I can't believe she is ours!!!

[ncm316]

Hello everyone! My hubby and I just took ownership of a 1986 34' Limited. She's got a nice body, the outside just needs a wash, stripping and polish. The inside a face lift and some light renovations. Any and all help and advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Wow !!!

I'd put a full mechanical / safety check pretty high on the list (tires, brakes, bearings, batteries ...) of things to do. More or less, be very sure it's road safe before getting into the rest of it. Next step would be to go camping At some point after having some fun and before renovating the interior, a careful check of the floor for rot and the various seals for leaks would be a good idea.

Bob

[ncm316]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Wow !!!

I'd put a full mechanical / safety check pretty high on the list (tires, brakes, bearings, batteries ...) of things to do. More or less, be very sure it's road safe before getting into the rest of it. Next step would be to go camping At some point after having some fun and before renovating the interior, a careful check of the floor for rot and the various seals for leaks would be a good idea.

Bob

I'm very fortunate that I know previous owners. They replaced all the axles and tires and have disclosed everything they know about her. They were going to redo her, but a job move out of the country changed all that. But I will definitely have her looked at again!

[AlinCal]

Wow that is allot of trailer!
Stripping and polishing will be a ton of work but you probably know that already.
How is the oxidation were the clear has failed? My goal with was to strip and re clear with Nyalic on our trailer but the skin condition was not good enough so I polished it.
Good luck

[alantbird]

welcome and enjoy your triple axle delight!

[shineybullet]

Looks like a lot of tongue weight on that poor lil truck of yours I think maybe you need a bigger tow vehicle just to be on the safer side

[ncm316]

Originally Posted by shineybullet

Looks like a lot of tongue weight on that poor lil truck of yours I think maybe you need a bigger tow vehicle just to be on the safer side

The 2500 towed her like a champ. She was so easy to pull, partly why we have named her Blanche.

[NY24]

Congratulations!!!!!!

[Dennisr]

Congratulations. It's awesome you know the people that previously had it. Go have some fun.

[kdickinson]

Once you have it safety checked and feel like you can tow it safely and then be able to go to bed safely at night (hitch structure integrity & trailer frame, brakes, wheel bearings, axle check, lights (brake & turn signal at least work), LP system if you will be using it for no leaks, electric system for no visible or observed issues during usage, furnace for CO2 leaks, and installation of smoke & CO2 alarms - then get out and enjoy it. You will find the probably inevitable other issues for living comfort when you are actually using it to live in - refrigerator working (or not), stove & oven, AC, water heater, water leaks, holding tank system leaks, water pump - etc. I would (and did) just make a list of those and get them fixed as you can - maybe you won't have any of those issues! Then cosmetic items just work on when you can for exterior and interior. Otherwise - go see the world from your Airstream and have a great time!

[64airstream]

ncm,

We recognize and fully appreciate those smiles of Airstream ownership. Welcome to the forums and to Airstreaming. We're wishing you many adventures and safe travels.

Hope to cross your path,

Roy and Marie

[dvgofaz]

Congratulations! You might consider starting at the top, look at all the things that live on the roof and check all the caulking. Check the a/c cover, have a look at the skylights, (my forward skylight blew off on the freeway, the plastics get brittle over time.)
Everything else you want to do inside can be for naught if you redo floors etc and then end up with water damage.
After that work your way down and check seals around windows and lights.

I'm with Uncle Bob, go camping, take notes, and enjoy getting to know her, there will be plenty to discover and fix/upgrade/customize.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by ncm316

The 2500 towed her like a champ. She was so easy to pull, partly why we have named her Blanche.

I think the comment was directed at the apparent squat of the truck's rear end and consequent lift of the front end. If the front end is actually lifted from its unloaded position, it can significantly reduce steering control and braking.

I would think a 2500 should be fine. Do you have a weight distribution hitch? If not, you probably need one. If you have one, it may need some setting up. There are multiple threads on here to help you do that. Tow vehicles, hitches, and tires are the "third rail" on this forum. You'll have to weigh all the comments and decide what is right for you.

Al

[sandollars]

Congratulations on the acquisition! I am certain you will have a blast with her. Welcome to the family and enjoy the forum! There is a lot of good information and even more opinions to glean from. I know I have (and still am) learned a lot from this great assemblage and I am sure you will too.

[lonewolf1977]

Congrats!!! I know you're excited

[tjplus]

Best of luck!

[ncm316]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

I think the comment was directed at the apparent squat of the truck's rear end and consequent lift of the front end. If the front end is actually lifted from its unloaded position, it can significantly reduce steering control and braking.

I would think a 2500 should be fine. Do you have a weight distribution hitch? If not, you probably need one. If you have one, it may need some setting up. There are multiple threads on here to help you do that. Tow vehicles, hitches, and tires are the "third rail" on this forum. You'll have to weigh all the comments and decide what is right for you.

Al

Oh I see. I think the picture didn't do it any justice. My husband works with heavy equipment, and has his truck set up to haul all that, and the truck didn't drop much. But I will ask him to double check. Thank you all for the information on towing something so big. I've towed boats and smaller trailers with my truck, so compared to him, I'm a novice.