RehabFAQs

how to properly rehab an airstream camper

by Mallory Langosh Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Start with a good sweep with a broom or Swiffer, then use warm, soapy water to disinfect and clean the floors. Let them air dry, and that’s it! Your Airstream is built with the same type of floors you’d find on a boat or yacht, so they’re super low maintenance and stay looking great. Keep Fabrics Fresh

Full Answer

Can You restore a vintage Airstream trailer?

Someone interested in restoring an Airstream needs to look past the issues of an ‘As-Found’ trailer and see its potential. Patience and perserverance are words that come to mind when ou choose to ‘go vintage.’. Once you commit to restoring a vintage Airstream, you have an open canvas. There will be hurdles to overcome, guaranteed, it ...

How do I Keep my airstream looking new?

Apr 13, 2013 · First, go to your nearest city on Craigslist and head over to the RVs section. That will always be at something like http://asheville.craigslist.org/rva/ or http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/rva/. Once you’re there, do a search for Airstream and feel free to limit the search to your price range.

What are the most common problems with Airstream campers?

Jun 01, 2021 · Learn how to quickly and properly wash and wax your Airstream Travel Trailer RV while avoiding scratches and other easy mistakes. Colonial Airstream is conv...

Do airstreams require a lot of maintenance?

Sep 02, 2020 · Work with the grain (front to back horizontally) and avoid up-and-down strokes which could scratch the surface. If your Airstream RV includes ultra-suede fabric on the walls, baby wipes are a great way to keep them clean. Just be careful not to saturate the fabric and be sure to let it air dry. Dispose of wipes in the trash, never in the toilet.

How do you completely renovate an Airstream?

1:5011:54The First 30 Days Of Renovating An Airstream Into A Tiny HomeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou know became a no-brainer. We got to take the body off of the frame. Because. If you want thisMoreYou know became a no-brainer. We got to take the body off of the frame. Because. If you want this done right to be a like brand-new almost feeling trailer you got to do it from the ground.

How much does it cost to rehab an Airstream?

As a rule of thumb, a DIY Airstream renovation costs around $850 - $1,000 per linear foot. If you have a professional business do the work, it'll be likely over $2,000 per linear foot (cost depend on many variables, see my article about Airstream Renovation Cost).Nov 3, 2020

Is it worth it to restore an Airstream?

Having a pretty interior is fine and good, but it's not worth it if you're constantly fixing leaks, or your frame has serious issues, or you have rodents in your walls. Renovations take time and patience—and then more time, and more patience.Sep 28, 2018

How much does it cost to renovate an old Airstream?

$25,000 to $100,000Depending on your budget the cost of restoring can be anywhere $25,000 to $100,000. Not only do you need to worry about making sure the restored vintage Airstream looks nice, but you also need to think about the quality and age of the parts holding the trailer together.Aug 30, 2018

How much does it cost to polish an Airstream?

Professional Airstream polishing typically runs $100 to $200 per foot of trailer length. So a 25 foot Airstream could be quoted at anywhere from $2500 to $5000. The price is mostly driven by the cost of local labor.Jan 13, 2015

How do you insulate an Airstream?

10:3520:54INSULATION OPTIONS | Vintage Airstream Renovation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you do more than one layer if you have air space in between all those that would kind ofMoreAnd if you do more than one layer if you have air space in between all those that would kind of insulate the air from whatever temperatures on the outside. And it has to be glued to the wall somehow.

Can you live in Airstream in winter?

The answer is yes! Airstreams come from the factory with some of the features needed for winter camping in cold weather. For example, the plumbing pipes and tanks are all enclosed in a heated compartment so if the heat is on your plumbing components will not freeze.Aug 1, 2020

How often do you have to polish an Airstream?

You will need to re-polish your Airstream every 1-2 years after it was initially done if you want to keep it looking decent. This shouldn't be the same effort as the first time you have it polished. It's just a "once-over" to bring the shine back.Oct 22, 2018

How long does an Airstream last?

40 yearsLongevity. Airstreams can easily last 40 years and more, compared to the conventional trailers typical life of 15 years. When you amortize the purchase price over its length of service, an Airstream actually costs less to own than other trailers. Over 70 percent of all Airstreams ever made are still on the road today!

How much is a 2021 Airstream?

The 2021 Flying Cloud starts at $78,900 while the International starts at $91,900, and both are available now for pre-order at Airstream dealers nationwide.Jun 16, 2020

Do they still make Airstreams?

Airstream travel trailers from the 1930's are still on the road today.

How much does an Airstream weigh?

Most Airstream models weigh between 3,000 and 5,000 lbs., although there are some that lie outside that general range. The heaviest model is the Classic at almost 8,000 lbs, and the lightest is the Basecamp at just over 2,500 lbs.Jan 8, 2021

Who is Tim from Vintage Airstream?

Tim is the creator of the Vintage Airstream Podcast, aka The VAP, the Internet’s biggest and best resource for information about oldie Airstreams. His book is an in-depth narrative that chronicles how he restored two vintage Airstreams of his own.

Why don't you need a house in an RV?

It’s not the destination, but the journey. It’s exploring the world. You don’t need a house because when you travel, you’re home. That’s RV LIFE.

Why is Tim's book a must read?

Tim’s book is a must-read mainly because he explains how to assess different features of vintage Airstreams before you buy so that you don’t make the mistakes that he and many others have made. Some of the critical information you’ll learn includes:

How to Find the Perfect Vintage Airstream for You

Ebay, Craigslist, the Air Forums, your local newspaper; there’s no shortage of places to look for Airstreams. However, not a single one of these make it all that easy to find something specifically in your price range, the size you want, etc. You have to wade through a plethora of wrongs to even find a right, let alone the right one for you.

Create Your Checklist

Now that you’ve got emails coming in telling you about the Airstreams that are available, you’ll no doubt start to find some that you absolutely love. All you need to do is give them each a thorough inspection. The Air Forums offers a fabulous checklist for just such purposes.

Bringing it Home!

This is something that many people overlook, but couldn’t be more important! You can’t just show up, pay for the Airstream of your dreams and take it home. Aside from a vehicle with a towing package and hitch rated for whatever the weight of your Airstream will be, you need a few additional items.

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Our Airstream Renovation

Now for the fun part, let’s take a look at our Airstream renovation project! Again, this is a 1976 Airstream International Sovereign of the Road Land Yacht. At least, that’s what it says in the manual. We just call her the Airstream but she does feel like a queen, and certainly like captaining a boat on the highway.

How to keep airstream RV clean?

Work with the grain (front to back horizontally) and avoid up-and-down strokes which could scratch the surface. If your Airstream RV includes ultra-suede fabric on the walls, baby wipes are a great way to keep them clean. Just be careful not to saturate the fabric and be sure to let it air dry. Dispose of wipes in the trash, never in the toilet.

Can you use liquid toilet cleaner on RV toilets?

Typical liquid toilet cleaners are safe for rv toilets , but you’ll want to avoid flushing anything but waste down the toilet. That includes cleaning wipes. It also never hurts to add some extra water to your toilet to help cleaners make their way into your black water tank.

Can you clean the interior of an airstream?

If cleaning the interior of your Airstream got you in the cleaning mood, keep it going on the exterior! Most auto products are safe to use on your Airstream, so long as they are safe with clear coats. Check for that on the bottle before you start cleaning. And always work with the grain, front to back horizontally, and never up and down.

Can you use sanitizing wipes on Airstream?

Sanitizing wipes are safe for Airstream seating fabrics and Ultraleather ®, but it’s always a good idea to test them on a small, out-of-sight area first. It’s also a good idea to wash your sheets and towels in preparation for any trip.

How many hours do Kate and Ellen work?

Kate and Ellen, a married couple with a daughter, may have traded in their traditional jobs, but they still work up to 100 hours a week. And they might not have coworkers, but they do spend time with rodents and snakes in dilapidated frames for months at a time.

When will Kate and Ellen open their online courses?

That’s why Kate and Ellen have decided to open online courses through their website that delve into the processes of renovating an Airstream, which they hope to launch by New Year’s Day 2019. It will cover vital subjects like electrical and plumbing, while also discussing their often-coveted designs.

Can you renovate an airstream?

Renovating a vintage Airstream generally isn’t as simple as slapping on a coat of paint and changing out the old , dry-rotted tires. If it is that simple, you’re probably missing some key elements that affect your safety, sanity, and health.

Is Airstream a house?

Overall, Airstream renovation isn’t the same as a house renovation. Houses don’t have a rusted chassis to repair, and very rarely have curved walls and ceilings. The interior build has to be able to shift with the movement of the road, and weight restrictions have to be considered.

What are the problems with Airstream campers?

Here are the most common problems with Airstream campers. Corrosion. Rivets. Leaks. Dents. Scratches. Difficult to Find Replacement Parts. Difficult to Repair The Exterior.

What can put dents in an airstream?

Hail isn’t the only thing that can put a dent into the side of an Airstream. You can get dents from road debris, tree branches, and any number of things that might bump into your Airstream.

How many amps does an Airstream have?

While most campers will have 100 or 110 amp batteries, Airstream typically provides 80 amp batteries. Not only this but Airstream does not provide a gauge to tell you if your batteries are getting low.

Can you camp in an airstream in the winter?

An Airstream isn’t built for winter camping. Airstreams get cold and their water tanks will freeze up in cold weather. Also, you’re more likely to fall victim to the corrosion we talked about earlier in cold weather so you really don’t even want to bring your Airstream out onto the road in the winter.

Does Airstream use aluminum?

Not only this but Airstream has used different aluminum thicknesses on different model years. In order to buy the appropriate aircraft grade aluminum needed to replace panels, you’ll need to find out exactly what aluminum thickness was used.

Can airstream rivets leak?

As we said a moment ago, Airstream rivets make it more prone to leaking. However, this isn’t the only possible way for an Airstream to leak. An Airstream is made from aluminum which tends to expand and contract based upon the weather conditions. Over time this can weaken the seals around windows, doors, and vents.

Is an airstream a good camper?

Airstreams are great campers but they do have their problems. Most people have a very romantic (and maybe unrealistic) picture of Airstream trailers. We DON’T want to scare you away from these shiny beauties but we think you should at least be warned. Airstreams do require more work than most RVs and camper trailers.

Who owns Mavis the Airstream?

Mavis the Airstream is owned by Sheena Armstrong and husband Jason, a couple who renovated their first "Mavis ," a 1975 Airstream Overlander, in 2016, before moving on to "Mavis 2.0," a 1977 Airstream Sovereign. They chronicle their renovations, extensive Airstream knowledge, and travels on their blog and Instagram channels under ...

When was Hudson Valley Airstream completed?

Hudson Valley Airstream completed in "Roberta" in 2019, and it’s currently for sale. It’s a fully renovated, 29-foot Airstream Ambassador named for singer Roberta Flack, "because ‘Killing Me Softly’ was a hit in 1973, the same year this Airstream was made," says the studio.

What is Oliver's favorite detail?

Oliver’s favorite detail in the trailer is the fiberglass and Bondo shower, crafted by Prasse. "I really wanted the shower to look like plaster, but in a moving trailer, that’s just not an option," says Oliver.

Who designed the Kugelschiff?

The Kugelschiff is a vintage Airstream Bambi II with interiors that were designed by Robert Edmonds of Edmonds + Lee Architects; the build-out was handled by Sergey Shevchuk of Silver Bullet Trailers.

Who is Patrick Neely and Kerri Cole?

Colorado Caravan. The couple found this 1969 Globetrotter through a Craigslist ad. Patrick Neely and Kerri Cole are the husband-and-wife team behind Colorado Caravan, a Denver studio that renovates caravans, containers, and Airstreams.

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