28/280 vs 310

[mayco]

It's the year of the rig not the type of motor that determines the shape of the doghouse.

I'd like to know how they plan on accessing the driver and passenger captains chairs. Crawl over the "U" shaped seating? I think of all the in and outs when doing maintenance or repairs, that would be a lot of crawling to get to the ignition and such. Or am I missing something?

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Also, from the ad-
"No corners cut on the buff." Looking at the step in handle, corners were quite literally ignored

"gets great gas mileage, 10-15 MPG"
On a 454? Maybe downhill with a tailwind


Neither of these are major, just poking fun



Also, looking at the pictures I posted above, the entire dash assembly looks very different. My 83 310 dash looks exactly like the bottom picture, the top picture of the one for sale looks very different, it looks more like a later year layout.

I forgot to add that the coach in question dash layout isn't diesel as there is no glow plug and shut off handle as in mine; so she is a 454 OEM.

I think she's a 1984 Airstream built coach but on a 1983 P30 chassis, which would explain the different doghouse to my diesel, which is the picture I attached to my post.

So from what Brad is saying the doghouse designs were non specific to 454 or diesel; or as you stated....whatever they had on hand that day in the build.

You should see the differences between John's (shepherd57) 325 turbo diesel compared to mine. Huge differences in build, engine location, radiator type, etc, etc.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

PS As for 10-15 mpg.......they did take off the roof top A/C's.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

PS As for 10-15 mpg.......they did take off the roof top A/C's.

Is that all it takes to get 15mpg?? Putting that mini split in the back should pay for itself in just a couple thousand miles!!!

[Smartstream]

I believe the dog house/ dash is a matter of year of manufacture rather than engine. My 82 has the squared dog house and early dash. My 87 has the rounded dog house and later dash with the line of idiot lights and center glove box.

My problems with the 310 are several. The weight has got to be way over what it should be. It has to be interesting climbing through the "living room" to get to the cockpit. Imagine pulling into a gas station and trying to get in and out to pump some gas. Next I don't see anything I would remotely consider a safe seating position for kids during travel. Water use with that shower, dish washer and clothes washer would be insane unless you were fully hooked up in a camp site. Even then the hot water supply would be exhausted rapidly. I don't recall mention of an on demand water heater.

It may look pretty but I don't think I would want to travel very far in it. The size on city streets is not the issue, it's the way it's set up. It might be passable set up in a park and the owner no doubt sent some $$$ with the stainless work and polishing but much of that expense detracted from the usefulness of the rig as a "vehicle." The asking price...lets just say the owner is very, very, proud of his coach.

[Magnet18]

Red flag, that coach has probably never been used for camping

Looked up the seller, he has 2 posts here, one selling this 310, one selling an excella redone almost identically
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f534...na-172985.html

Looks like he's trying to set up a remodel-and-flip gig

Unless he has proof of using it a lot, I would expect that shower to come flying apart on the first pothole, and all the paint to start peeling off shortly thereafter

Not to say the rig isn't worth anything, but if it were my money, I'd start talking at about half of what he's asking

YMMV

[Isuzusweet]

Geez, we're kinda doing a hatchet job on this 310, arn't we; but we all can't be accused of not being honest and forthright, and honesty saves people money.

That coach was remodelled by a designer, not a RV'er. Which is why my wife was left to choose fabric; didn't agree with her choice so much, but I was trained by the best to know when to pick my battles.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[Smartstream]

It's not that that we are trying to tear it apart but the family in question is looking for a road worthy coach for their family travel. This thread started with a question of size for getting it to their home and travel on city streets. For their declared intended use, this coach would not meet their needs.

They ask and we answered.

[izzyce]

It doesn’t bother me that you’re honest. I’m glad you are pointing all this stuff out.

The weight is a concern for sure. I am going to ask. The safety is another but this guy has 3 kids and homeschools them like we do, so I’m less concerned about that. I feel like we can work it out. The tile popping off the shower is another concern.

Bottom line is the 310 is too big for us for a variety of reasons. The first being I just don’t want that big a coach in the city, or generally. I just want it a bit smaller.

The reno and bunk set up are super appealing. It’s beautifully done and it’s ready to go. It’s just the wrong size. I fell in love with a 26 a few weeks ago and same problem. It’s the wrong size.

I am going to chill out on my search. It’s making me cranky. And there is no efficiency in the market - there are two 310s near me and the prices are all over the place. Renting next week to go and surf in Newport and hopefully I will be reinspired.

[mayco]

Easy to get frustrated when you're ready but the market isn't. Take a breath, keep your eye out but don't let it consume you. Check in here a few times a week, either on this thread or Classic Motorhome for sale. The right one WILL come along, end of the camping season is a good time to buy. Personally I'd love to see you find a 28' turbo diesel but that's my own bias.

[wimpy]

FWIW, Mr. Rufty had/has the coach listed the 1st time I saw it for $66K, also had a lot more pictures as well as a video.

[WayneG]

A heads up for you or anyone else looking for a shorter Airstream Classic MH,
I am not 100% sure yet, but my 1984 270 may be up for sale sooner rather than later.
If you know me, you know that I like to modernize my rides, and this one is no exception. Solar & AC/DC power upgrades, fuel injection and more....
This is my website dedicated to what I have done with the 270 so far:
http://theouterlimits.ws/projects/airstream/index.html
There is more that should be done, inside and out, but I cant handle that right now. I am not much of a interior decorator person, but I do like to be sure my vehicle is in top running condition.