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06-26-2016, 09:58 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
Temple
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 125
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Removing fridge in 1971 Sovereign?
I have a 1971 Sovereign 31' with rear bath and twin beds. I am trying to remove the old Dometic refrigerator.
I've already done a lot of searching on this forum for tips to accomplish this task. It seems like every year and every different floorplan has a different solution.
I've removed every visible screw inside the trailer and through the outside access door. The fridge won't budge.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Why does Airstream make things so overly complicated?
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06-27-2016, 12:24 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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Have you got the service manual? They started with eh 1972 model but much of the info is the same.
You need to remove the wall to the right. There is a small piece of wood screwed to the sides of the refrigerator. There are several screws in the left pantry into the refrigerator.
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06-27-2016, 12:39 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,800
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Normally there are two bolts that go down through the floor to secure it in place. You get access to the nuts from the bottom outside of the trailer by removing two rubber plugs. It will require two people, one outside under the trailer, the other inside. One turning, the other holding. Good chance the bolts/nuts will be rusted.
Enjoy,
__________________
Paul Waddell
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06-27-2016, 12:55 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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My 1971 Sovereign didn't have that and it was original when I bought it.
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06-27-2016, 05:33 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1967 22' Safari
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 88
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Hi CraigCA:
I'm surprised your Airstream doesn't have the 2 thru-bolts at the rear of your refrigerator.
Open the outside trailer access door at the rear of your refrigerator. Look around near both rear corners. If you have these bolts, you should be able to see the nuts that secure the bolts that hold the refrigerator in place while traveling.
If you truly don't have them, and a previous owner didn't make modifications, then I hope someone on this forum can help because I will learn something also.
Good Luck -- Don
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06-27-2016, 05:49 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
1967 22' Safari
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 88
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Opps -- Sorry!
I meant to address my comment to TxDave -- Not CraigCA. I apologize gentlemen. Please excuse this old man who can't sleep & is reading this forum. -- Don
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06-27-2016, 08:05 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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No bolts on mine. Here's the instructions from the service manual. This worked on my refrigerator.
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06-27-2016, 08:17 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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Mine didn't have the metal strap mentioned in #8. I had a piece of aluminum bent to 90 degrees that was screwed to the floor and the refrigerator at the front corners.
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06-27-2016, 06:54 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
Temple
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 125
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Thank you, thank you, thank you all for the great advice. I went back to my shop this afternoon armed with more knowledge and had the fridge out in 30 minutes.
Removing the wall to the right was the key. There were two aluminum straps that could only be accessed by removing this wall. There were also a few screws in the cabinet area to the left.
There were no bolts through the floor. I'm thankful for that.
Once again, Air Forums has proven to be a valuable resource.
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06-27-2016, 07:29 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,800
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After 1970
Appears the change happened after the 1970 model year, I removed one about a year ago on a 1970 and it had the bolts that went through the frig frame, down through the floor.
Learned something new that I already knew, they are all different!!!!!
Enjoy,
__________________
Paul Waddell
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07-11-2016, 05:47 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1976 Argosy 26
Henderson
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 180
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refrigerator removal 76 Argosy
Great information and descriptions. I will look for rear attachment straps and rear floor bolts too. I need help with direction to disconnect thermostat and electric. Where, and how info appreciated.
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09-18-2016, 11:37 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
felton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 692
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Hi all, great advice here .. Is it simple to remove the wall on the right ? mine is '72 wit the Formica interior .. Would this involve removing the wall cabinet too?
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09-19-2016, 12:25 AM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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You don't need to remove the credenza. If you look inside you can see screws going into the side of wood strips that are on the side of the refrigerator. Then if you look in the pantry you'll see screws going into the other side of the refrigerator. There should also be a sheetmetal bracket at the floor, just like on the credenza side.
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09-21-2016, 11:05 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
felton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 692
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Awesome , many thanks for the follow up. My life is so busy I'm actually having my local shop do it for me ,although I'd love to do it just for experience. I'm passing on these tips to save labor time !
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