The Vintage Airstream E-mail ListDigest Archive Files
VAL Digest V1 #102
VAL Digest Saturday, December 20 2003 Volume 01 : Number 102
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Topics in Today's Digest:
[VAL] Maurice Tierney Out of Office
[VAL] note from a moderator.
[VAL] Re: 1964 Ambassador weight
[VAL] Dometic fridge 1961
Re: [VAL] Forwarded message
Re: [VAL] RE:Vintage Advantage
[VAL] Airstream parks in Arizona and Southern California
Re: [VAL] Airstream parks in Arizona and Southern California
[VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
RE: [VAL] Fitting Coleman Air Conditioner to '69 Caravel
Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Re: [VAL] Re: bike racks
Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Re: [VAL] Re: bike racks
Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 01:25:32 -0500
From: "publisher@xxxxxxxxxx.com" <publisher@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Maurice Tierney Out of Office
I will be out of the office from December 15th through December 31st. Thanks.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 06:26:57 -0800 (PST)
From: Toby Folwick <toby_folwick@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] note from a moderator.
re: Maurice Tierney Out of Office
if you're heading out of town, or not going to be
checking your email, please consider suspending your
subscription on the VAList. It's not necessary of
course, and it can be nice to come back to emails that
you may have missed, but "out of the office" messages
come back to the list, and sometimes your mailbox will
fill entirely and "bounce" back to Tom.
just a thought for you all. Happy Holidays!
Toby Folwick
VAList moderator.
- --- "publisher@xxxxxxxxxx.com"
<publisher@xxxxxxxxxx.com> wrote:
> I will be out of the office from December 15th
> through December 31st. Thanks.
>
>
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>
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 08:33:12 -0700
From: "Fred Coldwell" <agrijeep@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Re: 1964 Ambassador weight
Pearl:
Per the factory sales brochure, the 1964 28' Ambassador
weights 4,280 lbs dry (with twin or double bed) and has a
hitch weight of 420 pounds. This is empty weight. Adding
provisions, water, propane, etc. will quickly increase the
weight.
Fred Coldwell
> >
> >I have pampered this trailer for 39 years and always kept all
> >maintenance up to snuff......always keeping it ready to take off with a
> >couple of hours notice so I hope whoever owns it next keeps it for
> >many years of happy trailering. I wish my health had not gone down
> >hill and that I could continue. I will appreciate any finfo forarded
> >to me Pearl in SoCal
>
> Pearl, brush her off and wait for a responsible person to make an offer.
> chas
> --
> Charles L Hamilton - Houston, TX - chasm@xxxxxxxxxx.net
> Very best Wishes for Health and Prosperity to You and Yours
> in the coming New Year. Happy Holidays!
> Owner of Cast Bullet and Black Powder elists RKBA!
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 10:40:34 -0500
From: "nickruthwarren" <nickruthwarren@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Dometic fridge 1961
I have a 1961 Tradewind. The original Dometic gas fridge needs a new
thermostat, can anyone tell me where I might find one or where I might find
the model number on this fridge, it's not anywhere obvious?
Much appreciated,
Ruth Warren & the Tin Can Clan.
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 10:44:46 -0500
From: "nickruthwarren" <nickruthwarren@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Forwarded message
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "schuetzen - RKBA!" <chasm@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 12:02 AM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Forwarded message
> Pearl, brush her off and wait for a responsible person to make an offer.
> chas
I thought the prospective buyer concerned in may be naive rather that
irresponsible, a rash and rather harsh judgment of those new to Airstreaming
who may not yet understand the full complexities of owning and towing any
trailer.
Ruth Warren.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 08:28:05 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE:Vintage Advantage
All,
There are several retrofits I'm preparing to do to our new-to-us 1969
Caravel. Two of them are on the exterior. I've located a Zip Dee from a
1969 Airstream and have spoken to the good folks at that company who
indicate that I can cut down that one that's too long and fit it to mine, so
that's all under control to this point.
The question I have for the list deals with fitting a Coleman Air
Conditioner from a 1969 Airstream to my Caravel. I just read this morning
in the Vintage Airstream Club notes that the drip pan was fitted to 1969's
as well as the wiring already being in place. How does one determine where
to cut into the roof so as to hit inside the pan and get the unit where it
would have been placed at the factory?
Thanks,
Glyn
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 16:11:40 -0600
From: "Rick Ellis" <rickellis@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: [VAL] Airstream parks in Arizona and Southern California
Airstream folks,
Are there Airstream Parks in Arizona and Southern California that
welcome Airstream visitors. I enjoyed the Airstream Parks in Florida
last year, but we are heading west this time. I would love to find
something in the San Diego area.
Rick Ellis
WBCCI 01973
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 15:24:06 -0700
From: "Roger Hightower" <rwhigh@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Airstream parks in Arizona and Southern California
These are the only ones I know of:
Top of Georgia - Helen, GA
Penn Wood Airstream Park - Clarion, PA
Minnesota Airstream Park - St. Cloud, MN
Airstream Park - Christmas, FL
Mystic Springs Airstream Park - McDavid, FL
Highland Haven Airstream Park - Floyd City, VA
Jersey Shore Haven - S. Seaville, NJ
Cherokee Land Yacht Harbor - Vian, OK
Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground - Crossville, TN
North Texas Airstream Community - Hillsboro, TX
Roger
Roger Hightower
WBCCI #4165,VAC
1975 31' Sovereign
Mesa, AZ
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 15:41:43 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
All,
It's awful quiet out there today. Does anybody have an answer for me as
to how to determine where the AC unit gets cut into the roof of my '69
Caravel. (See previous post of mine today on the subject).
Thanks,
Glyn
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 19:06:19 -0500
From: "chyde" <brownhyde@primelink1.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
> It's awful quiet out there today. Does anybody have an answer for me
as
> to how to determine where the AC unit gets cut into the roof of my '69
> Caravel. (See previous post of mine today on the subject).
>
> Thanks,
Glyn,
I believe that you remove one of your factory roof vents to install AC.
Usually the middle one. People have said in previous posts that the wiring
will be apparent once you remove the vent frame and are able to peer between
the skins. I've never done it before but it does make sense from a
production point of view.
Good luck with it,
Colin
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 18:13:30 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
I dislike AC. I dislike AC on a camper more. So I'm not much of an
authority on AC. But I believe the AC doesn't get cut into the roof, it
replaces the existing vent on the Caravel. The wiring diagrams in my
manual hint that the 120 volt circuit is stubbed in quite close to the
vent for the AC. But the manual clearly states that the AC option should
be installed by the Airstream dealer.
Fundamentally (besides the noise and heat the AC adds to the
campground), the AC mounted up high hurts the lateral stability of the
trailer giving it a greater tendency to roll over. And I think it hurts
the appearance, but them I'm biased as I admitted up top. It surely adds
a significant wind drag on the road.
There have been discussion of AC installations on this and the previous
VAC list which should be in the archives. One suggestion is to mount the
air conditioner down low under a seat or in the bottom of a cabinet
venting it out the bottom skin and through the side wall. Makes for a
better weight distribution.
Gerald J.
- --
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 16:41:11 -0800
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
> All,
>
> It's awful quiet out there today. Does anybody have an answer for me
as
> to how to determine where the AC unit gets cut into the roof of my '69
> Caravel. (See previous post of mine today on the subject).
>
> Thanks,
>
> Glyn
Hey Glyn:
See you got down there in one piece (after all that).
You should check out RJs site for where folks installed AC units on trailers
like yours. There are pictures of '69 thru '71 Caravels (as I recall).
Units pictured were installed where the rear vent is located. A vent
location is typical for an installation point, although the vent itself must
be removed. In your case I believe that your vents are the rounded ones
like the ones on my '67. Hehr? If so, the rounded hole for the vent must
be cut out to a 14" square opening for installing the AC. I went the other
way and trashed the AC on my trailer and reinstalled an original vent.
Nasty job because the 14" square hole had to be restored to the rounded one
required by the vent (inside and out).
Re: the pan. You won't have one.
Re: the wiring. You will be lucky to have any. If you do, I suspect that
it will be in the ceiling adjacent to the rear vent opening.
RJs picture collection can be found at:
http://www.vintageairstream.com/archives/index.html
Good luck,
GQ '67 Safari
4082 in CA
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 18:36:43 -0600
From: Kevin D Allen <overlander64@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: RE: [VAL] Fitting Coleman Air Conditioner to '69 Caravel
Greetings Glyn!
I suspect that you will find a situation with your Caravel similar to
that I had with my Minuet. The coach will likely be pre-wired, and you
will also find that the condensate drain tube(s) have been
pre-installed; but I suspect that there won't be a drain pan as each was
unique to a particular model air conditioner.
With my Minuet, the opening was cut as measured from the front main roof
bow - - it basically encompassed the electric box cover that was visible
in the ceiling just ahead of the rear roof vent - - I don't think that
Airstream used the same method as Argosy to identify the Air Conditioner
pre-wire; in fact I am beginning to think that the ceiling mounted
electrical box cover may have been a Minuet only feature where the
pre-wire was an extra-cost option according to the literature that I
have.
You might try contacting the factor to get the necessary measurement and
the point from which the measurement needs to be made.
Good luck with your project!
Kevin
Kevin D. Allen
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban
1978 Argosy Minuet
1975 Cadillac Convertible (towcar in-training)
WBCCI/VAC #6359
- -----Original Message-----
From: valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com
[mailto:valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com] On Behalf Of Glyn Judson
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 10:28 AM
To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE:Vintage Advantage
All,
The question I have for the list deals with fitting a Coleman Air
Conditioner from a 1969 Airstream to my Caravel. I just read this
morning
in the Vintage Airstream Club notes that the drip pan was fitted to
1969's
as well as the wiring already being in place. How does one determine
where
to cut into the roof so as to hit inside the pan and get the unit where
it
would have been placed at the factory?
Thanks,
Glyn
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 18:21:15 -0800 (PST)
From: Chris Tognetti <ctognetti59@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
I like this idea. While not to crazy about having AC when camping. Grew up without it and
just now having it for bed rooms in the house. It does make life easier with young ones as
they don't wake up in the middle of the night from the heat. Also a floor mount would allow
you to use a non-RV roof AC unit. Some of the window units are cheap and could be converted
to work on the floor. Now finding a good floor space is the trick.
Chris
"Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net> wrote:
One suggestion is to mount the
air conditioner down low under a seat or in the bottom of a cabinet
venting it out the bottom skin and through the side wall. Makes for a
better weight distribution.
- ---------------------------------
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New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 21:37:28 -0500
From: Blair <hitek_airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Glyn -
Your best bet is call the tech service folks in Jackson Center, OH. (Check
web site for number)
Leave a message as to your question and they will call you back with the
correct answer.
I can't remember what the dimension was from the front end cap edge but
they will tell you.
I think it was 60 some inches on my 64 Tradewind, but may not be the same
for yours.
Blair
Hangin' in Key West
At 06:41 PM 12/19/2003, you wrote:
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
> All,
>
> It's awful quiet out there today. Does anybody have an answer for me as
>to how to determine where the AC unit gets cut into the roof of my '69
>Caravel. (See previous post of mine today on the subject).
>
> Thanks,
>
> Glyn
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
>To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
>http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 19:10:30 -0800
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: bike racks
Gerald:
Keen idea - I have room in the pickup for the lever. I'm not sure I
understand exactly how to pull off the procedure but i'll print out
your message and study it.
Jo Ann
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 19:14:23 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Colin, Gerald, Gary, Chris, Kevin, Blair and all,
Thank you all for taking the time to lead me by the hand through all the
thinking on the subject. As usual, I wasn't clear as to how my Caravel is
fitted and the purpose I intend it for.
I based some of my assumptions on the FAQ section of the Vintage
Airstream Club about air conditioners here:
http://www.airstream.net/FAQ/FAQ_12.html.
You can see that they address many of the initial questions I had except for
the exact placement of the unit.
From what they say, the wiring, pan and condensate tubes are already
there for the Coleman unit. I have four AC breakers, only two of which seem
to do anything so maybe the wiring really is there.
Gerald, I tend to agree with you as to the aesthetics and windage issue
but this Caravel is going to be the prettiest on my block that's relegated
to a lifetime of sitting on jacks in the back of the property. My wife
wants it for a retreat and we will also have it double as an overflow for
when family and friends stay with us. We've had other trailers in the past
and the kids love sleeping out there.
Gary, thanks for the link to RJ's site. It clearly shows the AC unit
aft of the one and only vent in the Caravel (sorry not have stated the vent
count and location in my first post) at:
http://www.vintageairstream.com/archives/69Caravel/69Caravel.html
The vent is way forward of the installed unit that can be seen outside
in the first image and inside in images 9, 10 and 11. The cross bar for the
accordion door is a hint as to where it should approximately go. The camera
position in those last three images is approximately under the single
overhead vent.
Blair, I should have thought to contact Airstream directly and I'm
grateful for the suggestion. For some reason I was under the impression
that Airstream was not used owner friendly. I'll phone them tonight as soon
as I send this out to you all.
Thanks again to you all,
Glyn
1969 Caravel #508
Santa Monica CA
Hers: Puny 1992 Toyota Celica, 4 cyl.
His: Somewhat puny 1995 Camry wagon, V-6
Tow vehicle: No plans
> From: Blair <hitek_airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 21:37:28 -0500
> To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
>
> Glyn -
>
> Your best bet is call the tech service folks in Jackson Center, OH. (Check
> web site for number)
>
> Leave a message as to your question and they will call you back with the
> correct answer.
>
> I can't remember what the dimension was from the front end cap edge but
> they will tell you.
> I think it was 60 some inches on my 64 Tradewind, but may not be the same
> for yours.
>
> Blair
> Hangin' in Key West
>
>
> At 06:41 PM 12/19/2003, you wrote:
>> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>>
>> All,
>>
>> It's awful quiet out there today. Does anybody have an answer for me as
>> to how to determine where the AC unit gets cut into the roof of my '69
>> Caravel. (See previous post of mine today on the subject).
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Glyn
>>
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>>
>> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
>> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 21:59:32 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: bike racks
Jo Ann, try it with a spare. If you have room, make the lever 4' long.
Even a piece of 2x2 or hardwood closet pole might work, but then I carry
something like that with a hook on the end for pulling things to the
back of my pickup bed, but I broke it a couple weeks ago trying it as a
pry so I recommend the pipe.
Once you get the wheel and tire up with the pipe tilted 30 degrees or
so, the tire will slide down the pipe to the edge of the tail gate. At
that point the tire/wheel will almost be balanced on the edge of the
tailgate and you can grab the lower edge of the tire and use it as the
lever to lift up and slide in.
Gerald J.
- --
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 21:31:43 -0700
From: "gshippen" <gshippen@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Anyone out there? and AC installation
Hi Glyn,
I too am not crazy about the roof mounting of AC. In fact I just removed
the vintage AC from the 62 Globe Trotter. After our 7500 mile trip to the
east coast the roof had many, many rivets popped out around the AC and it
had started to crack the interior skin and push it downward away from the
aluminum framework. It is my conviction that the trailer was not
structurally designed to support the weight. Same goes for the 66
Overlander where the AC has cracked the interior skin...I have not removed
it yet but plan to do so. I am leaning toward the floor mounted AC under
the couch next time.
Interestingly enough the AC was flattening the roof exterior skin which
returned to the correct curvature when I lifted the AC off the
trailer....well drug it off on the ladder! Very heavy! I don't think
Walley approved that add on! I can imagine the GT even pulling a little
easier now.
Happy trails, GAS
------------------------------
End of VAL Digest V1 #102
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