diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on Aug 26, 2015 16:17:34 GMT -8
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mountainsounds
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1957 Rainbow & 1955 Starfire
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Post by mountainsounds on Aug 26, 2015 16:43:26 GMT -8
It's very attractive and it would be fun to have a project like this, and a vacation spot to park it!
If we did the restore ourselves, it would probably cost more than $5K. The linoleum (Marmoleum) alone for our small ham cost ~$500 and this was for a small area.
But it depends on what you want to do with it and how much of the original is usable.
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Post by vintagebruce on Aug 26, 2015 17:09:06 GMT -8
It would depend on what you plan to do with it. Have you budgeted for the cost of getting it "home"? It doesn't look like it has the original kitchen appliances. What is the bathroom like? The cabinetry is pretty minimalist for a camper of that era, so you will not have to repair/replicate some fancy stuff like what is found in early air floats for example. To be honest, I don't think you will be able to get it livable, leak-free and "together" in a 40's theme on a 5K budget. And if you are planning on towing it to various campsites you have to have a rig to tow it with that will be pretty beefy and those brakes better work great, once you have all 4 tires under it. If you have the nerve and desire, plus the ability to "perhaps" go beyond that 5K repair budget, go for it. When the dust settles I believe you will have close to 10K in it, bare minimum, if you do the work. If it is for a commercial endeavor, buy it and write it off as you can. After copying and rotating the pics, all I know is it's too big for me. Good Luck. I bought a 23' 1950 trailer sight unseen, and it did not turn out to be in as good condition as the photos suggested. But I only paid $525 for it. I still have it and I like it, but in my opinion, they usually do not look as good as the pics at first sight.
I just went back and re-read the ad and I see they dropped the asking price from 2k to 1.6. I'd bet if you could personally inspect it, you could get it for $1250 cash. If you have not already requested pics of those new tires and pics of the "broke" windows, you may find that the windows need more than glass and gaskets to fix them. I'd also ask for a good pic of the roof from front to back, it might be "patched". $$$
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diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on Aug 26, 2015 20:01:03 GMT -8
Ahhh, good advice, we are thinking of sending my husband out to see it after all. I know it's going to need about 10k if I add in transport fees and exterior polishing. Ironically, my husband has been looking into getting a bigger truck-a serious tow vehicle. His big block f150 breaks a sweat towing a trailer that weighs 2000. I wish it could tow this but I don't think that's realistic for the places we want to go.
I can't do the work myself, nowhere to do it and too many little kids I have to care for. Is it reasonable to imagine someone can do the grunt work inside and out, minus the propane and water tank etc for less than five? I'm fine with cleaning, shellacking, putting in the stove, upholstery, making screens...stuff like that. I don't know if the seller can get a good picture of the roof, she would need a really tall ladder.
I am a little worried that a trailer this long would severely limit where we can camp....seeing as we like to camp in state parks and not in trailer parks.
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Post by vikx on Aug 26, 2015 20:25:25 GMT -8
NO TITLE. I would do some serious research before buying this trailer. Your State's DMV rules on titles would be high priority.
Secondly, this is a huge trailer, appears to be around 35'? You are correct in that many state parks won't allow a trailer this long, much less one without holding tanks. This type of trailer was usually a "park model" meaning it was meant to be parked and hooked to a sewer. It's also been stripped of appliances and any thing else that could bring a dime.
Unless you plan on parking this trailer, I would pass. This one needs a LOT of work, at least 10K worth. When you're done, it will be hard to tow and hard to sell.
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diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on Aug 26, 2015 21:04:30 GMT -8
Hard to sell, huh? I've asked for the length but haven't gotten it yet, we can't handle anything longer than 26', it's the max of the length of the curb between our driveway and our neighbors can fit with the truck attached. I'll let her know that we can only use it if it's under that length.
Uuuuugh! You guys bring up some really good points, things I wasn't focusing on. I was like 80% sure about this morning, was even looking at tickets out there tonight....
I didn't think it was over 26'.
We got our last trailer registered without a title here last year, it was a business who did it, we didn't ask any questions. But, yes, a title would sweeten the deal.
Well, now I don't know if it's worth it. I just feel like I'm not going to find another in as good shape with the great layout without combing through back fields and barns which I can't do.
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diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on Aug 26, 2015 21:25:31 GMT -8
So I figured it's on a 15" rim and I used that to size it and it's under 26', barely. Now if it's a 14" rim, I'm off by over 20 inches.
So with that info, Vikx, what are your thoughts? Our 16 footer was so easy to move, I don't think 10' more will kill us. The tongue does seem infantesimile.
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poncho62
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99 Springdale 5th Wheel
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Post by poncho62 on Aug 27, 2015 2:53:30 GMT -8
That trailer looks at least 30 ft to my eye..........
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 27, 2015 5:46:45 GMT -8
I agree it looks like at least 30'. Compare that picture to ours, which is 33: s266.photobucket.com/user/iwantmoretrucks/media/Imogen/IMG_0020_zps342f245f.jpg.html?sort=6&o=2diymom, that camper looks a LOT like ours, and I have to say it's really great to have that much space. Ours weighed 5900 lbs from the factory if that helps. If you follow that link above you can get an idea of what we're dealing with as we restore ours, which might be slightly ahead of yours at the starting point. B |
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diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
Likes: 51
1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on Aug 27, 2015 7:17:34 GMT -8
That back side edge was awful before you fixed it, was it at all spongy? Did you have any idea it was that bad before removing skin?
It does look like it's the same size as the one I am looking at. I am awaiting her measurement and will decide whether to proceed from there.
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on Aug 27, 2015 14:13:01 GMT -8
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Post by vikx on Aug 27, 2015 21:06:34 GMT -8
Keep in mind that trailers are measured from the back to the tip of the tongue. That includes a bumper if there is one... In other words, you need the total length NOT just the body length... the wheels appear to be 16" to me.
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diymom
Active Member
enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
Likes: 51
1969 terry 18'
Currently Offline
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Post by diymom on Aug 27, 2015 21:25:45 GMT -8
I'm pretty sure that's her other trailer. What a beast,seems like it was really lived in!!! Look at the fridge ware!
I found out the trailer is 27', a foot longer than our max.
But the biggest issue for me is the lack of title, vin numbers or manufacturer, I have been through registering a trailer in California with at least a vin, I can't imagine doing it without at least that....too much work.
Will there be another trailer like this, do you all think in as good of shape for a good price in the near future? I think I'm deciding against it for the lack of information, it's hard enough to face a big trailer and a restoration without having to investigate what it is and not knowing if I can register it in my state or find out if it was stolen etc. Especially for over 1500 in the middle of nowhere.
Ugh, it has so much potential!
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Post by vikx on Aug 27, 2015 22:07:45 GMT -8
I agree with you. This is just too much money for a big ??.
Also VERY curious about the measurement. It just looks longer than 27'... did the seller say total length or body length?
I think there are a lot of long, long trailers out there. Finding one in any kind of condition is the difficulty. If you truly want one this big, this might be worth a look. However, I have to say this type of trailer does not tow well, they aren't balanced and are HEAVY. If you want to travel with a big trailer, I'd certainly do a lot of research on tow-ability and what works for others.
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Post by vintagebruce on Aug 28, 2015 8:03:16 GMT -8
Most doors on campers of that era are about 22-24" wide depending if you look at the overlap at the edge opposite the hinge. I copied and printed a larger pic of the curb side photo. I put a piece of paper up to the door and made a "yard stick" actually a 24" wide piece based on spanning the door. I then started at the front to back and I believe the body from front curve to back curve is 28-29'...add up to 3 feet for the tongue and I think bare minimum this trailer should be considered a 32 footer. If it is balanced well, like our Member's Alma, at 5000 pounds I think you might be looking at a dually as a tow vehicle. You can buy decent used gas engine duallys for $5-6K, but that is because they get about 8 to 9 mpg. Right now that may not be too bad, since gas prices are dropping, They are hovering around $1.96 for regular here in south Mississippi, but when they are artificially inflated in the future...It is going to cost a good amount of change to fuel up a tow rig, unless you search for the coolest, smallest vintage diesel Mac Truck cab and really put together a neat combo.
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