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RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 10:23 AM

Hello all from Lake Keowee. I am looking for a trailer for an off shell redo. I visited a 1955 Overlander yesterday and would be grateful for all comments, critcisms, and evaluations as to value, possible pratfalls and suitability. Thanks in advance for all of your kind help...Russ

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 10:28 AM

1955 Overlander

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 10:41 AM

1955 Overlander

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 10:46 AM

1955 Overlander

pbearsailor · 06-06-2012, 11:03 AM

Hi Russ and welcome to the forums.

A lot of good in your pictures and a little not so good. Overall, it is getting hard to find any 50's trailer in decent shape and those pics look quite good. I see pretty good outside skin except for that one panel overlay, still has the original Hehr standard windows (that's a big deal), it's a whale tail too. 26' is big for a single axle and that would need to enter into your resto plans as far as weight goes. It has parts of the H20-2 door lock, but I'm guessing that the knob is hooked up to something else and that'll make it an expensive fix if you want to stay original with the latch.

I'm guessing, since you're planning a shell off, that you know the rest of the normal stuff like subfloor, frame rot, rebuilding or replacing the axle, and all the other normal stuff in a big project.

cheers,
steve

purman · 06-06-2012, 11:13 AM

As far as price goes this is a good place to start. Price vs. Condition - Airstream Values

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 11:43 AM

Thanks Steve for your input. I checked very carfully for sag in the trailer and found none. Though hard to see in pics, what I could see of individual frame members looke hopefull. Yes, in complete agreement as far as axle replacement. That must be the original. Appears to be 11/2"-2' square tubed axle from the Flintstone era. Another area of concern is the gaping hole cut from belly pan for aftermarket folding step. Would love to hear your estimate on price.
Ciao,
Russ

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purman

As far as price goes this is a good place to start. Price vs. Condition - Airstream Values

Thanks for the link Jason. The as found number for a 1955 Overlander 26 is $1000-$2500 range. I would be interested in your opinion of value.
Thanx,
Russ

purman · 06-06-2012, 12:06 PM

It's worth what people are willing to pay. But the whale tale 1955 is a cool trailer. We paid $4500 for our 68 but was usable but had plenty of issues. It's really hard to put a price but i wouldn't sell it for less than $2000 if it was mine.

pbearsailor · 06-06-2012, 12:06 PM

I know I'm in the minority around here on price, but a project like this is going to eat a lot of money, 10k to 15k for sure, so a $500 to $1000 difference of price just isn't that big of a deal. I paid 5K for mine, way more than most would pay, but I got a trailer with perfect exterior skin and a full set of Hehr standard windows. If you do have all the windows in this trailer, it really is a big plus as they are very hard and expensive to come by. If a single axle Overlander with a whale tail is what you want, get it, as they don't come along everyday.

The steps will be an issue, but you'll almost certainly have to do some welding on your frame anyway. Choices in axles too as what you have can have the springs rebuilt and go on for a long time, or you can switch to a torsion axle. There will be floor rot, no matter how solid it feels. You'll be starting from scratch on systems which isn't a bad thing, but it adds to the cost. Purchase price is just the start and you need to be ok with that on the way in.

-steve

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 12:26 PM

Thanks Steve. Perfect exterior is my goal and $4k-$5k is in line with my thinking. As I am not planning on using any of original interior the 55 works for me. My sticking point is condition and price. I am willing to travel so if you hear of anything interesting please let me know. Russ

montanablue · 06-06-2012, 01:17 PM

Russ,
Not to give away what the guy might be asking for it, but I saw this camper when it was sitting in Esaley, SC in the owner's family yard. At that time he was only asking $2500. It would make a nice camper it will need lots of TLC, sweat and money. It will be a beautiful camper after all of the work is done.

What is the guy asking for it? He may have bought it from this family. I think it probably got it for a lot less than $2500. Just my guess. The family was trying to get rid of it.
Rick

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 01:26 PM

That sounds like it. I think he thought he was going to get rich off it.
asking...wait for it...$8330 and yes thats in USA currency not Drachmas.

tinman54 · 06-06-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussWorld

Hello all from Lake Keowee. I am looking for a trailer for an off shell redo. I visited a 1955 Overlander yesterday and would be grateful for all comments, critcisms, and evaluations as to value, possible pratfalls and suitability. Thanks in advance for all of your kind help...Russ

Nice looking trailer Russ, Steve gave you lots of good info. He did an excellent job on his trailer!

I paid $ 800 for our 54 cruiser 4 yrs ago. I didn't have any idea about airstreams at the time but my wife and I are hooked now, the price Steve gave you to rebuild is right on for what we had in ours, some do it cheaper and some spend a lot more. I have about 1500 hrs. of labor into ours, not including Nellie's new barn, she is pretty old and doesn't like sitting outside any more.

I also had a damaged 57 overlander that I sold, the new owner has replaced 50% of the outside shell and has several thousand and lots of time tided up in just that to get started, so a good shell is worth quite a bit in time and $$.

Our Cruiser also has a single axle that I had rebuilt and rated for 5000lbs, it cost the same as replacing with new but the company that rebuilt it said the original was built a lot tougher!

If you haven't done a project like this before it has a few ups and downs along the way but my wife and I are glad we made it to the end!!
Good luck and hope it works out for you!
Doug

tinman54 · 06-06-2012, 01:48 PM

One to compare it to:
1953 Airstream Flying Cloud

RussWorld · 06-06-2012, 01:53 PM

Thanks Doug. Loved your blog and your thread was a great read with good deal of valuable information. I am starting with the assumption that everything will be broken and in need of equal amounts of hard work and $. Hopefully, I can stay positive and focused. I like large complex projects. Especially ones that contain a design element.