Tomorrow, I will go pick up my 1973 29' Land Yacht Ambassador! I'm pretty excited. I did some trading with a buddy and came up with some cash and tomorrow it's mine! EVERYTHING works perfectly in this trailer...including the original 8-track stereo. The patio and window awnings have just been replaced and haven't even been pulled out yet.
The only thing that might need some attention is the entry door. It sticks out a little at the top-front like it's a little warped or something. The previous owner rigged it with an extra seal around the top to stop drafts, but it's something I will want to fix or have fixed. Any ideas as to what would cause this? Will I have to take it back to Airstream? Will the whole door have to be replaced? A friend said the door might be sprung, but it closes fine. It's just pulled out...(not creased at all).
Either way, I'm pleased as poopie to finally earn my place here as an official owner and can't wait to get out there. I hear the biggest rally of the year is coming up in Jax Ctr this coming weekend. Prolly too late to get a spot though. Wish me luck and anybody with similar door problems, any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Ben
Last edited by Rivetedude; 05-08-2005 at 09:22 PM.
Ben, do a search on door repair. It seems I remember reading that this type of problem can be caused by the door flying open while you're rolling down the road ("warped door syndrome"). BTW, do you know how jellous I am that you found a trailer that everything works? Our story is here:
Tomorrow, I will go pick up my 1973 29' Land Yacht Ambassador! I'm pretty excited.
Congrats Ben, It sounds like a great find. Good luck on your "stork" trip tomorrow to bring home the new addition to the family
I have an untested theory that the door is okay but the camper is moving. Heavy air conditioners or just time causes the roof to settle...opening up a gap at the top of the door...Like I said it's just a theory. The fix is to pursuade the door to match the shape of the opening. I hear it involves 2x4s and many owners choose not to watch.
Keep the Detroit rally in mind for August. A number of us from Ohio will be attending.
Steve
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[QUOTE=sfixx]I have an untested theory that the door is okay but the camper is moving. Heavy air conditioners or just time causes the roof to settle...opening up a gap at the top of the door...Like I said it's just a theory.
I was kind of thinking something like that but the gap is only on one side of the top of the door and it's the front side at that. I think the wind is probably the culprit here. Airstream does make all of their doors open the wrong way. I sell RV's for a living and Airstream is the only one with "suicide" doors. Either way, the repair is the same...something I won't want to watch.
I have an untested theory that the door is okay but the camper is moving. Heavy air conditioners or just time causes the roof to settle...opening up a gap at the top of the door...Like I said it's just a theory.
I was kind of thinking something like that but the gap is only on one side of the top of the door and it's the front side at that. I think the wind is probably the culprit here. Airstream does make all of their doors open the wrong way. I sell RV's for a living and Airstream is the only one with "suicide" doors. Either way, the repair is the same...something I won't want to watch.
Ben
I think you might have a good conspiracy theory about the door thing. The way you can tell that a conspiracy is working is by the lack of all evidence!
Ironheadude-please keep in mind that the Detroit Rally is going to be coming up this August 26-28th! We would love to have you there. You can see what all of us have been doing to our vintage Airstreams and Argosys. You can also check out some newer ones as well!
I have an untested theory that the door is okay but the camper is moving. Heavy air conditioners or just time causes the roof to settle...opening up a gap at the top of the door...Like I said it's just a theory.
I was kind of thinking something like that but the gap is only on one side of the top of the door and it's the front side at that. I think the wind is probably the culprit here. Airstream does make all of their doors open the wrong way. I sell RV's for a living and Airstream is the only one with "suicide" doors. Either way, the repair is the same...something I won't want to watch.
Ben
We have a similar problem with our trailer, the PO of our trailer forgot where he put his keys, and his family had to pull the door out enough to unlock the door from the inside, now the top of the door sticks out a little. I have done the same thing as your PO has done, an extra gasket at the top to keep drafts and water out.
Hey Ben...congrats on getting your 29' membership card! You're very fortunate to not only be in the industry, but also be about 25 miles from ground zero where it all happens.
Congrats and enjoy! Post some pic if you have time.
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I'd love to see what others are doing with their vintage Airstreams! I've got so many ideas. My dad works at a company that manufactures commercial dishwashers. I can get lot's of sheet stainless from him. Thinking about lots of stainless accents inside. Might make stainless slats and redo all of my tambour doors....Wouldn't that look great!
I'd love to see what others are doing with their vintage Airstreams! I've got so many ideas. My dad works at a company that manufactures commercial dishwashers. I can get lot's of sheet stainless from him. Thinking about lots of stainless accents inside. Might make stainless slats and redo all of my tambour doors....Wouldn't that look great!
Ben
That would be cool but watch the weight of what you add. You may very well make it too heavy on one side or the other.
I hope you can make the rally this summer. Please view the active thread labeled "Detroit Rally Vote!".
Hope you can make it. It might put you light years ahead by seeing what all of us have done and to get ideas from those who will have newer ones there.
Ben your idea about stainless accents is great. We are trying to do the same thing. Looked at some pictures of satinless showers on one of the threads, they were really cool. Do you have any 8 tracks to play? We want to go to a rally to and see what others have done. Haven't investigated enough on what would be best for us. Join the main wbccci or a local unit. What's best Lou. It's confusing. Ben I've heard the phrase pleased as punch, but never pleased as poopie.
Ben your idea about stainless accents is great. We are trying to do the same thing. Looked at some pictures of satinless showers on one of the threads, they were really cool. Do you have any 8 tracks to play? We want to go to a rally to and see what others have done. Haven't investigated enough on what would be best for us. Join the main wbccci or a local unit. What's best Lou. It's confusing. Ben I've heard the phrase pleased as punch, but never pleased as poopie.
I'd love to see what others are doing with their vintage Airstreams! I've got so many ideas. My dad works at a company that manufactures commercial dishwashers. I can get lot's of sheet stainless from him. Thinking about lots of stainless accents inside. Might make stainless slats and redo all of my tambour doors....Wouldn't that look great!
Ben
its been done. a member of our local unit replaced his tambour w/ something like that. not sure if its actually "stainless", but it is definately "shiny metal". looks cool! and, it doesn't expand/contract w/ the weather and get sticky. check the outwater plastics catalog...that's probably where he got the material. www.outwaterplastics.com
Here's a pic of the outside...I'm going to post the rest as soon as I figure out how! Ha Ha. So far there have been no bad suprises. The previously mentioned door problem is the only thing wrong with the trailer and I'll probably use the 2x4 method of coaxing. It should be pretty easy as the screen door is NOT warped and I can line the outer door right up to it so I know when it's right. Again...pleased as poopie!
About the homecomming. I'm totally in! I'm usually off Mondays and Tuesdays so I'll be there those days...then I find out that my dealership is working the rally so I told the guy orchestrating it to get me a site and schedule me for Wednesday and Thursday! I get to camp and work at the same time! I love my job. I'll be there four straight days. Anybody who wants to see me can just look for the little blonde Welsh Corgi...oh yeah...and the Paul Sherry RV's sign. Looking forward to seeing some of you there!
Ben
Last edited by Rivetedude; 05-09-2005 at 08:35 PM.
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door jam 
You're very fortunate to not only be in the industry, but also be about 25 miles from ground zero where it all happens. 
We want to go to a rally to and see what others have done. Haven't investigated enough on what would be best for us. Join the main wbccci or a local unit. What's best Lou. It's confusing. Ben I've heard the phrase pleased as punch, but never pleased as poopie. 
So far there have been no bad suprises. The previously mentioned door problem is the only thing wrong with the trailer and I'll probably use the 2x4 method of coaxing. It should be pretty easy as the screen door is NOT warped and I can line the outer door right up to it so I know when it's right. Again...pleased as poopie!
Hybrid Mode
