Just bought a 77 Ambassador 29 - Page 2

Breiz · 03-04-2008, 10:46 AM

Andy, Thanks for th link about the axles, it's an interesting read and something we will check out. I thought that rock gaurd was something the PO just put on. Had no idea it was an AS thing. It's so square and plasticy looking it doesn't look right. I've seen As tralers with a dark tinted window on the front, I thought that was an AS rock gaurd.

Aside from keys to the door, should there be other keys? Seems to me there was locked small panel somewhere on the outside and also the back larger panel? The rv dealer didn't mention having any keys to any of that. Is that a problem? What's in those panels?

Inland RV Center, In · 03-04-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breiz

Andy, Thanks for th link about the axles, it's an interesting read and something we will check out. I thought that rock gaurd was something the PO just put on. Had no idea it was an AS thing. It's so square and plasticy looking it doesn't look right. I've seen As tralers with a dark tinted window on the front, I thought that was an AS rock gaurd.

Aside from keys to the door, should there be other keys? Seems to me there was locked small panel somewhere on the outside and also the back larger panel? The rv dealer didn't mention having any keys to any of that. Is that a problem? What's in those panels?

You will need to get into the access door compartments.

I will check and see what key was used.

Please PM me the trailer serial number to make sure of the year trailer.

Rockguards for maybe 30 years have been solar gray in color.

From your description, it would appear that the previous owner found the old style in storage someplace.

A new entrance door lock tumbler comes with 2 keys.

Andy

Andy

Minnie's Mate · 03-04-2008, 01:14 PM

Be sure not to damage the door lock. They are quiet expensive to replace and very few, if any, locksmiths know how to repair them and you don't want someone learning on a $400-600 piece of hard to find hard ware.

CombatMedic · 03-05-2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breiz

I know, the color just isn't working for me. What color were they inside originally?

the color of the walls and wall cabinets were the same color as the tambor doors. Kind of a cream color. Airhog1 did something really neat with the interior of his 75 you should look at his thread.

HiHoAgRV · 03-05-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CombatMedic

the color of the walls and wall cabinets were the same color as the tambor doors. Kind of a cream color. Airhog1 did something really neat with the interior of his 75 you should look at his thread.

Here are some interior photos of mine. The tambors seem to be the same light color but the walls are different, perhaps the same as the folding door that divides the bedroom from the kitchen. These were previously posted on the "has anyone tried this flooring" thread. We removed the front Gaucho and put in two recliners, not shown in the photo. These are pre-curtian wash, they are actually much whiter now.

Breiz · 03-06-2008, 05:24 AM

OK we got our AS yesterday. Yay! Didn't have time to really look it over, but I do have one really stupid question. On our last camper (1971 Apache pop up) there was a little door on the outside wall that you lifted and there was a plug there you pulled out and plugged into an electrical outlet and then you had electricity in the whole camper. Well, we looked in every exterior hidey hole on the AS and can't find one.

So dumb question of the day is: where the heck is that electrical plug?

Thanks!

CombatMedic · 03-06-2008, 06:40 AM

If there is a hatch on the rear bumper open it, the plug might be there.

maccamper · 03-06-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breiz

OK we got our AS yesterday. Yay! Didn't have time to really look it over, but I do have one really stupid question. On our last camper (1971 Apache pop up) there was a little door on the outside wall that you lifted and there was a plug there you pulled out and plugged into an electrical outlet and then you had electricity in the whole camper. Well, we looked in every exterior hidey hole on the AS and can't find one.

So dumb question of the day is: where the heck is that electrical plug?

Thanks!

We were right where you are now and asking the same questions about a year ago.

When we got our 1974 Airstream the first thing we did was track down a source for both the Owner's Manual and Service Manual. Both have been absolutely invaluable. We found them on eBay. Here's a link to the eBay seller's current posting eBay Motors: Airstream Factory Service Manual (item 260216874610 end time Mar-09-08 16:20:01 PDT)

He was a good seller and the transaction was very smooth and shipment fast. Others on the forum may know of sources for the manuals that are less costly -- we were very pleased with the cost and service we got on eBay.

If the link doesn't work, you can search eBay for "Airstream Factory Service Manual."

Our electrical hookup is in the rear bumper storage area. maccamper has since improved the whole bumper storage configuration and access on our Emma. The leaky piano hinge for the cover was problematic and not water tight.

Nancy

Breiz · 03-10-2008, 12:34 PM

Ok we found the electrical cord! We didn't even know the bumper lifted up like that. Gee I wonder how long it would've taken us to figure that out on our own? Thanks Combatmedic and Maccamper! And it was sitting in a puddle of water and ice, that can't be good for it. Also, were surprised to find it was a 220 line. Now we have to have an electrician wire one out to our parking pad so we can plug it in sometime. Do most campgrounds offer 220 access? Our last camper just had a regular wall plug.

HiHoAgRV · 03-10-2008, 12:42 PM

It's not a 220 volt plug but a special 30 amp 110 volt called, you guess, an RV plug.

220 will cause some expensive and dangerious smoke

HiHoAgRV · 03-10-2008, 05:39 PM

As promised, here are some of the changes we made to our '77
First - Sat and Cable in. Mounted behind the fridge and wired through the wall right into the cabinet. Also this is where the 12v fan is mounted to help the 'ole fridge keep cool.
Second- There is lots of room behind the tambor, why not mount the DSS receiver there?

HiHoAgRV · 03-10-2008, 05:46 PM

First -The cable/ dss then run up to the Flat screen HD thats mounted through the refrig wall, right at the strongest place.
Second - the remotes need a home and the recliner/Gaucho swap made the little curbside table usless, so it became a shelf.
Third - the little table was just driving me crazy not to have a place for it so I mounted it on the road side wall.

HiHoAgRV · 03-10-2008, 05:49 PM

The mid gaucho/bed was uncomfortable and I wanted some bigger storage. Out comes the gaucho and a lifting bed frame was built. A new mattress and lots of big room for storing the DSS, tools and a folding outside table.

Breiz · 03-11-2008, 08:34 AM

Wow your AS looks great. I love how you just reassigned the side table to a new location rather than lose it. Looking at pics of yours makes mine seem like I have so much work to do! Waiting for warmer weather here in PA to get started. We have to track down what's leaking first. The corner near the rerigerator was wet under the rug there. Also I saw water splashed on the folded down table and a drip coming from the rail of the table, but none of the walls or windows were wet. No clue where water's getting in. After we have that worked out, we're going to work on the systems and work on building a bunk over one of the twins. Oh I discovered that our AS wasn't originally twins, it was originally a double bed that the PO made into twins. Was surprised by that when I deciphered our vin.