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Old 01-16-2017, 09:19 PM   #1
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Do you need an Airstream authorized plumber

We are renovating a 1973 29 ft Ambassador and are trying to do it as economically as possible. We have the skill to do the things that require elbow grease but dont know much about plumbing or electrical. Would a regular plumber or electrician be able to handle working on an Airstream? Or is there some type of special knowledge you need to work on these systems?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jen
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Old 01-17-2017, 12:35 AM   #2
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Check with a fellow Coloradian named Zeppelinium on here, he'll have lots of insight and help. Looks like he's about an hour and quarter away from you down I-25
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Old 01-17-2017, 05:24 AM   #3
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Actually you don't need a "regular" electrician and plumber.

You need more of an "off grid/RV" electrician and plumber.

Anyone you may know who works on remote cabins with solar for electric, and Pex and septic for plumbing would be a good resource.

Or RV or Marine system experts will also be a good source.
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Old 01-17-2017, 05:31 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Piggy Bank View Post
Actually you don't need a "regular" electrician and plumber.

You need more of an "off grid/RV" electrician and plumber.

Anyone you may know who works on remote cabins with solar for electric, and Pex and septic for plumbing would be a good resource.

Or RV or Marine system experts will also be a good source.
AGREED!!

You will find that many licensed residential trades people have no clue about what an RV requires for proper system longevity and operation. Prime example is a licensed residential electrician wiring a trailer with Romex and not having a clue about DC requirements, circuit protection or battery systems.

Best to look toward the marine trades, as their standards are significantly tighter that RVIA and will provide you with a much better final product.
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Old 01-17-2017, 06:51 AM   #5
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RV plumbing is pretty simple. Consider the do-it-yourself option. PEX is wonderfully easy to work with and very durable. Lots of experienced folks here who are glad to coach you through the "challenges."
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Old 01-17-2017, 09:09 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Piggy Bank View Post
Actually you don't need a "regular" electrician and plumber.

You need more of an "off grid/RV" electrician and plumber.

Anyone you may know who works on remote cabins with solar for electric, and Pex and septic for plumbing would be a good resource.

Or RV or Marine system experts will also be a good source.
Just donnt get one that puts the hot wire on black in the trailer. That makes things.....interesting
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:18 PM   #7
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Do you need an Airstream authorized plumber

I would recommend doing all of the work yourself with help from us here on the forum.
By doing the work you will learn and in the future if you have a problem you will have an understanding of how things work and be able to resolve most issues.
It is not rocket science.
Think about it.
For example: the fresh water plumbing. The shower, the sinks and the water heater all need a hot and cold water pipe connection. The toilet only needs cold water. The water pump only needs cold water. The city water connection is cold water connection. While there are a multitude of ways to connect each device to it's respective hot and or cold source. Just sit down with a piece of paper draw two parallel lines from left to right. One at the top of the page one at the bottom. The draw symbols of the sinks, shower, water heater, toilet etc. in the center of the page.
Designate the line on the top of the page as cold water and the one at the bottom as hot. Then connect the devices to the appropriate line(s).
You should know that the pump draws water from the onboard fresh water tank thru a small device with a screen inside. The pump discharge is connect to the cold water piping. It really doesn't matter at what point in the line. The same goes for the city water connection. Do the research on pressure regulators a pressure relief valve which only go to the cold side of the system. They can be built in or external. The pressure relief devices are only in the city water inlet piping not the in house pump piping. By looking at the floor plan of your coach you should be able to determine the routing of the water lines. It is sometimes easy to get crossed up with the hot and cold resulting in things like hot water going to the toilet. PEX tubing is sold in red and blue colors. Use red for hot and blue for cold. Thus eliminating the chance of crossing things up.
The electrical system is more complicated thus requiring more caution and education. There are several web sites like "The 12 volt side of life" where you can go to educate yourself.
There is a thread from back in 2010 and 2011 by "lucymcdog " where members of the forum helped a person with absolutely no electrical experience completely wire a mid 60's A$. It's a long read but worth every minute of time. This person did the plumbing as well. Along with many other projects required in the renovation.
Ask questions;
Get answers;
Make a decision based on those answers.
AND GO FOR IT!!!!
We are here and happy to help.
Good Luck
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Old 01-18-2017, 12:08 AM   #8
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There is a thread from back in 2010 and 2011 by "lucymcdog " where members of the forum helped a person with absolutely no electrical experience completely wire a mid 60's A$. It's a long read but worth every minute of time.
In case you have difficulty using the search function:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...tem-70667.html
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