1979 24' Excella - Bought it!

[huberto]

My name is Chris from the Monterey, Ca. area and I just plunged into the Airstream world with the blind purchase this week of a 1979 24' Airstream Excella from Washington State.
I pray I did not act recklessly, as I am plagued with that tendency that make some men act impulsively - only to find they must then cope with the consequenses later!
I have been following these great forum theads for a while now and I believe they helped me to make the right decision.
Hoping to get up to Seattle this weekend to pick it up and see for sure what I have, and what work it will need. I will take pics and post to this Forum.
It needs a generator tune up, and the basic fluids, belts, ect. checked. Would like to get it roadworthy enough to burn up tons of gas cruising through the glorious Fall color change - from Glacier National Park to Lake Superior, then down to the LickSkillet Bar and Restaurant in Cross Village, Michigan and finally Detroit.

[robert claus]

Good luck, and good travels, with your new purchase. You're sure to find some surprises, both good and bad, about your new MH. Treasure the good, and laugh at the bad.

[PeterH-350LE]

Hi Chris,
Congratulation on your reckless and impulsive purchase that will cause you to cope with the consequences later...
Been there, done that several times and the first drive is the most exciting, but also the most dangerous one. There are 3 things I insist on checking out thoroughly before joining the pack of wolves on the open Highway: brakes, tires and a visual inspection of the rubber fuel lines...
Be safe and post pictures soon.

[crazeevw]

Chris,
Sounds like you dived right on it concerning an Airstream Motorhome. Can't wait to see the pix, as well as your descriptions of your aluminum dream.
Thanks, Derek

[ASIcons]

I would add bearings to PeterH's comment and happy trails!

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by PeterH-87MH

Congratulation on your reckless and impulsive purchase that will cause you to cope with the consequences later...

Really?
LOL....

[huberto]

Thanks to you all. I have uploaded 3 pictures to the gallery

[Kota]

Can't wait to see it. Give me a call after you drive it.

Dave...

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by huberto

Thanks to you all. I have uploaded 3 pictures to the gallery

Nice looking Moho, seems that someone really took care of her.

[cmadmaxman]

Welcome to the Forum! Your maiden voyage will be one to remember. Great looking coach and LOVE them wheels!
Like the others said, look it over good before you hit the road, but looks like the PO has done a great job on her.

[ScrapIrony-2]

We flew from Austin to Nashville, rented a car to Cookesville(tn), took one walk-thru, and have been adding to the economy ever since...haven't regretted it...I strongly urge you to enroll in Good Sam's emergency roadside service, as it will more than pay for itself if a breakdown should occur. They will arrange towing, and find a reputable repair garage...be sure to stress that it is an Airstream, and MUST be towed on a flatbed. Tires are a biggie, and if you can afford the upfront costs of new belts, hoses, and fluid flushes, it will save you a lot of grief further down the road. Yep, brakes are important, and insist on and pay the bucks to have ALL the tires removed for an actual assessment...a flashlight during the day to 'peer' at the drums and discs is not an adequate assessment...finding a good dealer can be an expensive slot game, but when you do, hold on to them. Congratulations on your purchase, and we hope to meet you somewhere out there...mike

[huberto]

Mike,
Thanks, I plan to do all those things you mention. I have a Plus AAA membership and will call them next week to make sure they offer flatbeds if needed. I would think a lowjack would be available almost anywhere for this little 24 footer. Dakota said you can also disconnect the drivetrain if you have to have it towed on the back wheels.
Chris

[ScrapIrony-2]

Chris,
The problem with conventional towing is that the cables/chains will crack or shatter your front bonnet(fiberglass between the bumper and chassis)...we had a low-tow just to get us off the highway after dark(2 lane, mountains, temps in the low 20's...), and Good Sam sent an appropriate flatbed the next day...it had to travel 120 miles to load us, then took the unit another 50 miles down(and up) the road to get us to a dealer that had us back on the road the following afternoon...I signed a slip of paper, and that was all that was needed...no extra fees, no problems...we belonged to AAA for over 25 years, and NEVER got the same kind of service...I'm only one consumer, and I have only one opinion, but GS has provided us with 3 service calls in our current AS ownership, and one was for our toad, which threw a wheel bearing somewhere in El Paso...same treatment, same "sign here, have a better day"...fixed and on the road with only an overnight stop. AAA Plus has some conditions and limits to what they will provide. The first questions GS asked were:"are you safe in your current location? and "are you blocking the road?"...

[Smartstream]

First Chris congrats on your new moho. It looks to be in pretty nice shape. You will find a great deal of help and info on this site.

Now I have to disagree with Mike about towing. Granted the 34.5 would be better off on a trailer because of the tag axle. It would be heavily loaded with the front end off the ground and even more so if the suspension bleeds some air out of the air bags. However on a two axle coach like yours and my 280 there is no reason a reasonably equipped tow truck can't tow it without doing any damage. A wheel lift lifts the coach buy the front wheels and is nowhere near the front plastic or sheet metal. They also can use two "U" shaped posts that lift the frame at the front where the frame splits into a "Y" again with no damage to any part of the coach. I have had my coach towed by both of these methods. As soon as you say it's a P-30 chassis it becomes very routine, this also includes removing the rear drive-shaft to protect the trans. It's just part of the job like hooking up lights at the rear.

Also I have AAA and have never had a problem except in a state that AAA did not sell RV towing, New York to be specific. I called the Washington 800 number and they helped me secure a truck that came from Connecticut over 100 miles away and towed me 130 miles to my cousins place. I did have to pay but was told to submit the bill for reimbursement. In about ten days I received a check for $1097.00 and a letter of apology for my inconvenience.

There is a lot of discussion between AAA and GS but the real issue is the tow truck that pics you up is under contract and like anything else there are good and bad. Also in rural areas away from the big cities, many times the AAA and GS contract with the same guy who happens to be the only guy in town anyway. If he is good great, if he is not so good then it just isn't your day. The last time I was towed it was about 95 miles to my house and that included a ferry ride that came to $96.00. Like Mike said sign the paper and wave good by. They also thanked me for being a longtime AAA member when I called for the tow.

Cheers, Dan

[huberto]

Thanks, I am excited about this new adventure. I have never driven a MH, so I suspect the first trip will feel like the day I got my drivers license. Yeah Baby - Freedom!
As to the AAA vs GS, I have been with AAA for decades, but if they cant match the service of GS I would change. I will research this more. AAA insures all my vehicles as well as the road service, so it would take a lot to make me change right now.
I wonder what percentage of MH users have had to use road service at some point in their travels.

[Waipio Rim]

I think that the percentage probably climbs in direct proportion to the age of the vehicle. We bought our 1984 310 off of a Craigslist ad and what turned out to be a not-quite-correct assertion that it was roadworthy. Flew into Denver, paid for it, drove off with roadside assistance as part of our auto policy. Limped into Vegas where we needed a tow. The insurance company sent the low bidder, an undersized truck and driver who damaged the vehicle and left it undriveable even after a mechanic got the motor running again (the driver knocked a driveshaft carrier bearing out of its mount when he reassembled the shaft). Got GS before the next trip, when we immediately needed a tow again. GS sent the right people and stuff. I am more confident in the 310 now after having driven it from coast to coast, but I am keeping GS in addition to the auto policy. They know RV's.

[ScrapIrony-2]

Facts are facts...towing an AS moho on anything but a flatbed risks bonnet damage...I may have over-supervised my towing, but it's MY rig...granted, the tow guy may be contracted by several 'service' companies, but as I said...one guy, one opinion...mine is to opt for flatbed, and my reasons are fairly clear...where the hook-up is made, and this varies on the individual, can make a HUGE difference...Dan and I choose to disagree, and that's part of what this forums is about...choices...I'd still go with the flatbed...mike

[SteSpot]

We have a 1982 24' Motorhome that we purchased in Florida and trailered it to California.....took about 3 months to get her smogged (we had to put all the smog stuff back on that Florida took off). And we have been doing a few things to her to make her cleaner.....I am going to post on my thread....thanks to Keyair's reminder.....anyway welcome and I can't wait to see the pictures. Our mechanic said it was a good thing that we had the work we did before we took her on a long voyage.....lots of new stuff.....think it is on our thread....Need to get a MH from FL to CA .....paula

[Smartstream]

I found this old picture which is not the best but you can see there is nothing anywhere near the coach sheet metal or plastic.



The nylon straps, not installed yet, go over the tire to secure it to the wheel lift. Again I wouldn't advise this for a three axle rig like Mike's because of the tag axle being overloaded.

Sorry Chris to be discussing all the towing stuff as I hope you never need to tow you Airstream but in the event you do may it will help.

Cheers, Dan

[SteSpot]

The issue with AAA is that coverage varies by state.....it is not nationwide.....you might have super coverage in one state and not in another. Good Sam knows what to do with RV's..they aren't surprised when they arrive to find you have an RV....it is competitive....just no maps......we happen to have both....AAA for cars and GS for RV and cars....(GS covers all your vehicles for one price)..paula