where to start

[Phaedrus]

I am going to try to remove a AS that has sat for 25 years.It has great potential if I could rid the rodents and get it road worthty. I believeve it to be a 29-31 ft soveriegn int. The man is kind and I beleive that if I could remove it I could get for A fair price.But as it stands it is sunken in the soil and I do not understand the levelling system that was used to set it.ANY HELP PLEASE, Heath in PA

[53flyingcloud]

Phaedrus

Welcome to the A/SForum~!~~You've come to the right place to get help.
First thing is to carefully consider taking all the pictures you can..To help explain the areas of help or answers you'd be looking forward to receiving..
The level stands, after 25 years, may require alot of work to free from rust, etc. They do need to be retracted first before you can move the unit.
Also, you'll need to repack the wheel bearings with fresh grease and, put on new or at least newer tires~
What do you plan to haul it out with and, how far?
BTW..
A fair price would be "FREE"~!~You're doing all the WORK..
What condition is the floor in?? Any leaks that you can tell of?
As far as the rodents are concern..wear a mask when working inside for awhile..Plse be safe..
Look for your follow ups, plus some photos..

ciao

Again, Welcome and, Congrats~!~

Last thoughts..I know that there's many out there who've done the impossible in bring back to life older A/S units..(Just check their pictures out) but, you might also want to consider the option of just walking away from this if it's gonna COST too much to bring it back..KWIM?
I'd recommand that you get all your cost "ducks" in a row and, then consider just how much time and money you can afford to spend. Compare this cost with what's available on the market.~

[Phaedrus]

More Advice on removing levellig jacks, Thanks

[LLB21]

Be careful. You may be acquiring the "money pit". With all of the componets on a trailer you could expect to pay several thousand dollars to even get the trailer in liveable condition. Many times when a trailer sits the expensive items like refer, A/C, furnace, etc. may not work. Also critters tend to infest these and eat electrical wires and whatever they could in their search for food. Also, many times there are cracked and broken water pipes, tanks, etc.

Wow, am i depressing. But again, you may be lucky and get a real steal.

[Silvertwinkie]

It sounds really neat. Just make sure your heart and your head are in the same place or your wallet will be in another place!

If you would even think of buying a house in similar condition, then it makes some sense, but 25 years is a long time to be sitting in the state you describe, let alone that it's been a home to rodents.

Regards,

Eric

[Chas]

If it has the original BAL brand jacks look around for the handle, looks like a old timey tractor or car engine crank handle with a socket on the end. If you can't find it then you can possibly use a four-way cross auto lug wrench or just get out your socket set, the jacks use a 3/4" socket. Then just crank them up unless they are really stuck in the dirt, then it's shovel time!! Hope you get it for a song because your work may be cut out for you!! Good Luck

Chas

[Phaedrus]

I found the original handel. Now I'm searching for sor someone to move it! Also does anyone have a price on an A/C unit and are there any tricks to freeing up the antenna crank? None of the inside cranks seem to work very well. One more thing, if I get this thing freed up/title cleared and get it home what is the worst that could happen, I use it as a shed?

[jim8860]

Try PB Blast it works real good on rusty or frozen parts. A/C units are about $500+ dollars

[garry]

How far do you have to go to get it home ??
Sounds to me like an AC is going to be the least of your problems.
I would suggest you get a Camping World catalog as a place to start on checking out pricing.
AC is around $600 / $ 800.
My AS is over 30 yrs old and was in fair condition when I bought it. I have spent $4 K so far and have another $2K to go. Not counting the orignal $5K I paid for it. So when I finnaly get it like I want it I'll have an $11,000 Airstream with a book value of about $5,000.
Would I do it all over again ??? YES !!!!!!!!!

Garry

[Phaedrus]

Thanks for all the responses, keep them coming, my AS may never see the open road again but it will be restored/refitted with healhtier controls and flooring.

[Phaedrus]

Is it in one of the locked compartments I have yet to unopen? I so what is the toungue weight and GVW? thanks for your response keep them coming please

[Phaedrus]

Where is/what is this stuff Jim8860? Is it kinda like WD-40 (thats appalacian talk/ we fix everything with WD, Duct tape and JD)

[59toaster]

Originally posted by Phaedrus
Where is/what is this stuff Jim8860? Is it kinda like WD-40 (thats appalacian talk/ we fix everything with WD, Duct tape and JD)

Auto Zone carries it. WD 40 is not wrth a darn with rusted stuff. PB Blaster disolves rust. WD-40 is for drying out ignitions. WD forty stands for Water Displacment 40th try. http://www.wd40.com/AboutUs/our_history.html

THe only thing I found WD 40 useful for was Water displacment and starting fires....Be carefull when starting fires.

Spray PB Blaster on and let it sit for a few minutes. The spray it again to wash away any stuff it loosed up to keep it from getting stuck in the threads. With some luck it will loose up.
THe prblem you going to have is if these jacks sunk into the ground then they have had moisture up against them for a long time and they are well into the process of returning to mother earth.
Take a hack saw with you and some sockets. You may have to remove them from the camper to move it.

[femuse]

so what is the toungue weight and GVW?

depends of year . Check the VIN #.

If pre 1969, it is a 30', dry weight varies 4000 to 4750, TW most likely low 400's

if post 1969 it is 31' dry W in the low 5000's, TW 400 to low 500's

[53flyingcloud]

Phaedrus
I would give this a little bit of thought.."As far as moving it."
My take"
The safest thing for all concern..including your new A/S, is to contract a wrecker service with a flatbed truck. They only charge by the miles and, they'll get it up on the bed as part of the cost.
This will get it "home" and, then you can work on what needs replacement at your own pace.
Just my take..
May all the A/S angels smile upon you.
ciao

[Phaedrus]

just an update-title in hand and it is FREE from the earth, now just to find that new A/C and get started on the restoration

[Phaedrus]

any suggestions on the first step? I decided to take your advice and bring it home on a flatbed by the way...(no license fees, no worries because I couldn't find that dang stabilizer bar)

[53flyingcloud]

Phaedrus
Fantastic news~!~Have a safe move~!
Personally, I believe it the best first move for your A/S..
I understand that, you're planning on staying put with it..??
You should still give some thoughts to making it roadworthy..Even if it's done way down stream..
First thing I'd do when you get it to where you want it..Is to get under some kind of cover. Sure makes working on it easier and, you could solve the issues that, are creature comfort without the pressure of getting sidetracked by leaks, etc.
Creature comfort would include the A/C, refrig working, water system checked out, heating system, electricity checked out for your lights and, water heater for those hot showers..
Somewhere in this process, you'll need to replace the gasket for your door, vents systems and/or reseal the seals on your roof around things like the TV ant, vents for the bathroom, etc.
It's not gonna be easy nor quick..How is the floor in it? You may want to just toss a bug bomb in it for a few days to drive out all un-invited guests..KWIM?
Please try to take as many pictures as you can. I know we'd all love to see how you're coming along with this..
Besides, after it's all done(and it will be oneday) you'll have something to look back on..'With Pride".
Good Luck~!
ciao

[art]

Im looking at a 64 soverign right now.what year is yours?Im a little nervous about this project. but it would be cool if I can pull it off .IM still doing my homework. The floor in the bath is a little punky .All the other original stuff is there .I think?