How much would it cost to restore or renovate an Airstream?
Q: How much would it cost to restore or Renovate an Airstream? A: Depending on how much work you do yourself and the initial condition of the trailer, with luck under $6,000, but usually under $10,000 to get a trailer back to something safe and more than an aluminum tent.
Do old airstreams go up in value?
Most vintage Airstreamers report that their trailers go up in value, despite the age. You cannot say the same thing about new Airstreams which deprecate in value.
What are the principles of restoration of a vintage Airstream?
5 Vintage Airstream Restoration Principles. 1 1. Be Honest. What is the actual scope of the project? I am a visionary dreamer; I can see how the trailer will look finished before I hook it to my ... 2 2. Ability or Budget. 3 3. Have a Plan. 4 4. Source Your Parts. 5 5. Be Intentional.
What is the warranty on a new Airstream trailer?
New Airstreams come with 2 year limited warranty on all trailers. This covers any repairs or replacement of defective materials or workmanship. If you are building your own trailer you will be in charge of fixing it yourself or covering the cost to have repaired.
Is renovating an Airstream worth it?
Yes, you'll obviously save money on the redo—but you'll also save money down the line when, inevitably, something goes wrong and needs to be fixed. “By renovating our Airstream ourselves, we saved money because we can fix anything that goes wrong with this trailer,” Longnecker says.
How much should I pay for a vintage Airstream?
The more complete and original the trailer, the higher the price (especially with original appliances, interior paint, light fixtures, and original floors). Cost: The cost for an old Airstream shell is anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $12k.
Are vintage Airstreams worth it?
Older Airstreams, especially prior to 1970, are getting more and more scarce and command a premium price. Certain models of early Airstreams are particularly valuable since they were made in small numbers or for limited years - for example the original Bambi model which was only made from 1961 to 1963.
Is it hard to remodel an Airstream?
“Airstream renovation is not for the faint of heart, and it has a serious learning curve,” she says. Kate and Ellen, a married couple with a daughter, may have traded in their traditional jobs, but they still work up to 100 hours a week.
What is a 1975 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$8,760$14,800Total Price$8,760$14,8002 more rows
What is a 1973 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$9,135$14,800Total Price$9,135$14,8002 more rows
Why you shouldn't buy an Airstream?
Buying an Airstream can be a needlessly expensive endeavor The most inexpensive travel trailer that Airstream offers is the Basecamp, which will run you just under $40,000. And the worst part? It's not even that spacious. It sleeps up to four people, and that's pretty much it.
How much is a 1985 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$27,443$21,350Total Price$27,443$21,3502 more rows
How much is a 1974 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$9,740$14,800Total Price$9,740$14,8002 more rows
How long does it take to restore an Airstream?
6-12 monthsIf you have a full time job restoring an Airstream might take a long time. Typically it can take anywhere from 6-12 months working on it everyday. If you decide to buy a new Airstream you can be out on the road in a few days traveling and exploring.
How do I restore an old Airstream?
3:0025:44Vintage Airstream Restoration Tour with DIY Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo new axles everything's new yeah actually from the floor down is the only thing that is all areMoreSo new axles everything's new yeah actually from the floor down is the only thing that is all are the steps and the bumper okay. But that allowed you to make a few modifications.
How much is a 1972 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$6,195$14,800Total Price$6,195$14,8002 more rows
How much should I pay for a used Airstream?
A used Airstream trailer in good condition can cost as low as $23,000.
How much is a 1985 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$27,443$21,350Total Price$27,443$21,3502 more rows
What is a 1974 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$9,740$14,800Total Price$9,740$14,8002 more rows
What is a 1970 Airstream worth?
ValuesSuggested List PriceAverage RetailBase Price$9,180$14,800Total Price$9,180$14,8002 more rows
How much does an airstream cost?
One of the reasons is probably to save cost because new Airstreams can cost anywhere from $65,000 up to $150,000 (19’ and longer).
What background do you have to renovate an airstream?
If an Airstream renovation crossed your mind, ideally, you are either highly skilled in renovating vintage trailers or cars, have some sort of construction or carpentry background, or are handy in building things and figuring complex stuff out.
Does Sierra Trailer Restoration have a waitlist?
Sierra Trailer Restoration had a waitlist at the time, but because they knew the trailer we purchased was in good shape, they agreed to take us in next.
What to expect on a 1950's trailer?
On a 1950’s trailer, expect to have to do a full frame-up restoration. The floor will be rotted in many places, structurally weakening the trailer to the point of being unsafe, the frame and skin will be corroded in areas, most of the mechanicals and gaskets will be worn out, and the appliances will all need to be gone through and overhauled to be usable again. The wiring insulation and splices have all deteriorated and will need to be replaced. The axle most likely will need to be replaced, as will much of the LPG system. Some of the cabinets may have water damage, and there is the inevitable 60 years of prior owner modifications that will have to be overcome. This is no different than what you find on an automobile from the 1950’s.
Is a 1970's airstream still usable?
Just as you may still find some 1970’s cars still usable and drivable, so can you find 1970’s Airstreams that are usable with just a good going through, and parts are still around. This is the vintage of trailer that the average handyperson can acquire and get into Airstreaming.
How Do You Restore a Vintage Airstream?
Restoring vintage airstreams works in much the same way as restoring a home. You have to first have a vision. Then you must assess what needs to be changed, rip everything out and slowly piece together what you have in your mind.
1. Set Realistic Expectations for Your Vintage Airstream Renovation
Renovating a vintage airstream can take a great deal of time as well as a considerable amount of money. While there are steps you can take to reduce the cost and even potentially the amount of time the restoration takes you, it’s still important that you enter with realistic expectations.
2. Find the Right Used Airstream
Before you can renovate an airstream, you have to find a used one. While in theory, you could renovate just about any airstream, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches by knowing what to avoid and what to look for in a seller.
3. Assess the Problems
Whether you’ve already got your airstream, or there’s one for sale you’re still thinking of buying, you’ll need to assess its problems to decide if a restoration project is worth it for you.
4. Ensure You Have a Place to Store Your Project
You’re going to need a decent amount of space to store your airstream itself, the parts you take off of it, and the new parts you order.
5. Breakdown the Restoration Process Into Steps
It’s easy to overwhelm yourself when you think about all the things you’ll have to do to restore the vintage travel trailer. You’ll need to understand (or be able to hire people who understand) everything from electrical work and plumbing to interior decorating and design.
7. Pause Before Throwing Anything Out
As you take apart your vintage airstream, you’ll be tempted to throw out parts that you think you don’t need. Don’t do this. Particularly with parts that are unique to the individual airstream you’re working on such as cabinetry or sinks.
How much does it cost to replace a window?
It's ok to pay more if the exterior and windows are in great shape. Replacing a single window could set you back $600 .
What is cosmetic renovation?
This involves removing most of the original interior and rebuilding it in a more modern style. These are often gorgeous and look fabulous on Instagram.
What are the problems with an old trailer?
Be warned, though - if you're buying an older trailer there are probably deep issues that are being glossed over like wiring, water leaks, floor rot, frame damage, and old axels.
Is there wood in the Airstream?
There is so much wood in our Airstream! We built every cabinet, bed, table, and wall from scratch. Add good flooring and solid surface countertops and it's amazing how quickly this number can go up.
Is an Airstream 40 year old leaky?
Speaking of leaks - expect them. Don't ever assume a 40 year old Airstream isn't leaking somewhere. It's a matter of how bad and how much damage it's caused.
What year did Tiny Shiny Home gut their Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht?
The family of Tiny Shiny Home gutted their 1972 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht down to the ribs and rebuilt basically everything except the shell. The couple from Hopscotch The Globe renovated a 1976 Airstream Sovereign with the help of Kate and Ellen from The Modern Caravan for body work and interior renovation.
Did the previous owners renovate a trailer?
The previous owners had started renovating it from the ground up a few years before. We were lucky to find a vintage trailer that had been gutted with a new sub-floor, new flooring, plumbing, electrical and AC. Basically, it had a clean and empty interior and was ready to be built out (which I thought was the more fun part).
1. Be Honest
What is the actual scope of the project? I am a visionary dreamer; I can see how the trailer will look finished before I hook it to my truck for the first time.
2. Ability or Budget
You will need a lot of one or both. A travel trailer has the same components as your home condensed into less than 200 square feet. Some working knowledge of plumbing, electrical, wood and metal work, or the budget to pay a professional will keep your project moving.
3. Have a Plan
Using a storyboard to focus your design elements will help you focus as you pick out paint colors, wood finishes and soft goods. You will be making decision on everything from the level of gloss on the wood to coordinating window coverings with your upholstery choices. You may have a theme, style or period that you are trying to create.
4. Source Your Parts
Once it is go-time, get going. Accumulate your parts and materials as you find them. Nothing holds up a project like not having the materials you need, when you need them.
5. Be Intentional
If you are like me, deadlines will help you focus. Touch your project daily or as often as possible to keep it moving forward. A stalled project is hard to restart. Doing even a little bit daily will reap more results than waiting until you have an entire weekend to dedicate to your end goal.
