[A/S] Oasis RV

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

Occasionally, there's discussion on this list about locating sources for parts to repair older
Airstreams. Here's another source. It's Oasis RV Center in Tuscon, AZ (800-658-5863). 

Today (Monday 10/23/00), we stopped at Oasis RV for a shear pin to our 1977 Airstream door lock.
They had it. What surprised me was they had a box with compartments containing all the little parts
that may need replacing in our exact door lock. Organization like that doesn't occur just by chance.
I asked myself, "Could it be Oasis RV is oriented toward fixing rather than replacing?" 

As is our usual practice when stopping at an Airstream dealership, I first ask for a few things from
my "to buy - parts lists." You may recall, last week I told how I broke the inside plastic door
handle on our 1977 31' Airstream, and about how I found a mongrel handle and how I adapted it to our
lock stem. Well, I decided to ask for that handle, never expecting it would be within arm's reach
and plunked down on the counter almost before I finished speaking. On top of that, it was an
aluminum door handle and matched the exact shape in every detail. I thought, "Is this possible,
could I be on a roll?"

Next, I asked for a cartridge of "Vulkum" caulking. They had it. This must have been too simple a
request, so I asked for a door slide to fit into the channels of our screen door and I wanted it to
match my original door slide. Yes, they had it and yes, it did. With four successes to their credit,
I decided to branch out.

Next, I asked for an orifice to the burner in our refrigerator (original equipment 1977). Our main
refrigerator box would cool to only 45 degrees and the flame was weak (in spite of my best efforts
to clean it). They had the orifice in stock. I asked about the thermocouple, their reply was that
mine appeared to be working fine and I didn't need to spend my money on that. Ohhh?

By this time I had informally assessed the depth of their parts department and had noticed how
several employees were enthusiastically working on other Airstreams. Impulsively, I asked to have
our refrigerator chimney cleaned and the new orifice installed. Fifteen minutes later, it was done,
tested and confirmed to be providing greater cooling capacity. With my 30X microscope I can see down
into the orifice throat. The old orifice is corroded and will become part of my two minute seminars
during our next caravan.

Lastly, I noticed two used 40# propane bottles with no dents, new valves and an inspection date of
10/00 standing off to one side of their parts room. I mentioned to the Service Manager that, "I'd
like to buy those two 40# propane bottles, swap my two 30# propane bottles for them and pay you the
difference." His reply, "We can do that. I'll check the cost." He came back in a few minutes with,
"The price difference will be $35 each and installed with a longer bar to hold the regulator in a
higher position." Voila`, 20 minutes later, two 40# filled propane bottles were installed. And the
job was done to my satisfaction (I have firm opinions about how some jobs should be done.) I had 
been wanting 40#ers for several years, but had never found anyone who would swap for my 30# bottles
(no dents, new valves, current inspection dates). Was I pleased with this stop at Oasis RV? You bet
I was and I still am. 

Bottom line. Here is an Airstream dealer with parts for more than old Airstreams. Even the most
casual eyeballing of the parts department speaks volumes. One of the employees said to me, "They
don't throw anything away here and they've been in business for 30 years." The Parts Manager told me
he spends 4 hours every day taking orders and filling them for Airstream customers all across the
United States. 
 
This is the fifth Airstream dealer we've mentioned on the email discussion group (Florida, Idaho,
Delaware, Mississippi and Arizona). Also mentioned were two "used-to-be Airstream dealers" (Florida
& New York). Recently, another egroup member mentioned a dealer in Texas. Each of these businesses
has provided a valued service to an Airstream owner in this small email group. There are Airstream
dealers we have not yet visited or mentioned who carry extenive parts for Airstreams. In my opinion,
anyone looking for parts can find them if they are willing to persist and will pay a few extra
dollars for UPS delivery to their door. I must confess that we locate some of our parts in
unorthodox places, like an ordinary junk yard. There is a benefit to being alert for local options
that occur unpredictably, just as there is a benefit to using local craftsmen for rebuilding
specific generic components, just as there is a benefit to keeping track of retired caravan
mechanics (and their trucks with all those old parts). 

Happy hunting,  

Terry & Sandie Tyler
1977 31' Airstream Excella 500
mailto:Tylerbears@airstream.net