Hi!

I'm about to purchase a '59 Streamline. It's listed at 28' but it appeares to be about 31'-32' from tongue to bumper, in great shape for about $2500. Is this a reasonable deal? (I currently own a 16' Airstream and a 24' Silver Streak--both about 40 years old--so you'd think I'd know more about this stuff, but I don't.) I'm moving them all to a piece of property far beyond the electrical grid, so I need to make them function with just propane and 12 volt DC.

Q1) Is it possible to just hook in a 12V battery to the existing wiring, replace the bulbs with 12V, and use that for light? (Unlikely, but you can't blame a guy for dreaming.)

Q2) Should I yank the existing electrical water heater and replace it with a propane model (I've been quoted a price of $500-600), or would it be better to just patch in a heater from outside the trailer?

Q3) I'll need a small gas refridgerator. I used to have an old Servel, but the new ones cost $1250 or more. Any sources or ideas?

THANKS for any help.

Cres Gilbert
cresgilbert@cs.com

By Tom Patterson on Thursday, June 21, 2001 - 05:42 pm:

Hi Cres,
I have a hard time with prices as they can vary so much depending on condition. A whole lot depends just on how bad you want it, assuming lack of dents, and a good floor. You probably need to take into account how much more you need to put into the trailer, versus what another similar one would end up costing you. Other than that:

Q1) I would have thought that this year trailer would have both 12V and 110V lights. I doubt that there is any converter. If this is so, then you have lights as it is. For more light, you can simply add 12V flourescents.
Q2) Camping World currently have 6 gal. Atwood LP water heaters for $249 plus $1 shipping. I doubt that the current tank is the original, because of being electric. The original probably was a 10 gal Bowen LP tank. The 6 gal Atwood should fit nicely into the existing space, and puts out a lot of hot water.
Q3) I don't know where you are located, but you might be able to get a LP refrigerator (possibly Dometic brand)at a bone yard. Again, if you don't have a LP refrigerater in the trailer, the existing one is probably not original.

Others might have additional suggestions.

By Cres Gilbert on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 12:09 pm:

Thanks, Tom!
I'm in Sacramento. It certainly appeared that all the lights were 110 AC, but, as you say,installing some 12V wouldn't be difficult. (Did streamline make some of their trailers "park models," hence primarily 110, as I've heard that Silver Streak and some others did? That might explain an electric water heater and lights.) I should find a gas line in the water heater box if it was originally gas, and I already know there is one in the refridgerator spot.

I'm pretty sure it's a good buy--it's absolutely mint--original everything except tile and paint--a fabulous pink Wedgewood range and matching kitchen sink--and just one skin ding, a shallow, maybe 6" diameter one on a rear corner.

Thanks again for the help and for this fabulous website.

By Rebecca on Saturday, September 22, 2001 - 05:40 pm:

This is AWESOME! Thanks Tom!!!
I have been eye-ing a 1964 28' Streamline Empress all summer. The poor thing has been parked in a storage yard for 3 yrs. I am currently in negotiations with the owner. (finally! they have decided to sell...)
As with Cres, I am not sure as to the value. After searching the web 'it seems' they run anywhere from 1-5K depending on condition. I want to spent somewhere between 1-3K & (take a breath...) I want to gut the inside & use all the org. wiring/utilities ie; 'bones'. Although, after seeing 'Arnold' I might rethink that. NICE JOB!

This one needs all 4 tires(@ $3-400), we haven't got the electrical hooked up yet(I am going to read your online manual next-THANKS!) so I don't know if that is working.

It was vandalized recently & the front door has had the glass busted out(louvered), the lock has no key(new cylinder-$9), the rear(closet Dr)pried a little, the propane tanks & battery were taken.
The refer is new & has a invoice(not org).
Other than that it is org., everything stock is there & the thing that is MOST exciting to me is... He has ALL the org. manuals & receipts for the appliances! Including the org. wiring/ducting schematics. That means ALOT to me.

By the way Cres, They were wired org. for 110/12v.

He wants $2,8K. It is 'kind of high' as I would love to get it for $1,5K but... What do you think?
I will have to finalize by Mon. 9/24/01. Thanks again for your site, it has been very helpful in my search for the 'perfect' travel trailer.