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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> If you were shopping for a new Airstream.......
Post Info TOPIC: If you were shopping for a new Airstream.......
Bill and Linda


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If you were shopping for a new Airstream.......
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Richard:

 

In spite of my sig below we are very long term Airstream owners going back into the mid-1970’s.  We still own a 34’ Excella.

 

May I offer this perspective which won’t answer your question but could answer you need and save you many dollars.  Don’t purchase a new Airstream.  Renovate an old one.  As many long term Airstream owners will tell you the old ones are much better than the new ones and cost a lot less - a lot less even after renovation costs.

 

The deal is to find a unit of the size you want and then have it re-built to your specifications.  That’s not too difficult.  Unlike the RV’s built today – and I own one as does almost everyone else – Airstreams don’t “go bad” as such.  They just get old and can be renovated to like new - or better - condition.

 

There are quality refurbishing outfits.  We know this one and they are the type of operation that “Land Yacht Harbors” invite to come and give presentations.

 

Simply a suggestion FWIW

 

If we can be assistance just ask.

 

P&S Trailer

 

4702 W US Highway 6
Helena, OH 43435
419-638-6261

 

http://www.pandstrailerservice.com/

 

 Bill

 Edit by moderator: Activated link.  Terry



-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 07:40:03 PM

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Bill & Linda
RLandis


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how much would you expect to knock off MSRP for a 25' or 27', and what would you demand for the dealer to throw in???

Thanks in advance for your help.

R



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RLandis
RLandis


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have you heard of a guy named Eric Stoltz (not the actor) who has an oufit called txvintagetrailer?  There's quite a bit to read if you google him, and you'll see a clip of him on TV.

I talked w/him, and he's talking about finished product, 1955-65 model, 26 ft, out the door, for about 60k.  that's his asking price.

Thanks for you help,

Richard

Edit by moderator: Activated link.  Terry



-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 07:42:37 PM

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RLandis
GENECOP


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I have to agree with Bill, just yesterday I saw a Bambi being delivered, it was a special edition, Reach By Design or something.....the Bambi is the smallest, I went on line to check the price...$.36,000, It appeared to be about 18' long.....

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RLandis


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Thanks for your response, Bill.  I have toyed w/the concept you're suggesting, but got scared off it by some horrifically high prices that were quoted to me.  I've talked w/Hofarc in Santa Barbara, David Winick (who designed the Bambi 75th Ann for AS, and the prices were gigantic.

However, I'm more than willing to talk w/others.  I left a message at the phone number provided in your response.  I guess I got confused as to whether that was your number, or the remodelers you were suggesting.

The one good thing about new, or recent model is, I can walk aboard, and see what I'm getting.  The remodeling world can be a dark hole---

How would you begin a project like this??  I guess the "older model" would have to have decent "bones", or be really cheap.  

I look forward to hearing from you.

Richard

615-714-9922



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RLandis
GENECOP


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Airstream by the very definition all have GOOD BONES. A good renovator will be able to walk you through the process and ensure you get the trailer you want....

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cejones4210


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We refurbished our 1974 Airstream last year. The 70's were not a popular decade for the Aistream because they tried to make them lighter and used particle board instead if real wood, like previous decades. We also had a 2001, which we sold when we decided to refurbish the 1974.

RV Revive in Waterloo, IA did a great job! Wonderful to work with and we found him more reasonable in price compared to some of the more "advertised" refurbishers.

Was it cheap, no! Would we do it again, yes! The structure was very sound and we had great "bones" to start. We picked up this 1974, in 2001 for about $3000.00.

Be careful, do your research and welcome to the world of Vintage!

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Candy & Dave Jones

2018 Airstream Classic

2013 Montana 3150RL (for sale at PPL/Cleburne TX)

2019 2500 Ram Laramie

and Nacho, the Australian Terrier

https://ontheroadwithnachoandkttoo.wordpress.com/
kb0zke


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Richard, you will find lots of good information on restoring or rehabbing Airstreams at airforums.com

To answer your original question, I've been told that you can expect somewhere around 25% off MSRP for any new coach. More expensive coaches have more margin, so the discount might be closer to 30%, while lower priced ones have less margin, hence a smaller discount. When we visited the factory a couple of years ago we were told that every coach was sold before it was built. I suspect that at least some of them are sold only to a dealer, since I see new Airstreams sitting out on the lot every time we go down to Springfield.

Forgot to mention that airforums also has a classified section, and you can search it for what you want. You do need to log in if you want to send a message to a seller, though.

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David, kb0zke

1993 Foretravel U300 40'

Build number 4371

For sale
SnowGypsy


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And, of course, if can find a 2013 model as winter starts set in and inventory is around the corner, a good time to buy both RVs and vehicles!

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cejones4210


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Airforums is as informative in regards to Airstreams as this site is to RVing or fulltiming. i would recommend you join it if you are interested in Airstreams. You can always find an answer or receiving fairly quickly. Right before we left on a trip this spring, we had an issue with the door. I posted a question and had an answer within minutes, correctly answered!

Finding a used Airstream or even new will be easier using the Airforums. Good luck!

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Candy & Dave Jones

2018 Airstream Classic

2013 Montana 3150RL (for sale at PPL/Cleburne TX)

2019 2500 Ram Laramie

and Nacho, the Australian Terrier

https://ontheroadwithnachoandkttoo.wordpress.com/
MerryPaws


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My reply is a bit late but I must agree with the others about air forums and airstream classifieds. I have always wanted a vintage airstream and I did tons of research reading those boards and gauging prices in my area and across the country. I scoured sites for a year before I found mine on Craigslist. 1976 Original condition, everything in working order for $7500. This was a NJ price (I am sure values would be different elsewhere. also in my area the shells with poor or no interiors sell for $4k) The last owners are wonderful and i keep in touch with them too. I couldn't be happier.

Anyway, my point being the older ones are solidly built and you can get a great value if you can do the work. I have read about one full timer who had a lot of issues with her 2007 model. She has an interesting story. Her site is www.silversnail.com and there's a link right on the main page to that story. Also, if you search YouTube for "airstream DIY ken" there are 10 episodes from a DIY show where they restore the entire airstream. Definitely worth a watch if you want to know what you would be getting into.

Sorry for the long post but I am emphatic about my 'new' Airstream! aww  Good luck with your search!

 



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~Merry~

A solo chick and her fuzzy dog Newman (aspiring full-timers)

1976 Airstream Tradewind 25' named Penelope

2005 Chevy Silverado TV named Puck

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new."
Terry and Jo


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Merry,

I'm wondering if you got the right web address.  The one you listed comes up with something related to comic books.  Do you perhaps mean this one?:

The Silver Snail

Also, I think this link will take one to the YouTube videos.

Airstream DIY by Ken Nishikatsu

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

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MerryPaws


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Terry,

Yes those links are the correct ones. I wasnt sure if adding certain types of links was allowed so i spelled them out. Thanks!

M

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~Merry~

A solo chick and her fuzzy dog Newman (aspiring full-timers)

1976 Airstream Tradewind 25' named Penelope

2005 Chevy Silverado TV named Puck

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new."
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