Advice please!

[IEBT]

Hi! I am looking to purchase a 22FT 1973 AIRSTREAM, found this one close by and wondering if its a fair price? I did not find any major leaks or rust I also verified that the seller is on the title, the exterior does have 2 major dents and scratch. I would appreciated your comments.




https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...2007852416527/

[GeeSag]

A friend gave me great advise many years ago:


"It is a Good Deal, if You Think you got a Good Deal."

[IEBT]

Just looking for a fair price, I am not familiar with this market, and do not want get scam. I have check most the logical thing that could be wrong. I will be doing a full restoration and wondering if this is a solid trailer.

[Belegedhel]

That price is probably "OK", if you compare it to other trailers of that genre and about the same length.

That said, make no mistake, that trailer is not in very good shape. It looks like a "Field find" that someone cleaned up. It has large dents in the endcap sections front and back. Not easy to fix--these dents won't just "pop" out. The axles are obviously original, meaning they are shot and need to be replaced. Not super expensive, or technically difficult, but if the axles are original, then I would be willing to be that the interior has not been maintained either.

Go to the "portal" tab of these forums and scroll down looking for a link to the "Trailer Inspector's Checklist" Take this checklist and go through that trailer with it, and you will have a more realistic idea of what is wrong with it. Better yet, try and find a local volunteer inspector (utility on the portal tab as well).

Step up on the rear bumper and bounce a little, watching to see how much the frame rails move independent of the shell--that would be the check for rear-end separation, and I can just about guarantee that this trailer has it.

At the end of the day, if you pay $6500 for it, or $4000 for it, it doesn't matter too much, as you can count on having months of work ahead of you and many additional thousands of dollars to get it fixed up.

good luck!

[OTRA15]

You might want to read The Love Shack thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...ck-183431.html

[smithcreek]

What's the deal with the metal bar riveted to the back of the trailer, that looks to be holding up the (dented) bumper? That's a big red flag to me, but if you are already planning a full restoration them maybe not.

[IEBT]

Thanks

Originally Posted by OTRA15

You might want to read The Love Shack thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...ck-183431.html

[IEBT]

Exactly the comment I was looking for! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

That price is probably "OK", if you compare it to other trailers of that genre and about the same length.

That said, make no mistake, that trailer is not in very good shape. It looks like a "Field find" that someone cleaned up. It has large dents in the endcap sections front and back. Not easy to fix--these dents won't just "pop" out. The axles are obviously original, meaning they are shot and need to be replaced. Not super expensive, or technically difficult, but if the axles are original, then I would be willing to be that the interior has not been maintained either.

Go to the "portal" tab of these forums and scroll down looking for a link to the "Trailer Inspector's Checklist" Take this checklist and go through that trailer with it, and you will have a more realistic idea of what is wrong with it. Better yet, try and find a local volunteer inspector (utility on the portal tab as well).

Step up on the rear bumper and bounce a little, watching to see how much the frame rails move independent of the shell--that would be the check for rear-end separation, and I can just about guarantee that this trailer has it.

At the end of the day, if you pay $6500 for it, or $4000 for it, it doesn't matter too much, as you can count on having months of work ahead of you and many additional thousands of dollars to get it fixed up.

good luck!

[IEBT]

Will take a closer look this weekend. Thanks!

Originally Posted by smithcreek

What's the deal with the metal bar riveted to the back of the trailer, that looks to be holding up the (dented) bumper? That's a big red flag to me, but if you are already planning a full restoration them maybe not.