Our New 1978 Silver Streak Continental Supreme 3200

[basalt]

We are the proud new owners of a 1978 Silver Streak Continental Supreme 3200 in incredible condition! One owner (and son), all original, mostly working. Found it last Thursday night on craigslist about 40 minutes away. Told my wife I had to work Saturday morning and went and picked it up! She was pleasantly surprised to say the least!

It is definitely bigger than what we were looking for, but we could not pass it up. Spent the weekend just cleaning up the interior.

The good: EVERYTHING!

The bad:
-There is some slight dampness that seems to be due to some small cracks/gaps in the vents, and it seems some small leaks around the windows.

-The water heater is missing, but the outer panels are there. Not sure what to replace it with. Sounds like it came with a 10-gallon electric spark water heater.

-12v doesn't seem to be doing anything. The 110 system works, I have confirmed the outlets, and specifically the outlet for the converter, work on 110. I'm not even sure I have all the dips and switches or the switch dips or even the plugs right, so who knows yet. Anyone know what the big 3-way switch by the sink is for?

Fuses IN the converter seem good. There is a fuse box on the front of the trailer the trailer lights go in. There are about 12-15 fuses in this box. Not all are described in my manual so I'm not sure what is what. Replaced the ground fuse.

-Trailer Brake, turn, and reverse lights all work. Running lights on trailer are out. Brakes work (get real grabby when almost stopped). Got pretty hot to the touch driving just a couple minutes.

- Electric tongue jack missing and jack frozen. New one will be here tomorrow.

- Tires are 5-years new. Look good. My Dad says I better replace them...

-Pulled one wheel, broke one lug nut. One lug was already stripped. Plan to replace the brake assembly but hope to keep the drums. Not sure what fits.

-grease looked ok. Bearings were supposedly repacked when the tires were replaced. Will inspect and hopefully just repack. Dust caps are not in good shape and it sounds like the cap, z-clip, and seal are hard to come by?

- not sure if air pump for water system works yet. Do most replace these with pumps? Has stainless water tank.

-not sure about the rest of the plumbing or tanks yet.

- not sure if AC works yet.


IT has square axles, and no leaf mounting brackets. I would like to swap to spring-over. With a square axle is this feasible without brackets?

I'll add more info and pics later.

[Kevin245]

Nice!

Congratulations

[Iansk]

Congratulations! That thing is a monster, in a good way. I have a 20' 1964 sabre as well as an airstream and I'll have to say (in a hushed voice) the silver streak is a more impressively built tt. I'm actually seriously considering another SS I found on CL here locally, gahd, sounds crazy when I say it out loud.
I for one would love to see more pictures.
You find Tom Patterson yet?
Ian

[basalt]

Thanks. Found Tom Patterson in a lot of my searches.

Got the 12v working. Appears the issue is the outlet for the converter. Plugging directly into city power and 12v worked, though the converter buzzes/vibrates a lot.

Most of the lights work, gauges work, air pump works (makes noise anyways).

Plugged 110v in again and ac fan spun up after a little coaxing. Blows real strong! Turned on ac and it also fired up, though not sure it's doing much.

Tried the fridge, and it did not cool on "elec" after 2 hours.

[basalt]

[kdickinson]

Classic in every way - those older trailers were really great - enjoy!

[basalt]

Originally Posted by kdickinson

Classic in every way - those older trailers were really great - enjoy!

Ok, I think the Newmark 50F converter has got to go (It really vibrates and makes a bunch of noise). Looking at the Progressive Dynamics PD6260C (not sure what the difference between C and V models is). But I can get the PD9270V for less with free 1-day shipping! I would like to be able to use the 15 amp from my house, will the 70AMP be too much? Can the original trailer wiring handle the 70 AMP (or 60 for that matter)? Even the 45 AMP model cost more

Also, all the 12v wiring for the trailer goes to the fuses in the Converter, do I need a transfer switch such as Progressive Dynamics (PD5110010V) 30 Amp Automatic Transfer Relay System?

[blahargoue]

Is this the same one that was on Craiglist today for sale in the Corcoran, CA area. Photo looks nearly identical...

[basalt]

Picked it up near Sacramento, though I found it on Bakersfield craigslist so it might have been listed all over?

[Minno]

We bought our Progressive Dynamics converter from Best RV on-line. Chris called them for info and advice before the purchase and they were very helpful.
Beautiful trailer!

Kay

[Betty Farmer]

In the event you do not have it, allow me to share the telephone number for Airstream:
937-596-6111, after the telephone is answered press 2 and then press 1. You will get to some very helpful folks.

Airstream told us about a certified Airstream store and repair business near us and perhaps there is the same close enough for you to gain their advice. The place in North Dallas answers every question I have asked them; even with my lack of mechanical knowledge, they figure it out and order parts for us when we can do the work our-selves. Very helpful, as I found the Airstream folks at the point of manufacture to be.
Our best wishes to your enjoyment of your found treasure.

[blahargoue]

I'm betting it's the same one. I was actually thinking about calling on it. Looked like it would have been a good rig for a project. Enjoy it.

[xrvr]

I doubt if airstream will be any help with the silver streak. Different mfgs.

[rvb]

Betty was referring to North Dallas RV. They are an Airstream certified repair center but also work on other vintage RV's. Highly rated. but not near you. They may answer questions or refer you to someone in your area.

[basalt]

Few more pics of progress:

Wire wheeled what I could, got a coat of majic gray primer on just in time for the rain.


Bearings, seals, brakes cleaned. Only seals needed replacement. Thanks goodness for Allied Trailer Supply in Sacramento had 4 seals in stock!



New fuse block and common bus for 12v and converter.


Hoping the pd9270 can revive the 5 year old brand new batteries. Working so far.

[PaulnGina]

Congratulations on finding your Silver Streak. That is a beautiful, classic trailer! I have always loved the looks of those, and would have one just like yours (a 1981 model) if I could have convinced my wife that we needed a 2nd trailer!

[basalt]

Fridge works! Just had to fix the 110 outlet in the converter cabinet. Frozen cup of tea solid overnight.

Propane regulator shot. New one on the way.

[basalt]

Replaced propane regulator and hoses and...



Heater is a little rusty so I purchased a couple CO detectors, smoke, and propane detectors just in case.

Fridge works on propane and 110v.

Ordered some running lights and a few days later...



Hooked up city water and everything looks good. Leaky faucet vales and a couple little leaks at a few connectors. Easy fix. Filled fresh tank, turned on air pump - also works!

This trailer just keeps amazing me!

As I had ran out of other things to check I finally was ready to test my waste tanks and valves...

[basalt]

Well, no surprises, but I figured the waste gates would leak, and they do. A steady little drip.

But what worried me more was a good bit of corroded aluminum under the black tank. Sure enough, decent sized hole in the tank at the frame support bracket.

I'd post a pic, but it's kinda gross still. The cracks is on the curved section at the edge where the tank rests on the bracket. I hope it is fixable.

Any ideas of material type of this tank?




Or if these are rebuildable:



As my neighbor told me today, $!#/ happens!

[basalt]

Answered my own questions. Tank is ABS and I think I can patch the hole.

Valves are Owens, now dupree. Replacements and parts available from https://www.dupreeproducts.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=3