Brand new owner! Lots of Questions!

[PoppaJ]

Mrs. Poppa J here! We have just purchased a 1976 27' Overlander with rear bath and twin bed. I was the parts and accessories manager for Brassfield Travel Trailers in Bethany, Oklahoma in the 70's so this trailer is one we would have sold while I worked there. Brassfield's was my first "big girl" job! I have dreamed of owning an Airstream since I was 20 and now nearly 40 years later we have one!

Not sure if this is a dream come true or a nightmare! This trailer sat for 3 years and was supposed to be winterized! Well needless to say we had leaks everywhere!
Most of them are fixed. Now I need my 20 year old girl memory back! I cannot remember how to operate much of the systems! Some things are coming back slowly.

How do we fill the water heater and know if it is full? Have not put LP in the system yet but would like to make sure there is water in the heater before we try to light it.

We have a small blue in-line filter just before the water pump that the clear plastic cover (with screw in top and screen inside) is busted. I assume this is to filter the water from the tank before it goes through the pump to protect the pump. Where can I get a replacement?

I have found that the nearest dealer to me is Denton, Texas and that is a 2 hour drive. They don't stock a lot of the parts! Even though they are a dealer they say the have to special order AS parts!

I have cleaned or tried to clean this thing from hitch to bumper inside and out! It has potential. Going to attack tambour doors soon, read all the threads on that and learned a lot!

We have repaired the gaucho in the front, it now works. Fixed electrical issues. Have several switches that I have not figured out what they are supposed to do. One is a red rocker switch (two position) and is next to the AC thermostat. It has a toggle switch above it that says on and off but neither appear to do anything!


I will have millions more questions but will start with these! Husband will have 2 million as he has never been exposed to an RV so please bare with us!


Thanks is advance for the help!
Poppa J and Granny V!

[PoppaJ]

Oops, it is a 1975 not 76!

[FreshAir]

Either hook the water to your land water source or turn on the water pump (be certain there is water in the fresh water tank) then turn on the hot water faucet until the water starts to flow. When the faucet stops spitting the air in the line that's when the water heater tank is full. No need to have the water pump on when your water source is from outside.
Neil

[FreshAir]

Oh, yes. WELCOME....to Airstreaming and to the Forums. You will be receiving much info early on especially to safe towing begining with tires...long time sitting.....axles.....old and stiff.....brakes and bearings.....and towing equipment like WDH and sway control.......
Be patient 'we' will get you traveling as soon as possible SAFELY!

Neil

[azflycaster]

Welcome to the forums!

75 or 76, it's all good.
Filling the water heater is done by making sure the plug is installed and the relief valve is not open. Both of these are accessed from the outside door. Then just apply water to the system (city connection or water pump) and open a hot water faucet. Water will come out the faucet in a steady flow when the water heater is filled.

The water filter on mine is just a screen. It prevents larger chunks from going into the pump. You can check with these places to see a replacement is available.

Out of Doors Mart
Inland RV
Vintage Trailer Supply

[PoppaJ]

Well the price of some of the parts is shocking! I need keys for the access doors. I did not find a key only at any of the locations listed above. But the price of the telescoping lock is enough to make me look harder for a key!

Thanks for all the answers. I think I better tackle this one issue at a time. Starting with the tongue jack! Finally found the head in the sewer hose compartment! Now to figure out if it works or can be repaired. Just bought a 1000 bolt on at Wal-Mart. I am not even sure it will bolt up but found on here the tongure weight was 650 so I figured it would handle the weight. My husband was jacking it up with a scissor jack and that is a bit too scary for me!

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by PoppaJ

Well the price of some of the parts is shocking! I need keys for the access doors. I did not find a key only at any of the locations listed above. But the price of the telescoping lock is enough to make me look harder for a key!

Thanks for all the answers. I think I better tackle this one issue at a time. Starting with the tongue jack! Finally found the head in the sewer hose compartment! Now to figure out if it works or can be repaired. Just bought a 1000 bolt on at Wal-Mart. I am not even sure it will bolt up but found on here the tongure weight was 650 so I figured it would handle the weight. My husband was jacking it up with a scissor jack and that is a bit too scary for me!

650 pounds is the dry weight. When you have your propane tanks full and if your freash water tanks are full (about 8 lbs a gallon) then there are your camping/travel supplies......I doubt you'll reach 1000 lbs.....but close.
Neil

[Wazbro]

I would like to add that to check to make sure the heater has water in it you can open the pressure relief valve. It is likely that a PO installed a water heater bypass kit and just opening the hot water facet will not fill the water heater.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by PoppaJ

Mrs. Poppa J here! We have just purchased a 1976 27' Overlander with rear bath and twin bed. I was the parts and accessories manager for Brassfield Travel Trailers in Bethany, Oklahoma in the 70's ...

Poppa J and Granny V!

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the Forums!

My '63 overlander came from Brassfields...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...ml#post1101307