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NMoureau · 02-22-2016, 06:17 PM

I am evaluating both a 1998 and 2001 Airstream Motorhomes and would love your insights. Big question,Is there much difference? Mileage is similar and one needs a bit more work than the other. My biggest concern is reliability. The older one is actually with a full service RV dealer and 2001 with private individual. You guys are the experts. Do you have any words of wisdom? N

Mike1997 · 02-23-2016, 10:08 PM

Last year I bought a 97 Landyacht pusher on a Freightliner chassis with the 275hp Cummins. It had 46k miles and generator had about 215 hours. Was stored inside a warehouse since new and very well taken care of. Maintenance and exterior upkeep is most important. Check all the rubber gaskets and look for water damage from leaks. I put over 10k miles on it since purchased with trips to the Florida Keys, Great Lakes, and move to Montana.

So far the 3 most expensive repairs were all due to age vs usage.
1. It had play in the wheel. Freightliner said the bell crank assembly needed to be
replaced and its something on their recommended maintenance list at 10 years. At same time I had 4 original tires and shocks replaced and had the cooling system flushed. $3300

2. The Allison 6speed transmission went into a fail safe mode after about 5000 miles of driving. Freightliner said it was a pump in the transmission that went bad. $1800

3. On arrival in Montana the big furnace would not operate. It would start but shut off after 10 seconds. Turned out it had never been used and the computer board was bad $165

The new 2001 rigs are larger with slideouts. Mine is the widebody (no slides) with a washer/dryer and queen bed. Its draws lots of attention in campgrounds and I love how it handles. Pulling my Jeep Grand Cherokee it gets about 11mpg cruising at 65mph. I like how the front is aerodynamic vs the flat fronts.

If you have any other questions, I will be glad to answer individually. Lots of photos of my rig are posted under my profile. Mine came with all the original records and owner manuals.

NMoureau · 02-23-2016, 10:32 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like even with the repairs you got a nice unit. I just found out the 1998 was used by a smoke so that's out for me. The 2001 is still available but I am open to other older airstream motorhomes.

Kzguy2 · 02-28-2016, 06:14 PM

Do you guys think that 4500 dollars is a decent price for a 1983 Airstream 310 with turbo diesel 6 cylinder? It has 60,000 miles and is all original. Pretty good shape for the year with some dents here and there and definitely needs tires

Waipio Rim · 02-28-2016, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kzguy2

Do you guys think that 4500 dollars is a decent price for a 1983 Airstream 310 with turbo diesel 6 cylinder? It has 60,000 miles and is all original. Pretty good shape for the year with some dents here and there and definitely needs tires

That's dead cheap. If you don't buy it, please post contact info for the seller.

Kzguy2 · 02-28-2016, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

That's dead cheap. If you don't buy it, please post contact info for the seller.

Thanks for the response. Im supposed to go look at it tomorrow. Pretty set on buying it if it doesnt have any serious rust. Ill post the info here if i dont buy it though!