[VAC] Re: Tips requested; 1971 Tradewind 25 foot

[jim clark <jec1938@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jack:

As an indicator of price of comparable units, check the Internet  ( ebay 
etc) and the various RV sales places for asking prices.... actual sale 
prices will not be available in many cases... If you have the time, you can 
shop for the lowest price or the unit with the most appeal...

Bear in mind that original is not necessarily the best indicator of 
value... 30 year old appliances etc... lack of a grey water tank, small 
black water tank, etc...  A unit of that age is usually a candidate for 
retrofit of some kind...

The "book value" is generally not available for units beyond 20 years old, 
as they become largely a candidate for individual appraisal by the most 
experienced Airstream restorer..  In the end, the value is what you are 
willing to pay for it...

You can expect your concept of Ideal length to change over the first couple 
of years of ownership with the longer trailer becoming more desirable ( in 
most cases) as you  decide to spend more time in the unit.... or shorter if 
you decide to make more short trips and spend little time in the 
unit...some units will fit in the drive and some won't... what is your 
pleasure (at the moment)???

We currently have two units, our 23' starter (in the drive) and a 31' "new 
to us" unit.... Logic says get rid of the one you like least, which would 
probably be the 23'... but it is not an easy choice...It would have been 
less expensive overall to pay more money to get the 31' first and not go 
through spending a lot of cash on the 23'  that we would not get back on a 
sale...

Beware of "two-foot-itis" ,   which causes an upgrade every couple of years 
to a size about 2' longer than the one you have.... also affects boat 
owners.....

Jim
jec1938@corecomm.net