Re: [A/S] Front Kitchen model?

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Ann & Peter,

If I planned to buy a '98 34' Airstream, front kitchen model after what I've
heard (rumors?) over the years, I'd at least check the hitch weight to be
sure it wasn't one of the production models with the axles placed too far
forward or too far to the rear.

A crack over the door wouldn't deter me. In fact, a known problem would help
me when it came time to talk turkey about what I would spend to buy it.
Defects in design can be corrected, but if I had a choice, I would not
knowingly spend my own money to correct it. I'd subtract that amount from
the NADA average price before making an offer to the seller. When referring
to NADA, my opinion is a design flaw negates anything above average, unless
there's a solid paper trail and visual evidence the flaw was corrected.

If you haven't heard of the DonMar Airstream dealership (800-581-4678) in
South Carolina (Exit 141 off I-95) , you might call and ask his opinion. Don
and Mary have been in the Airstream dealer game a long time and Don knows
Airstream structural design inside and out. His dealership may look
disorganized, but don't let that influence your opinion about his insight
and talent for correcting design flaws.

A "fix" may include one or more major expenses, i.e. repositioning the
axles, increasing rigidity of the frame (more iron means more weight) or
procedures I haven't heard about yet.

Up front, you know it'll take a 3/4 ton truck to tow it. If you don't
already have one, then the price of acquiring a different truck needs to be
figured into the equation of costs you'll incur by buying this Airstream.

 With the homework you are now doing, you'll have the knowledge to make a
decisive decision. That's always a good position to be in.

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net