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Old 12-13-2019, 05:14 PM   #1
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fixable?

Hi all!
I'm shopping for a used airstream and this is for sale locally. Any thoughts on repair cost? worth the repair or move on?
Thanks so much.
Kaci

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Old 12-13-2019, 08:16 PM   #2
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Only you can answer those questions. If there are all the obvious places on the exterior, I would wonder about the overall care in other areas. Personally, I would keep looking.
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Old 12-13-2019, 08:23 PM   #3
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If it is just the dent in the rear curbside corner, might get lucky and it mostly disappears with a suction cup dent puller. Naturally, if there is more to it, then it is your decision whether to chase repairs. If it is just that dent and it is superficial, consider haggling over its presence and living with it.

Besides, it is not really your trailer until you put the first ding in it
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Old 12-13-2019, 09:07 PM   #4
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All depends on whether you want it to look like new, or if you are willing to put up with some relics of the dents. To get like-new appearance, you are going to have to replace two segments, and the ballpark figure that gets tossed around is about $2k per segment. If you don't care if it is imperfect, then, a paintless dent repair guy might be able to mitigate the appearance using their suction cups and stick-on pullers, but it is never going to look perfect.

good luck!
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Old 12-13-2019, 09:18 PM   #5
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The rest of it looks in pretty good condition. If the interior is decent I’d try to fix the dents as best you can with someone experienced in fixing aluminum and live with it.
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Old 12-13-2019, 09:23 PM   #6
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Love the double panoramic windows! What size is that?
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Old 12-13-2019, 11:12 PM   #7
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Do you think the door flew open while driving and impacted hard on the side? Kind of looks to me like that's what may have happened. I'd inspect the door as well.
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Old 12-13-2019, 11:29 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rowiebowie View Post
Do you think the door flew open while driving and impacted hard on the side? Kind of looks to me like that's what may have happened. I'd inspect the door as well.


The door is on the other end?
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Old 12-14-2019, 06:16 AM   #9
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The door is on the other end?
Maybe it flew open really, really hard...
It does look like there's a ripple or wrinkle around the main door holdback latch. It could be a dent, or it could be just the camera angle.
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Old 12-14-2019, 06:58 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63 View Post
Maybe it flew open really, really hard...
It does look like there's a ripple or wrinkle around the main door holdback latch. It could be a dent, or it could be just the camera angle.


I saw the ripple after I posted :-) so a totally valid observation.
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Old 12-14-2019, 07:13 AM   #11
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If the price is right, I would do it. Personally, I would only fix the side dent because I would see it all the time. I wouldn't be happy seeing it all the time. What is most important is to get something you are happy with and get on the road.

I hope to see you out there whichever way you choose!
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Old 12-14-2019, 08:13 AM   #12
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If the price is right, I would go for it. Assuming there is no other damage, I would want to get it for $5,000 less than if perfect. If you can accomplish that, get and go camping.

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Old 12-14-2019, 09:30 AM   #13
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I am sill having a problem determining what the damage is from the pictures. The area behind the door could be just a reflection . I do see a dent in the rear in the curb side and I also think the rear running light on the street side is dented in. At $31,900 for a 16' 2011, i would not expect any damage.
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Old 12-14-2019, 09:57 AM   #14
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I had a somewhat similar dent in that area of my 27FB. Including replacing the window, the repair at the factory was about $5K. Double that if you want to go all the way with bucked rivets but the factory assured me that putting the panel over the damage and pop riveting didn’t weaken the structure at all and since my plan is to kick off while the thing is still in my possession - I’m good with that [emoji3]

The other dent - not so sure. I think if you want perfection, you should be asking for $10K off asking price (assuming interior doesn’t stink.....).
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Old 12-14-2019, 10:43 AM   #15
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The side ripple or dent I'm seeing is possibly a reflection. But I put a straight line from in front of the door to the rear and is seems there is a dent distortion in the side (see red oval).

My eye immediately went there as the rear dimple is fairly minor and as previously suggested, might be lessened by 70 to 80% with a suction cup dent puller (see red circle). Possibly enough to "live with".
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Old 12-14-2019, 10:56 AM   #16
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Streetside rear upper clearance light looks pushed in and skin buckled, or is it just a reflection?
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Old 12-14-2019, 12:32 PM   #17
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I enhanced the color/contrast a little and highlighted the areas that I'd want to see in person before making any kind of decision. Click on the photo to open then click on it again for maximum size.
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Old 12-14-2019, 03:08 PM   #18
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I really appreciate the great responses. The price recommendations I found particularly helpful for perspective. I was most worried that that right curbside dent and the left road side running light dent may be areas for potential leaks. I will go look at the trailer in person since it’s local but probably going to pass. I’m very thankful for all your help.
Merry Christmas.
Kaci
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Old 12-14-2019, 03:09 PM   #19
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16 foot.
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Old 12-14-2019, 05:06 PM   #20
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Porche_rn, this is not a standard 16’ Bambi, I would get someone locally that can advise you, search the forum for trailer inspectors near you. If everything else is ok with the trailer and you can adjust the buying price, it may be ok. The trailer does have options that a standard doesn’t have like the rear wrap around windows and other features. You really want to have someone check it out throughly like any trailer you would buy. If it looks like it’s abused in other areas also like inside etc. ask about it’s history see any paperwork they have sometimes you may find the name of a previous owner if your real lucky.
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