Re: [A/S] 1976 Airstream Restoration In Progress

[D Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dan,

I tow with a Reese WD hitch, have towed horse trailers with one for most 
of my life.  You didn't tell us what you are going to use for a tow 
vehicle which is a much more important piece of information.  As you now 
know, no hitch will save you if speed, weather, and badly balanced hook 
up are in the mix. 

Now on to the other questions:


>1) The furnace ... a suburban NT22FCA ... does not spark. I'm pretty sure I need to replace 
>the module board, aka spark board. This is airstram part# 230483, but I've also heard 
>good things about "dinosaur" boards as replacements. Anybody know a source or have 
>experiance replacing this component?
>  
>
If this is the original furnace, you may well have a killer on your 
hands, leaking carbon monoxide or maybe even going boom.  This is a 
moment to find an RV technician and have the furnace checked out.  
Doesn't need to be an AS mechanic.  Unless you are an experianced 
propane technician, this is not a do it yourself moment.

>2) The "vista view" windows in front  (airstream part # 371181 ?) are a nightmare. I 
>understand that these double-pane windows were originally treated with a UV-blocking 
>'film' on the inside, but that this film typically blistered & peeled away. I think this is what 
>happened with ours ... it has the permanent appearance of shaved ice between he panes 
>AND on top of that one of the windows leaks. (The previous owner tried to fix the problem 
>with some kind of foam sealant, so we have that between the panes too). I would like to 
>replace both of these window assemblies entirely ... the glass, frames and any seals that 
>would go with.
>  
>
As far as I know, there are no parts available  to replace the Vista 
Views, unless you find one in a junk yard.  There are two types: one has 
a break in the bare aluminum retaining ring on the inside and you can 
remove this ring, clean out the mess and  get new spacer material.  The 
other kind you have to break the inner panel ( which sends glass 
everywhere) and clean the outer one up and just have the single pane.  I 
left mine alone, they aren't great, but it didn't bug me enough to fix them.

>The water filter ... the one we have is original equipment, and I can see nothing wrong with 
>it. Still one would expect that there have perhaps been some advancements in RV water 
>filtration, so a suitable replacement would be welcome.
>  
>
The Everpure is still the Cadillac of water filters.

>The trailer has no outside water taps, so we intend to add some. We have a white plastic 
>laundry room hookup box we intend to add, but we'll need an aluminum door closure to 
>cover it. (or a complete insert/unit to use instead of our makeshift solution). its going into 
>an airstream though, and all I've seen in a ready-to-go kit is all white which doesn't cut it 
>for us.
>
>  
>
Ouch, I wish you wouldn't cut a hole, more leaks.  Instead, put a Y at 
your water inlet and put a tap on the unused leg. Or do same at the 
water supply.


>Paint .. the exterior lettering and nameplates are quite faded, so we would like to repaint 
>with the correct "airstream" blue paint. I also have this idea about adding a highly 
>reflective clear-coat in top of the 'A I R S T R E A M' letters in back. Do you have the 
>'airstream blue' paint, or a pantone number for this color? Any idea where we can get the 
>highly reflective clear coat?
>  
>
Rustoleum 's Ford blue is a perfect match. Dunno about the clear coat, 
but how about cutting out the letters in reflective tape and putting 
them in the inset area ?  I think you can get blue.

>Finally ... we are thinking about replacing the front gaucho with a dinette ... ideally one 
>that would be convertible to a bed. Do you have any parts that would help with this 
>endeavor?
>  
>
I was lucky enough to get the guts from a 1973 trailer so I had the 
aluminum extrusions and the matching "walnut" laminate to build my 
dinette.  I doubt you can buy a dinnette or the parts. But maybe in an 
RV junkyard....

http://home.tiac.net/~jtdjtd/aspix/dinette.html

go here to see how I did it.  It is only a single bed when the table is 
down , plywood across the gap, and foam filled in, and a narrow one at 
that. My daughter test drove it over Easter.

>wow .. thats a lot. looking forward to hearing back from y'all.
>
Glad to help !!!

Daisy