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ScrapIrony-2 · 04-11-2010, 08:52 AM

Our rig might have cosmetically challenged clear coat and paint, but then, my understanding is that airstreams and their owners resemble each other...mine does...

kmpro · 04-11-2010, 09:01 PM

Michael, I have not thought of it that way, but maybe Classic AS M/Hs do resemble their owners. Mine has a little clearcote distress and a dent in the front by the spotlite, plus some scratches and dents that go with the age of this coach, and I guess that's me. Yep, and I earned every one of the scratches and dents and my skin is not like I was 35 anymore. Oh well, I'm still on the right side of the dirt.
Mike

kmpro · 04-12-2010, 09:39 PM

The Silver Hornet has a new pair of shoes. Took the Hornet to the truck tire store and got 2 new Sumitomo 75R225X19.5s for the steering axle tires. Man what a difference!!! The front end sticks like glue to the road now. Got the rear duals spin balanced, and man that gave a new meaning to smooth ride in the Silver Hornet. Hard to believe that a unit built in 1984 rides that smooth. Ever bit as good or maybe better than my 2002 Diesel Pusher 40 footer with full air suspension. So I am running the 75R225s on the front, and 8R19.5s on the rear duals. Air pressures 75PSI Front, 60 PSI Rear. I am amazed considering that my Airstream is 26 years old, and hasn't had an abundance of care it seems, that it rolls down the road almost effortlessly now. 63 MPH=3000 RPM according to my dash clocks. Now if I could only get 20 MPG!
Ha!!! Oh well, I can dream can't I?
Mike

345bill · 04-14-2010, 02:27 PM

Just read above posts and would like to add "I like your way of thinking" and yes my 1990 has almost as many 'battle scars' as myself.

jking · 04-14-2010, 06:23 PM

I don't know - had ours painted and it looks lots better than I do! Anyway, congratulations on getting through all that. You've earned your ride in a lot less time than lots of us did.
Jamie

kmpro · 04-15-2010, 12:38 PM

Everything is pretty well up to speed in the looks department except for the huge dent in the front roof by the spotlite. If I couild take the plastic down on the inside, I could get that dent out, and except for clearcote that is burned thru it would look pretty good. Maybe later this year we can get out to Oregon to get a polish and reapplication of clearcote on the Silver Hornet.
Mike

kmpro · 04-16-2010, 08:01 AM

I love it when a plan comes together! After three days of rain in Texas, I have zero leaks. Thank God I decided to make sure the windows were watertight, and Parrbond made it easy. Just took a little time and patience to make it so the water would not be coming inside after 25 years. I think I got a little help from owning a 1963 Overlander and making sure it was leak free. Nobody wants water inside the rig. Especially my wife. We've had over 3 inches of rain here, which is not the norm for us, but inside the Silver Hornet is as dry as a powderhouse. Never was any doubt!!!

pdallas · 04-19-2010, 03:48 PM

Hey Pro: Tell me about the 60 psi rear. Seems lo to me?

PD

Mike Leary · 04-19-2010, 03:55 PM

60 psi is minimum; we run 90 on the rear duals, 100 on the fronts. I'd think that could be one reason we get so many miles from our Goodyears and get a constant 15mpg.

kmpro · 04-19-2010, 11:26 PM

I got the inflation pressures from the 1984 AS M/H owners manual. It called fro 75 PSI Front and 60 PSI Rear unless you were near Max GVWR and then it calls for 70 PSI. So I have the Silver Hornet aired up to 75 PSI Front and 70 PSI Rear for the trip back to Denver. If this is incorrect please let me know.
I am running 55 PSI in front air bags. Front Tires are 225X75X19.5 and Rears are 8RX19.5.
Mike

GlenCoombe · 04-20-2010, 05:44 AM

The specs written in the manual don't factor in the latest in tire technology. Consider those numbers recommendations for the original bias ply tires.

Take a look at your tires and follow the manufacturers specs for inflation. More pressure = better roll with limited friction, less pressure = better ride.

bkahler · 04-20-2010, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmpro

I got the inflation pressures from the 1984 AS M/H owners manual. It called fro 75 PSI Front and 60 PSI Rear unless you were near Max GVWR and then it calls for 70 PSI. So I have the Silver Hornet aired up to 75 PSI Front and 70 PSI Rear for the trip back to Denver. If this is incorrect please let me know.
I am running 55 PSI in front air bags. Front Tires are 225X75X19.5 and Rears are 8RX19.5.
Mike

Mike,

Like you I used the 310 owners manual to determine tire pressures. Just because the tire is rated for 100 psi doesn't mean you should run those presures.

I've been running 75 psi front and 65 psi in the duallies. The ride seems to be pretty good. 95% of the time I also tow a double axle trailer with a race car on it at these tire pressures with good success. We have 8Rx19.5 Toyo tires on the MH.

Bottom line is I'm happy with the ride and handling at 75 / 65.

Brad

kmpro · 04-20-2010, 07:48 AM

Brad:
The max inflation pressures are kinda scary. The 225 is 195PSI and my 8R is 110 PSI. With 75-70 the ride is good as well as stability, and I would be afraid to run pressures up max for M/H operation. Seems a little over the top to me.
Mike

kmpro · 04-21-2010, 03:44 PM

With all the stuff we are loading in the Silver Hornet for the trip back to Denver, plus all the stuff in the toad, (most of this comes from downsizing from a 40 ft pusher with 160 Cu Ft of underbody storage) when we get to Raton Pass, I may have to disconnect the toad and BACK up the pass like they did in Model T days. Waay too much stuff!!!
Mike

ScrapIrony-2 · 04-22-2010, 11:24 AM

Mike...get outta there before the storms start...oh, wait, they already have...Raton Pass is something to be reckoned with, but a few others come to mind...Coal Bank, Molas, Red Mountain, and Wolf Creek...have done all of them at speeds exceeding 10 mph, but less than 15...shoot, I didn't have to be anywhere, anyway...just the guy who used to be in front of me when I was in a hurry...

kmpro · 04-24-2010, 10:21 AM

Well the Silver Hornet passed 2 serious tests yesterday. 1. We were traveling in sustained winds of 40-45 MPH with gusts to 60. When I opened the door at Amarillo, the wind was so strong it nearly dragged me out the door and threw me on the ground. I remembered why I had moved from Amarillo years ago. 2. Even with the Pilot in tow and loaded to the hilt, the back of the 310 full of boxes, we pulled Raton Pass in 2nd at about 29 MPH with an engine temp of 220 degrees. The Chevy Big Block did like I expected, since I was turning the wrenches.
Weather was so bad on up the road, we opted to stay at the KOA at Colorado City off I-25. What a nice place! I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to rest and the facility is immaculate. The owners have been there 14 years and they run a first-class facility. We are off to Denver today after noon and we are going to let the snow and slush melt first.
Mike

kmpro · 04-26-2010, 05:06 PM

As best I can tell, I hereby declare the Silver Hornet roadworthy. We made it on into Denver with the heavy load and no problems except the D%#n Onan Generator. Ran fine when in Lubbock, but died when we were hooking up to go. Great, no gen. Generator peeps were booked and all they could do was sell me the parts to fix it. 1 Condenser, 1 Onan Coil = $ 97.14 American money. Cheaper to fix my bike than this glorified lawnmower engine. Installed the parts today and viola! the green thing comes to life. Back in the generator business. Still have to order D/N Shades and Venetian blind from Camping World and maybe I can rest some. Ha!

gypsychris · 04-28-2010, 05:52 PM

Was that our moho you mentioned here :-) All Ikea Parts!!

kmpro · 05-01-2010, 08:38 PM

Gypsychris:

Well you guys have one too? We made it to Denver OK with no problems. Amazing! If you want to read more of the Silver Hornet go to [url=http://www.starnewspub.com for the whole story.
Mike

kmpro · 05-08-2010, 07:19 PM

After much labor, I have replaced the screen door gasket and the entry door gasket. Apparently this was the third time the operation had been performed since the Silver Hornet was new. Getting the old 3M trim cement off the door and screen edges was a real chore. Now we can't see daylight around the door circumference anymore. WORN DOOR HINGES FIX. My door hinges were worn down from 25 plus years of use, and rather than replace the hinge, I raised the door up to its original height and installed "C" clips that I had bought at the hardware store. This raised the door back to its original height and made it so the striker and door lock properly aligned itself. Cheaper than hinges.
Mike