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LawChick · 01-05-2011, 05:34 PM

These are photos of a 1992 Excella 29 ft we just bought. Does this rust/corrosion, etc. appear to be normal or should we be worried about it. We are told the A/S is in towing condition. The tires appear to be 3 to 5 years old, any worries there? A/S has sat for at least 6 months on dealer lot and who knows how long before that. Rubber bushing at ends of shocks are cracked from age. Is there anything of major concern shown in pictures? If so, please advise us.

Inside is very nice, no problems there. Dealer fixed some plumbing problems and cleaned it somewhat. Checked electric items and all seem to work ok.

rock60 · 01-05-2011, 05:41 PM

looks normal to me

Aviator · 01-05-2011, 05:50 PM

Looks fine for towing to me. I can't tell from the photos what shape the axles are as far as still providing suspension. Even if they are shot it is still OK to tow it (maybe not great for all the way across the country, but locally is OK).

There is an article somewhere here as well as on the Inland RV site which will help you to evaluate them.

Dwight · 01-05-2011, 05:54 PM

Looks like it spent some time near the coast...

vinstream · 01-05-2011, 06:01 PM

Replace shocks if rubber grommets are cracked is a common rule of thumb... I would also take a careful look at the brake wiring, make sure the wire is in good condition, rust and rubber do not mix well together... I would replace the tires!

Todd

2airishuman · 01-05-2011, 06:01 PM

the surface rust in the pix is typical,

i don't think any predictions about WHERE the stream has lived are possible...

based on those few views.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawChick

...The tires appear to be 3 to 5 years old, any worries there?

the tire DATE OF MANUFACTURE is stamped on the sidewall (inner or outer)

should be a 4 digit code for week/year IF they were manufactured after 1999.

so there is no reason to guess at age, find the date stamp.

5 years is getting CLOSE (like now) to replacement time regardless of tread depth.

3 years means another 2-3 years of life IF the thread depth is good

and there are NO side wall issues from inactivity.

the guys at the former AoA are good folks and won't intentionally grift ya,

but it's a nearly 20 year old stream, so much of it's history could be a mystery...

if the systems all check out and you've PAID for it...

go play and break some stuff...

congrats on the stream.

cheers
2air'

LawChick · 01-05-2011, 06:46 PM

One tire says 2506 for the date, which seems to be the oldest, we plan to haul it home and have them checked by a local tire dealer we trust. Most of your replies are pretty much what we thought and were told, just needed a little more reassurance. However, we do plan to drag it all over the country and expect to have to throw some more money at it in the process. This is our first TT and fell in love with this A/S when we first saw it. We couldn't buy it right then and there, but said if it was still available after 1/1/11 we would take that as a sign to buy it. Guess what !!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the replies. Now we look forward to naming her and starting our adventures on the road.

AirsDream · 01-05-2011, 07:07 PM

Looks like you got the "sign" and now are afflicted with the disease - sorry, there's no cure except more aluminum.

If you're gonna' tow with those tires, do make sure that they appear sound, check pressures carefully, and take your time (go slow) 'cause that's getting as old as you want to tow with for any distance. One other suggestion: before you head out homeward bound, either check yourself, or get some dealer comfort regarding the wheel bearings and test the brakes. If the bearings are gone or dying or need repacking, you can have a really bad day, and it's not apparent what is their condition without some inspection. Likewise the brakes. They're on the trailer for a good reason, and if they're not working properly, lots of bad things can happen.

Good luck and congratulations!

Aviator · 01-06-2011, 06:30 AM

Since this is your first TT, I will just mention that you need a brake controller on your Ram to operate the trailer brakes. I only mention it because when we got our Airstream it was our first trailer as well, and I had mistakenly thought that if the truck had a "tow package" all the necessary stuff was all ready on the truck.

Inland RV Center, In · 01-06-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawChick

These are photos of a 1992 Excella 29 ft we just bought. Does this rust/corrosion, etc. appear to be normal or should we be worried about it. We are told the A/S is in towing condition. The tires appear to be 3 to 5 years old, any worries there? A/S has sat for at least 6 months on dealer lot and who knows how long before that. Rubber bushing at ends of shocks are cracked from age. Is there anything of major concern shown in pictures? If so, please advise us.

Inside is very nice, no problems there. Dealer fixed some plumbing problems and cleaned it somewhat. Checked electric items and all seem to work ok.

It appears in the right hand middle photo that the torsion arm of the axle may be going uphill as it goes rearward.

If that's the case, then that indicates the rubber rods in the axle have expired.

It's easy to check the axles out. Go to the article section of this Forums, and read the "Dura torque axle article".

Also, I would suggest that you drop the underbelly and thoroughly check out the chassis. From the visible rust, I would guess that the trailer was parked for a long time near salt water. That unfortunately, has a huge negative effect on the steel chassis integrity.

Andy

Jim Foster · 01-06-2011, 10:48 AM

I totally agree with what Andy says.

I would tow directly to the first good tire shop and replace the tires right at the get-go. They need replacing, why take a chance of having trouble on your way home.

The axles and shocks look questionable as well. Not a huge expense, but can be a huge improvement.

LawChick · 01-06-2011, 11:16 PM

We do have a brake controller on our Ram. We're going to replace the tires immediately. If we can get it to Dallas (we think nearest dealer now) we will get the shocks and maybe the axles done if that's needed. From what Andy said, probably is. We asked to have the wheel bearings repacked back when we first tried to buy it last October. The mechanic there now said he thinks they were inspected if not repacked. Going to have it done again since there seems to be some question whether it was done? Any way to find out for sure without going in?

One of our biggest problems is that there is no dealer nearby. AofA has stopped working on them now. But, I guess we'll just have to try to drag her somewhere near a dealer. It's about to get too cold here anyway, so we need to go south if we can get her well enough to go.
Thanks again for your input.

Dwight · 01-07-2011, 07:17 AM

What dealer in Dallas are you referring to?

LawChick · 01-08-2011, 02:11 AM

Not sure. Haven't researched any of them yet, but I think there are a couple of AS dealers in the Dallas area. Are you familiar with them?

Inland RV Center, In · 01-08-2011, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawChick

Not sure. Haven't researched any of them yet, but I think there are a couple of AS dealers in the Dallas area. Are you familiar with them?

This list will help you.

Andy

Airstream, Inc :: Home

Dwight · 01-08-2011, 06:44 AM

Only a couple come to mind in the immediate DFW area......North Dallas RV and Explore USA RV in Ft. Worth on I-35W (10600 South Freeway).

North Dallas RV has been around for years and probably has more experience with the items you need.....some folks swear by them and some swear at them.....just know what you need done.....

A dealer that a lot of folks are happy with is:

Bayer Motor Co. 18417 S. US Hwy 377
Dublin
TX, 76446
Telephone: (800)859-9205

JFScheck · 01-08-2011, 06:49 AM

Replace them tires and when you can shocks too... :-)

LawChick · 01-09-2011, 01:23 PM

Andy, I see what you're referring to. We will probably replace the axles - but after tires, brakes and shocks unless we find they are worse than we thought.

You are probably right about chasis rust. It probably has plenty. The floors are very firm, but I'm sure we may have to give attention to the frame, too. There is no apparent tail drop, however.

Until we go far, far away from both home and an AS dealer, "if she's rollin, we be ridin' (in our tv). LOL

Dave Park · 01-09-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

Bayer Motor Co. 18417 S. US Hwy 37, Dublin, TX, 76446 Telephone: (800)859-9205

If you happen to be in Dublin, be aware this was the birthplace of Dr. Pepper. Not only was it invented there, but the original factory still makes Dr. Pepper there to the original recipe with real cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.

They do tours of the factory and have a museum onsite - Dublin Dr. Pepper comes in the original 10-2-4 bottles and fetches a nice premium in the local stores - if they can even get it.

A worthy distraction!

slowmover · 01-12-2011, 03:52 AM

Waco was the origination point (and home of a museum exclusively devoted to). The art deco headquarters in Dallas was torn down a few years back to put up cheap retail/housing after a leveraged buyout.

Dublin Dr. Pepper & old headquarters building

One can occasionally find "Imperial Sugar" branded D-P, but is is neither the same, nor as good, as original recipe as found in Dublin.

W.W. "Foots" Clements put Dr. Pepper on the map in the 1960's. Silver haired and silver tongued.

North Dallas RV is easy to get into and out of. There are several threads in re Dallas/Ft. Worth and other A/S service facilities that ought to be read.

.