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Dean4Seeds · 12-20-2019, 11:06 AM

Hey Friends, I just posted this in the Motorhome section, but maybe it should go here?

We run a wilderness based youth at risk transformation center in Colorado. Teens today are really struggling from when we were kids (suicide, bullying, drugs, mental health, school shootings, etc...).

We just had a 1982 Airstream 310 motorhome donated to us. The hope is we might restore it as a fundraiser for our non-profit. However, we dont have the capacity to take on a project like this.

Is a restore of these older units actually worth it? Has anyone done it for fundraising, rather than keeping the rig for personal travel and enjoyment?

Just curious what you as a community think...

Thanks!!

Lily&Me · 12-20-2019, 11:12 AM

Wow, what an amazing gift to a worthy endeavor, and hope you are able to pull it off.

Good luck.

Maggie

smithcreek · 12-20-2019, 01:40 PM

I don’t understand what you mean by “restore it as a fundraiser”. You mean restore it then sell it?

Tall Grass · 12-20-2019, 02:03 PM

I take it that the intention of the donor was for the recipients to renovate/restore a used motorhome of unknown condition and raffle it off.
The very first thing I would do is look at the teeth of this gift horse. A lot depends on the condition of the powerplant and running gear. The rest would probably have to be worked on to some degree anyway.

Perhaps several restoration shops might be willing to pool their efforts towards a charitable goal.

Belegedhel · 12-20-2019, 03:15 PM

Well, anyone on these forums who has done a restoration of trailer or RV will tell you that you that if you intend to restore and resell, you will never break even on the cost of materials + time spent. But it sounds like you have already come to the conclusion that you don't want to tackle this yourself.

Another option might be to try to get a restoration shop to do the refit at a charitable price, and then bank on being able to sell it at a profit, or raffle it off and be able to cover the cost of restoration. A gamble either way.

This beings to mind a for-profit outfit that runs raffles for non-profits called Omaze.com. Mostly, they raffle off "experiences," but they do raffle off some interesting vintage stuff, currently a 13 window classic VW micro-bus, a restored Mustang, and recently a 60's vintage VW beetle that had been restored and retrofitted with an electric motor and Tesla batteries. Anyway, maybe you could contact them, and this donated Airstream RV could be rennovated into something awesome and then raffled off to make you the kind of sum that you couldn't expect to make with a simple flip.

Good luck!

Dean4Seeds · 12-20-2019, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithcreek

I don’t understand what you mean by “restore it as a fundraiser”. You mean restore it then sell it?

Sorry, I guess that is confusing! Yes, the donor suggested we restore it and sell, or auction it for fundraising.

I was curious to ask into this for him if we should sell it as is… Or if the restore is worth it?

TheGreatleys · 12-20-2019, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean4Seeds

Sorry, I guess that is confusing! Yes, the donor suggested we restore it and sell, or auction it for fundraising.

I was curious to ask into this for him if we should sell it as is… Or if the restore is worth it?

That rig is absolutely worth a restoration, but not by you if you intend to net any money on the deal.

These rigs are huge money pits to restore. They're totally worth it if it's your own labor of love. But you'll absolutely lose money on the restoration.

I'd clean it up as best as I could, and auction it as is.

Isuzusweet · 12-20-2019, 06:01 PM

As an owner of a completely renovated interior, 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, I can speak with some authority on the subject.
First of all, we need to know what powerplant you have, 454, or the Isuzu turbo diesel? People have also installed other engines, like 5.9 Cummins, 6.5 GM diesels and Duramax diesels.
What transmission?
Mileage?
Please post pictures of current interior and exterior condition.

These rigs can go from $10,000-$75,000, depending on a lot of variables.

We need more info on the coach in order to better advise you on what to do.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

Dean4Seeds · 12-21-2019, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tall Grass

I take it that the intention of the donor was for the recipients to renovate/restore a used motorhome of unknown condition and raffle it off.
The very first thing I would do is look at the teeth of this gift horse. A lot depends on the condition of the powerplant and running gear. The rest would probably have to be worked on to some degree anyway.

Perhaps several restoration shops might be willing to pool their efforts towards a charitable goal.

Thanks TallGrass... Do you have any shops/ individuals in mind you are thinking about?

Dean4Seeds · 12-21-2019, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

This beings to mind a for-profit outfit that runs raffles for non-profits called Omaze.com. Mostly, they raffle off "experiences," but they do raffle off some interesting vintage stuff, currently a 13 window classic VW micro-bus, a restored Mustang, and recently a 60's vintage VW beetle that had been restored and retrofitted with an electric motor and Tesla batteries. Anyway, maybe you could contact them, and this donated Airstream RV could be rennovated into something awesome and then raffled off to make you the kind of sum that you couldn't expect to make with a simple flip.

Good luck!

Thanks!, This Could be a great option!

Dean4Seeds · 12-21-2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

As an owner of a completely renovated interior, 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, I can speak with some authority on the subject.
First of all, we need to know what powerplant you have, 454, or the Isuzu turbo diesel? People have also installed other engines, like 5.9 Cummins, 6.5 GM diesels and Duramax diesels.
What transmission?
Mileage?
Please post pictures of current interior and exterior condition.

These rigs can go from $10,000-$75,000, depending on a lot of variables.

We need more info on the coach in order to better advise you on what to do.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

For the motor... there is a Chevy gas motor. Current owner says it runs and drives well... "Need to fix everything else from air conditioning, plumbing, electricity, etc". The title shows 14000 miles in 2014, but I was also told that the odometer quit working.

Lily&Me · 12-21-2019, 10:21 AM

If you had nice spot on your campus to park this rig, might be a very interesting extra office, or one-on-one place for your kids.

Even a guest house.

Wouldn’t then need to put the money into it to make it roadworthy, but if it could be hooked up to electricity you could run computers, charge phones, etc.

Pictures would be nice.

Maggie

InterBlog · 12-21-2019, 10:24 AM

Youth who are at risk often need somewhere to re-direct their energies. Plus, what's the number one thing that leads to good self-esteem? Competence. Competence at performing some function - anything - so long as it brings a meaningful skill to the table of life. With the self-esteem that comes from developing competence, young people attain a measure of shielding from destructive forces.

With proper guidance and scoping, the youth themselves could learn to participate in the restoration of that rig. Such a venture would develop skills, a sense of teamwork, and above all else, competence.

If y'all don't have anyone in your org who could direct such a project, maybe ask around the community to see if there is someone who would like to volunteer for it. If there's one thing that older men in particular enjoy, it's teaching young people the lost art of wrenching on cars.

Lily&Me · 12-21-2019, 10:31 AM

That is a great idea, IB.

Restoration mentoring.

Maggie

jbrumfield50 · 12-21-2019, 04:45 PM

Hi all, we bought our 33 foot, 1983 Excella from a woman that won it in a raffle. A group from an orphanage in Mesa restored it. They lamented that they wished they had made more in the raffle. It's a risk.

Dean4Seeds · 12-21-2019, 04:49 PM

Cool ideas you guys! I love the way you’re thinking through self-esteem… Which comes from feeling competent. Unfortunately in this situation, all the restoration work we do with teenagers happens in the backcountry. Think about a mental health or rehab facility… But combined with the best of backpacking and wilderness expedition. Unfortunately, The youth we work with wouldn’t be able to help with the restoration project. But, what a wonderful idea you guys gave!! I think more and more we need to be inviting our youth into mentoring in whatever capacity we have in front of us. ��

Dean4Seeds · 12-21-2019, 04:55 PM

Here’s a few photos…

Sorry, I think they’re all sideways? Operator error…😄

Dean4Seeds · 12-21-2019, 05:14 PM

A few more...

PeterH-350LE · 12-22-2019, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean4Seeds

Sorry, I guess that is confusing! Yes, the donor suggested we restore it and sell, or auction it for fundraising.

I was curious to ask into this for him if we should sell it as is… Or if the restore is worth it?

Sell as is and use the funds for your proven programs. Restoration of these units requires a lot of money and high end skills.
The picture show some work to the kitchen counter top. It has awnings all around, which is a big value, if the fabric is intact. The body appears to be in excellent shape, unless there is some damage on the curb side

Since this is a much desired size, if it is running, as claimed and it has usable tires, you should be able to sell the unit easily for around 15k, despite of the broken window on the drivers side rear.

Isuzusweet · 12-22-2019, 09:18 AM

Concur with Peter's assesment. Make sure it runs well, give the interior a good clean with Spray Nine, slap some new tires on it if the tire dates are older than 10 years; and sell it.

FYI Make sure that rear spare tire cover is on tightly, as they are unobtainium. Just a plain replacement, if you can get them, is $500.00 smakaroos.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony