1984 Airstream 345 owner (Newbie) need advice!

[Keyair]

Looking at the Pics I have, they look like the front levelers...
I see springs and stuff too...

[pdallas]

She looks like she just needs a little tender loving care. Welcome aboard and good luck as you start fixing her up!

PD

[Keyair]

Yup, she is gonna get a caring hand!

[Keyair]

Can anyone tell me about the wiper blades on this one... they are missing, and need to get some to put on when I get there, ready for the drive home. Are they generic, or special... Can I get some from Pepboys?

Bunch of thoughts today, some of them seem kinda silly to ask!

It has a Kohler 7000, is that a good unit?
To get 110V, do you have the run the genset, or is there a 12v to 110v converter built in? If there is not a converter, I assume you could add one... I plan to add solar panels, and maybe a 4th Batt. Anyone done that?

[345bill]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Can anyone tell me about the wiper blades on this one... they are missing, and need to get some to put on when I get there, ready for the drive home. Are they generic, or special... Can I get some from Pepboys?

I'd check with Camping World. They had the one's I needed and a large selection of others. None of the auto parts stores around here had any that fit, for mine.

[kmpro]

Keyair, I found wiper blades at Wal-Mart for mine. It's kind of tough when you don't have a sample to go by. Maybe some forum member who has a 345 can tell you what length to buy.
Kohler 7000 is OK unit. Yes it has to run to produce 110V power for you. As it its running, it also will power your converter which furnishes 12V power for your unit and also charges your house batteries. As you may have figured out , there is three systems. 110 V, 12V, & charging. You don't have 110V unless you are plugged in to 110V or running your generator. 12V system powers lights, water pump, and refrigerator, as well as water heater DSI system. Your power converter distributes this power as needed and keeps house batteries charged. I know this just a thumbnail sketch of the electrical system, so I will encourage you to read your owner's manual to learn more as well as asking questions on this forum. Much knowledge available here for the asking. My advice is learn about 12V DC electricity soon, and remember those house batteries are the heart of your new unit. Be sure they are properly cleaned, filled, and charged to keep things on an even keel.
Mike

[Keyair]

I am new to all this, but have a basic idea!
I will email PO, and get a read on the wiper blades.
In fact I got an email from him today, says that the owners manual is with the unit, so thats a start. I did a search, and found that there is some place that still has service manuals, so will try to get one of those.
He went to dump the tanks, and fill the propane, and found the freshwater tank has a crack in it , so he is gonna replace that before I pick it up. I asked him to get the whole system checked in case there is other issues.
I am gonna fly from Orange County to Wichita in a couple of weeks, and drive it the 1300 miles back!
It was not serviced too long ago, but I think I like the idea of a oil change as a minimum.

[Keyair]

Oh, for fun, here is a pic of my current "RV".
Its a work in progress, but a completely different beast.....
It is 4x4(Rear rear, is a complete axle, but undriven... yet!).
It has a 5000 watt genset, AC, kitchen, but no bathroom... yet.
Based on a 1977 Dodge Van, with a Pathfinder conversion that was stretched for a Disabled guy as a "Go anywhere RV".
I put the 33" wheels and tires on it for more floatation on soft sand and more sidewall on rocky stuff.
As is "Only" 23' long, I can get places such as some parks without probs and park it on the street.

[str8strm]

We have a 345 up near LA, had our hitch upgraded to 10000 lbs by a local shop in Glendale. Enjoy your journey home. You may want to buy fanbelts and radiator hoses before you start back.



[QUOTE=Keyair;832684]Mmmm... I dont know!

When I get it back, I will mod the hitch in a similar way to what they did in Elkhart, but I want mine to bolt on, and also add some protection against impact with the ground on ramps, which i assume is a problem with that much rear overhang.

[Keyair]

Thanks for the info.
Assuming you were happy with the shop's work, can you post up who did it, and maybe some pics of their work?
Can you post or PM me what it cost?

I like to travel with spares, and belts/hoses are primary stuff, like fluids to have onboard. Since I will be flying in to KS, I cannot take much with me. I guess I am kinda lost with the spares and supplies bit... its not like you can walk into a Auto supply place and ask for hoses for an Airstream... or is it?
Is there a knowledge base that says the radiator hoses are from a 1984 Suburban 1 ton or something?

Plan to buy a Craftsman tool kit when I get there for the trip.

[Keyair]

The nice Earthquake we had here this afternoon makes me happy that I will have a "safe" place to go if or rather when a big one hits!
We were rockin and rollin!

[GlenCoombe]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Thanks for the info.
Assuming you were happy with the shop's work, can you post up who did it, and maybe some pics of their work?
Can you post or PM me what it cost?

I like to travel with spares, and belts/hoses are primary stuff, like fluids to have onboard. Since I will be flying in to KS, I cannot take much with me. I guess I am kinda lost with the spares and supplies bit... its not like you can walk into a Auto supply place and ask for hoses for an Airstream... or is it?
Is there a knowledge base that says the radiator hoses are from a 1984 Suburban 1 ton or something?

Plan to buy a Craftsman tool kit when I get there for the trip.

Knowing your year model and that it is a P30 Van chassis is generally enough to get most driveline parts at the national auto parts stores.

Specialty items can sometimes be found at Millsupply.com in the stepvan catalog.

Airstream parts of course from your local, or not so local Airstream dealers.

[3 Dog Nite]

I use stock 20 " wipers on my MH. Available at any auto store. I didn't use any of the plastic clips that come with the blade. My old blade was attached with a nut & bolt. I just drilled the new blade & used new nut & bolt. Left photo is top view, Right is bottom view

Ricky

[str8strm]

It was Heacock welding in glendale. I believe it was $600. Rainy here and moho is in storage so no pics today.

HEACOCK HORSE TRAILERS (818) 242-0211 GLENDALE, CA

[Keyair]

When its home, I will give them a call, sounds like a good place!
At least the rain has gone!

Anyone know if there ever was a service or shop manual for this model and year?
Does it have air suspension?

[guy99]

Originally Posted by Keyair

When its home, I will give them a call, sounds like a good place!
At least the rain has gone!

Anyone know if there ever was a service or shop manual for this model and year?
Does it have air suspension?

Yes to both. If you search here you should be able to get info on how to order. I think Brad (bkhaler) has the 84 MH manual in a pdf.

[Keyair]

Thanks Guy, made contact with Brad!
I fly out to pick up the MH on April 20th.
The PO, have replaced the fresh water tank, put new wiper blades on, and filled the Propane tank. They report all the heaters and A/C units, as well as hot water is all functional and ready for my drive.

I went to my nearest RV parking yesterday and surprised to see a 345 in there... sadly the tags were 2008, so clearly not used for a while. What was odd, was the whole lower was sprayed charcoal metalic and the upper was sprayed silver... both had the clearcoat peeling.
I looked under the rear to get a first hand look at the towhitch etc, and noticed a pair of tubular bars hanging down just rearward of the huge tank that is in the back to protect it.
Is that the gas tank?
Do all 345's have that protection?

[345bill]

[QUOTE=Keyair;836048
I looked under the rear to get a first hand look at the towhitch etc, and noticed a pair of tubular bars hanging down just rearward of the huge tank that is in the back to protect it.
Is that the gas tank?
Do all 345's have that protection?[/QUOTE]

Don't know if all 345's are the same but here's the gas tank and tubes to protect it on mine.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by 345bill

Don't know if all 345's are the same but here's the gas tank and tubes to protect it on mine.

I don't know if that's factory, but a damn good idea!

[Keyair]

Bill, that is identical to the one I looked at!
Right down to the ground flats in the bends!