Airstream and towing info needed

DH, who has limited RV experience calls me about an airstream that is for sale. He drives truck and encountered this unit while on a job site in south east Texas. While chatting with the gentleman on site he finds out this trailer is going to be for sale in the next month. It has been lived in on site for a couple of years by him alone. All the info I have is it is an Airstream, 1984-1986 ( gentlemen could not remember offhand), has good title, husband paced it off at 24 ft, pristine interior condition (DH had coffee inside with owner and was impressed), told everything is original and works, has been polished in the past, but needs polished again.

I am in NE Ohio, and the price he gave my husband really peaked my interest ($750.00), but there is no way I can get there to inspect it, this would be me telling DH to buy it sight unseen by me. I have been googling the past two days and can't find a lot of info on these trailers. So far I am gathering it must be an SOVEREIGN 25', but can't find a lot more info on value or specs on these years. I am assuming Airstream concentrated on their class A units in the 80's or the longer length trailers. I searched as many ebay results and classified ads as possible with limited results on comparable units. I did find a dry weight of about 4600 pounds listed for the 1984-86 Sovereign.

Any links to info on this trailer would be appreciated. I want to get a ballpark on how much i should invest on this grab bag without being really ignorant. I really like the look of the airstreams and would love to own one, but have no first hand info on what to look for. I have knowledge of RV systems in general and would have DH check tanks and underbelly before the purchase, but lets assume these are intact and all systems work.

The jobsite is closed until after the 1st of June, so I have time to decide, but the tentative plan would be, drive down in my 03 Toyota Tundra, reinspect trailer,unless it is really a hunk o junk, get title and temp tag in Texas ( anything I should know about this process?), pickup trailer, take it straight to Sams Club for new tires, get the wheel bearings done and brake system checked, haul it carefully home. All constructive criticism of this plan is welcome. The Tundra has the towing package and is currently just set up with the reese hitch, but I have time to make adjustments as needed. We would be towing it empty so the weight should fall withing the specs of the towing capacity of the Tundra. I'll take a toolbox, duct tape and credit card along for the ride home :-) What else am I not thinking about here, and would I be a fool not to jump on this or am I fool for even considering this? This trailer has not been advertised and was kind of accidental find during an informal conversation with what DH beleives to be the second owner.

What are your thoughts on this deal? I have a Class C now, but have been toying with the idea of getting a trailer and while I haven't been actually looking, maybe this is a good deal? If I get it home and don't like it I'm thinking a good polish and I should still be able to break even on it?

Grace S

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Airstream and towing info needed
    ... While chatting with the gentleman on site he finds out this trailer is going to be for sale in the next month. ... If I get it home and don't like it I'm thinking a good polish and I should still be able to break even on it? ... Even though Airstream products are--in general--of very high quality, they did have some years/some designs that had problems. ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: Newbie to RV (travel trailer) & Have Questions
    ... sleeping accommodations for 5, bath facilities, and holding tanks ... If I were looking for a used trailer I would get ... his tow vehicle is definitely a problem. ... Many families have covered many miles using an Airstream. ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: Travel trailers...
    ... I took her to an Airstream dealer. ... something larger than your 4runner to tow a decent trailer with. ... While driving down the road, your wife can use the bathroom, dry her ... Serious "campers" do the motor-home deal. ...
    (rec.boats)
  • Re: 1956 Camping Trailer
    ... Viola's folks were supposed to get a new Airstream trailer from Foland's Trailer Sales in Syracuse, ... Damned thing weighed a lot more than the Airstream they were supposed to get plus the hitch Foland welded on the car was a piece of crap. ... Seems Dodge had screwed up on his police package (only way to get heavy duty brakes) and had left the adjusters in. ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: Travel trailers...
    ... I took her to an Airstream dealer. ... something larger than your 4runner to tow a decent trailer with. ... While driving down the road, your wife can use the bathroom, dry her ... Serious "campers" do the motor-home deal. ...
    (rec.boats)