Peter,

I own a '72 31ft. Sovereign, so it is very close to the one that you are thinking of. Value? At this age it depends mostly on condition and options that the unit has. I paid $7,500 for mine 3 1/2 years ago in Wash. state. Things cost more over here than in other parts of the country. Mine is in excellent condition inside and out and under. It had new tires, new brakes, recent refinish on the outside, interior like new with blinds, micro, gas/electric water heater, new furnace, etc. Extras it has are frame mounted stabilizers, electric jack, awnings both sides, spare tire mounted under the front, and it also has a grey water tank professionally installed since this year didn't have one from the factory. There were other options as well.

Things to look out for are hail damage ( dents on the top ), creases or dents on the skin, and in this vintage watch out for frame warp at the back. Look at the sides of the unit, around the wheel well area, and see if any rivets are popped out and any wrinkles in the skin. Back at the rear look to see if the trailer body has any separation with the frame. One sign of frame troubles is that the frame and body will part at this location. Check out the flooring for any softness or rot problems. See that all the gas appliances work.

Not all of the units of this length and vintage had frame problems, but enough had the problem to be concerned about it. If it was parked on a site for years this is a plus. With these trailers you need to take a few precautions and things should be ok. Never take R.R. crossing fast to where the back of the trailer gets whipped up and down hard. Never place a lot of weight in the back of the unit, such as a bumper mounted tool box or motor bike. Also always try to travel with the black water
holding tank empty when possible.

Frame problems can be fixed, but it is not cheap to do. Personally I don't plan on having any problems with my unit since I take precautions with it.

Good luck!!

Pat

"Peter C. True" wrote:

Hi, I have just joined your discussion group. I do not own an Airstream yet but may in the near future. I may very likey purchase a '72 29' Ambassador trailer owned by a deceased friend of mine. I live in Florida and the trailer is in Connecticut suppossedly on a beautiful campsite overlooking a lake in the northeast part of the state. Know nothing about the trailer although it is reportedly in good original condition with no dents in the skin. Does anyone know of any problems with this model of trailer so I can check it out when I see it? Also any ideas on its value? Glad to be part of the group!

Peter True