.

F250PUP,

Here's an example of what you can find if you look around a bit. I know that this is a 34' and 16 years newer, so definitely heavier, but if you drive an F250, that wouldn't have mattered. 16 years newer makes for a plusher interior, too.

The sale is over, so this is only a theoretical discussion, but check out what he just did last year to the trailer. Click here.

New refer, new water heater, new AC, furniture all re-upholstered. Tires and brakes done 2 years ago.

That one, you get in and go camping now, and forget rebuilding, at least for years to come...

adonh · 02-15-2010, 01:25 PM

Look at The 1978 excella under the Dollars ans cents sub forum. looks pretty nice for $9,500.

Don

Aage · 02-15-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

F250PUP,

Here's an example of what you can find if you look around a bit. I know that this is a 34' and 16 years newer, so definitely heavier, but if you drive an F250, that wouldn't have mattered. 16 years newer makes for a plusher interior, too.

Forgot to mention one thing: it sold for $9,800

nomader · 02-16-2010, 03:33 PM

I'm working on my 74 31' today, The tail end design is just plain poor. The bumper feeds the water straight to the plywood floor. I can't imagine any of them lasting, with that setup. I paid 3000... and the skin is not nearly as polished, my fridge, ac, awning, water system weren't working. It has solar and came with the tanks and good hitch. There is also another Carrier Ac I haven't tested, and I haven't had a chance to test the 2 water heaters which the previous owner had said, worked.

I'm really thinking of doing the conversion to the center bath. That will let me clean out all those old mice droppings and really start with a clean slate. I can't stand walking around the fold out couch, there is no room to stand and take a shower, and I feel like there is just too much storage. If anybody wants to buy my parts or trade parts let me know. All i really need is the black water tank. I think having the drainage tanks by the wheel will cut down the chances of future sag. although I plan to leave and tie in the old ones for back up.

I have already removed the hump in the shower that the shower faucet is attached to, that will provide a seat to sit on, if I leave the rest. It was such a waste of space. I don't think AS has ever heard of a wet vent. The drain in that space had way to little fall, if any, after a few years worth of sag took hold.

See if your bath closet doors are square, mine stick at the top from sag, yet The AS looks straight when looking at it from outside.

I'm loving your j shaped living room.

nomader · 02-16-2010, 03:47 PM

Pull up and down on the bumper. Mine moves in relation to the shell... Not good!

nomader · 02-16-2010, 03:54 PM

I just saw your other post... lol

F250PUP · 02-16-2010, 05:44 PM

So one day into this adventure, I got rid of the circular sofa, bed mattresses, awesome green carpet, pulled rims, bought new tires, cleaned up, took assessment of the damage (read opportunity for improvement), so far reasonably happy this is about what I expected. Found no mouse droppings or signs of varmints....Again I hate things that have no shoulders.......

Over the next couple of weeks, I have a guy that is going to replace rotted wood, remove frig, oven, furnace, re-enforce frame where needed, pack the bearings and service the brakes, test all systems and some other crap. I could do it but I would become obsessed and this would probably kill me. Plus I need to work to fuel my habit.

The cross beam I referred to last night is actually the hanger joist for the tank.

F250PUP · 02-16-2010, 05:46 PM

BTW the stains on the walls is not water just gunk. The PO used a kerosene heater and there is this crud all over the trailer. Going to rent a steam mop of some sorts to get this stuff out.