Dad's Folly Redux

[cesalie2]

I have always enjoyed the look of a classic airstream as a child. I was introduced to the Classic Motorhome several years ago and knew then I would one buy one, fix her up and hit the road.

Joined the forum in 2011 in order to learn everything I could about this Iconic Classic. I have read and re-read every post on the Classic Motorhome forum and I am so anal, I even went so far as to gather all the invaluable advice and save into hundreds of folders on my iPad.

In March of 2012, I thought I had finally found "the one". DW, best friends and I travelled to Texas to check out a Classic 345.
As I posted last year, it was a disaster. The motorhome did not live up to the description and I passed.

On the way home, we found "Katy", a 1995 Airstream Land Yacht. I wanted to enjoy RV adventures and purchased her. Over the next year, we replaced, rebuilt, restored many of the systems and enjoyed many trips in our "Katy". We just completed an interior restoration (new carpeting, new upholstery, etc...). Our adventures have been chronicled in the Land Yacht Motorhome Forum in our thread aptly named "Dad's Folly".

We have been making plans for our first trip this year.
As you well know..."...the best laid plans of mice and men...",
I found an Airstream Classic 310 for sale in the Classified Section of the forum.

Contacted the owner and over the course of several days conversation, knew this was "the one"! We reached an agreement and I began making plans to pickup "Kimee" on Monday 29APR13.

As DW is retiring Friday, 26APR13 and her best friends birthday celebration is Saturday 27APR13...we will depart on Sunday morning 28APR13. We'll rise-and-shine bright & early Monday morning to inspect the coach, complete the deal and hookup Buoy (DW's Smart Car). We will meander home over the course of a few days to test all the systems and iron out any bugs.

We will share our new adventures here and am so excited my dream is coming true.

Hello everyone, my name is Daniel and I am an "Alumi-holic"
I was bitten by the "Aluminitus Bug" as a child and have never been the same
If you see me folding metal or muttering to myself under the chassis, just know that I'm having the time of my life!

[bkahler]

Daniel, congrats on your upcoming purchase!

Certainly is clean looking from the outside. I'm looking forward to reading about and seeing pictures of your maiden voyage.

Brad

[ScrapIrony-2]

Way to go, Daniel!!! Funny, we bought our 345 in Cookeville, TN and drove it back to CO via TX...the maiden voyage is one of the wonderments of ownership...

[crazeevw]

Daniel, I've read all of your posts with the Land Yacht. Congratulations on finally giving in to your "Aluminitis" bug!
Can't wait to see your travels home in a week or so.
Congrats, Derek

[wxbuoy]

Wow congrats!!

Are you going to join us for the MoHo's in May rally here in Crossville, TN? I am heading that way from Millington!

Airstream Forums - MoHo's in May

[cesalie2]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Wow congrats!!

Are you going to join us for the MoHo's in May rally here in Crossville, TN? I am heading that way from Millington!

Airstream Forums - MoHo's in May

Wxbuoy,

It all depends on the outcome of our return trip to Memphis but I am certainly hoping to make it!

As we are picking "Kimee" up in the College Station, TX area, thought we would take a side trip to Galveston to sightsee for a couple of days and enjoy the Gulf.
By the time we get home, I will have a good idea of her maintenance needs.

Looking forward to meeting you and the other "Alumu-holics" at the "Tin-Can" Rally in May!

[cesalie2]

We're on our way to pickup our 310!


Couldn't sleep last night, too excited and wanted to get on the road first thing this morning.
You know what happens when you rush?...
You forget some things...

Imagine fitting everything you need for a three day trip, plus Blue Ox Tow Bar and a bag of tools, with clothes for two, pillows, sheets, mattress pads, etc... and zipping down to Texas for 10 hours...in a Smart Car!








Anyway, we were on the road by 0730 hours.
Made it to College Station, TX by 1730 hours.
Found a hotel near the seller and based on his recommendation, went to dinner at Fish Daddies.
Grilled Mahi Mahi with Crawfish, Scallops and Shrimp, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm delicious !

Meeting seller tomorrow morning, another restless night of anticipation for me...feel just like a kid on Christmas Eve!

[crazeevw]

I know it's a HUGE request, but if you can find the time, love to see pix of your new beauty!
Enjoy your new case of "Aluminitis"!
Derek

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by cesalie2

We're on our way to pickup our 310!


Couldn't sleep last night, too excited and wanted to get on the road first thing this morning.
You know what happens when you rush?...
You forget some things...

Imagine fitting everything you need for a three day trip, plus Blue Ox Tow Bar and a bag of tools, with clothes for two, pillows, sheets, mattress pads, etc... and zipping down to Texas for 10 hours...in a Smart Car!



Attachment 184469




Anyway, we were on the road by 0730 hours.
Made it to College Station, TX by 1730 hours.
Found a hotel near the seller and based on his recommendation, went to dinner at Fish Daddies.
Grilled Mahi Mahi with Crawfish, Scallops and Shrimp, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm delicious !

Meeting seller tomorrow morning, another restless night of anticipation for me...feel just like a kid on Christmas Eve!

If you haven't made a trip like that in a smart then you just haven't lived. When we picked up our coach in our smart, we had to go to Los Angeles for a few days and then back up to Sacramento to pick up the coach and back to Port Angeles. We did about 3,000 miles altogether but we didn't have to carry the bedding.

Best of luck with your 310 and have a great trip home.

[masseyfarm]

Yes it looks heavy on the back end.

Dave


[QUOTE=cesalie2;1292200]We're on our way to pickup our 310!
Imagine fitting everything you need for a three day trip, plus Blue Ox Tow Bar and a bag of tools, with clothes for two, pillows, sheets, mattress pads, etc... and zipping down to Texas for 10 hours...in a Smart Car!
Attachment 184469

[cesalie2]

Home at last!


We made it home late Wednesday afternoon.
Made a list of minor issues but Kimee came thru with flying colors.
Averaged 7.6 mpg towing Buoy.

Performed a thorough inspection Monday from 0900 - 1200 hours. Completed transaction and spent 3 hours trying to get all the lights working properly on our Toad.
Was able to get the turn signals working but had several issues with tail lights and brake lights. Fortunately Buoy is so compact, anyone behind us could clearly see our Moho's tail & brake lights.

Btw, the PO filled the interior of the coach with 5 cardboard boxes and two large plastic bins of spare parts for Kimee. Everything from A/C Compressor, spare Refrigerator Control Board to a spare Blue Ox Tow Bar and boxes of plastic trim pieces, weather stripping, spare aluminum badges, wood grain striping, filters, spark plug wires, electric fuel pump, and on and on...

Departed Bryan, Texas at 1530 hours and made it to Huntsville State Park for our first night.

Second day we travelled to Hot Springs, AR. Stayed at Catherine's Landing RV Park. I would highly recommend this park to anyone. It's about two years old and has quite a bit of activities for everyone in the family. We toured downtown Hot Springs and thoroughly enjoyed the city. It reminded DW of Santa Cruz, CA.

[cesalie2]

Random Snapshots:

[cesalie2]

Helps if I attach some photos:

[cesalie2]

And on with the show:

[cesalie2]

More:





The Kohler generator is dripping oil. Appears to be a good candidate for Keyair's Mod.





We found all the attachments in the pantry





Levelers were installed post purchase.





Eclipse AVN 7000 DVD, CD, GPS...pretty cool!

[cesalie2]

DW found the central vacuam system under her bed. Hoping to give it a whirl this weekend.


Am assembling a list of the PO repairs, mods and parts replaced...fairly extensive.
Here is a sampling:

Replaced In 2009:

New Tires (marked 0808)
New Shocks
New Front Air Bags
Replaced bushings, bell cranks, etc...
Rebuilt Carburetor
Replaced AC Compressor
New Electric Radiator Fan
New Fuel Pump (electric)
Generator Head Carbon removed
New Exhaust System
New Alternator
New Starter
New Batteries
New Wiper Motor
New Radio
New CB Radio
New Antennas
Reupholstered driver & passenger front seats, two dinette chairs, couch
New carpet in bedroom
Install laminate floor in living room
New Battery Isolator
New Battery Cables
New Radiator and coolant hoses
New belts
Replaced distributor cap, rotor, plug wires, etc...

More to come...

[cesalie2]

Today, attempted to register Kimee...

Court Clerk requires Kimee pass inspection.
So, back to then house to get the Moho.
Passed emissions and light inspection...failed parking break test...inspector didn't want coach to move at all...
So back to house, crawled under chassis and adjusted drum on the back of the transmission...in the rain no less!

Will return to inspection station Friday morning.

PS: sorted thru all the spare parts to determine which to store in Kimee and items for the garage. Went thru the 5 cardboard boxes and 1 of the plastic bins. One to go, tomorrow maybe...

[cesalie2]

We passed!


DW and I drove Kimee to the inspection station to verify the parking brake holds when the transmission is in drive.
And we passed!

Returned Kimee to the barn and drove down to the title office. Transferred the title and picked up our new license plates.







Unfortunately, when pulling away from home, I brushed up against a tree limb and ripped the rear awning support off the coach. Looked up Zip-Dee Awning online and was relieved to know the parts are still available. Contacted Zip-Dee and ordered the replacement assembly. Hope to have the parts in hand by the end of next week.

[ScrapIrony-2]

O U C H ! ! ! I have yet to remove an awning arm, but I did remove a tree stump with the steps...

[cesalie2]

Minor success!


On our pre-purchase walkaround, noticed the pull-up table between the chairs was not secure.
Today, shined a flashlight on the guide rails during operation and identified the culprit. Appears previous owner relied on the wall trim to act as a stop for the table travel. The weight of the table forced the trim up and it would flop over. Picked up some small "L Brackets" at the hardware store, drilled small pilot holes into the guide brackets and voila! The table is secure and functional.