Seattle to Austin in a 350LE

[chriscraw]

Made it!!!!
Arrived in Austin at 1pm local time. will post a reckoning of miles travelled, gas guzzled and food consumed in the next few weeks. Immediately, I'm getting together with PeterH next weekend to go over a list of "must doos" (steering box adjustment, air bags, dump connector etc. etc.) and "nice to doos" ( solve engine over heating problem before spring, replace globes, get registered, roadworthy etc.)but in any event, the 350LE is a grand old lady in any measure.
Finally, my very real thanks to each of you for being there over the 2500 miles. At some future date, I'll publish a sort of summary of the trip for the benefit of any other idiot who might plan such an adventure! Vene, Vidi, Vici!

[bwoodtx]

Just remember, in Texas you have 30 days to change over a title, if you have one, or you will pay a hefty penalty.

[chriscraw]

Bruce..not sure if my Thanks worked but just in case..don't I need a roadworthy certificate before I can change title ?
Thanks for making me one of you very select friends!
chris

[chriscraw]

Dave and Felicia..is this the adaptor I need to get from the Thetford fitting to the standard dump hose ? Thanks
chris
http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T05-2.../dp/B0006N5S6C

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Bruce..not sure if my Thanks worked but just in case..don't I need a roadworthy certificate before I can change title ?
Thanks for making me one of you very select friends!
chris

You're welcome!!

Ok, here's the deal. You will need a weight certificate. Then you can register it and get Texas plates. Then you can go get it inspected. Fine for no inspection is cheaper than fine for no registration. And...no inspection is not a moving violation, no registration is.

Look forward to seeing you at the rally.

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Dave and Felicia..is this the adaptor I need to get from the Thetford fitting to the standard dump hose ? Thanks
chris
Amazon.com: Valterra T05-2285VP Thetford to Valterra Universal Adapter: Automotive

Yup, that is the one. Other alternative is to buy bigger hose, but, why? More expensive and you already have hose.

[dannydimitt]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Bruce..not sure if my Thanks worked but just in case..don't I need a roadworthy certificate before I can change title ?
Thanks for making me one of you very select friends!
chris

You will need to get it inspected and have the vin # verified by the inspection station at the same time. If there is no weight for the unit on the old title , it will have to be weighed also .
Since it's from out of state , you will not need the state form that the seller signs for tax purposes. And it is old enough that you can tell the tax office whatever you wish as to what you paid for it , and lessen how deep they will get into your pockets for sales tax.
Next year it will be eligible for an Antique vehicle license plate that is dirt cheap, lasts for , I think 4 years , and your vehicle is exempt from state inspections forevermore .

[chriscraw]

Danny (correct ?
You instructions re registration are what I thought they were..pity the RV isn't a year younger eh?
I've located a truck inspection outfit that will inspect and weigh
Donco Truck & Automotive Inc

826 Kramer Lane, Austin, TX ‎
I'll get that done this week.
thanks again and hope to see you at the Spring Rally

[Kota]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Dave and Felicia..is this the adaptor I need to get from the Thetford fitting to the standard dump hose ? Thanks
chris
http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T05-2.../dp/B0006N5S6C

Another option is to replace the valve assembly. I posted a thread when I dropped my Tetford hose and broke an ear off. I found a new valve in the camp store for $32. It had the new flange and cap built in. Being comparable with all the new stuff like hoses and power dump systems is real nice. It took a out an hour to swap it out. I just unbolted the gate valves and slid the new unit in.



http://www.valterra.com/product-cate...-products/oem/

Note: The center section rotates to any orientation when the 8 bolts on the flanges are loosened.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1301685

The EZ dump electric valve could be used for the Cousin Eddy option or for those idiots that follow too close!

[Kota]

The valves above appear to have the old style 2 ear coupler. The one I used has the new 4 ear coupler.

[chriscraw]

Just ordered the adaptor for now as I hope to free the jammed valve over the weekend. Failing that, your link to the Valterra solution seems to be the way to go..many thanks!
BTW..how do I update my personal details to add a pic of the 350LE..can't seem to find the way to do it in the various tabs etc.?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Just ordered the adaptor for now as I hope to free the jammed valve over the weekend. Failing that, your link to the Valterra solution seems to be the way to go..many thanks!
BTW..how do I update my personal details to add a pic of the 350LE..can't seem to find the way to do it in the various tabs etc.?

There are 2 places to put a picture and info about your Airstream.

To put the model of your motorhome in your info on the left side, go to "User CP" (leftmost option in the blue menu bar) and click "Edit your details." There you'll find a bunch of fields to enter data, including "Motorhome #1" fields.

To add a photo that shows up on every post, you need to choose "Edit Avatar" from the UserCP options. If you want to use your own photo, you have to make a tiny shrunken version of it, 120x120 pixels max and use the "upload custom avatar" option.

To add a photo that shows up on your Profile page, the UserCP option is "Edit Profile Picture." That photo can be larger, but it'll only be seen by people who visit your profile page.

All these instructions are predicated on the assumption that you're using a computer and not the mobile app.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Just ordered the adaptor for now as I hope to free the jammed valve over the weekend. Failing that, your link to the Valterra solution seems to be the way to go..many thanks!
BTW..how do I update my personal details to add a pic of the 350LE..can't seem to find the way to do it in the various tabs etc.?

That valve assembly is a very common part. Most RV shops that do service have them on the shelves. I wasted way too much time trying to find the obsolete coupler and then trying to find an adaptor. The new valve was just too simple for my initial consideration.

[PeterH-350LE]

Chris arrived this morning with flying colors, well green color dripping from under his engine. Fortunately we found it to be a radiator house.
But here is the big issue. The air bag carrier bearing is totally shot.
Has anyone replaced them or is this truck service issue?? How about parts availibility?

[Smartstream]

I'm not sure exactly how the tandem axle air suspension is set up but I had a similar problem on my 280 and it was a pretty simple fix. Mine is an American Carrier system and they had the bushings for about $65 and the cross pins and "dog bone" link if needed. It took an hour or two to change if I remember correctly. The air bags may take a "set" from being run like that for some time. Turning one bag 180 degrees will help balance them or you can replace them if they are aged and cracked.

[chriscraw]

Had a great day with Peter and his wife, Cindy. Peter went right to it and replaced the lower radiator hose which was leaking badly from what may have been holes caused when the belts parted company. Another lucky escape ! But as seen above, due to both lack of knowledge and lack of work area, I'm going to have to find a shop here in Austin to replace both the bushes and airbags..c'est la vie!
However, I do plan to remove and have the radiators serviced.
Thanks again Peter and Cindy for a terrific day!

[dannydimitt]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Had a great day with Peter and his wife, Cindy. Peter went right to it and replaced the lower radiator hose which was leaking badly from what may have been holes caused when the belts parted company. Another lucky escape ! But as seen above, due to both lack of knowledge and lack of work area, I'm going to have to find a shop here in Austin to replace both the bushes and airbags..c'est la vie!
However, I do plan to remove and have the radiators serviced.
Thanks again Peter and Cindy for a terrific day!

Only one place in Austin that I would take it .

Atlas spring and alignment service

3535 East 7th Street, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 385-3661has been there for many many years. Good folks there.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by dannydimitt

Only one place in Austin that I would take it .

Atlas spring and alignment service

3535 East 7th Street, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 385-3661has been there for many many years. Good folks there.

Thanks for the recommendation, I know Chris will appreciate it.
I did spent considerable time on checking out the 350 LE and found it to be a very nice machine. All systems seem to be function properly and appeared to be maintained. After we inflated the front Airbags, the ride was soft and very pleasant. This will improve even more after the rear Airbags are in the upright position with new carrier bushings.
What a lucky man Chris is to make it all the way to Austin with those Airbags and the leaks in the lower radiator hose next to the belt.
The engine sounded extremely good and had the power you would expect lugging 18k pounds around.
The exterior is in almost new condition, besides the known clear coat issues on the top of the rig.
I found the control box for the keyless entry system with the code that was long lost and now Chris can use it.
The only real downer was that the door bell is not work, which would have been a deal killer for me...but the Air horns kinda make up for it. Maybe Chris can wire his doorbell to the Air horns

[chriscraw]

What a terrific idea Peter..I think while I'm at it, I'll add a wireless circuit to our house door bell so that visitors can also enjoy the air horns!
Appreciated your kind summary of the 350LE's condition, quiet an endorsement of just how lucky an ill-informed buyer can be!
I'll follow-up on dannydimitt's suggestion Monday and let you know the result.
Chris

[chriscraw]

Originally Posted by dannydimitt

Only one place in Austin that I would take it .

Atlas spring and alignment service

3535 East 7th Street, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 385-3661has been there for many many years. Good folks there.

Spoke with these folks this morning and got a sort of "maybe" depending on parts availably. do you have a scource for both the airbags and bushes, pins that will be needed ?