Visit our Popular Forums

Roby466 · 07-08-2020, 02:27 PM

Good afternoon!

As many of you have seen, I was looking for a motorhome and found one. I bought it and I am figuring out how to get it here (6 provinces and 3000 miles away). In these COVID times, I may have it trailered here in the next few weeks as I can't self-isolate for two weeks with my family upon my return.

So here it is! Much has been sorted already and recent work includes: brakes all around (pads, rotors, regulator, master cylinder), shocks, front airbags, front Michelin tires (rears were replaced with re-threads), wheels bearings were gone over and serviced or replaced as needed, new fuel pump, new high output alternator, new fan clutch, new plugs and wires and distributor (maybe just the cap, PO was not clear on that one), fan clutch, rear engine oil seal, one ball joint, steering damper, e-brake cable, newer fridge, new convection microwave, four burner stove, blinds, and drapes.

The seller has a big binder with all the receipts and service history so it looks promising.

I will go over it once it gets here but for now, I am getting smarter by reading around the forums. Surely I will have many questions in the near future!

Thanks for the help so far and I will keep posting information once I have the motorhome!

Cheers

David

tevake · 07-08-2020, 03:19 PM

Nice looking coach you got there David.
It seem close to ready for the road.

It's a shame that these times and circumstances don't allow for you to go and drive it home yourself. A road trip is a good bonding opportunity for a new owner.
I would be a little concerned about retreads on it, the rear tires do scrub sideways a lot when doing tight turns. That's one of the issues with the tag axel rigs.

It's going to cost a bundle for shipping it across country.

One thing to keep in mind is that having the front of the coach raised excessively for any length of time puts extreem loads on the tag axel. This needs to be in mind while getting it loaded on a lowboy trailer.

Not meaning to be all negative here, it realy is a nice looking coach.
Congrats on your new rig, glad to have you join us here in the asylum.

Cheers Richard

bobmiller1 · 07-08-2020, 03:29 PM

Those 2 pictures make that unit look mint.....would like to see more when you get a chance. Regards, Bob

tevake · 07-08-2020, 03:44 PM

A pretty good list of work done and parts replaced too. The PO seems to have put some effort into keeping it road worthy.

Cheers Richard

Roby466 · 07-08-2020, 06:14 PM

Hi tevake, yes, it will be coming on a low boy trailer... and yes, it's going to cost a lot to ship it... There are a few companies that offer to drive it here but with the added risk of having a driver take it here should anything go wrong and I'm not there to diagnose it myself, it's not really worth it.
We think we should be able to use it right away. It needs to pass the provincial motor vehicle inspection but it just passed one in Alberta a couple months ago so it should not be too bad.
I look forward to seeing it here.
Here are a few more pictures that I have for now.
Cheers
David

PeterH-350LE · 07-10-2020, 03:53 PM

I would asked the seller if the rear Airbags hold air for a few days and if not you may need to ask the transporter to turn on the ignition to pump them up every day. You sure don't want to them to be flat for a 3000 Mile trip. the fronts dont matter so much.

Boom Sounds · 07-10-2020, 05:24 PM

Looks great, even looks like it has been re-upholstered.....drive down there in the car/stick a load of food in the trunk and then tow the car back with the coach; all socially distanced and no need to self isolate. You'll never forget the roadtrip and save $$$

Roby466 · 07-11-2020, 06:28 AM

Hi! That was my plan originally but the maritime provinces have strict rules for the self isolation. It would have been the trip of a lifetime I agree!

Roby466 · 07-11-2020, 06:29 AM

Peter, thanks for the tip on that I’ll make sure to check.

PeterH-350LE · 07-11-2020, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roby466

Peter, thanks for the tip on that I’ll make sure to check.

We always have to assume the worse on this old coaches. Even if the right bags with the internal stop are in place (W01-358-5412), a trip like that on a trailer could do a lot of damage to the frame and springs. Imagine someone installed the wrong bags without the internal stop...And than there is the Tag axle, which gets load adjustments from the air bags

tevake · 07-12-2020, 07:10 AM

Peter that is an interesting concern you raise about keeping the airbags pumped for trailering.
It certianly would be ideal to have them inflated during the trip.
But the lowboy will have suspension itself which will soften the ride for the coach..
Lowering the tire pressure on the coach a bit could also soften the ride a bit too.

Is it common for the rear air bags to hold pressure for days after being brought up to pressure? Those in my coach seem to lose pressure in 6/8 hours.

All the best to you David in getting your coach home safely. How exciting it will be to unload it at home!
No doubt your first trips will be more comfortable after being able to go thru the rig at home and at your own pace.

Cheers Richard

PeterH-350LE · 07-12-2020, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tevake

Is it common for the rear air bags to hold pressure for days after being brought up to pressure? Those in my coach seem to lose pressure in 6/8 hours.

Cheers Richard

Richard, yes, ideally, if all components are tight, they should hold pressure for weeks. There are basically 2 sides to the system: airbags and leveling valves on 1 side and tank, lines and accessories (pressure switch, airhorn, gauge etc ) on the other. So when the key turns on the tank side typically gets replenished, with the bags remaining filled.

Time to get the soapy spray bottle out and crawl around in your nice sandy loam.
I trust you are hanging out safely in your enclave?

Roby466 · 07-12-2020, 09:24 AM

Hi,
Well the seller replied that they leek slowly. Now I don't know what slowly means...
So I educate myself better before I talk to him again today, are all 4 rear bags connected together? Will they all leak at the same time? If not, is the tag axle not as critical while being towed on a low boy you think?
Like recommended I will talk to the driver so he starts the coach for 10 minutes each day on his way here but I want to fully understand the system as well

On another note, my next search online will be the repair manual. (I have the Airstream owner manual, P30 repair manual, I just need the Airstream repair manual as it covers the airbags and tax axle)
Thanks
David

(this is not my first air suspension... I like them somehow

I had an old Audi allroad with all 4 corners on air -what a great ride that was- and I own a LR Discovery 2 with rear airbags... I have had to replace every air spring I have owned so far but that's what it costs to ride in comfort I suppose)

PeterH-350LE · 07-12-2020, 11:01 AM

David,
Here is the 345 layout (thanks Brad).
Like I wrote to Richard, if you look for leaks first determine the side to start with (bags or tank side)
The leveling valves act like a 1 way check valve and seal the input line once pressure is reached.
Theoretically, if the bag side is tight, your tank can be empty, but will start the compressor everytime you turn ign on.
So most likely, unless you have leaky airbag fittings or lines to the leveling valve, the culprit is the leveling valve(s) .
Just make sure if you end up replacing the valves, to get the hadley delay type valve
Delay Type Leveling Valve Excel # EM36270 Ref# Hadley H00450CE Mack 20QE3126

They have cheaper replacements without the delay (ask me why I know

)

The front Airbags are typically inflated manually, unless someone modified the system.

Roby466 · 07-12-2020, 11:58 AM

Thanks Peter! That comes out of the airstream owner manual or repair manual?

PeterH-350LE · 07-12-2020, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roby466

Thanks Peter! That comes out of the airstream owner manual or repair manual?

its in the gray Owners Handbook in the C section

Roby466 · 07-12-2020, 07:08 PM

Thanks!
Hitch question! It says max 2000lbs towing and 200lbs hitch weight. I would like to bring a motorbike to use at destination for quick shopping and all.
Is the restriction chassis related or hitch related on these? I have seen the hitch mod to strengthen it. The bike weighs 330lbs and the carrier probably another 60.
Thanks!
David

Roby466 · 07-13-2020, 08:01 PM

well, good news! While the seller said the air did leak out, that was between the times he was using it. He did a trial yesterday and 24hrs later the gauge didn't go down so we should be fine for the 5 days it will take to get here.
I'm waiting for the driver to call and schedule the pick-up and then look forward to getting it here!

MissyD · 07-15-2020, 02:10 PM

Congrats on your new home on wheels!!! I’m new to this forum...Just wondering where you found the for sale listing for this unit? We’ve been looking around Alberta/Saskatchewan and British Columbia and haven’t seen many...if any!!

Roby466 · 07-16-2020, 06:55 AM

Hi Missy,

I have looked pretty much everywhere: RVTrader, the classified on this site, RVViewers and I found this one on Kijiji.

The funny thing is that the seller lives in Beaumont but the Airstream is currently parked in Mulhurst Bay, AB so in the same town as you, which is a bit ironic.
I the past, most of those I found were on Kijiji but you have to search in many different way: airstream motorhome, airstream RV, airstream 345, 350, 370, etc. as sellers often list them differently.

There are two on there now:

a 310 in Edmonton, AB, and a 345 in Belleville, ON. See links:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-rv-motorhome...its/1511434441

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-travel-trail...345/1509951932

The 310 is a bit pricey but looks very nice and lots of upgrades and repairs were conducted. THe 345 is also a nice one, an original Moosehead brewery promotional airstream so it has the bottom painted green but it looks pretty good inside.

Cheers
David