Why is Airstream any better than the other brands? - Page 3

85MH325 · 08-03-2003, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71tradewind
Narnian ,yes they do make one that you can see thru ,my 71 Tradewind has one I can look straight thru the rig and at traffic behind me , I love this feature, and will miss it on my 74 Tradewind. If you cant find one you may be able to get a fabrication shop to make one for you.Or try calling one of the Airstream bone yards.

Very cool! Can you post a photo or two?

Roger

overlander64 · 08-03-2003, 08:49 AM

Greetings Narnian!

I was able to get a better photo of the three-piece rock guard with the center section raised so that the two wing window guards are a bit easier to distinguish. Retaining the see-through design could be achieved one of two ways - - not installing the center section (at least on my coach, the center window is flat glass that isn't terribly difficult to replace if it happens to get damaged) or replace the solar gray material in the center section with clear Lexan (my current plan for the future on the Minuet).

Kevin

overlander64 · 08-03-2003, 08:57 AM

Greetings Narnian!

Here is a close-up photo of the curbside wing window guard. Each wing window guard is installed with a pair of hinges on the side of the coach (designed so that the guard can easily be lifted off if so desired), and a pair of set-screw brackets next to the center front window. I have a number of mounting photos posted to the thread below (the photos are near the bottom of the thread):

Minuet Front Window Rock Guards

Kevin

71tradewind · 08-03-2003, 10:03 AM

Roger you can see a photo of my Tradewind /rock guard at http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...wind/71TWa.jpg

85MH325 · 08-03-2003, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71tradewind
Roger you can see a photo of my Tradewind /rock guard at http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...wind/71TWa.jpg

It appears similar to the 'new' one I installed on my Safari years ago, but the Safari's was dark smoked plexi (acrylic) and tough to see through. Is yours clear?

Roger

Narnian · 08-03-2003, 11:53 AM

Hmm. Not sure if I'd prefer a single clear protector or to just use the side protectors from that other system. I guess I'd have to price them out. Both systems seem to be pretty good.

I wonder if covering the side windows with vinyl would be sufficient protection. You could use transparent velcro around the edges of the window and cut vinyl to fit the side windows. For that matter, you could put cardboard or foam under the vinyl. It would look just like the stoneguards I've seen on te bottom front ends of some airstreams.

Pahaska · 08-03-2003, 01:33 PM

Even if I replaced my center panel with clear material, the window in the rear is off center and above the galley counter, hence the line of sight is above the roof of most cars. I wouldn't see much out back.

I don't really miss using the rear view mirror. My old TrailManor allowed me to see trucks, but not mosr cars. My Scamp 5th-wheel blocked everything.

85MH325 · 08-03-2003, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Narnian
Hmm. Not sure if I'd prefer a single clear protector or to just use the side protectors from that other system. I guess I'd have to price them out. Both systems seem to be pretty good.

I wonder if covering the side windows with vinyl would be sufficient protection. You could use transparent velcro around the edges of the window and cut vinyl to fit the side windows. For that matter, you could put cardboard or foam under the vinyl. It would look just like the stoneguards I've seen on te bottom front ends of some airstreams.

The rock that went through my wing window went through like a rifle shot. the rock ended up clear back into the trailer, and was about the size of a marble. It completely shattered the window out of the "D" channel that held it in. It would have gone through vinyl without blinking. My current trailer has a spot on the street side rock guard that obviously took a shot from a rock once. It did it's job, but from the inside, you can sure see where it hit!

Roger

Narnian · 08-04-2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by overlander64
Greetings Narnian!

Adding an air conditioner to a post '61 Airstream coach usually isn't a particular problem - - it is easier if there is one there already, but is far from impossible. Beginning in '64 Airstream coaches were per-wired and braced for air conditioning, and by the time the 1970s rolled out the condesate drain tubes were also factory installed in the walls as part of the air conditioner installation preparation. One way that you can tell whether the preparation package is there is the existence of an extra 20-Amp circuit in the circuit breaker box - - it is there to accommodate the air conditioner. Just be prepared in a coach that doesn't have air conditioning that you will be facing having a 14" square hole cut in the roof and ceiling panels of the trailer - - Airstream did not install the air conditioner in an existing vent opening in the Vintage coaches - - rather, it was installed in a "cut-opening" at a location specified by the factory measured from the first front roof bow (the romex cable for the air conditioner will be found at this point ready for connection - - the other end should be found in the vicinity of the circuit brekaer box). Depending upon whether you want the air conditioner with condesate pan (utilizes the built-in drain system) or a less expensive standard air conditioner, you would be looking at a cost of from $750.00 to $1,250.00 for professional installation of an air conditioner. My Airstream dealer just installed a Coleman Mini Mach in my '78 Argosy Minuet for about $775.00 - - this is a standard air conditioner that does not have the condesate drain pan, and it was a new installation so the holes had to be cut in both the roof and interior panels.

Kevin

I haven't checked that trailer yet for the existance of the extra circuitry, but I just wanted to find out something about the AC. Can I use ANY trailer AC unit, or does it have to be specifically made for Airstream? A friend of mine just told me he has an almost new unit sitting in his garage he'd sell me for $350.

thenewkid64 · 08-04-2003, 02:22 PM

Any unit will work, the only thing that is Airstream only is the drain tube. If you want the water to run down the tube you have to get one that can be fitted with a pan. If you don't care how the water gets to the ground $350.00 is cheap. Remember you will still need to cut a hole in the right spot.

Narnian · 08-04-2003, 05:03 PM

Thanks. I'll have to call Airstream tomorrow here in Ohio to get more information about cutting a hole in the roof. If they can do it cheap enough I'll buy the trailer.

Another trailer came up yesterday. 66 Safari, with AC for $4200. I don't think I like the 66 interior from what I've seen in the photo gallery, but at least I know it's possible to get one with AC for close to my target price.

overlander64 · 08-04-2003, 08:06 PM

Greetings Narnian!

Something to be aware of if you decide to consider the '66 Safari is that it was the first year of the three year run of Corning tempered glass windows. These windows while quite beautiful, are very difficult if not nearly impossible to replace if broken. Until very recently, the most common response to a broken Corning window has been to replace it with Lexan or a similar acrylic product - - there is a recent thread about a glass company in the Denver, Colorado area that will custom manufacture replacements.

Good luck with your decision!

Kevin

Narnian · 08-04-2003, 08:12 PM

Thanks!

The owner just sent me photos of the interior. It's been updated a little and looks fabulous. The floorplan is not what I wanted but I may actually go with this one if I can get the owner to budge on the pricing.

I'll have to check out the windows, and if I get it, I will have to make sure I do something to protect it. It only has the one square window in the front without the two curved ones.

overlander64 · 08-04-2003, 08:56 PM

Greetings Narnian!

If my notes are correct, 1969 was the first year for the wing windows surrounding the center front window - - it was part of a major redesign of the coaches. If the front window on the '66 doesn't have a rock guard I would suspect that it may have seen one or more replacements over time so it would be a good place to start inspecting for acrylic windows.

Beyond the Corning windows, I am not aware of an peculiar traits to be aware of with the '66 Safaris.

Good luck with your inspection!

Kevin