[A/S] Fair Price For An Early To Mid 60's Overlander

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'd like to offer some helpful words of wisdom to help you determine what to
pay for a vintage A/S but I don't think it is possible for anyone to suggest
a fair price without knowledge of the condition of a specific trailer you
are considering.  Let me state at the outset that I am not a vintage
expert!!!  I have owned and used trailers for some years and have owned A/Ss
since '93 but only recently acquired a '66 model vintage A/S and am
currently learning the hard way what can be wrong with one.   There are many
individuals on the VACList who have far more expertise and you will probably
hear from many of them.  Many of them have answered my questions recently.

The condition of a 40 year old trailer could range from a perfect original
that was used only slightly then stored in an heated and cooled storage
facility protected from UV rays for 39 years, a sparkling unit that has been
completely disassembled and rebuilt to original factory condition by a
professional, or it could be an old trailer that has been used, abused, and
poorly maintained.  The price for an unrestored original trailer might vary
from as much as $10k to as little as $200.  A professionally restored show
piece might have an asking price of $20k or even more.   An average trailer
that could be continued in service or put back into service after receiving
only a cleaning, wheel bearing repack, and new tires could be worth from $3k
to $6k, its hard to say.  You probably know the old adage; an object is
worth what a seller will accept and a buyer will pay.

You can get some idea of price ranges by searching the classified ads
starting with the VAC's listings, Tom Patterson' classified, and Airstream
Classified among many.  You might want to get on the lists and simply ask if
anyone has a trailer for sale or can recommend one.

Some of the things you might want to consider when you locate a trailer you
are interested in are:

1.    Has the trailer been in recent continuous use or sitting under a sap
dripping tree for 15 years?  Has it lived in a corrosive, humid, coastal
climate or dry desert air?

2.    What is the condition of the exterior finish and exterior aluminum
skin.  Smooth and shiny or dull, marked with patches where the finish has
peeled off, oxidized, dented, or torn skin segments, etc.

2.    Are the windows, entry door, compartment doors, and roof vents
present, sealing properly, and functional?

3.    Condition of tires and wheels, wheel bearings and electric brakes?

4.    Condition of the Univolt, 115 volt ac and 12 volt dc electrical
systems; fresh water; sewer and drain; and LPG systems?

5.    Appliances i.e. refrigerator, furnace, range/oven, water heater, water
pump, and roof air conditioner all present and operative?  LPG bottles,
regulator, and copper or rubber lines?

6.    Couches, beds, draperies, carpet or vinyl flooring, and upholstery
intact, original, or quality replacements installed?

7.    Does the floor seem to sag under your weight or feel soft?.  Probe
carefully with a sharp tool like an ice pick to determine if the plywood
floor is rotted due to water intrusion.  Look inside cabinets and inside
storage compartments and trunk compartment for signs of wood rot.

7.    Look under the rear of the trailer and evaluate the probably condition
of the sewer holding tank by looking for signs of significant rust and
deterioration of the sheet metal tank cover that contains and secures the
holding tank.

8.    Does the toilet stool hold your weight or sag?

9.    Presence and condition of shower curtain, divider door, cabinet and
door hardware,

This is just a rough list of things to consider.  Others will probably add
to this list and may offer helpful suggestions as to how to evaluate the
condition of various aspects of a vintage trailer or specific advice on how
to determine value.

If you are a handy person who does much of your own home and automobile
maintenance you will probably feel comfortable making an inspection
yourself.  If you don't have time, interest, or skills, you might want to
pay a professional RV repair service to make an objective inspection for
you.

Good luck.
Harvey