Not so tiny trailer

[asianflava]

My parents are moving overseas and are trying to get rid of all their stuff. My dad buys projects that he doesn't start. He said that he will give me this 70's Airstream. The only problem is, I have no way to get it here from FL I think he said it weighs 7000lbs dry. Short of buying a 3/4ton truck, I don't have many options. My mom did come up with a reasonable solution though. Rent a U-haul truck and use that to tow it back. But that won't be cheap.

I'm not shure what shape the trailer is in now, last time I saw it was just after Hurricane Frances. It was in decent shape but needed work. I didn't check any of the systems though.

Should I bother? It will be a big project to take on.

This is the only pic I have, notice the sailboat, another project he never started. This was right before the hurricane.

[Elumia]

If you can afford to move it..... have a place to store it..... might use it.... Why not?

Another idea for moving it: (example you make your own listing)
http://www.uship.com/shipment/Fifth-Whe ... 457622671/

Mark

[madjack]

..GIVE IT TO YA...heck yeah take it...if it is roadworthy...get home...my thoughts anyway...................

[surveytech]

you nay find that the U-haul truck has no provision to connect electric brakes.
all of their trailers are hydraulic/surge type systems. Something to look into though.

dont know if that matters or not or whats on the airstream but thought I would throw it out there.

good luck.

FREE IS YOUR FRIEND.

Walter

[Chris C]

Free??????? I'll take it! I'll even go get it and take your parents out to dinner while I'm there! Man, don't pass this one up.

[Ira]

Man, you GOTTA take it. At the very least, you're gonna find someone who would pay nice bucks for it.

What part of FL are they in?

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

Dang, Asian,
A free airstream You are going to have to look for a bigger tow vehicle to replace the dinged Toyota.

P.S. Hope everything goes OK with the Insurance stuff. I know it is a pain.

[dwgriff1]

If you think tear drops are an addiction, look around the web at the Air Stream sites!! Those guys are REALLY intense.

They are a joy to pull, in spite of their size.

dave

[dwgriff1]

One more thing.

Look at the market value of an old airstream that has been carefully restored. Those reall cool babies can bring amazing amounts.

I rebuilt a boxy travel trailer a while back. It was worth $1500 when I started and after putting $1500 into it (plus a winter of steady work) and now its worth about $1500.

dave

[Ira]

You're a shrewd businessman, Dave. Just like me.

[jagular7]

Several options to look at depending on weather, time and expense:
- Borrow a proper tow vehicle from a friend, neighbor, someone you know, etc. If free, take the steps of changing the fluids and filling up with gas when returning.
- Contact local to your father trailer sales. Have them come out to look over the piece to see if they would be interest in purchasing. Not only does this give you an idea of trade value, but also what problems they see that you don't.
- Sell locally through paper, or Ebay, or Airstream/old camper forums.

Do same with sailboat.

Getting something for free is great. However, it may be something you don't want, need, care for, is out of reach, beyond means, etc. what good is being free?
If your parents were just a family friends and they wanted to give you the trailer, would you take it being they are in FL and you in TX?

[Miriam C.]

Just a suggestion,
find someone reputable who wants a trip to Fla and pay the gas. They can sleep in the trailer and vacation thier way home. Ditto to someone from Fla who wants to visit you. Also try rental cars. They may have a truck big enough.

Good luck
Miriam

[asianflava]

I was talking to a neighbor tonight. He said that there is a place in town that rents 3/4ton trucks and allows you to go out of state.

Come to think of it, I'll bet my other neighbor got an F250 from that place. He had a Diesel Dodge and the dealer was working on it. He was going wheeling in Arkansas and had to bring his FJ40. The dealer couldn't get the parts in time so he had them pick up the bill for the rental.

I totally forgot about that....I'll talk to him this weekend.

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll work more on aquiring this beast.

[bledsoe3]

Free??????? I'll take it! I'll even go get it and take your parents out to dinner while I'm there! Man, don't pass this one up.

Chris, Are you sure the honda will pull that?

[53clipper]

Rental trucks, U-Haul included, have their balls welded on, and they are mostly 2", and that size Airstream usually takes a larger ball that that.

If you get someone else to tow it for you, I suggest that you insure the trailer, comprehensive. Liability is covered by the tow vehicle's insurance. Trailer insurance is cheap, compared to motor home, or car insurance. Be awful if it got stolen, or damaged on the way.

Like it was said, get on the Airstream, including Vintage, and other aluminum forums, (Silver Streak, Avion, Streamliner). You will meet another batch of dedicated folks.

I have an Airstream, ( also had a 53 Silver Streak Clipper), a Fiberglass RV, and a Tiny Trailer, so I keep my eye on all three groups.