Good Luck Mrs Pfay;
Hope you read the inspection thread here to give you lots of ideas on what to look for.
If you have not left yet - take an ice pick and flash light with you. Be prepared to get on your hands and knees and check all the storage cupboards. Look for signs of water damage - black wood in corners - chalky white surfaces too - this is another type of mold. Mold on the ceilings is usually just dampness and easily washed off. Check for a strong floor around the door front window and under the kitchen counter/cupboards.
Be sure to open all the storage compartment doors on the out side. They are tricky so be gentle putting them back. Be sure to thoroughly look in the trunk - if the bathroom is in the back then this is a good place to look for water damage from the black tank, toilet sink bathtub and possibly water heater.
Check the propane lines for creases and kinks do they look browned and brittle if so they will need replacing. Plumbing check for patches with hot water heater hose and clamps - an easy and economical fix - but an indication that the lines have split for some reason.
Check all the windows operable. Check to make sure all the latches are there.
And of course if the PO can do it have them show you that all the systems are working Fridge both electric and propane.
On our 69 we replaced:
Toilet
Water Pump
Water Heater
Axle/Brakes
Tires
Wheels
Had a new vintage look awning made to match the original that was on it.
Replaced the curtains / and working on the Upholstery.
Replaced the fridge door inner skin (still looking for Ice box door)
Replaced all the propane copper.
New Propane Regulator
New Valves on original tanks
Got all leaks under control
Removed the carpet to find original tiles in excellent shape underneath.
A leak at the running lights and bumber rail had seeped enough to lift the tiles at the edge of the wall - but the floor had not started any rot - we were lucky!
Our Friends in Virginia with the same year and model - were not so lucky and he had to replace the whole floor area in the back.
One word of caution with the 69's - the wing windows in the front can not be replaced with glass - they were only made one year. Following 69 they made the wing windows with rounded corners top and bottom. However you can still replace the windows with Lexan - and to the onlooker you would not know the difference. Ours had all original windows in the front - and on two trips we have lost a wing window and the large front window.
On a more positive note - the 69's were the last year they had the total wood interior. The 1970 model did have some wood but also shared the look with the introduction of the tambres doors on the cupboards. Then in 72 they went to the (GA
) composite 70's plastic material.
Although it is wood and looks great when all redone - keep in mind for the rigs to be light they are just veneer over a very light pressboard material.The veneer being over 30 years old can be very frail and care should be taken in the refinishing. And if regular use of the trailer is instore then precautions should be taken to preserve the wood beyond just a wax or oil treatement. The veneer will not hold up at the edges.
Not just because we have one - but we think the 69 is a very special year for Airstream and all man kind
. It was a change over year from the very popular 63-68's and the introduction of some new technolgy and the door opened to the 70's era that so many people like (?????). It was a year of ending and beginning - just as landing on the moon
Good luck - and be sure to post pics when you get back you would be amazed at what folks here can pick up in a photo - we are all aluminum wizards with powers that go far beyond the naked eye.
yes an AS camper. They stoped and looked inside and gave me this Vin #:
and a tow package. I'm looking for a unit I can pull easily with my 99 Suburban. I was up until 2:00 AM reading about what was required to tow an AS and trying to find out (AT NIGHT WITH A FLASHLIGHT) what my Suburban came equiped with before we fell in love with the wrong AS.
Linear Mode
