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07-12-2018, 06:38 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1992 35' Airstream 350
Alpena
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
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1992 Classic 350LE
I just purchased this 350LE on Monday, its out at my mechanic getting all new brakes and fluids. It has 43k miles. I haven't ever owned a camper let alone a motorhome. Aside from brakes, tires and the fluid change what should I look for?
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07-12-2018, 06:49 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Old rotten rubber fuel lines have burned many of these old beauties to the ground. Modern fuel ruins them quickly.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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07-12-2018, 07:29 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2005 34' Classic S/O
2006 39' Land Yacht 396 XL
north blenheim
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,847
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Nice unit....where did you find it ? Regards, Bob
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07-12-2018, 07:40 PM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
1992 35' Airstream 350
Alpena
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
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A friend of mine has had it for 10 years. Only used it a few times. So it mostly sat for 10 years.
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07-13-2018, 05:13 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2005 34' Classic S/O
2006 39' Land Yacht 396 XL
north blenheim
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,847
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The 92 350LE is one of the finest made, with the factory fuel injection and overdrive transmission it is the envy of a lot of us. Is that all the crap you cleaned out of it ? Some inside pictures would be nice when you have a chance, Regards, Bob
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07-13-2018, 05:32 AM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
1992 35' Airstream 350
Alpena
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
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Yes, a lot of junk along with about 5 5gallon buckets of pine needles off the top. It's in pretty good shape, the 6500 onan generator only has 439hrs and runs great. Haven't tested everything because I dropped it off to get new brakes and fluids. Much of the paint is peeling, and there is only 1 dent, it's on the roof where the spot light is. Appears someone sat up there, hoping it can be pulled out with a suction puller.
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07-13-2018, 06:32 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,071
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Nice rig!
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07-13-2018, 12:42 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 34' Classic S/O
2006 39' Land Yacht 396 XL
north blenheim
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,847
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Really looks nice, how much for the couch ???? LOL inside joke.....hope you can make it to the “Get-Together” at Pennwood, PA in September, you would be amongst friends, Regards, Bob
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07-13-2018, 02:11 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Airstream 250
Oxford
, Oxfordshire
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,253
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Welcome, congratulations on your purchase.
Looks like a nice rig and effectively the same set up as my 250 with the stock overdrive etc.
I would look at the following, depending on whether you have any maintenance records:
Belts, hoses;
Brake Service, including hydro-boost and master cylinder for leaks;
Check the cooling system, including the fan clutch is operating as expected;
Suspension, especially the air bags, are they at correct PSI. check the shocks. Replace with Bilstein heavy duty and steering stabiliser if they need replacing
plugs, wires, sensors hanging off the engine
Check whether TBI unit is operating as expected, rebuild if neccessary
invest in a bluetooth OBD2 reader to give you some stats
Check/download chassis guide and lubricate all joints/lube points
Download the Chevvy manuals (I assume this is P32 chassis) off links on post 94 of the sticky
Complete audit (checklist on the site) of running gear and airstream stuff
Replace stock charger if not already replaced and put in a modern tri-state charger
Add solar if you plan on any boondocking
Add a modern solenoid on the rear of the battery tray
replace fuel filter on chassis rail
I am sure there are loads more things and others know more than me, but that's probably a good starter for ten.
all best
Nick
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07-13-2018, 02:31 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Airstream 250
Oxford
, Oxfordshire
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,253
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07-13-2018, 03:00 PM
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#11
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robrings
Aside from brakes, tires and the fluid change what should I look for?
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I wouldn't waste anytime looking for stuff to go wrong........it'll find you sooner, than you'll find it.
Goodluck
Sidekick Tony
PS The very first thing I'd do is the fuel lines; followed by a new water pump, thermostat, drive belts and coolant flush; brakes, brakes, brakes. These items left undone, will ruin your coach.
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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07-13-2018, 03:01 PM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
1992 35' Airstream 350
Alpena
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
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Thanks for the great info, I haven't ever owned a camper or RV so it's all new to me. It is getting all new rotors, calipers, pads right now along with all the fluids including the generator. I had heard there were very few of this model made, so Im hoping I can find bits and pieces, the deadbolt on the inside is missing, along with the crank for the antenna. We are going to take it to a few local parks this year to get our feet wet and most likely a bigger trip next summer. This was a spur of the moment buy and the bills for it this year are already adding up. We only paid 9K for the motorhome but spent 1200 for plates and taxes, then insurance, new brakes, inspection etc will probably be close to the 2k mark, new matress and linens. My 9k motorhome is soon approaching the 15k mark.
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07-13-2018, 04:22 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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1992 Classic 350LE
Consider also changing out all the gasoline lines. A crack spitting fuel by the hot engine is bad news in a hurry. Buy and carry a good, big dry chemical fire extinguisher as well.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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07-13-2018, 06:56 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
1992 35' Airstream 350
Alpena
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
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Good idea. I have one sitting here.
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07-13-2018, 07:08 PM
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#15
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robrings
My 9k motorhome is soon approaching the 15k mark.
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The purchase price of any Airstream or Argosy motorhome is just the down payment...........be happy if you can stay below double over what you paid.....in other words $18,000 in repairs on your $9,000 purchase price.
It'll start to get expensive if you neglect the three major systems; fuel lines, (fire, total loss); water pump/ coolant/thermostat/radiator/hoses (overheated engine requiring at the very least head gaskets, or rebuild, $2,500 at the least to $14-$16,000); brakes (accident with irreplaceble damage to front end, leading to total loss).
Make sure you DOT your tires.......one blow out could cause $3-6,000+ in damage to wheel wells and aluminum bodywork surrounding the tire.
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
PS I just did almost $7,000 CAN on repairs on a $1,000.00 US purchased 1975 Argosy.
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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07-13-2018, 09:59 PM
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#16
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1 Rivet Member
1992 35' Airstream 350
Alpena
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
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Ouch! We are planning on taking it out in 2 weeks. No clue maintenance on these beasts was so high.
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07-14-2018, 05:08 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robrings
Ouch! We are planning on taking it out in 2 weeks. No clue maintenance on these beasts was so high.
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It's not necessarily the maintenance that is so high, it's all the work that needs to be done because previous owners didn't do their part to keep it in good running condition. Motorhomes tend to get neglected especially if they only get used once or twice a year.
Once you have it in good shape maintaining that condition isn't near as bad. It's getting there that's expensive!
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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07-14-2018, 06:20 AM
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#18
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler
It's not necessarily the maintenance that is so high, it's all the work that needs to be done because previous owners didn't do their part to keep it in good running condition. Motorhomes tend to get neglected especially if they only get used once or twice a year.
Once you have it in good shape maintaining that condition isn't near as bad. It's getting there that's expensive!
Brad
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Especially if they haven't moved in 10 years........My Argosy hadn't moved in 15 years.
PHP Code:
Robrings Ouch! We are planning on taking it out in 2 weeks. No clue maintenance on these beasts was so high.
As I alluded too......Maintenance isn't the expensive part, parts are actually quite cheap for these old beasts, but REPAIRS are very expensive.
We've had forums members buy old Classic/Argosy motorhomes that have gone off driving them without changing anything, only to be towed back to the shop time and time again to have very expensive repairs done that could have been prevented with maintenance.
Oh, and even if you put almost $7,000 in preventative maintenance into your 30+ year old motorhome, it doesn't guarantee nothing will go wrong; (I still had issues getting Gale home), but I knew it wasn't going to be major, just PITA stuff.
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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07-14-2018, 06:25 AM
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#19
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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OH, don't forget ball joints! You'll want to talk to Mayco about that one.
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
PS We're not trying to scare you off having a Classic motorhome; on the contrary, we're trying to have you succeed and enjoy your purchase.
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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07-14-2018, 12:05 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Airstream 250
Oxford
, Oxfordshire
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,253
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I think cooling system critical otherwise you might face very expensive engine and gearbox repairs
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