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PinkLady · 05-25-2009, 06:30 PM

Hello, I just bought a 1961 Safari which came with very little information! Does anyone have some sort of map of what things are? I am feeling quite lost right now and cannot figure out how to plug it in to test electric, there is an outlet on the back but I don't have a cord. Please help me know what to do!!

Thanks!
Sarah

Minno · 05-25-2009, 07:20 PM

Hi Sarah,

Not sure about your AS, but mine had the electric cord inside the back bumper compartment. Do you have a cover on top of the bumper that lifts up? You mention an outlet, what does it look like? Can you take a picture and post it?

Chris

PinkLady · 05-25-2009, 07:24 PM

Thanks, Chris! Is the cord attached directly to the airstream or will it plug into that outlet? The outlet looks like for a washer or dryer, i'll take a photo. My back bumper compartment won't open at this time, the key spins but it won't open.

Minno · 05-25-2009, 07:33 PM

My cord is attached to the trailer. The other end is the 30 amp plug that plugs into shore power. Your bumper compartment is locked? Ours was just held closed with two black plastic slide locks, one on each side. The bumper cover lifts up. But then, we have a '72 Sovereign. I'm really not sure how a '61 connects to shore power. Have patience - I'm sure someone out there with more early sixties AS knowledge will answer after the long weekend.

Chris

overlander64 · 05-25-2009, 07:39 PM

Greetings Sarah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkLady

Hello, I just bought a 1961 Safari which came with very little information! Does anyone have some sort of map of what things are? I am feeling quite lost right now and cannot figure out how to plug it in to test electric, there is an outlet on the back but I don't have a cord. Please help me know what to do!!

Thanks!
Sarah

Your coach utilized what was referred to as a Theo Bargman Connection. You have found the end mounted to the coach. If the original style cord is not in the coach, replacements have been obsolete for close to two decades. Sometimes the 30 AMP end that goes on the shore power supply cable turns up on E-Bay, the classifieds here on the Forums or on other RV related parts sale sites. While not inexpensive, one option is to upgrade to the modern Marinco Connector which works on a similar principle -- a trailer mounted inlet that the shore power cord plugs into and a twist coupler secures the connection. I just had one of these installed on my Overlander -- for the part expect to pay around $70 for the basic white model Marinco connector or about $90 for the stainless steel version of the Marinco.

Good luck with your investigations!

Kevin

**Kevin245** · 05-25-2009, 07:42 PM

Welcome Sarah,

Are you in Union, Buncombe, or Surry county?

Kevin

62bam · 05-25-2009, 07:54 PM

Hi Sarah....I have a 62 Bambi...The electrical plug on mine comes out of a side compartment .....on the bottom curve in front of the wheel (not door side)....there are 2 small clips that hold the compartment door from falling open.....the size of the small compartment door is about 6" high by 15'"wide.....Good Luck....Ron.

Yhottys · 05-25-2009, 08:00 PM

Sarah,

We just checked and our 1961 Bambi's cord is in the back compartment, that does indeed have a lock.

Do you have any other keys to your Airstream? We've found that on our other Airstreams the keys seem to be interchangeable. We're not sure if that's a good/bad thing.

Hang in there! You'll be in the swing of things in no time!

Happy and safe journeys,

PinkLady · 05-26-2009, 09:05 AM

Buncombe Co. Thanks for the great information!

flyfshr · 05-26-2009, 09:24 AM

Hi Pink Lady ~

Welcome to being a proud owner of a Vintage Airstream. You're going to have a great time.

I've attached what I believe to be your electrical shore power receptacle. It is a Bargman 30-0-3 and parts are no longer available as Kevin states above. Is this what yours looks like? This was fairly standard on our era of trailers and was not exclusive to just Airstreams so one may just turn up. I'm hoping the cord that connects to this is in your compartment.

Do you have access to the back of the compartment from the inside of the trailer?

Brad
FF

danalee · 05-26-2009, 03:12 PM

Don't feel bad Sara, I couldn't figure out how to plug ours in either. With the help from the forum we have been able to get most things worked out. If you go to an AS dealer and ask for a standard baggage compartment key they should be able to help you.I use to live off Hwy 9 and went through Fairview all the time. Its a pretty area.