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Old 07-05-2009, 07:39 PM   #1
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1986 34' Excella
Conroe , Texas
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Smile 1985 Excella 34'

Just wanted to say Hi, and let everyone know that I am a proud owner on a New To Us Airstream, and know nothing at all about RVing. Never owned one before always tent camped, but I am getting too old for that now. I will attach a few pictures of how the trailer was delivered to me. Got a real bargain I think.
I will need help on many things in the near future. First thing is to clean it up and see what I have to work with. The main components still work. Ref, Hot Water, Air, Heater, Stove, Microwave.
Enjoy the pics. There will be many more as I progress.
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Old 07-05-2009, 07:42 PM   #2
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1986 34' Excella
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A few more Pics

Here are just a few more
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Old 07-05-2009, 08:01 PM   #3
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She's a beauty! From tent camping to the Queen Mary! What fun you will have!

Congrats and welcome to the forums.. Keep us posted on all your progress..


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Old 07-05-2009, 08:10 PM   #4
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Welcome aboard fellow Long Long Trailerite!

Welcome aboard! You did it right...I pull a 34 foot triple axle and it tows spectacularly. 1985 was the first year they fixed the frames on them too....they made them deeper so you won't get the sags and much less likely to get the separations (search 'em out on here...very dreadful things) that the older ones with the shallower frames had. You should be in good shape.

I strongly recommend you buy a book called "RV Repair & Maintenance Manual" by Bob Livingston. It's published by Trailer Life Books. I think it's in its second edition now. It is a very easy to understand book that goes through all the systems of an RV and even tells specifically how to fix things from the more popular manufacturers (how to repair a Thetford toilet or a Sealand toilet, Atwood or Suburban water heaters, troubleshoot Dometic or Norcold fridges). It's worth its weight in gold, but you can get it for about $15. Any big bookstore should have it, or go to Amazon.

Check your plumbing for leaks. Check all your LP fittings. I'd go over the roof seams and if they look bad, hit them with aluminum Kool Seal. Mine had a very small leak in the rear where two sheets were riveted together. The sealer (probably vulkem?) doesn't last forever. Other than that, short of physical damage, there's not much that goes wrong with the shells on these trailers.

Since it's 24 years old, be prepared to get some new appliances in the next few years. On my '87 I've replaced the toilet, the water heater, the refridgerator, the a/c, and the kitchen faucet. For the big stuff, call Palomino Parts. They have great prices. Number is on here in several threads...just do a search.

For Airstream specific stuff, since your's isn't that old the dealerships can probably hook you up. Inland Andy on here can get you anything and everything.

I really like the 34 footers, and hope you do too!

See you on the road!
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Old 07-06-2009, 02:49 PM   #5
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1986 34' Excella
Conroe , Texas
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Thanks for the welcome,
JG the air was replaced in 2007, I am working on checking all of the fixtures, LP, and the Converter out now. Just want to clean and repair until I find out what is missing or broken. I will take your suggestion and get the book. There are a few parts in the hot water heater I need education on.
I am so looking forward to using this monster in the near future.
See Ya on the road!
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Old 07-06-2009, 05:23 PM   #6
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1985 34' Limited
1960 24' Tradewind
Summerville , South Carolina
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Archersfin,
Welcome. Tons of great information on this forum from a super nice crowd.
Jim is right. 34s pull like a dream -- they handle a little differently from a tent, though. You will enjoy this unit.
I have a question--pure curiosity. What is the bungee cord doing on the tail end doing?
Best of luck.
Bill
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Old 07-07-2009, 05:06 AM   #7
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1986 34' Excella
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Cantrell.
The bungee was to keep the electrical cord in place during shipment. The bumper cover is not attached. It was in the unit when it arrived.
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Old 07-07-2009, 01:32 PM   #8
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If you've never towed, or if you've never towed a triple axle, don't be inhibited about that long, long thing behind you. Persevere and you'll soon be comfortable with it. Don't know where your town is, but some of the Texas roads I've traveled have been exceptional-- wide, really wide, shoulders, smooth surfaces, etc. If that is what you have where you live you won't have much trouble adapting.

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Old 07-07-2009, 02:13 PM   #9
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Welcome to the triple axel club! They tow like a dream, and the extra room is always appreciated.
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Old 07-07-2009, 08:23 PM   #10
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1986 34' Excella
Conroe , Texas
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Red face Little Black Box????

JimGolden,
Here is a picture of the black box on the side of the A frame.
Maybe there is someone out in TT land that knows what this is supposed to be.
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Old 07-07-2009, 09:18 PM   #11
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Open it up and lets see inside!
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Old 07-08-2009, 05:59 AM   #12
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1985 34' Limited
1960 24' Tradewind
Summerville , South Carolina
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I had remnants of that little black box on mine when I got it. It was decayed and no longer functioning but I seem to remember tracing it back and deciding it was part of the emergency braking system. You apparently attach a 'rip cord' to the tow vehicle and if the two creatures become separated at speed, it engages the brakes on the trailer. Can anyone verify this and is this type of thing still used on newer or other models??
Bill
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Old 07-08-2009, 07:24 AM   #13
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All travel trailers must have a break away switch. This is not optional equipment. I am not sure if the black box shown is one, but every travel trailer needs one. I believe it is DOT mandated in many if not most states. Here is a version that Vintage Trailer sells Breakaway Switch. It can be a life saver, and a trailer saver, stopping the trailer in case it becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle.
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Old 07-08-2009, 05:08 PM   #14
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That is all there is to see. It is not the Breakaway Switch. That is the other box on top of the tongue. This box is on the side. Nothing is attached to it, and the spring loaded under cap is missing. There are no wires going to it. I thought it was a plug for the electrical plug when it was not connected to the vehicle, just to keep dirt and bee's out of the pins. Just don't know
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Old 07-08-2009, 07:24 PM   #15
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I wonder if it might have been the old breakaway box and it died? So the previous owner (PO) installed the new one that you can see on top?

Sorry to not be much more help here...but I just don't know what that thing is. My best guess would be that it was a breakaway box that gave up the ghost long ago.
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Old 07-08-2009, 09:39 PM   #16
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Well Archersfin,

People love to modify stuff and make it their own.. Wait till you start poking around.. I bet you will find more. Thats what makes it so fun, you get to be a detective and figure out how your going to fix stuff to make it right again. Look forward to seeing it out on the road..
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Old 07-09-2009, 06:11 AM   #17
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Wink Starting Out With The Loooooooong Airstream

Archersfin,
Welcome aboard. We have an '87 34' with pretty much the same layout as yours, except ours was built with a second door into the rear bedroom and the bed runs east - west instead of north - south. We ripped out the ugly mauve carpet, put in a laminate floating floor, and replaced the buzzzzzing power converter with a new 60 amp Intelli-Power converter. Then we had it polished and clearcoated. Late last year and early this year we updated the upholstery and installed new speakers and stero head unit. Now we have it the way we want it. You can see some of the changes in our gallery...

http://www.airforums.com/photos/brow...?c=3316&userid=

Good luck with your trailer and keep us posted on press and ask lots of questions.

PS as you get into it these sites may be helpful...

Vintage Trailer Supply
Out of Doors Mart
Inland RV
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