RE: [VAL] Interested in VAC

["eemerick" <eemerick@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Larry.
Boy do we have the Vintage Airstream fanatics in WI! The WI Unit of the
WBCCI has a very strong vintage group that can help you with any
questions you might have. I have a 68 that was not to bad to put back on
the road and a 59 that........ Well lets just say that after 4 years
I'll be using it for the first time next weekend to go cherry picking in
Door County. A short test to see if all the things I put back together
actually work! Below I have listed some things (not to be taken too
seriously, but have some truth to it!)you want to consider:

Hello All,
I would like to chime in on this subject of what you can expect to
replace or repair on a vintage coach after you purchase or should plan
on replacing before you consider purchasing.

I have owned 3 and have help with the purchase of 5 others. 

1. The Floor - It will have rotted flooring some place, by the door, in
the bath, other fun and exciting places. Dance around inside feel for
soft spots and hope you can repair it with Git Rot. Beware of multiple
layers of carpeting.

2. The Refrigerator - Replace it or it will die at the most inopportune
time. Also if you have ever had one out you will find scary stuff around
and in it. A mouse is all I can say. No matter how hard you scrub it
will keep those old and funky smells and stains. Go Dometic.

3. Water Heater - Replace it, if it has the old venting from the 50's
and 60's and holds a million gallons - replace it, it will leak all over
the inside of your coach, when you are asleep or when you need a shower
the most. I have washed the inside of 2 Airstreams with old water
heaters and the last one had a newer system in it.

4. Freshwater Storage Tanks- I have seen cool things growing in them
that come to life when you fill them. I have had pressure systems blow
the seams in an older galvanized tank, again washing the trailer insides
(why do you think all of our trailers have tile and not carpet!). With
the older plastic tanks, in my case a 30 gallon flat, you can't plastic
weld the damage and the purchase of a new one can be big $$$$. Look
around for an older Airstream dealer, I got mine for $98, but I had to
look for it. Replacement is only the next trip out!

5. Black Water Tanks - I never had the pleasure but I have seen enough
on the list to know that they will fail in a Vintage unit. On my 61 I
had to rework the drain but was able to save the tank.

6. Water Lines - One will leak from past freezing if the coach spent
anytime up North. They will come loose from others fixing them. They are
located where you need to be 4'5" and weight 38 pounds to get into the
cabinets where they are located. All I can say is working with copper is
a challenge when the wall thicknesses have changed over the years. If
they don't leak and the coach has been sitting you will find all kinds
of evil things running out of the facet when you turn the water on. On
the last coach from Florida the water ran black from all the crud in the
lines and I have yet to find a good way to describe the smell. (Don't
get me started on the other things I found in this Florida coach, I'm
glad I live up North)

7. Air Conditioner - If it is a 60's original, replace it now, it will
leak rain water onto the person sleeping under it, ask my kids. It will
make funny noises all the time, it may cool it may not. Again some of
the smells that come out of one of these wet things will not leave your
memory for a long time. Remember, its 98 degrees, your parked at a site
that you are paying $30.00 a night for 30 amp and the AC won't run. Now
you sleep in your own sweat and still have to pay the big buck fee, I'd
rather be in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

8. Tires - Unless the prior owner can give you a receipt dated within
the last year for their purchase, replace them. Of all the cheap
insurance you can buy for a happy outing buy new, quality tires. Radials
run cooler and in my estimation last longer. Name brands will get you
down the road quicker if one does go. If you have ever seen the damage
from a blown tire on an Airstream you will not mess around with this
safety factor.

9. Brakes and Wheel Bearings - I have found that when I get the plug
right the brakes will work. Repacking of the bearings are all I have had
to do over the years with these old trailers. If it is all there and
hooked up they seem to work. Replacement is not a problem and not big
$$$$ for the safety of doing so. Again not an area to mess with if it is
needed.

10. Pigtail to the Tow Unit - Someone will have cut off the 7 prong and
replaced it with a 4 to avoid purchasing a brake controller. Be ready to
rewire it to get it home. If they did not cut the plug off then the
casing will be brittle and will crack over time and expose the inner
wires. Replace it before you head out on that first trip if you see
cracking.

11. Safety Chains - The originals on my 68 Sovereign would not meet the
new mandated Working Load Limits (WLL) that the DOT has set for cargo
securement. Those original chains would not keep my dog from running
away so I replace them with stainless with a WLL that will tow a log
truck if I need to! (and they look good)

12. Batteries and Charging System - I have seen some odd things here
including home made systems that are a fire waiting to happen. If the
system is intact and the converter (original vintage equipment) works,
the battery will need replaced soon. I have never sold a trailer with my
good battery in it. We are still chasing down a re-rigged electrical
system in a 66 coach to figure how it works. It seems that people like
to play with this stuff.

13. Skin Leaks - All Airstreams leak. How bad depends on a number of
things including if someone stripped the clear coat off and what method
they used. Storage practices have some effect. I know of a number of
trailers that have never been inside that are as tight as those stored
under cover. There are advantages to covered storage but I feel not
enough to warrant changing my decision to buy it. My 68 was inside a
barn for 9 years and it still leaked like a sieve. If the coach was in
an accident or treated badly, no wax or care of the exterior, it will
leak. Be prepared to get the hose and the Vulchem out. Hunting these
down takes time and must be completed.

14. Interior Woods - I have found that Airstream has used in the 50's
and 60's some pretty good woods to build from. They refinish well and
look great afterwards. The wood holds the new finishes well and adds to
the warmth of the interior. By far one of the easier jobs overall, but
will need attention.

15. All will need a good scrubbing; even the ones I see at dealers are
at times, filthy and need cleaning. It seems that this is not a priority
for resale. I have been to many industrial settings from coast to coast
but I have never smelled a stench that can come out of an older
Airstream that has been sitting for some time (a week or two!).

16. Prepare to fix these items yourself or pay big bucks for a repair
person to do it for you. If the repair facility does not have some kind
of Airstream connection, you are going to find that when you tell them
it is an Airstream they will tell you that the part or needed repair is
an "Airstream Only" deal. Not true in all cases, matter of fact I have
never had to go down the "Airstream Only" path to get what I need as far
as parts. Repairs are another story that I have shared with this list my
opinions when it comes to non-Airstream dealer repairs. Let me put it
this way, it's not worth your time to mess with these people, if you
need Airstream work go to an Airstream friendly dealer or repair
facility. There are many in this group that can send you to the place
that will take care of you and your Airstream and I could write for days
about the great places that you can get work completed.

So what does all of this mean to you the new buyer of a Vintage
Airstream? It will take work, lots of it to get it road worthy. Expect
the worse and hope for the best, the purchase price in the entry fee. In
Trailer Life's December issue is a great article about this topic and is
right on the mark, read it, it will help.

The up side is if you do purchase this great product and become an
active Airstreamer you will never be alone or bored! People have helped
me with mine over the years and have allowed me to learn from them. You
can't ask for a better group to be associated with. 

One other item, once you buy you won't have to worry about your
disposable income, it's gone!

Just my thoughts on the subject
Ed Emerick
1st VP Vintage Club and an WI resident!
WBCCI/VAC 4425
68 Sovereign
59 Traveler