[A/S] chat & hello

[jack@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi All,

Lola and I are new to the group, and new to A/S'g...and both of us are 
very impressed with the great participation, camaraderie, and help 
available from the group.

We bought a 1984 25' Sovereign recently from a dealer in Grand Rapids, 
MI.  It's one of those that you step inside and immediately get the 
feeling that it was really well-cared-for.  We paid $8,300 for it.

I am inclined, usually, to buy the cheapest thing available, which I 
often wind up regretting.  Fortunately, this time Lola convinced me of 
the error of my ways, and we now have a trailer that needs virtually 
no work.

Our decision was between this one, a 1975 31', and a 1984 34'.  True 
to my nature, I just couldn't pass up a "deal", so we shortly 
thereafter agreed to buy the '84 Excella 1000 as a project.

We paid $6,000 for it, assuming that it would be a gut job.  Well, lo 
and behold, when we went back the next time to inspect it more 
closely, we found that the interior wood was actually in very 
serviceable condition, and that most things were in working order.  It 
has leaks, needs carpet, upholstery, and a general refurbishing, but 
is otherwise in surprisingly good shape.  

We plan to keep both at some lake property we own, and work on our 
"project" whenever we feel like it. 

It almost seems like things were pre-destined to work out ok for us on 
this project...the problem of what to use as a tow vehicle solved 
itself as we were driving down the road, and this great looking cube 
van almost jumped out at us and said "buy me"!

It's a '91 Ford E-350 van (motorhome chassis) with 87,000 miles, has 
never seen winter, and is in perfect shape...it has a $6,000 
fibergalss box on it, and was set up to tow an Avion (SOB..we're 
learning already!!) trailer.  It has great-looking steel wheels, and a 
stripe that matches the stripe on the Avion (easily changed to A/S 
blue).  We paid $10,000 for it. 

The previous owner used it to sell Mexican crafts at craft shows all 
over the Southwest.  The box has closets built into it already, and a 
space for an over-cab sleeping area.  Our plan is to convert it into 
an office so that we can work while we are on the road.  (We own a 
business).  

We're planning to attend a few rallies this year, and hope to meet 
some of you.  You'll be able to recognize us pretty easily....we'll be 
the ones with the big smiles on our faces, singing "King of the Road" 
as we back into picnic tables.

Jack & Lola
Chicago