[A/S] Re: buying used - pitfalls, concerns

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Claudette!

When considering a previously owned Airstream, it might be helpful 
to use something of a checklist.  There is one that is available on 
R. J. Dial's website for Vintage Airstreams that can be helpful 
(just determine what the "average" asking price might be for a coach 
of the model that you are looking at then make the adjustements for 
costs of needed repairs that you may identify as suggested in the 
evaluation list).  You can find the "Price vs. Condition" page at:

http://www.vintageairstream.com/rr_topics_pricevscondition.html

You will most likely find "Table C" most helpful as it lists some of 
the potential or common repair areas for coaches as they age along 
with "average" repair costs.

Another technique that you might want to employ if you get serious 
about a previously owned coach being offered by an individual is to 
ask to have the coach inspected by an Airstream service facility.  A 
thorough inspection may cost between $200 and $300, but would be a 
rather reasonable insurance policy for an "As-Is" private sale.  As 
in a used car transaction, if the owner balked at approving your 
offer to pay for such an inspection (as well as a "stipend" to the 
seller to deliver the coach to the service facility)it could be 
interpreted as reason for concern.

With both of the coaches you have indicated there are potentials for 
a number of problems.  While fewer problems would be likely with the 
coach that is approximately ten years old as opposed to the coach 
that is more than twenty years old, both coaches would warrant 
careful examinations if you become serious about a purchase.  On the 
older coach, several of the appliances may be approaching the end of 
their useful life such as the water heater, air conditioner, 
furnace, water pump, and Univolt (all easily replaced but the cost 
of any replacements should be reflected by a lower purchase price). 

While neither coach is particularly noted for problems with frame 
separation or frame droop, both are potential issues if the coach 
has experienced lack of regular maintenance.  Frame separation is 
generally noted at the rear of the coach and is evidenced by a 
bumper that moves independently of the coach body when weight is 
placed on the bumper (this problem is often accompanied by wood rot 
in the rear floor area) - - this condition is repairable but can be 
costly ($1,000 to $2,000+).  Frame droop was more of an issue with 
coaches from the '70s, but does appear in rare instances on newer 
coaches and is a condition where the frame develops a bend and/or 
crack near the axle attachment point that can be identified by 
ripples in the exterior skin near the wheelwells - - it has been 
said that this issue can be an indicator of overloading, traveling 
with the waste tanks near full (on rear bath coaches), worn axles, 
or lack of running gear balance.  Again, frame droop is repairable, 
but as with frame separation there is a rather significant cost 
involved ($1,600 to $2,000+).

With any coach that is a decade old or older, the potential for 
floor rot is something to be considered.  Damage from 
undiscovered/unrepaired leaks typically appears along the perimeter 
of the floor.  One of the Vintage techniques is to carry a sharp awl 
to probe any area of the floor that you suspect may have rot 
present - - this often requires looking into cabinets and storage 
areas - - again, it seems that some of the more common areas to find 
floor rot problems would include near the entry door, below the 
front and rear windows, near the fresh water tank, in the vicinity 
of the water heater, and in the vicinity of the refrigerator.

As a Vintage Airstream owner myself, I do not wish to discourage you 
from considering a previously owned Airstream - - they are an 
excellent value.  It is critical, however, to enter the process 
fully prepared to look for potential problems. You are also likely 
to find that there are floorplans available with the Vintage or 
older coaches that aren't offered in the current model line-up that 
might better suit your needs or desires.  I know that one of my 
reasons for having my Vintage Overlander restored/refurbished was 
that I couldn't get the same floorplan in a new coach.  There are 
professionals available who can perform the 
restoration/refurbishment, but be prepared for the cost to be in the 
vicinity of that for a new coach of similar size - - I know that the 
cost of restoring/refurbishing my Overlander was just short of the 
cost of a new 27' Safari, but I wouldn't trade my Overlander for 
that new coach as my Overlander's floorplan suits my needs much 
better than the new coach's floorplan.

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 Eldorado Convertible (8.2 
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)