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Post by bigbill on Jan 4, 2015 9:24:14 GMT -8
A question I have been aware of for awhile so here is the answer. The Silver bullets are still being built in Jackson Center Ohio at a rate of 50 trailers a week and they have a three month waiting list right now which is getting longer each week. They are still riveted by hand. Business is so good they have broken ground on an addition that will allow a 50% increase in production. The last three years have seen record production. They currently range in price from$42,000 to $140,000. One of the things that appears to be causing the surge in demand is people wanting the Vintage look. Customers also feel that the Airstreams won't fall apart in ten years like most of the new box trailers if properly maintained, according to one of their purchasers a, 34 year old paralegal from San Diego. The company is owned by Thor Industries of Indiana and is still run by Bob Wheeler.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 4, 2015 10:41:51 GMT -8
Thanks for the rundown Bill. Didn't know that stuff about the old silver coaches. Ran into an old airstream hidden behind an old boys house a few weeks back. I was there talking to him about an old B&B trailer (built in WA as it turns out/Vikx has one) and saw the airstream and inquired about it. He said it had been gutted and his boys (older boys I assume) were using it to store motorcycles. Yikes.
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Post by bigbill on Jan 4, 2015 11:15:48 GMT -8
They are the opposite of many trailers in that they are built from the outside in, so a gutted one could be rebuilt. But you would have a lot of wood work to do building all in cabinets and walls. The rounded corners are fun to do. Also if considering a purchase check the frame very closely, as some had problems.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 4, 2015 11:56:05 GMT -8
Another few pieces of info for my trailer toolbox. Thanks Bill.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jan 4, 2015 14:32:17 GMT -8
I would encourage anyone remotely interested in a "old tube trailer" to call a professional repair shop and get a price estimate to replace the plywood floor, before you buy one.
There was many trailer brands that were basically built with the same "riveted skin" style construction after WWII, Airstream just happens to be the only one left, and it not because they were the best built brand. These trailers all set on a plywood floor and are subject to the same wood rot problems that the wood framed canned hams experience. Spartans are easier to replace plywood flooring on, pretty much all the other brands are a PITA, or $$$$$, how ever you look at it!
Airstreams, have the marketing image that they are "all aluminum", and will last forever. But they have severe wood rot problems in the rear bathroom area, and are expensive and time consuming to rebuild.
The other issue I have with tube trailers, is they have "no storage room", due to their shape.
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Post by bigbill on Jan 4, 2015 16:06:04 GMT -8
John the biggest issue I have with them is I just don't like them, being 6'6" tall I want all the head room I can get. I can't stand straight up in a Shasta but at least it is the same all the way across.  Also they are like my daughters Porsche everything cost extra when you need parts. But if you like them that is great, just as my daughter loves her Porsche, and if that is what you want then go for it. If we all liked the same thing is would be a very dull board. Another thing about Airstreams is I am to lazy to keep all that surface shined as it should be. |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jan 4, 2015 18:15:34 GMT -8
BigBill, My friends and I have recently gotten into Spartans. We now have six between us, 1948 to 1953 models, one is restored, four are in the process of restoration, and one will end up as a parts donor trailer.
What I have learned is that the Spartanette model has about five to six inches more head room, than does their (curved corner) Manor models. Combined with the increase in head room, and the fact that the Spartanette's have a flat roof like a canned ham, makes these trailer's very roomy for their length.
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Also they are like my daughters Porsche everything cost extra when you need parts. But if you like them that is great, just as my daughter loves her Porsche, and if that is what you want then go for it. If we all liked the same thing is would be a very dull board.