First Things First

As you’ve probably gathered from our previous posts, and any searches you may have done for a vintage RV, they run the gamut in condition. If you decided a project is not for you, it’s certainly possible to buy your dream already restored. Your first order of business is to complete legal transfer of ownership.

In our state, the Airstream we purchased is required to pass a safety inspection. Though it is intact and towable, we wanted to make sure it passes inspection the first time. We also think we might want to do some boondocking while traveling. Use of various energy sources on an RV become a big deal when they’re all you have, especially on older travel trailers. Our first project on The Stellar Land Yacht is changing the running and signal lights from incandescent to LED. While traveling, the Clearance/Marker lights get their power from the the tow vehicle. Any changes you can make to reduce the pull on your battery(ies) is always a good thing.

While we were testing everything, we also thought there might be a problem with the hitch harness wiring. A trailer repair shop determined the female socket on our tow vehicle had corrosion. It has been replaced. Your vehicle’s tow package will likely be part of the inspection (can’t operate the trailer signals or brakes without it), so don’t ignore it while preparing. We are also replacing the male plug on the Airstream. We discovered the color coding for the 7-way wiring on the Airstream didn’t match the labeling on the new plug. Between 1966 & 1981 Airstream had their own standard. #$@%&!! We’ll explain that in a separate post.

The video attached to this post demonstrates how we changed out the running lights without tearing into the interior of the trailer to access the wiring. Because we live in a deed restricted neighborhood, the Airstream can’t be on our property for long periods of time. Changing out the lights didn’t require large power tools so we were able to make this upgrade at the storage space. Unfortunately, an annoying beep can be heard in the background from the trailer next to ours. We offer our apologies up front.

A Few Words Concerning Titles

No, we’re not talking about forms of address for people. The sample provided with this post is the topic being addressed.

When you borrow money to purchase a vehicle, the title is usually held by the lender until the loan is paid off. We have never leased, but it seems reasonable to believe the title is in the possession of the lessor. There may be people out there who, for one reason or another, have never fully owned a vehicle. This is not a judgment of those individuals, but if you’ve never had a title in your possession, you owe it to yourself to know what they are and how your state of residence uses them; before you consider purchasing something used. Regardless who the seller of your vintage RV might be, a good source for information is www.dmv.org. You can find information by state and the required forms to make your purchase legal. (Except the title.)

Why are titles important? Proof of current ownership is probably the most essential. Next, as long as the title has always been properly transferred, it provides a history of ownership. And from a state’s prospective, it’s not only a way to make sure something isn’t stolen, it’s a continuing source of income. Every time a vehicle or RV is sold, states not only charge a fee for title transfer, they will usually expect the buyer to pay sales tax on the purchase price.

This is the info most states expect to see on a clean/clear title. (For a vehicle that has never been classified as salvage – something which has been damaged and cost for repair is more than current value.) Motorhome titles should have odometer readings. Every time the vehicle changes hands the odometer should be read and the correct mileage noted. The title should also list color, gross vehicle weight, make/model/year, and most importantly – the VIN. (Vehicle Identification Number) This number is provided by and secured to a vehicle by its manufacturer. It is not recommended to purchase from anyone trying to sell something where the VIN is missing or doesn’t match what’s recorded on the title.

Depending on the history of a vintage RV, it’s entirely possible the title has been lost or not properly transferred somewhere along the way. What your state requires to prove legal ownership could, and really should, influence what you decide to look at and ultimately buy. You don’t want to find out, after someone else has your money, the lack of certain documentation has hijacked your dreams. It can be costly and time consuming to acquire a new title for something that doesn’t have a clear history of ownership. For our purchase and restoration project, we preferred to have a clear title up front. We wanted to put our resources into the restoration, not the hassle of trying to obtain a title.

Some states require a safety inspection of an RV to ensure road worthiness before you can transfer or obtain a new title. (All signals, brakes etc. must be working properly. Proof of insurance may also be needed. Checklists of such requirements can usually be found online at a state’s DOT/DMV site.) Some states also require an emissions test for motorized vehicles. Please keep the emissions test in mind if your state requires it, and the state you are purchasing the RV from does not. It’s possible an out-of-state vehicle might not pass the test the first time. Check your state’s laws on how long you have to transfer a title over, especially if the “new to you” RV requires a great deal of work before an inspection can take place. Your state may charge penalties if the title isn’t transferred in the given time frame. If you can’t find necessary info online, call the government office where you will make the title transfer.

The subject of titles isn’t exactly a fun one. Unfortunately, it can’t be avoided, even if you think your restored RV will become a funky office space or groovy backyard hangout. Someday you might decide to sell your masterpiece and buyers may want to convert your RV dream back into something they can travel with. Please don’t be “that guy” who passes on a problem (lack of title) which can be preventable. Also, be aware of “lemon laws” and what rights you have as a buyer or seller. In our Airstream search, we came across many listings where a title wasn’t available. On listings that didn’t mention a title but were on the radar as possibilities, our first question was always “Does it have a title?” Those listings that didn’t were thanked and taken off the list.

Our Airstream came from a situation you may not encounter. When we first saw our dream trailer, a young couple was living in it while saving money for their first home. The trailer was loaned to them by a long-time family friend who unfortunately is ill. The owner decided, after many years of possession, it was time to let the Airstream go to another home. The young couple was helping them sell it. As sometimes happens when life gets in the way, the title had been misplaced. The seller was aware of the situation and was in the process of replacing the title before we got involved.

Before we decided to buy the trailer, we made it clear the purchase price would be made in installments; one part to secure the Airstream as ours, the remainder to be paid once the title and accompanying transfer paperwork were in our possession. While finalizing the sale someone else tried to buy the Airstream by paying full price plus a bit extra all at once. We don’t know all the details but got the impression this buyer thought a title could be obtained by other means, therefore bypassing the wait for the replacement title. Apparently, that buyer was wrong and backed out of the deal a couple of hours after making it. While the incident did cause a bit of disappointment, thinking the trailer was sold out from under us, it was even more stressful for the young couple trying to help the seller. They already had enough going on that they didn’t need someone making offers which couldn’t be honored. Our willingness to wait for the title helped us prevail in the end. When the trailer came into our possession, we began troubleshooting for the safety inspection while waiting for the title/transfer documents.

A Tale of Two Trailers

In the last post, there was a brief mention of price concerning vintage travel trailers. For those just entering this highly specialized market, it can be hard to recognize fair prices. As far as we are aware, there isn’t a definitive guide specifically for vintage units.

NADA can be a good place to start for baselines. You can also check all the various web sites where you might find RVs for sale, including those of dealerships. Even in the search for vintage units, you don’t want to rule out the dealerships. You never know where you might find that nifty gem that speaks to you. (Or how far away it might be, for that matter.) What is the point of all this searching? To help determine a reasonable price for your future vintage trailer. Granted, the definition of reasonable can be a highly personal thing. The monetary value of an item gets down to how much someone is willing to pay for it. There are some individuals who think nothing of paying an outrageous amount of money for something if they feel it’s highly prized by society at large. It may not matter to them that the item in question saw its glory days many years ago. Others pinch their pennies so hard they scream. They seem to have a knack for unearthing things at bargain basement prices. And let’s not forget the perceptions of sellers. There will be many occasions when buyers and sellers will be miles apart concerning the perceived value of an item.

So, where do you really start? You have to establish your budget up front well before beginning your search. Especially for vintage trailers, you not only need to establish what you’re willing to pay actually buying it, but how much to spend after, making it the RV of your dreams. Unless you’re in the business of restoring and immediately selling vintage trailers, rid yourself of the notion you’re making an investment. If you own something for many years after restoration, depreciation will probably rear its ugly head. Keeping in mind this is something you want for your own pleasure may help in minimizing the likelihood of overpaying for something.

Now, on to the Tale of Two Trailers… (It’s a mini epic about gaining perspective.)

Once upon a time, there was a middle aged couple who decided they wanted an RV. They looked at just about every unit they could find on the internet. Any dealership or private seller within half a day’s driving distance was visited. They looked at RVs of many classes and sizes, even 5^th wheels. (Mostly out of curiosity on the last one, since these RV dreamers didn’t own the right kind of tow vehicle.)

When it was finally decided only an Airstream would do, the search primarily narrowed to the internet. With the internet the world is our oyster, isn’t it? No, not really. It just created many interesting conversations about the probability of looking at a possible prospect three states away. But before a consensus was reached the prospect sold. Poop! Well, it may have been too small anyway.

Then, one day… “Wait a minute… here’s one only four hours away. Interesting, it’s at a dealership.” One said to the other as they handed the laptop to their loving and patient spouse. “Hmm… it might be promising. It’s possible to look at it and be back home in the same day.” The other replied. Still, it wasn’t the only Airstream for sale. Since the couple wanted to make sure they found their best choice, the site was saved for later.

They kept coming back to the listing. (Trailer A) The photos were squinted at many times. The meaning of “As is” was discussed more than once. Finally, the dealership was contacted. It sounded like it was in reasonable condition for something that was more than 30 years old. A refundable deposit to hold it could be made until it was convenient for the couple to look at it. A gut feeling (perhaps a wee bit of queasiness?) made itself felt. After this conversation they went back to the internet and found another Airstream that had just been listed by a private seller in the same metro area as Trailer A. It was also a Sovereign, but one year later. And $900 less. (Another gut feeling!) A phone call revealed someone was already coming to look at it that day. The next day the wife received a text that Trailer B was still available.

What to do? The couple wasn’t sure they wanted to work with a private seller. However, they weren’t getting a definitive answer that Trailer A was road worthy enough to be towed more than 200 miles. One night before going to bed, the couple decided to go look at Trailer A the next day. No money was leaving their hands until they knew what they were really receiving for it.

Having previous experience with Magic Internet Cameras, they weren’t too surprised to discover Trailer A was in terrible shape. They were prepared to do a bit of work since the project force was strong with them. Still, they wanted to finish and enjoy their RV before they died. Ripping something down to the chassis didn’t interest them. Needless to say, Trailer A also wasn’t road worthy. The tires were too old, the axles looked wobbly, and the electrical hitch wiring/tow connector was gone. The couple didn’t want to spend extra to put the poor thing on a flatbed trailer. It also didn’t help the dealership couldn’t come down much on asking price. (See above, before our epic began. Bear in mind perception can be influenced by many factors. Trailer A was a trade-in.)

The wife still had the phone number for Trailer B, which was about half an hour away. Thank goodness for motivated sellers. They were willing to make the time to show it on short notice. While it was a 1979 time capsule getting a bit rough around the edges, Trailer B was intact and still had many of its desirable original equipment, such as the rock guards covering the front windows and the Zip Dee Awning. (If an Airstream was once equipped with these, it can be difficult and/or expensive to replace them.)  All the hitch equipment was intact, and everything was in decent enough shape that Trailer B could be towed to its new home.

Ultimately, the couple decided to purchase Trailer B. One would assume this is the happy ending. Courtesy of an evil troll who attempted to purchase the trailer while both parties were trying to finalize the transaction, things became a bit uncertain for a little while. It turned out the troll lacked understanding of a certain magic document needed to make the trailer sale legal. (No, it’s not a bill of sale.) The troll had to retreat back under their bridge. The sellers, a young couple in the process of buying their first castle, were anxious to earn some extra money. A week later, they made the 7 hr. drive (round trip) to deliver the trailer. So one epic finally ended favorably, and another is beginning.

The moral of the story? While you might not have the opportunity to do same day comparison shopping, make sure you have more than one possibility lined up. Try to keep them all within your desired price range. Having more than one potential trailer to look at takes the pressure off buying something you know isn’t right for you. By some fortunate twist of fate we made the choice to look at Trailer A first. It certainly made a difference in determining if the price of Trailer B was fair.

Why a Vintage Travel Trailer?

I suppose the response could be, “Why wouldn’t you want a vintage travel trailer? They’re cool!”

Yes, they are cool, with an intangible factor which can be hard to put your finger on. Lovers of all things vintage would know what we’re talking about; timelessly appealing design and things that were seemingly made to last forever. Well, maybe if something was immaculately cared for, or not left in a swamp to rot.

Buying anything “used” has its own set of challenges. RVs are no exception. They are often considered occasional shelters, rather than full time homes. They also need to be light enough to tow. Those factors have implications in long term durability. Unless you have the budget for a custom, high-end unit, you can figure that a new RV might last you 15-20 years. If you take really good care of it.

Just like motor vehicles, when you start looking at used RVs, you will find they run the gamut from barely used to “oh my word, what’s holding this together?” (And pretty sure you don’t want to know.) As such, they should be priced accordingly. After doing your research, if you decide nothing but vintage will suit you, you’ll find a whole different category of “used”. And wondering when you arrived in “Alice of Wonderland,” with the whole landscape turned upside down.

If you watch the RV shows on television, or have been on the internet for any significant number of years, you may have noticed that vintage RVs are gaining attention in mainstream society. (They also pop up in magazines like Country Living.) Guess what, vintage RV dreamer? You will find, in your search for the perfect trailer, that you are not immune from society’s notice of these desirable prizes. Suddenly, you’re not looking for a used RV anymore. You’re seeking a potential collector’s item. These days it’s very likely you’ll find yourself conducting your search on the internet. And possibly shouting at your electronic device, “They want how much for that derelict wreck?! Wait a minute! It just sold! What idiot was willing to buy it for that much?” Then you realize you didn’t even get a chance to look at it.

Oh, well. Don’t give up yet. Keep looking. Your perfect trailer is out there somewhere. As we have read in numerous RV books, if you are willing to be patient, there is always another unit if this one doesn’t feel right. By the way, you really should heed this warning while you’re searching. “Beware of the magic internet camera!” Sooner or later, you will find yourself staring at posted pictures and muttering, “This one looks like it’s in really good condition for the price…” Next thing you know, you’re calling the phone number on the listing. During the course of your inquiry you find out, “Someone is coming to look at it this afternoon.”  However, this concerned individual doesn’t want you to miss your opportunity. “Would you like to see it now?” With a heavy sigh, your answer is “No, I’m afraid we can’t come before they do. We live four hours away.” Hang up the phone and cross your fingers. You have a gut feeling this is the one!

At this point, concerned loved ones might be questioning your sanity. “Why do you want that old trailer anyway?” they ask. Why? Because you’re a vintage RV dreamer. Sure, it started because you’ve always had a soft spot for __________________ trailers. (Airstream, Spartan, Streamline, Shasta, Aristocrat, Avion, Aloha, Kenskill, Airfloat… fill in the blank with your favorite.) You see yourself moseying down quiet two-lane highways, shiny trailer in tow. You imagine majestic mountain campgrounds and feeding chipmunks while sitting by a fire. Sunsets at the beach fill your mind’s eye. And let’s not forget the stars at night. Everywhere you go, the sky is filled with them.

Then there’s that cool decorating theme you’ve always wanted to do, with your vintage trailer as the canvas, a potential design laboratory for trying new things. (Or perhaps something you would consider too expensive for your larger house.) It might be gingham & chintz, 1950s kiddie western, Grandpa’s woodsy cabin, or sleek, mid-century modern. All in a color scheme most people would question in a larger space. Whatever it is, all your splendid ideas are written down. Maybe you even have some samples. You can vividly picture the end result. You can picture it, and it’s going to be cool.

So, You Think You Want a Recreational Vehicle...

Our "new" baby is a 31' 1979 Airstream International Sovereign.  

The reasons that cause people to purchase a recreational vehicle are many and highly personal for everyone. The same goes for the type of rig the potential RVer eventually decides to purchase.

Often the decision to buy an RV begins with a dream; perhaps of freedom while still having the comforts of home, or being able to bring certain family members normally excluded from the typical family vacation (AKA - the pets). If the dream persists long enough, you might eventually conclude it’s time to make it a reality.

Ah, reality. It isn’t nearly as much fun as dreaming. Reality requires actual work: getting everyone on the same page; asking all kinds of hard questions; making notes to keep track of pertinent information... Oh, and let’s not forget patience. That last one is especially important for anyone considering the purchase of an RV. There are numerous choices out there, and turning a dream into the best reality for you takes time. We started discussing the possibility of purchasing an RV more than two years ago. Though we eventually purchased a 35 yr. old Airstream, when the subject first came up, ownership of a vintage trailer wasn’t immediately on our radar.

Okay, RV dreamers. Where do you start on the road to reality? Like it or not, the answer is research. And that’s where those hard questions with their resulting answers will become very important. Some of those hard questions will require research to come up with the best answer. For those who haven’t actually considered what it’s like to purchase an RV of any kind, we give you this comparison to help start you on your journey. It’s like buying a house and a motor vehicle all in one purchase. Regardless of type or age of the recreational vehicle, you just might be making two purchases. Owners of the large Class A motorhomes, conversion buses, and some Class C motorhomes often end up towing a smaller vehicle used for local trips while the coach becomes home base for the duration of the stay. Travel trailers and 5^th wheel trailers require a properly equipped tow vehicle, capable of safely handling the weight of the fully loaded trailer.

How did we make our final decision? There were many discussions (and sometimes arguments) about what type of RV would best suit our needs (we have a large fur kid family and possibly other adults who might join us occasionally). Four main concerns kept popping up in every conversation. How much did we want to spend up front and on long term maintenance of the recreational vehicle? Did we want to be able to use it immediately? Or was a project more appealing? Our choice also needed to suit the hauling weight of the tow vehicle we already owned. After all the back and forth discussions, we kept coming back to vintage trailers. There is a certain aesthetic appeal to vintage trailers (Otherwise known as the cool factor). It turns out we have a soft spot for Airstreams. Then the search was on.