Today’s question is from a young man named Kevin. Kevin wants to know, “Should I buy a move-in ready trailer or should I buy a trailer to renovate?” Take it away, Kevin!

Hey!
So I’m 16 and my family doesn’t have much… I’ve always been into outdoor stuff. I ran across your blog somehow and I absolutely love everything. I now have a dream to live in a trailer like y’all have and live life like that. My main concern for my future is providing for myself and future family. I think this could help with those fears because of a significantly lower cost of living. I had a question about purchasing a trailer. I obviously have lots of time. I graduate this coming school year and plan on going to Clemson for forestry, but I’m planning out my future now to be “more prepared”. Do you think it’s better to find a already nice trailer or to find a cheaper one and fix it up?

-Kevin

Hey Kevin,
Thanks for reaching out. I’ve had the same concerns you have and I think you’re super smart for thinking about the future at such a young age.

At least for us, we had to find a “cheaper” trailer and fix it up. Airstreams, even ones that are a P.O.S., can still cost an arm and a leg. Our 1978 Airstream Sovereign cost $5,000. We bought it off Craigslist. It took about $1,500 to fix it up so we could live in it. A new Airstream Land Yacht starts at $146,000! I could buy a house where I live for that. Now, you could also look into other trailer brands, as well. But even used newer model trailers can be expensive.

I love looking at http://www.airstreamclassifieds.com, but I’d also encourage you to look on Craigslist in your area– that’s where the real “deals” are. If you have the right attitude and know how to Google, I think you’ll be able to fix up whatever you find– a bus, a ’70s trailer or an Airstream.