[A/S] Re: airstream Ebay

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Judy!

I hope that my comments aren't taken as being too negative. I do 
find the appearance of the light wood interior elements quite 
appealing, but I do have serious reservations about three potential 
trouble spots as well as a few less critical potential problems to 
consider.

One thing that would worry me about the coach after scanning the 
listing is what its empty weight is with its current state of 
modification.  While many of the RV appliances are missing, the 
hardwood floors are quite heavy and could result in significantly 
higher weight as could the new cabinetry if it is built of solid 
wood as well - - my guess is that the coach is likely several 
hundred pounds heavier than a stock coach (Armstrong laminate 
flooring added 100 pounds to the empty weight of my 6.0 Metre 
Minuet).  If my suspicion is correct and the coach is heavier than 
stock there could be issues with the Henschen axles which are a 
potential issue even with stock coaches of this era.

A second concern for me would be the balance of the coach.  Looking 
at the photos, most of the cabinetry and weight is at or behind the 
axles.  A lack of weight toward the front could mean a very light 
hitch weight that would have a great impact upon sway (potential for 
much more sway tendency than with a stock coach).  General consensus 
is that at least 10% of total weight needs to be on the hitch with 
up to 15% being within reason.  Both of my coaches run between 12% 
and 15% of the total coach weight on the hitch, and both are very 
well behaved (my previous Brand X coach had under 10% of total 
weight on the hitch and it had tremendous sway issues).

A third issue that arises due to the coach's location in Florida is 
the condition of the frame.  There have been a number of reports 
from owners of coaches around this vintage from Florida and other 
coastal areas regarding some rather serious rust issues with the 
frame both where it is exposed at the hitch and bumpers as well as 
in some of the areas hidden by the underbelly aluminum.

Some less critical issues to consider would include:

1.) Since the RV refrigerator appears to have been completely 
removed (including the chimney), it will be exceptionally expensive 
to add a new RV refrigerator at a later time.

2.)  It isn't mentioned, and none of the photos reveal whether it is 
present or not, but if the original furnace has been removed it too 
would be a problem to install from scratch.  The original furnace 
was ducted to provide heat to the holding tanks for cold weather 
camping - - recreating the ducting as well as adding a new furnace 
could be quite expensive.

3.)  From reading the description, it sounds like the current owner 
hasn't connected the original running lights, etc. which raises the 
issue whether the brakes are operable as well as when the bearings 
may have last been serviced.  For any amount of towing other than 
VERY short distances, the brakes and bearings should be serviced and 
duty-ready - - both of these are critical safety issues.

4.)  In the exterior photos, it is not absolutely clear, but it 
appears that the one-stop compartment door (rear trunk door) may not 
be original and may be made of something other than aluminum.  If 
this happens to be the case, a replacement may not be easy to find -
 - reproductions may be available, but often finding a replacement 
from a salvaged coach or having one custom made are the 
alternatives - - one being a potential consumer of much time 
(salvage part) while the other could be quite expensive (custom 
fabrication).

5.)  In studying the interior photos, it appears that there are no 
wardrobe closets for clothes.  I know that is one of my issues with 
the Minuet - - it has only one small full-length wardrobe while my 
Overlander has two.  This may be a non-issue for you, but could 
become one if you ever are in a re-sale situation.

6.) It appears that there have been no provisions for a bed. Based 
on the appearance of the photos, the typical center twin arrangement 
would require tremendous modification to the cabinetery as it 
stands.  It appears that adapting a sleeper across the front would 
be about the only option for a sleeping area without significant 
modification.

7.)  From the photos, it appears that the 12-volt system may have 
been completely removed.  If this happens to be the case, 
your "camping" choices will be reduced significantly.  
Adding/restoring a missing 12-volt system could be a very big 
expense.

A significantly modified coach is likely to be a greater problem to 
re-sell at a later date (IMHO).  From the photos, the wood working 
seems to be of good quality, but given the lack of self-containment 
it wouldn't be a coach suited to Rallying nor Caravanning as self-
containment is a crticial issue under these conditions. 

Breakaway devices aren't an area of choice when traveling with an 
RV.  Most states require them and they are a primary safety device.  
They are not expensive and are relatively easy to maintain.

At a bare minimum, you will want a receiver style hitch with weight 
distribution system for a coach of this size.  Based upon the visual 
appearance of the likely weight distribution, I also suspect that 
the coach would benefit from a quality sway control system such as a 
Reese Strait-Line Hitch with Dual Cam Sway control or an Equal-i-zer 
hitch.

If you haven't already done so, I would suggest that you take 
advantage of the E-Bay feature "Ask Seller a Question".  My 
suggestion would be to arrange a telephone discussion to allow you 
to get a better feeling for the seller's knowledge about the coach 
and its manners on the road.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers/Computer Club #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 
VORTEC/4.10 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Edlorado Convertible (8.2 
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)