Airstream Questions

[Headache]

I'm curious, anyone running around in an older one?  I might be looking at an early 70s 27ft model next week.

He brought up a rotted spot in the floor which in a way doesn't surprise me because I expect it(because it's soooo typical for them) but does concern me because I'd need it to last a winter so I can repair it/get it repaired next spring.  He said all the accordion doors need replaced and it needs cleaned up really good BUT he said all the glass was good and there were no leaks.  I'll decide that if I go look at it.  Oh and the electric jack on the tongue works and he put in a new battery.  That's important for me.  I asked about the tires and he said it's been up on blocks and the air let out of them.  I said that's great but it doesn't stop rot so I'm assuming it needs tires along with a floor and belly skin.

He said all the appliances work and in a way I don't care because I won't use them, but in a way that's fabulous because I'm not instantly enamored with the Airstream name but others are and once I fix it up decent enough I can possibly sell it or trade it for what I want.  He's thinking of asking $3000 for it.

Besides the soft spot in the floor, tires and the belly skin(which I assume is probably hanging on in pieces) what else should I look at?  I don't know the model yet, I'll ask him when I call him but I thought I'd get a heads up from you folks as far as what I need to look at before failing it and going no further or passing it and scheduling an inspection with an RV mechanic.

I really like looking at old stuff and it would scratch an itch. I didn't see a thread and in light of one of the latest videos posted I thought it was a good thread to have for others to reference, and a search didn't cough one up.  I'll post pics after I've looked at it so we have some to reference important things so make your pic requests known as well.

 

[Gunny]

That is a good price for an Airstream unless it's pure junk. Check out the Airstream Forums and the For Sale section. If you are handy with repairs you could make some cash, I would wager on that. If you aren't going to keep it just restore close to original keeping the old 'retro look'. Please do post the pictures and if you don't buy it let me know where it is.

 

[KASibson]

If you don't buy it let me know where it is.

What about a 19 footer for $3500?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/rvd/5794305825.html

 

[Gunny]

What about a 19 footer for $3500?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/rvd/5794305825.html

I would bet that's a scam ad. Check the prices of Bambi's. If it's real it's a steal.

Re-reading the ad it may be real but that is a screaming good price.

 

[KASibson]

I think you might be right, I think one of them is a scam. What are the chances two people would have the exact same throw pillows, and the same exact ads?
One is in Northern CA and the other is in Indiana.
The Indiana one has a starting bid a bit over $21k
http://www.vehicles-forsale.com/det...-Airstream-Bambi-Safari-19_162126516013.html#

I should have checked first, sorry about that.

 

[Gunny]

I know prices vary in different areas but around here (Dallas Ft Worth) Airsteams hold their value well.

Best of luck in your search for a home. Gunny.

 

[Dust-In-the-Wind]

There are a number of scam ads going on that involve unrealistically low prices on rv's and cars/trucks. One of the tells is that the seller is using some entity such as eBay as a third-party escrow holder and says that the unit is in storage and will be delivered directly to you by another third-party. Just be careful.

As for Airstreams, I own a 1975 27' International that has a lot of sentimental value to me 'cause it belonged to my Dad. Having had dreams of remodeling/repairing it (again) I've done some research. One of the things to be aware of are the axles. They are torsion tube type and the rubber will eventually dry out/rot/fall apart and basically you're left with out much in the way of cushioning. Some say they should be replaced after 20 years no matter what. Second thing is frame rust, to the point where the section behind the axles is drooping from the weight overcoming what's left of the frame. Check airforums.com for lots of good info.

 

[wagoneer]

I had a '62' 22 foot single axle I paid 1500 for some 25 years ago, Pulled it with a GMC van, I would still have it if it was'nt for storage here in SF

 

[Headache]

As for Airstreams, I own a 1975 27' International that has a lot of sentimental value to me 'cause it belonged to my Dad.  Having had dreams of remodeling/repairing it (again) I've done some research.  One of the things to be aware of are the axles.  They are torsion tube type and the rubber will eventually dry out/rot/fall apart and basically you're left with out much in the way of cushioning.  Some say they should be replaced after 20 years no matter what.  Second thing is frame rust, to the point where the section behind the axles is drooping from the weight overcoming what's left of the frame.  Check airforums.com for lots of good info.

Ooooh thanks for posting this!  The guy told me it was a 77 or 78 International Land Yacht.  Now, my knowledge of AS on the whole is severely lacking and finding a listing of what they made and what years it was made in on the interwebz is also extremely lacking.  I could not find info on Internationals until 79 and definitely not an "International Land Yacht".  From what I could figure out it had to be an Overlander but now with your post maybe not!

Here's the info I've gleaned from phone conversations so far and I had an appointment to look at it tomorrow but I'm going to reschedule because it's supposed to rain:

77 or 78 International "Land Yacht" (?)
Mid bathroom/rear bedroom and the bed has a brand new memory foam mattress made to fit.
All the glass is good and the windows open except the front window where the knobs have broken off and he didn't want to pay $32 a piece for them so he uses a wire to keep it closed.  I'm not telling him about Vintage Trailer until after I've looked at it.
Everything propane works except the furnace because it needs a new thermocoupler and he has that part but hasn't put it in.  I don't care since I won't be using it.
The plumbing "works" however he hasn't really used it except in the kitchen but he claims that he kept it all in working order.  When I told him the toilet was the most important thing he said it worked "fine" but he hadn't used it in 15 years because he's "been going outside".  I kid you not!  That's exactly what he said!  Imagine my first thought being that I'd have to dodge 15 years of his land mines to look at this thing!  I hope he has an outhouse.
I previously mentioned that he said the electric tongue jack worked.
Oh he said not all the accordion doors were bad but the one under the kitchen sink was gone as well as another.  He claims all the upper ones are good.
He said he has the owners manual and all the documentation that came with it.

I'm expecting a complete gut job.  I'm hoping it's usable but planning on purchasing a 1 ton van so I still have a roof over my head when it's in for repairs but I'll know for sure what he meant by giving it a really good scrubbing because he's lived in it for 15 years, and whatever I buy I want to make it a 4 seasons RV anyway so in a way I'm not afraid of that.

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Dust-In-The-Wind I would very much like to know more about yours and please post some pics if you don't mind.

I knew about the rear end issues but from what I understand that occurred with the early 70s 27 footers but not the later 70s because by then the factory made the adjustments needed to deal with the bumper droop.

I did NOT know about the axle issues.  So I guess I can also assume I may be having those rebuilt as well if I get it.  Please, feel free to post more info especially what is unique to the "International" as I could find very little info about them and none before 79.


Thanks EVERYONE for your responses!  They are very helpful!  I know I'll be "roughing" it with whatever I have for the first year because I'm not fully prepared but I still want to be the best prepared I can be.

 

[rvpopeye]

Skuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh....thanks for the mental image !
No all I can picture is you dodging 15 years of landmines !!!!!!

 

[highdesertranger]

my take on Air Streams is the workmanship on the older ones is far superior. highdesertranger

 

[DannyB1954]

One issue with them has always been storage, (as in where to put groceries). The curved walls make upper cabinets small.
Check the floors for rot, I think this is common in them. Usually it is a leaky appliance and not the roof. Press down hard on the floor especially near the kitchen or bath.

 

[Headache]

Check the floors for rot, I think this is common in them. Usually it is a leaky appliance and not the roof. Press down hard on the floor especially near the kitchen or bath.

I brought this up in my first and 2nd posts(#1 and #9) about the one I'm looking at.  It is common in the front because of the way Airstream was sandwiching all the layers of skin, subfloor, c-channel and belly skin together.  It didn't prevent moisture from coming in and rotting the floor wood.  It was most common between the entry door and the corner towards the back of the couch but in this one the owner claims it's the opposite corner which is less common, but still common enough.

I have been pouring over everything I can find online about them.  I don't have high expectations believe me(especially someone having lived in it for 15 years with it up on blocks over gravel while not using most of the stuff inside it), but I am keeping in mind resale value(definitely a top priority for me especially in consideration of all the money I'll have to pour into it), room for me to stand up, room for the critters to stretch their legs and it's not "plastic".  Oh and a woodstove!  HAH!   :angel:

Another thing I'm looking at is ease of access.  If I have to park anywhere for emergency purposes and it's one of those places with a limitation on the year of the RV many of them give Airstreams a pass on that.  I know I'm not going up in the back country with this rig if I was to buy it and right now that's not in the cards for me anyway.

We'll know soon!  I didn't have to cancel because of rain!  The chain of events leading up to looking at this rig so far has been coincidental.  They predicted rain right up until Monday afternoon and today the clouds are all but gone.

Not too worried about storage at this point only because I have no idea what my capabilities for cooking and refrigeration will be yet.  I have no doubt I will be remodeling it from front to back if I buy it and can work in extra storage then.

 

[Headache]

Okay, next phone conversation with this guy.  At least he seems honest because he's a no holds barred talker.  Yes, he literally did "go in the woods and throw lime on it" so I asked him if I was going to step in any land mines and he said no, he didn't just step outside and go, he went out in the woods.  Being both of us use colorful metaphors I'll spare you the jokes and details of that conversation and give you new details:

I can't look at the inside yet, he hasn't cleaned it up enough for company and he's a slob.  His words and I already figured from the tone in his voice that he didn't expect me to call even the first time...so SURPRISE!

It's been parked sitting on blocks for 12 of the 15 years he's owned it.

Awning is shot, it needs a new one.

Needs the screen door fixed.

Someone had broken into it by prying the door open.  He put a new lock set on it...from a semi.  It's a hockey puck style of lock.  I'll get a pic of that.

The only tank he used is grey water and directly drained it onto the ground.  Black water/toilet was never used but has had holding tank antifreeze in it.

Okay, on that floor rot.  Apparently it's not the typical floor rot an Airstream gets, which makes sense being he's claimed it's been on blocks for 12 years.  The previously mentioned knobs that were broken off the front window didn't allow for the window to seal properly.  Apparently this had been backed into before but was repaired professionally(uh-huh) but the knobs weren't and eventually deteriorated and broke off.  In the winter condensation would build up and leak down behind the couch causing the floor to rot there.  He said it's about a 6 inch square hole and you can see the insulation.  So, window condensation dripping down the wall is what rotted the floor.  I won't know for sure until I can get inside but at least he's letting me see the outside as well as the owners manual for it.

He said there is storage that can be accessed from both the outside and inside.  Apparently there was an option for a generator but this one didn't come with one.  My evil plot for solar domination has become more plausible with storage for batteries.....

He seems to think that it being up on blocks magically prevented anything mechanical from deteriorating.  Tires are #1 on the list of replacements.  There's no way those 15 year old(at least) tires are still good even with having been up on blocks and the air out of them for 12 years.  I brought up the axles and he told me the bearings just need to be repacked.  I don't know what kind of axles they are but I have no way of testing the brakes at this point so I'll just expect I need new brakes along with the bearings repacked if they aren't pitted from moisture from sitting for 12 years.

Again, I'm approaching this as a renovation gut job including new electrical and plumbing.  But if I can make it work a year or three and reno as I go it will be fine. I know a certified electrician so I'm covered on that and I want to learn PEX anyway.  Maybe I can get him down to $2800.  I'm not even going to talk money until I get to see the inside.  He is certainly a character!

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I have been poring over everything I can find online about them.

https://www.amazon.com/Restoring-Dr...4_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HCJSJZXYZTSNH4BJ4YG8

 

[Headache]

OOoh cool. I'm looking at free resources at the moment. I'll definitely pick that up if I buy this trailer. Edit: Scratch that. I have that free Kindle for PC although I very much dislike reading from LCD screens as they mess with my eyes but this will be worth it, thanks!

Going to check it out has been delayed until Thursday. He wasn't done getting something repaired which coincidentally the shop is right up the road from me so he honked as he went by. Gotta love those Vietnam jarheads!

 

[Headache]

Thanks to Optimistic Paranoid and the book he recommended(as well as someone I know showing up with a stand up cargo trailer...ahhh the simplicity!) I have changed my mind about looking at the Airstream.

In hashing things over in my head I knew that taking it on would be a whopper of a project although it would also be an investment that I could recoup some of my money. However, I can't put a price on my piece of mind. There are some things I'm more comfortable dealing with mentally and financially and immediately having to replace axles, tires and being concerned with all the other issues with a 70s Airstream was not going to bring me the kind of piece of mind I was seeking.

However, for those that do consider one this thread is open for business.

 

[Dust-In-the-Wind]

Having the axles rebuilt?  My information says that they are remove and replace only.  No rebuilding.  Check with Jackson Center on that though.

 

[Headache]

Having the axles rebuilt?  My information says that they are remove and replace only.  No rebuilding. 

???

Read my post right above yours.  You can't edit a post after 15 minutes so I corrected it in post #17:

having to replace axles

I'm sorry I asked.

 

[Dust-In-the-Wind]

???

Read my post right above yours.  You can't edit a post after 15 minutes so I corrected it in post #17:


I'm sorry I asked.

Just trying to be helpful here.  Didn't see your prior post.