VAL Digest V1 #39

VAL Digest         Saturday, October 18 2003         Volume 01 : Number 039




-----------------------------------------------------------------
When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary Digest text

To unsubscribe or change to an e-mail format, please go to
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

Topics in Today's Digest:

[VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams
Re: [VAL] Re: electric hitch
Re: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams
Re: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams
[VAL] Re: tn antenna
Re: [VAL] Re: electric hitch
RE: [VAL]door weather strip
Re: [VAL] That Shiny Airstream
[VAL] Bob & Carmen Cornute
Re: [VAL] Re: tn antenna
[VAL] AlanTBird
Re: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams
Re: [VAL] Re: tn antenna
[VAL] Hensley
Re: [VAL] Re: tn antenna
Re: [VAL] Hensley
[VAL] Limited ca$h re:Hensley and Equal-i-zer hitches
[VAL] Solar 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 05:35:30 -0400
From: "Beekman" <beek@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams

I have been told that there is a group of Airstreamers who regularly attend
fiddle conventions and other sorts of music festivals. Are there any other
fiddle scrapers on this list?

Beekman
'67 Sovereign

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 08:01:23 -0500
From: "Dan Childress" <daniel@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: electric hitch

It was an intermittent fuse.
Thanks Dan
- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: electric hitch


> Dan, look for a fuse in the line feeding your jack.
>
> Scott
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dan Childress" <daniel@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
>
> > I have a 1969 caravel that the electric jack just stopped working.  Not
> > overheated, no noise, just stopped while hooking up.
> >
> >     I jumped it from the wire on another trailer and it works fine.  Any
> > suggestions.
> >
> > Dan
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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, 17 Oct 2003 07:12:38 -0600
From: Rob Davis <rob-iod@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams

 Nope, just a lowly drummer/percussionist here.

Rob Davis
'64 GlobeTrotter

Beekman wrote:

  Are there any other fiddle scrapers on this list?

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 08:09:04 -0500
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams

Scraped bow on bass all last evening, rehearsing for Sunday's concert of
the Central Iowa Symphony. Not a country or blue grass fan. So far, I've
only taken the Airstream to one concert, but more than once have hurried
home from an afternoon concert, changed clothes, hitched up and done 200
miles by bedtime. Won't this time.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 10:47:28 EDT
From: AlanTBird@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: tn antenna

In a message dated 10/16/2003 11:04:24 PM Mountain Standard Time, 
valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com writes:

> how does the TV antenna on top go up?  The 
> crank doesn't seem to be doing anything. This is a 74 model - I have not 
> gone 
> up top yet to see what the problem is but thought there might be a catch or 
> some trick that I don't know about to make it go up?
> 

That's probably the only thing on an AS that does not last 30 plus years.
The gear and screw disintegrate early on. I'm pretty sure rebuild parts are 
available but they are never as good as new.
My 74 is stripped and my 79 was the same way!!
I push mine up and down with a broom handle while hanging out the door!!!!

AlanT
Phx AZ
74 safari
93 Dodge Diesel tow vehicle~~~< needs no training!!!!  < maiden voyage coming 
up soon!!!

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 09:08:49 -0600
From: "Kenneth E. Johansen" <johansen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: electric hitch

Hmmmm so the fuse answer gets the prize - shucks - I was the ground vote.

Ken J.
5358

At 08:01 AM 10/17/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>It was an intermittent fuse.
>Thanks Dan
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
>To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 3:27 PM
>Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: electric hitch
>
>
> > Dan, look for a fuse in the line feeding your jack.
> >
> > Scott
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Dan Childress" <daniel@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> >
> > > I have a 1969 caravel that the electric jack just stopped working.  Not
> > > overheated, no noise, just stopped while hooking up.
> > >
> > >     I jumped it from the wire on another trailer and it works fine.  Any
> > > suggestions.
> > >
> > > Dan
> >
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------
> > 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, 17 Oct 2003 08:23:11 -0700
From: RJ.Dial@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: RE: [VAL]door weather strip

http://www.soffseal.com/14%20Universal.pdf
E1723, E725A and E401 work fine, but for the price, my favorite is the D
shaped seal that Richard Rodrigues sells.  Someone may have his new
e-mail address now that he moved up to Mariposa and can chime in,
otherwise I can find it at home for you.

Use Super Weatherstrip Adhesive from 3M to attach it. Contact cement
and the peel and stick tapes fail quickly.

Best of luck,
RJ
VintageAirstream.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: celliott@xxxxxxxxxx.com [mailto:celliott@xxxxxxxxxx.com]
> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 3:27 PM
> To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Subject: Re: [VAL]door weather strip
>
> Chris Elliott wrote:
>
> > Wheres a good place to get weatherstrip for a 63 door inner
> and outer and I suppose
> > the inner screen door ?. I believe it was glued on type . I
> dont have the old to
> > compare , I noticed airstreamdreams has it for fifties
> trailers which rivets on , but
> > not for 63 , but would it fit ? also for rear compartment
> door . We had a big rain
> > here , makes me notice these things...
> >    Chris

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 11:53:13 -0400
From: "Robert L. Cornute" <ccornut1@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] That Shiny Airstream

Hi Terry; Good to hear from you again! Missed you at the NY State Rally, it
was great, also at the Installation Rally in New Paltz which was OK, :) We
are now looking to exchange our Tow rigging for a Hensley Arrow after our
travels this summer; however, I am not willing to pay almost 3 K for the
Hensley and we are looking for a good used one. We have put up our prize for
the winter and I will be working on sprucing up the interior to go with the
new exterior, P & S did a super job on the re-coating!!!  Hope to hear from
toy again soon. Best Regards to Sandie   Bob & Carmen Cornute
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <AirstreamList@xxxxxxxxxx.com>; <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 11:33 PM
Subject: [VAL] That Shiny Airstream


> Hi Gang,
>
> One of the experiences we have with our shiny Airstream is the number of
> strangers who come up to us with questions about it. They ask how did we
get
> it to shine like that, is the inside restored too, do they still make
them,
> are they as easy to tow as they look, where can I get a used one, and on
and
> on.  Many just want to talk about the Airstream they once owned.
>
> We didn't realize how much of a conversation piece our shiny Airstream
would
> become. After all, she was the same Airstream we had been towing around
the
> continent for years with rarely a comment. Here are a few that occurred
> during the Fall 2003 Lighthouse Color Caravan around Michigan's Peninsula.
>
> 1 - While refueling just before our caravan rendezvous, a man in his 30s
> pulled up to the next pump. There was a woman and two children in the
front
> seat of his pick-up truck. After he replaced the pump nozzle, he looked
over
> at me and asked: "Did you restore that Airstream?" I nodded, "Yes." He
> asked, "How long did it take? " I replied with a grin, "Forever." He
asked,
> "How often do you use it?" I answered, "Each Summer, we travel with it for
> several months."
>
> I added, "The two biggest parts of restoring it were doing the mechanical
> work to make it reliably roadworthy and refurbishing the interior.  The
> smallest part (10%) of the restoration was making it shiny. That was done
> last Winter by a friend who specializes in refinishing Airstreams."
>
> For a moment, he reflected on what I said, then mumbled, "Looks sharp" and
> walked off to pay his bill.  After I paid my bill, he walked with me back
to
> our vehicles and asked, "Where can I get one of those?" I replied, "The
> Airstream Classifieds on the Internet. There were about 300 of them on the
> list last week." We exchanged email addresses and I offered to answer
other
> questions he might have after he returned home.
>
> 2 - At a Taco Bell Restaurant, we parked along an edge of the Restaurant's
> parking lot near two young men (20s) walking to their very large dump
truck.
> They looked over at me as I got out of our Suburban and commented, "I'll
bet
> that diesel has no trouble pulling your little Airstream." I replied, "It
> does okay." One man asked, "Is it easier to pull a shiny trailer?"  I said
> with tongue in cheek, "It's much easier especially going downhill." In all
> seriousness, he answered, "Yes, that makes sense." They continued walking
> toward their truck. I smiled.
>
> 3 -  In a McDonald's parking lot near Petoskey, a man came running out the
> restaurant to ask me what kind of wax I used on the Airstream. I told him,
> "There is no wax on it because wax would dull the shine. It's only the
plain
> raw aluminum with the oxidation buffed off." He was in disbelief. "How
long
> does it take to do that?" I replied, "Ten hours per running foot. This is
a
> 22' Airstream."  In disgust, he marched off muttering something about "too
> much work."
>
> Then, while waiting in line to order, he came over and asked,  "What's the
> inside like?" I told him all the woodwork is refinished, it has new foam
> cushions, new upholstery, new drapes, new Berber carpet, all appliances
work
> perfectly and everything is white glove clean.  His next question was
> predictable, "What's it worth?" With some people I give a direct answer.
> With him, I asked, "What are you willing to offer?" He replied, "Oh, I was
> just curious." He didn't linger while my order was being taken, nor did he
> express further interest.
>
> 4 - In an Arby's Restaurant parking lot, a father and son came over and
> said, "We have a '67 Airstream just like yours," then asked, "Why do you
> have solar panels?" I told them. "The solar panels keep our batteries
fully
> charged without being plugged into a utility box." They asked about rainy
> days. I replied, "Our two solar panels charge our two deep cycle marine
> batteries every day rain or shine AND every Winter even under three feet
of
> snow." They seemed especially interested, so I gave them a copy of four
> handouts I wrote a few years ago when I did seminars on solar power.
>
> Next, they wanted to know if I had trouble locating parts for our vintage
> trailer. I asked if they had a computer at home. They said, "Yes," so I
gave
> them the website address of the Vintage Airstream Discussion List and told
> them they could access 50,000 pages of archives describing everything
about
> restoring and repairing old Airstreams AND finding obsolete parts.
>
> They hadn't heard of the Internet list, so I told them, "The Vintage
> Airstream Discussion List is an e-mail based discussion group for Vintage
> Airstream travel trailer owners and enthusiasts. The list is open to all
> comers regardless of Airstream ownership or not. They do not need to be a
> member of either the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI) or the
> Vintage Airstream Club (VAC) in order to participate in the discussions of
> The Vintage Airstream Discussion List."
>
> The father asked about the number of people on the list. I said, "As of
last
> week, the discussion group had about 800 members who read all comments and
> questions every day of the year.  Within a few days of asking a question,
> several replies will appear in the daily digest. Many friendships are
> started on the list long before we see each other or our Airstreams."
>
> Both father and son seemed sincere, so I encouraged them to contact me
> directly by email if they have any difficulty finding parts. I know from
> experience it can take persistence and ingenuity to track down some of the
> "difficult to find" parts. As every good investigative journalist knows,
> intense leg work is often needed when tracking down leads.
>
> Also, I told them, "It's common for many restorers of Vintage Airstreams
to
> hold off beginning the restoration until they have another identical
trailer
> to use for parts. They want their own mobile parts supply building. And,
> there are others who buy any year of wrecked Airstream from a junk yard,
> scavenger it for parts, and then sell it back to the junk yard."
>
> 5 - At a shopping mall parking lot outside of Mackinaw City, a man and his
> wife stopped to ask how we liked our "small" Airstream and if it had a
> bathroom. I told them we like it and prefer it for caravans instead of our
> larger Airstream - specifically because of the bathroom.
>
> I mentioned last July, when 200+ families walked through our Airstream at
> the Vintage Airstream Open House during the International Airstream
> Convention in Burlington, VT. The predominant comment was about the
spacious
> feeling in our 22' Airstream and its bathroom.  One woman told us, "Your
> bathroom is even bigger than the bathroom in our 34' Airstream."
>
> Although I hadn't thought about it this way before, Sandie surprised me
when
> she said the bathroom in our 22' Airstream is twice as big as the one in
our
> 32' Airstream. She misses the even larger bathroom we had in our '77 31'
> Airstream.
>
> 6 - At a Wal-Mart parking lot, another Airstreamer (not with the caravan)
> pulled up alongside of us, greeted us and said our Airstream was too
shiny.
> He wasn't smiling so I replied with, "Maybe so, it sure helps when I'm
> recruiting for WBCCI and our local Unit." His next comment was that WBCCI
> membership is down and some of the local Units aren't getting new members.
> That was an opening I hadn't seen coming, so I told him about the
Washington
> DC Unit (WDCU).
>
> "Several years ago, this new WBCCI Unit was started by a handful of folks
> who owned both Vintage and newer Airstreams. Our group came from several
> states in the Union. The name Washington DC  was chosen because it
> represents every state in the Union. Membership in WDCU has increased each
> year since. Many of our members own two Vintage Airstreams, while a few
own
> several."
>
> I mentioned to my Wal-Mart Airstreamer there are local WBCCI Units who are
> increasing their membership by increasing their emphasis on activities for
> owners of Vintage Airstreams. They join the Vintage Airstream Discussion
> List and talk up the local rallies and caravans. New owners are invited to
> rallies."
>
> He wanted to know what I meant by "activities" for owners of Vintage
> Airstreams." I told him about a recent WDCU rally where we held Two-Minute
> Show & Tell Seminars on the nitty gritty of owning an old Airstream - and
> about the International Rally where we held an Open House event with
prizes
> and ribbons for various categories. "Merely by adding a few different
kinds
> of activities to traditional activities, new owners and restorers of
vintage
> Airstreams are becoming more involved and many end up joining the WDCU."
>
> There was more I would have mentioned, but I saw a glaze coming over his
> eyes. My enthusiasm for talking about recruiting new members was on a
roll,
> but I sensed he had turned me off and was waiting for an opening to
> "Yeah-but" me. I paused to see if I was right. Sure enough, he jumped in
> with, "Yeah-but there aren't enough owners of Vintage Airstreams to make
any
> difference in WBCCI's membership." I thought to myself - "Really?"
>
> With the rain coming down harder, I pulled back and let it go with, "Maybe
> yes, maybe no. It'll be interesting to learn how it turns out. Perhaps
we'll
> see you again some time and can compare notes." I decided this was one of
> those conversations which needed more involvement than I had available.
>
> 7 - About midway during the Lighthouse caravan, I commented to another
> caravaner we had a "lady-in-waiting" (a '63 22' Flying Cloud Airstream) at
> home which hasn't been restored yet. His immediate question was, "Why did
> you buy a third one when you're still working on this one?" My simple
answer
> was, "She has smooth graceful lines that will shine up beautifully, her
> interior is 1960s elegant, and there are only a handful of this model in
> existence."
>
> As soon as I spoke those words, I knew my problem. The more I learn about
> which models are rarest and which have the prerequisite features for a
good
> restoration,  the more difficult it is for me to ignore the opportunity to
> buy one when I'm staring it right in the face - particularly when the
price
> is right.
>
> Sandie and I have come to think of restoring these old Airstreams as a
> healthy hobby. There is more fun and satisfaction in making all systems
> "good to go" than we dreamed possible. It's a pleasure to pick out
materials
> and fabrics for refurbishing these old beauties. It's true that traveling
> with a thirty to fifty year old Airstream and its mechanical needs can be
> both a challenge and a treat, but there's a lot more to it than that.
>
> It's about rubbing shoulders with similar minded people who spark on
solving
> problems where there are no manuals showing construction or engineering
> details. It's about friendships with seasoned owners who share their
wisdom,
> their experiences and their insights. It's about creatively and diligently
> bringing one of these most recognizable RVs in the world back to life and
> into full dependable service.
>
> It's about camaraderie with a wide variety of Airstream owners. It's about

> the excitement, the exhilaration and adventure of traveling wherever,
> whenever and however we choose with either a Vintage or a newer Airstream.
>
> Before Sandie and I reach age 90, we may be forced to settle down and
become
> traditional "old folks." That day isn't close, but when it does arrive, I
> hope we'll be able to embrace it with a style and easy poise similar to
how
> our shiny Airstream feels when cruising along.  Maybe that's when we'll
> write another book.
>
> Terry
>
> mailto:tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxx.net
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 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, 17 Oct 2003 17:51:08 -0400
From: "T o m  :-\)" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: [VAL] Bob & Carmen Cornute

Bob and Carmen,

I agree with you that nearly $3k is far too much money and _any_ hitch.
Have you had an opportunity to look at the Equal-i-zer (sp?) hitches?  They
are the "equalizer" hitches that are made in Utah - make sure they are "made
in Utah".

I have towed many miles with our Equal-i-zer hitch which offers 4-way
stability while towing and let me tell you that once you've tried using one
of these hitches you will wonder _why_ you ever even considered any other
hitch including the very (way too much!) expensive Hensley.

We have at least one person on this list that I know for sure has sold their
Hensley and now will tow their Airstream with an oldie - the Reese dual-cam
hitch setup.  That's right, they will be going 'back' to the old reliable
Reese dual-cam hitch.

I would strongly urge you to check into the Equal-i-zer hitch from Utah as
soon as possible if you are using anything less.  And I would also urge you
not to spend many "thousand$" of dollar$ on a Hensley before you see if you
are satisfied with the Equal-i-zer setup.  My guess is that you will wonder
why you didn't go that route earlier, much earlier.

Of course, if you are already using the Equal-i-zer and now wish to go to
the Hensley perhaps you can try one out first before you decide if it's
better than the Equal-i-zer or not.  I doubt that any hitch can act better
than my Equal-i-zer in towing our 34' Airstream Classic FK with our Ford
Excursion 4x4 Powerstroke diesel engine.  In the past we've owned the
hitches made by Reese and others, all but the Hensley which is far too
costly for me and I'd never even think about paying that kind of money for a
trailer hitch.  Heck, for what the Hensley cost you could buy an old (can
you say "vintage"?) Airstream to fix up and then you'd have the best of all
worlds. ;)

Who is P & S?  Where are they located?  Do you have any pictures of the
recoating job you could send to me at tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com?

Thanks in advance.

Tom
WBCCI 5303

From: "Robert L. Cornute" <ccornut1@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
: We
: are now looking to exchange our Tow rigging for a Hensley Arrow after our
: travels this summer; however, I am not willing to pay almost 3 K for the
: Hensley and we are looking for a good used one.
: P & S did a super job on the re-coating!!!
Bob & Carmen Cornute

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 17:52:33 EDT
From: JAuman2346@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: tn antenna

You can get replacement parts for the Skyliner Antenna at Camping World. They 
are somewhat difficult to get in and work correctly. You have to keep those 
parts greased with a grease that can withstand heat. I usually grease my about 
once a year. When you put the new parts in you have to be careful not to break 
the main mounting bracket. It is made out of pop metal. You can order the 
main mounting bracket but it cost about $50.00.  I have the telephone number for 
the manufacturer in Wisc if you need it. You can buy parts directly from them. 
jauman2346@xxxxxxxxxx.com 

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 18:02:28 -0400
From: "T o m  :-\)" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: [VAL] AlanTBird

AlanT,

Our 1969 29' International Ambassador has everything  _original_ except the
fridge which was replaced back in 1988 due to it's not being able to operate
on 12vdc current.  Of course the interior plastic of the fridge door
cracking and warping the door added to our decision not to rebuild it but
rather replace it.

When we got our _vintage_ Airstream back then we added awnings, too.  Let me
add here that I will _NEVER_ again use A&E awning products on _anything_ we
ever own now and into the future.  The A&E awning hardware is the pits!  I
can't believe I paid _THAT MUCH MONEY_ for something that rusted away and
had to be replaced with stainless steel.  A&E is *cheaper* (and it is,
believe me!) than ZipDee and the cost back then was taken into when my
decision was made to go with A&E.  I am sorry I did that and wish I had
spent the extra money for ZipDee which I'd never have to replace.

For what it's worth our 1995 34' Airstream Classic Excella FK has all the
bells and whistles from the start including but not limited to ZipDee
awnings and even a washer-dryer combo which can be used at the campsite.  We
love our home away from home - the newest Airstream - and we also love the
vintage one as well.

Tom
WBCCI 5303

From: <AlanTBird@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Re: tn antenna


:: That's probably the only thing on an AS that does not last 30 plus years.
: AlanT: Phx AZ: 74 safari: 93 Dodge Diesel tow vehicle~~~< needs no
training!!!!
< maiden voyage coming up soon!!!

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 18:14:42 -0400
From: "T o m  :-\)" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams

There might be a group in the WBCCI group that loves Bluegrass.  I know we
sure do!  Bluegrass is our favorite kind of music and the only "country" we
listen to now beside the classics of the past.  If you have XM satellite
radio you can listen to Bluegrass Junction and Hank's Place 24/7.

Speaking of XM or Satellite Radio - how many here have it in your tow
vehicle, your home, your trailer, etc.?  It is possible to get the Sony
equipment to be played in your car and home for as little as $40.00 and then
you just pay $9.95 per month for a subscription fee.  A second account at XM
radio for a second unit will only cost you $6.95 and it's the same for every
account after that, just $6.95 per XM receiver.  We've listened to one XM
radio station from NY to NC and never heard the same song twice in 12 hours.
Now that sure beats the heck out of regular radio doesn't it!

Tom
WBCCI 5303

From: "Beekman" <beek@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Fiddles and Airstreams
: I have been told that there is a group of Airstreamers who regularly
attend
: fiddle conventions and other sorts of music festivals. Are there any other
: fiddle scrapers on this list?
: Beekman
: '67 Sovereign

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 18:18:21 -0400
From: "T o m  :-\)" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: tn antenna

Well, it maybe they ought to call it POP metal. ;)

Actually it's called _pot metal_ as it's "cast" or poured into a form which
is then referred to as a _casting_.  When I was a kid I couldn't understand
what the heck "pop metal or pot metal" was.  I didn't know what cast metal
was either but I sure did know what "cast iron" pans were.

Tom
WBCCI 5303

From: <JAuman2346@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: tn antenna


 It is made out of pop metal.
: jauman2346@xxxxxxxxxx.com

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 19:17:19 -0500
From: "Don Hardman" <donhardman@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Hensley

Hensley Arrow Hitch, worth every penny. I would never tow with any other
type hitch again. In November and December Hensley usually marks down their
hitch a few hundred dollars and offers a monthly payment plan with a down
payment.

Don Hardman
1976 31' Sovereign, Hensley Arrow Hitch

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 21:08:23 -0500
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: tn antenna

Pot metal is generally die cast where the mold is steel and the metal is
forced in under pressure. The metal is usually zinc or a mixture
predominantly zinc and isn't very strong. For sure not like steel. The
steel mold or die leaves it needing very little if any machining. Some
die cast alloys do have a tendency to fall apart with age. Good for
toys, not good for long lasting monuments.

A sand casting like a frying pan needs a lot of work to convert it from
a blob to the finished product because the metal mixes with the sand and
the casting is really rough.

Gerald J>
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 22:38:45 -0500
From: Blair <hitek_airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Hensley

Don's right,  worth every cent.  I traded up from the Equalizer from Utah.
Good hitch but not good enough.

For my money you can't spend enough for safety.

Blair

1991 34 Limited
2000 Excursion

At 07:17 PM 10/17/2003, you wrote:
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
>Hensley Arrow Hitch, worth every penny. I would never tow with any other
>type hitch again. In November and December Hensley usually marks down their
>hitch a few hundred dollars and offers a monthly payment plan with a down
>payment.
>
>Don Hardman
>1976 31' Sovereign, Hensley Arrow Hitch
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>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, 17 Oct 2003 23:59:50 -0400
From: "T o m  :-\)" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: [VAL] Limited ca$h re:Hensley and Equal-i-zer hitches

Here we go ;)  "Limited Cash"


Don may be right, and Blair may be right.

The issue the original poster spoke of was the DOLLAR$, many thousand$ that
he didn't want to lay out or hoped he didn't "have to" lay out and he
doesn't, there are good safe choices to be made here.

I'm also right, about my Equal-i-zer from Utah.  I see _no need_ to have to
spend thousand$ of dollar$ for a trailer hitch.  The Equal-i-zer is a 4-way
stabilizing hitch, as is the Hensley.  No question there.

The bottom line for the original poster was cost, DOLLAR$.  Why spend
thousand$ when you can spend hundred$ instead?  Beats me but some want the
Hensley but lots more want the Equal-i-zer.

Not saying "my hitch is better than your hitch" so please don't
misunderstand my post here.  I'm just saying that a good effective hitch can
be had not for thousand$ but for hundred$.  And since co$t is a b-i-g factor
to those here with vintage Airstream$ they need to know what is available to
them that won't put them in the poor house or on a payment plan for a
trailer hitch.  If you need a payment plan for a hitch in "my book" that
hitch is way to expen$ive.

The Hensley cost is about $2500, the Equal-i-zer is about $600.  That leaves
$1900 to play with or to buy other accessories for the vintage Airstream$.
Right?  Right.

Blair, for all we know you might get to write off your Airstream, hitch and
satellite business.  For the other working people on this list that don't
drive Excursions (like you and me for instance) an alternative to the
Hensley that *works* is the Equal-i-zer hitch.  That extra $1900.00 might
well pay for an entire vacation of several weeks duration with their vintage
Airstream.

After all, we want people with vintage Airstream trailers to know that not
everyone who owns an Airstream has an unlimited supply of cash to play with.
Or, would that be Limited cash to play with? ;))

Tom
WBCCI 5303


From: "Blair" <hitek_airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Hensley


: Don's right,  worth every cent.  I traded up from the Equalizer from Utah.
: Good hitch but not good enough.
:
: For my money you can't spend enough for safety.
:
: Blair
:
: 1991 34 Limited
: 2000 Excursion

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2003 01:33:46 -0400
From: Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Solar 

Hi Linda,

Here's the data you asked for. I've blended it with your note.

New topic. Although many of us in this discussion group are heavily into
restorations, some of us are also serious travelers who roam widely
throughout the year. That means occasionally, we pick up and read our email
once or twice a week (instead of daily).  Replies from us may not be as
prompt as from those at their home desk.

Terry

- ---------------

on 10/17/03 5:59 PM, lindakline@xxxxxxxxxx.com wrote:

> Hi there - just read your posting and was wondering -
> 
> 1. where is the airstream classifieds with the 300 listings you mentioned?
> 

Go to the Vintage Airstream Club home page. Find it by going to Google.Com
and entering the keywords > Vintage Airstream Club, or going directly to the
site by typing in the url > http://www.airstream.net/index.html

Once on the home page, click on the classifieds. Then, choose the year of
Airstream you'd like to find. Today, the list is less than 300.

You can still find 300+   --  but not all in the same place. To do that,
go to Google.Com and type in key words > Vintage Airstream Classifieds,
where you'll find such URLs as http://jcarey.com/vintageairstreamlinks.htm
with pages and pages of classifieds.

It took 10 seconds for Google.Com to find 3,270 URLs with the key
words Vintage Airstream Classifieds. I'm certain that 300 is a severe
under-estimate of what's available this afternoon.

> 
> 2.  Could you email info on the solar?  We have solar hot water for our home
> (have had it for 23 years) and WHEN we get an airstream, we would like to have
> solar for the batteries like you mentioned.
> 

Go to Google.Com and type in tompatterson.com tylerbears solar. That will
bring up 127 of my articles showing a reference to solar. Within that group,
you'll find the four handouts. Their URLs are >

1 = http://tompatterson.com/VAC/MHonArc/2002_11/msg00106.html

2 = http://tompatterson.com/VAC/MHonArc/2002_11/msg00107.html

3 = http://tompatterson.com/VAC/MHonArc/2001_02/msg00338.html

4 = http://tompatterson.com/VAC/MHonArc/2002_11/msg00108.html

If the URLs don't work for you, but your computer can pull up other URLs,
then Tom is the man to ask for help. All of them worked for me today.

In the meantime, you might want to read a few of the 127 postings just to
get a general feel for what I'm suggesting and what we've experienced.

A most useful thing to do is contact Noel Kirkby at www.rvsolarelectric.com
and ask him to send the free solar planner. Before you make decisions,
you'll need that data for guidance. Use his 800 number if you'd rather talk
to a person. It's 999.8520.

> Is solar available for anything else on the trailer or is it not practical?
> 

Linda, in my opinion, anything which can be operated off 12 volt batteries
is fair game. 

For such appliances as tv, computer, printer, pda, bread maker, vacuum
cleaner, battery charger for the electric drill batteries, VCR & DVD players
and anything else with similar power requirements, we use a 1300 watt
inverter that changes 12 volts to 110 volts.

There are higher wattage inverters available, i.e. 2500 watts - for those
wanting more versatility and who are willing to carry the weight of four
batteries. 

On the other hand (in my opinion), there are appliances that gobble power
like there's no tomorrow.  We don't use our batteries and inverter to
operate our air conditioner. It's just not practical.

Some folks operate their microwave off an inverter (we don't). Nor do we
operate appliances which create heat as their primary function (toaster oven
or electric fry pan). Propane is more cost effective.

> 
> We are new to the list and looking for a 16-229 to restore.
> 

If I were you, I'd dig around in the archives (tompatterson.com). There's a
wealth of information on specific features of this size Airstream, including
pictures and more pictures and more pictures. Use key words to find whatever
interests you.  

Give yourself a week or two and you'll know the exact floor plans that spark
your interest. Plus, you'll know exactly what to carry in your pockets when
you walk into each Airstream with a For Sale sign in the window.

> Thanks for your help.
> 

Linda, as you go along, keep posting questions or comments on the list. You
don't need to reinvent the wheel. There are thousands of subtleties known by
hundreds of us that will be freely shared just by you asking. Restoring is a
hobby we enjoy and our enthusiasm includes sharing what little we know.

Terry

mailto:tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxx.net

------------------------------

End of VAL Digest V1 #39
************************


-----------------------------------------------------------------
When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary Digest text

To unsubscribe or change to an e-mail format, please go to
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html