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switz · 11-09-2015, 12:16 PM

One gets used to the Classic steps. The design is quite old.

HP heat mode in the ducts may not be too efficient due to the lower air flow than air conditioning.

The furnace blower is robust as it moves a lot of air. The furnace is hotter in the 31' Classic (34,000 BTU) than even the ones installed in the 28/30/31' Internationals or Flying Clouds (30,000 BTU) so more air is moved with the same 4" round plastic duct size for heat so more air noise is possible.

Hope the rest of the system is okay.

BAB · 11-09-2015, 04:41 PM

Agree that there is not a lot of force to the output from the HP system...remember, though, that heat rises. If you put your hand up there you'll probably find it's pretty warm. Not much help down on the floor. OTOH, my furnace puts out a lot of heat and quickly warms the trailer - but not evenly. Most of the flow is in the front toward the sofa -- as that's where the two ducts exit, and they are only a couple of feet from the furnace. The mid cabin, BT, and BR ducts do put out somewhat less, but they do a more than adequate job keeping the trailer warm. The Airstream is NOT a home HVAC system, however. I like the aluminum steps a lot better than the steel on my '12 Intl CCD. Especially the way they tuck into the body of the trailer. I find they need a fair amount of care -- and regular dosing of either Teflon or silicone lubricant.

graysailor · 11-09-2015, 10:26 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. Yes, the furnace does put out a lot of heat but just not enough in the bedroom area. Yes, the roof area is quite warm when using the HP. I discovered that I just need to turn the temp up higher to achieve the desired warmth. I'm sure I will adjust to the difference in trailers. Still quite pleasing to look at and all other systems seem to be working fine. Always takes a little adjusting to a new and somewhat different trailer.

66Overlander · 11-10-2015, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysailor

At last took delivery of my Classic. So far quite disappointed.

1. The entry steps are ridiculous.
2. Difficult to heat and as the heat is just trickling out of the vents when on HP mode. When in furnace mode there is only one small vent in the bedroom area and the furnace seems to be quite loud.

The bathroom furnace duct is only 2" and it tees off the bedroom 4" duct and then runs under the floor. We had them look at this duct during a recent warranty appt at Airstream and they found and removed a kink in the 2" bathroom duct and it made a small improvement in bathroom heating.

We much prefer the aluminum steps on the Classic to the big clunky steel steps on the other models. These were the standard Airstream steps on all models from 1969 until the creation of the lower cost Safari line in the late 1990's. Over time the less expensive steel steps spread to most models.

m.hony · 11-10-2015, 12:07 PM

I agree.
One reason I chose a Classic is for the Classic steps.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

switz · 11-11-2015, 01:16 AM

I wonder if the factory installers crossed the two ducts coming out of the furnace to the rear of the coach like they did on mine?

At the factory, I was inside as the kitchen sink cabinet came in the door and photoed the crossed duct work. On the shakedown trip there was little air flow of heat in the rear of the trailer. I told the dealer I knew where the problem was.

They laughed at me until I showed them the photo. I frankly knew more about the 31' Classic than they did as they had not sold many. I have helped remove the dinette and sofa furniture two times for the power modifications and photoed all the modifications for future reference.

I took similar photos of the 23D modifications.

SilverEagle6 · 11-12-2015, 02:19 PM

Has Airstream and Zip Dee worked out the bugs on the power awning? To those of you who have it on a 2016 30 Classic, are you happy with it?

Road Dog · 11-12-2015, 06:34 PM

SilverEagle6 I have the same concern. I'm all about the easy buttons and thought the electric awning was for me. I'm supposed to take delivery next month and I really have concerns about the electric awning. I took a 200 mile round trip last week to my dealer to actually see the difference between the two. After about two hours of operating both the electric and manual awnings, I elected to withdraw my order on the electric and go with the manual one. What I liked about it is the adjustability of the awning and the locking mechanism. The electric awning tends to deploy straight out and that is one thing that I didn't like about the awning on my motor home. I don't have a problem putting it in and out myself. Just my thoughts.

graysailor · 11-12-2015, 10:09 PM

So far so good with my electric awning. I did install a shut off switch. I like it.

graysailor · 11-12-2015, 10:17 PM

Thanks for your input switz. Lots of hot air coming out of the vents by the door. By the closet pretty good. Just a trickle in the bathroom and in the bedroom so so.

The oven seems to be a nice upgrade. Perhaps a little smaller in the oven part but adequate. Also nice that the burners as well as the oven start with a push button. Very attractive glass top.

Nice big square sink with a rack to prevent the cookware from scratching the sink. I have not played with the convection oven but the microwave part of it is fine. Discovering more things about this trailer the more time I spend in it.

switz · 11-13-2015, 06:24 AM

Since the furnace is under the kitchen sink, there is a very short run to the two "vents" in the side of the cabinet aimed at the sofa. Two pieces of ducting tube head rearwards. The floor in the closet should be removable. I would expect one of the two ducts will tee for the bathroom and the water tank and the other might be straight to the bedroom after the hallway vent.

You may be able to remove the drawer under the microwave and see or feel the two ducts headed to the rear. Make sure they are not crossed or crimped in any way.

The factory throws in too much duct so instead of shortening to fit, they squash it which negatively impacts air flow. Duh!

Had duct issues in both the Classic and the 23D.

Remax gal · 11-13-2015, 07:35 AM

We are thrilled with our electric awning. We had a small problem early on and called ZipDee and they talked us through it - no problem! One thing I really love was one night we went to bed with the awning out - beautiful starry night. Work up about 3 in the morning with one heck of a storm It was nice to be able to hit a switch and bring awning in.

Laura & Tom

graysailor · 11-24-2015, 12:12 PM

Light rain today and it was sure nice to press a button and extend the awning out a couple of feet. Makes for a nice porch.

beetlebob · 11-30-2015, 04:57 PM

Had mine in to the Orlando dealer to fix the awning and airstream told the dealer that they have had a lot of problems and to deal straight with zipdee. Have a new front arm coming and a new control unit. You can see the control unit if you remove the drawer under the microwave. The new control unit has a green dot on it. The old has a red. If you have red need to get with a dealer to get the green. Have to say that the Orlando dealer was pretty good. Way better than Tampa and the same company.