[A/S] twins to double & closets/vanity/desk

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Teri,

Been there, done that - 15 years ago. Swapped our parts for factory  
parts at Billy Pollards dealership in Jackson, Mississippi.  Granted,  
Billy's parts were not brand new. Someone else had done the reverse of  
what we did. We had a full permanent double bed that we swapped out for  
a high back couch which opened to a double bed. This provided a roomy  
atmosphere in our center bedroom ('77 31'). It also provided floor  
space for an island table easily disassembled when the couch was opened  
to a bed. We replaced the foam in the couch when the entire interior  
was refurbished. My wife and I found the couch double bed exceptionally  
comfortable and attractive.

When I did the job, we parked in Billy's gated service area and I  
swapped out everything myself  and installed everything myself. One of  
Billy's service men checked on my progress several times and would have  
done the work for me had I needed assistance. Although Billy is no  
longer an Airstream dealer, his quonset hut style storage buildings are  
still full of Airstream components. Perhaps he has what you need.

If I wanted to do what you are considering - this year, I'd go to Billy  
(or Eric) with some other job (any job) that I wanted done and then use  
the inevitable down time - to have one of his servicemen look for what  
I wanted. Finding things in the storage buildings is not as easy as one  
might expect.

This is an old dealership with a long history of saving used components  
in hopes that someday, someone will need something no one else has in  
stock. An inventory system may have existed in the past. The good part  
is Billy's service people have long memories for what may or might be  
in storage. Allowing them to find it requires patience and supportive  
encouragement without being under foot or interrupting other jobs they  
may be doing simultaneously.

This dealership is not a modern place nor does it sell Airstreams  
anymore. But if I were you and wanted gracious southern hospitality  
with considerate service people, I'd call him so he expected me and  
then I'd dust off all my "laid back" attitudes and go there with a full  
water tank and empty holding tanks.

There will be no frantic pace of servicemen whose work is dictated by  
efficiency experts. That work ethic has not arrived at this dealership.  
Instead, our experience has been with service men who showed competence  
and a thorough understanding of what need to be done and then, it was  
done - right - the first time. Others may have had different  
experiences. So be it. We'll continue to do business with Billy Pollard  
and his crew whenever the need exists and we're in the vicinity.

Good Luck,

Terry