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12-31-2011, 11:04 AM
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#1
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Alumnati
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Fredericksburg
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 41
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How many motorhomes?
New guy here, still shopping for a 345 or larger MH. I hear that there are not very many Airstream Classic motorhomes but nowhere can I find out how many were built. Does anyone know? How many 345's? There seem to be more 345's for sale than anything else. We have our eye on a very nice 1986 but can't view it for a while. If it proves to be as advertised, we will be driving it home. I'm a previous GMC MH owner and know what to look for in general but what specifics should I watch for in the Airstream? The dash air does not work and this is important to us. The owner says it needs a new compressor but I suspect that it might be a couple grand to get it working. Any comments? I would also like to put a full set of awnings on it and it currently has only the patio awning. Anything used out there? I know I can go to ZipDee and get them new but wonder if anyone is parting out a coach. Also, can anyone tell me the width of the dinette area from cushion back to cushion back? Thanks for the help.
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12-31-2011, 01:28 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Here is my quick opinion...
From what I know, nobody knows how many of any year were made... Least of all Airstream themselves!
The 345 was the most popular.
Dash air is not tricky to fix, not should it cost $2k...
__________________
My name is Steve.... and I am an Alumaholic!
Working in my Garage is like playing TETRIS with Tools!
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12-31-2011, 02:06 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Our 310 ceased in 1984. From (the little) I could get from AS, they built a 29 and a 32 until 1990 and a 30 footer in 1991. Every other coach they made, from '84 on, I'd assume, would have been the 345 except the 36 footer, which was introduced in 1994
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12-31-2011, 02:38 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vonprum
Also, can anyone tell me the width of the dinette area from cushion back to cushion back? Thanks for the help.
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Yep, On my 1990 345LE it measures 5' 10 1/2".
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12-31-2011, 05:14 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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They also built a 370, and a 350....
__________________
My name is Steve.... and I am an Alumaholic!
Working in my Garage is like playing TETRIS with Tools!
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12-31-2011, 05:28 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyair
They also built a 370, and a 350....
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Are we talking Classics?
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12-31-2011, 05:45 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Saint Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,702
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Didn't SteSpot just purchase a '90 250? Check out the Airstream.com website as far as models produced, but I don't think anyone has any idea of how many Airstream Classic motorhomes were produced.
Seems at one time, there was a thread here on the forum, asking for those of us who own Airstream Classic motorhomes to list them. Have a feeling it really never took off, most were leary of posting their VIN #'s I'd have to say.
Even if everyone posted their rigs, I've seen photos of Classics just sitting in farm fields, that I'm certain would never be listed.
Dash A/C, check around locally in your town for a good mechanic, but I'll tell you this, if you're thinking that dash A/C will keep rig cool going down the road, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.....
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12-31-2011, 06:02 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Paula(stespot) bought an '82 24'.
__________________
My name is Steve.... and I am an Alumaholic!
Working in my Garage is like playing TETRIS with Tools!
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12-31-2011, 06:13 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazeevw
most were leary
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Hey! I resemble that.
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12-31-2011, 07:07 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Saint Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,702
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01-01-2012, 06:56 AM
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#11
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Alumnati
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Fredericksburg
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 41
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Thanks everyone. When I owned my GMC, their forum was also very helpful. Among the GMCers was one guy who kept track of every owner he could locate. He was fanatical but determined that there were over 8000 GMC's still on the road from the over 12,000 manufactured from 1973 to 78. Can't wait to get behind the wheel. One more thing; the coach I'm looking at needs a new rotary switch. Where can I get one?
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01-01-2012, 08:13 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1989 25' Excella
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Hobe Sound
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 294
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Agree with crazeevw, When running, run the gen with roof air. I'm told the fuel consumption is less without the power drain.
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01-02-2012, 08:33 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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A clear shower curtain suspended from a spring rod can be used to contain areas for cooling or isolating...and it really looks tacky and trashy, but it works quite well...
A common problem with dash Ac is that the slide control on the dash that moves from heat to cool will look like it works and feel like it works, but if you go under the hood and check the OTHER end of that cable, you might find that it isn't switching. I have to do this manually when I need to change from heat to cool, but it beats running the heat in 100 degree weather...
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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01-05-2012, 09:59 AM
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#14
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Rivet Loser
La Ronge
, Saskatchewan
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 328
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Ruling confirmed
Quote:
Originally Posted by raveson
Agree with crazeevw, When running, run the gen with roof air. I'm told the fuel consumption is less without the power drain.
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On my 1994 34' LY the best fuel consumption I ever had (10.1 mpg for 400 miles, average being 9.2mpg overall - Dontcha love that 4L80E and TBI !) was driving north over the Crowsnest Pass then through Calgary to our home nw of Edmonton in 88+ degree temperatures. The dash air was not functioning at the time (that's another story) and I said to my wife, what the heck, we'll run the roof AC. We were driving 68-72 mph where possible the whole way. I was amazed, expecting to see 7 or 8 mpg. Of course the "new" 345 is a totally different story on the fuel consumption front... ouch! But I still love it, and maybe I can improve on 5.8mpg at 55 mph
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01-05-2012, 11:31 AM
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#15
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65th Anniversary CLIPPER
1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,309
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Yes, the shower curtain may not be great to look at, but who sees it but yourself. I think comfort and cost would rate above visual effect in most instances in an area that will never be seen by the passing tourist.
A more expensive and visually acceptable material may be sourced once you have proved the need, but I have not felt that expense was justified to this point.
The curtain also gives immediate privacy on those short stops where you would not normally pull the window shades, and get accused of camping in the rest areas.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f312...tml#post980118
Dave
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2
A clear shower curtain suspended from a spring rod can be used to contain areas for cooling or isolating...and it really looks tacky and trashy, but it works quite well...
A common problem with dash Ac is that the slide control on the dash that moves from heat to cool will look like it works and feel like it works, but if you go under the hood and check the OTHER end of that cable, you might find that it isn't switching. I have to do this manually when I need to change from heat to cool, but it beats running the heat in 100 degree weather...
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