Old Airstream for full time living

[TeeJay]

I have been dreaming and toying with the idea for years to sell everything and live work out of a van / rv. I purchased and old Airstream on impulse in September and I feel in love with it. I started to restore it, right now it is a blank canvas.

I am moving from PA to WA in April and will be working in the beautiful Pacific NW again. I plan to finish the RV and try boondocking with it for a few weeks at a time to test it out.

What I am trying to ask is do you think it would be better to finish fixing the Airstream and flip it for something that would work better for full time dwelling?

Here is a pic of the Airstream. It's a 1967 17' Caravel

 

[Bdog1]

Seems ideal to me. Plenty of classic appeal. Stealth, not so much. Is that important?

 

[rvwandering]

It depends on how you're going to use it. Is it big enough? Does it have enough storage space? Does it have everything that you want or need? If not can you easily add stuff?
Is the interior in good condition? Check the floor for soft spots. I've seen restoration websites where the floor has rotted. Better to find that out now rather than be surprised later.

We spent a winter in the PNW and the biggest problem that we had was with condensation. You'll need a dehumidifier or moisture absorbing crystals. Cracking a vent helps some.

Good luck on your restoration! Post more pictures.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Awesome. Great find. Keep it and be oggled everywhere you go.
Wish I'd kept my 60 model, but a brother trashed it.

 

[TeeJay]

It depends on how you're going to use it. Is it big enough? Does it have enough storage space? Does it have everything that you want or need? If not can you easily add stuff?
Is the interior in good condition? Check the floor for soft spots. I've seen restoration websites where the floor has rotted. Better to find that out now rather than be surprised later.

We spent a winter in the PNW and the biggest problem that we had was with condensation. You'll need a dehumidifier or moisture absorbing crystals. Cracking a vent helps some.

Good luck on your restoration! Post more pictures.

The floor is pretty solid but I am ripping it out and replacing it with 3/4" marine ply. The trailer has been gutted now but it has been too cold to work on it now. I will post more pics as I progress with the rebuild.

 

[highdesertranger]

come on your teasing me, need more pics. love those airstreams. I say use it and see if it works for you. highdesertranger

 

[user 423]

Those old Airstreams are so cool and they're built like tanks. It seems they retain their value and are really worth fixing up.

 

[TeeJay]

come on your teasing me, need more pics. love those airstreams. I say use it and see if it works for you. highdesertranger

Not much to show, work has halted for now it's 0 degrees out and I am moving to WA in a few weeks. I had the axle replaced and got all the lights working for the 2800 mile journey coming up.

Here is a pic of the inside as of right now, and a pic of the bathroom when I got it home. Everything has been ripped out. I kept the bathroom and will be reinstalling it I think. Not 100% sure yet if I want to use the space for something else.

 

[Bela's Mom]

If I had the skills that you have, I would fix it up and take the trip. You will find out what works for you and what doesn't. You can always sell it later if it doesn't work for you.

Nice little vintage Airstream!

 

[spd2918]

I agree with Bela's Mom. Use quality materials and you can always sell it if you hate the lifestyle.

 

[Patrick46]

Man...those smaller Airstreams are serious collector's items!!

Most of the Airstreams I see are the big ones. A 17 footer is like the size of a Casita, but with the classic appeal that only an Airstream has.

I also think that this would be the perfect size for a single person's liveaboard TT. Not too big, and not too small.


I'd keep it and finish it as you like. Welcome back to the PNW!!!

 

[Zil]

have you joined this, http://www.airforums.com/. Lots of information to be had.

 

[user 423]

Hey TJ, what does that 17-footer weigh and what kind of a tow vehicle will you be using? My friend has a Bambi (19'?) and tows it with a 4Runner.

 

[TeeJay]

The hitch weight is 270 and loaded weight is 2340. I tow it with a 2010 F150 4x4 5.4 liter. Just towing it around locally I am getting 12 to 14 mpg. NE PA is very hilly, when not towing I can average 17 to 19 mpg. That is driving very slowly, I keep my foot off the gas as much as possible. Stay @ or under 45 locally and never go over 55 on the highways.

It is the perfect size, I have plenty of room and the ceilings are tall I am 6'2 and do not have to duck. The overall height is 8' 10".

Once I get to WA in a few weeks I will continue with the restore. I will be striping the frame back to bare metal and finish it with POR 15 so it should last a long time. Then lay the floor down and just get the basics in there (bed, storage, water, heat, stove, etc..).

My plan is to have it ready by fall to start some week / 2 week long excursions and see if it will work for fulltime living. My new job will allow me more free time so taking a few weeks off will be no problem.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Do you remove your front driveshaft for long hiway pulls??

 

[Patrick46]

Do you remove your front driveshaft for long hiway pulls??

huh??? there ain't no driveshaft on a TT!!!! :huh:

 

[WheelEstate USA]

huh??? there ain't no driveshaft on a TT!!!! :huh:

Alright wiseguy...he's got a 4X4 truck

 

[TeeJay]

Never thought about removing it. Would that increase the MPG or is it just better for the truck?

 

[WheelEstate USA]

On 4x4s I've had in the past it made a difference in MPGs over the long term. Plus, it was one less set of U joints that needed replacing as often.

---

I used to keep mine wrapped behind the seat.


`

 

[TeeJay]

Thanks for the tip, I will look into doing that.