New to the forum and just bought a '75 Sovereign

[Rob724]

I would first like to introduce myself my name is Rob I just bought a 1975 Sovereign that has been sitting at the camp ground where I am currently letting it stay. A little more about myself I graduated college in 2009 with a BA in Political Science/ Public Policy, I am currently working full time for the second largest bedding textile products company in the U.S. I have a couple questions that I am hoping I can get some light shined on. The first question is what should I use to polish up the outside of this AIRSTREAM? Second there is a controller of some kind over the stove I have found that it is a gauge for water Ect, but now the question is there is a lever thingy that I don't know what it is or what it does. Third what is the amperage of the converter on this model the previous owner said that he had to run a battery charger which he kept running to the batteries so that the lights and such could stay working. If you guys and I am sure gals could help me with some information, I will be heading backup to where the trailer is this this weekend and will be taking pictures to document the process.

Thanks,
Rob

[Travel Bird]

Welcome and congrats on your new girl!! Post some pics. You are at the right place to get all of your questions answered.

[wahoonc]

Hi Rob!

Welcome to the forums. I have a 1975 that is pretty much disassembled at the moment so I can give you plenty of "in depth" information.

The lever is for the kitchen hood exhaust fan.

I would do some research on polishing there are several possible methods and products that can be used. My plan for the time being is to just live with the APB (Airstream Pattern Baldness) look.

Your unit probably still has the original non working Univolt in it. It is a fairly straight forward upgrade to change to a new converter, Best Converters is the man to see. I plan on using a Progressive Dynamics 60amp in mine which will be an upgrade over the original unit.

Is your unit a side bath or rear bath? And we DEFINITELY need pictures.

Aaron

[Kevin245]

Hi Rob,

Welcome and congrats on the Airstream. The lever thingy is probably the exhaust vent control arm. You should receive more welcome posts and answers to questions 1 and 3 shortly.

Kevin

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Hi Rob!

Welcome to the forums. I have a 1975 that is pretty much disassembled at the moment so I can give you plenty of "in depth" information.

The lever is for the kitchen hood exhaust fan.

I would do some research on polishing there are several possible methods and products that can be used. My plan for the time being is to just live with the APB (Airstream Pattern Baldness) look.

Your unit probably still has the original non working Univolt in it. It is a fairly straight forward upgrade to change to a new converter, Best Converters is the man to see. I plan on using a Progressive Dynamics 60amp in mine which will be an upgrade over the original unit.

Is your unit a side bath or rear bath? And we DEFINITELY need pictures.

Aaron

See what I mean. Can't dilly dally around here or I get beat to the punch.

[nilesrob]

Welcome Rob to the forum, and congratulations on your new family member! I can't answer a single question you have asked, but you are clearly at the right place. Enjoy your time and travels!

[Rob724]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Hi Rob!

Welcome to the forums. I have a 1975 that is pretty much disassembled at the moment so I can give you plenty of "in depth" information.

The lever is for the kitchen hood exhaust fan.

I would do some research on polishing there are several possible methods and products that can be used. My plan for the time being is to just live with the APB (Airstream Pattern Baldness) look.

Your unit probably still has the original non working Univolt in it. It is a fairly straight forward upgrade to change to a new converter, Best Converters is the man to see. I plan on using a Progressive Dynamics 60amp in mine which will be an upgrade over the original unit.

Is your unit a side bath or rear bath? And we DEFINITELY need pictures.

Aaron

Thank your for the information on the lever, greatly appreciated.
As for the bathroom it is a side bathroom, it also has two twin beds in the back. After this weekend there will be pics currently the ones I have arent that good they were taken in haste the night I looked at it with my dad.

[Rob724]

Also thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I am hoping to restore this beauty back to her original glory.

[jm2]

congratulations on your new trailer, and welcome, Rob!

if your trailer is anywhere near ready to go in about a month, come join us at "the Birthday Bash" which looks to be only ~100 miles up the road from you.

aside from meeting some new friends and having a great time there, you'll have a huge pool of Airstreamers to ask questions to your hearts' content!

check it out here - Birthday Bash 3

best,

[Rob724]

Home from the weekend here are some pics, found a couple issues there was/are some windows leaking. A buddy and I used clear silicone caulk around the windows and will continue this the next time we go up. Other then that the camper is amazing and can't wait to have it all cleaned up and ready to stay in and the travel with.

[Becky B.]

Stop the silicone caulking! Use Tempro TremPro 635 or Parbond around your windows (I prefer Tempro) The silicone will appear to stick for a while & then lets off the aluminum. You'll have plenty of leaks again if you use the silicone. Many people (myself included) spent lots of hours removing silicone to replace it with Tempro. There is alot of information on the forum about the subject. If you select the "search" button on the top bar and search under the "google" search, you'll be able to find tons of information about every aspect of your new to you trailer. And by the way, welcome to the forum!

[AIR-Quarius]

Polishing...My friend, - after multiple sessions of polishing ours, my arms fell off...both hit the ground. Doc said they could be 're- attached' if we hurried. Then he asked me why the severed arms were still twitching in a circular manner, and noticed all the black stuff smeared all over them........YOU DON'T REALLY BELIEVE THIS DO YOU!! lol
welcome to the forums.

[smorean]

Hi! I'm also pretty new to the forums and just last weekend bought a 1975 31' Sovereign with a mid bath. Here are some photos of ours so you can compare: Airstream - a set on Flickr

See you on the road!

[Rob724]

New carpet, couch cover and blinds. More work this weekend.

[Air4563]

As for your outside finish, If you can afford it I would take it to somebody who can refinish it for you. AS uses a clearcoat on the exterior and it deteriorates after a time. Unless you want to buff it every year or so, and you are planning to keep it and care about what it looks like,this is a worthwhile investment. You will have a great looking unit at a fraction of the cost of a newer unit.

[Rhino33]

Rob,

Congratulations on your new beauty! My husband and I have been restoring a 1980 International 31' center bath and OH, WHAT FUN! I have handled most of the LPG, Water (fresh & waste), Finish flooring and Sealants, and my husband handled the subfloor. Our rescue Shar Peis provide emotional support. (lots and lots of it!)

We have had many, many questions and you will find that everyone here has a wealth of information they are willing to share.

Definitely post pics of your progress, we love to see them!

Jenn, Robb, Dexter & Maizie