Prices too high?!

[j54mark]

Originally Posted by Ufatz

I The total to replace the furnace is going to be right around $1000. Probably $750 to install a new DSI water heater. Steve tells me that in each case "modification" and "fabrication" is neccessary to get the new appliances to fit.

For my own education, could someone who has been there and done that tell me what "modification" is required to replace the furnace in an '88 Airstream? I would have expected that to be an NT30, and a new NT30 is an exact fit. I thought.

Not trying to accuse anyone of anything, just looking to expand my knowledge.

Mark

[thenewkid64]

Originally Posted by j54mark

I would have expected that to be an NT30, and a new NT30 is an exact fit. I thought.

IIRC in the mid to late 80's Airstream changed to the cassette style furnace that is now in use. The only problem is the original manufacturer of the furnace used is no longer making them. So to replace it requires a new install from scratch. Lots of additional work. The PC boards are available but not the whole furnace. I want to say the OEM was a Dometic, and now the manufacturer is Suburban, but I could be wrong on that.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Airstream has use "Suburban" furnaces since 1966.

Replacing them with a new style requires some additional work in order to continue to use the Airstream installed "ducts."

It is not that difficult for someone that has the tools and knowledge, but the replacement is not just a "slide in" job.

Depending on the model, a change out can take 4 to 5 hours.

Depending on the source, a new 30,000 BTU Suburban furnace costs around $625.00.

Andy

[uwe]

Originally Posted by j54mark

For my own education, could someone who has been there and done that tell me what "modification" is required to replace the furnace in an '88 Airstream? I would have expected that to be an NT30, and a new NT30 is an exact fit. I thought.

Not trying to accuse anyone of anything, just looking to expand my knowledge.

Mark

The furnace lives in side a metal housing, which has 2 parts, spot welded together. The upper part is the furnace enclosure. It sits tightly inside a cutout in the inner skin. The lower part is shallow, and the ducts are connected to it.
Furnace replacement requires for the furnace cassette to be slipped out of the housing, and then ultimately housing removal.
The upper part of the housing needs to be separated fro the lower part. ( chisel, or small die grinder, or in my case, both.
Now you have essentially a steel pedestal, 3 in high, with an open front, and ducts connected to the sides.
The new furnace goes on top, and depending on the installation, provisions must be made for the new furnace to discharge air into the old "pedestal" or manifold, if you will. Either by cutting holes in the top, or by creating a duct the will channel the hot air from the furnace into the front of the manifold.
I hope this explanation makes sense. It's obvious once you look at it, but hard for me to explain.
I did not replace my furnace, but removed it due to it being rusted out. I did save the front cover and reinstalled the lower part for future use.
Do not throw these parts away if you remove your furnace. They will be needed to make a new installation easier.