Tap's 1981 280 Motorhome (Purchased January 2016)

[martin300662]

It does seem to be talking about a relay, because the part seems to be called various different names. But if you look up the part numbers in post #5 you will see what some call a relay, or a solenoid, or a switch is actually a re-purposed fuel selection valve.



Seems to be GM 12336290 from a 1974-1995 Chevy Sierra/Suburban

[Tap]

Originally Posted by martin300662

It does seem to be talking about a relay, because the part seems to be called various different names. But if you look up the part numbers in post #5 you will see what some call a relay, or a solenoid, or a switch is actually a re-purposed fuel selection valve.







Seems to be GM 12336290 from a 1974-1995 Chevy Sierra/Suburban

Thanks buddy!

[Tap]

...👍

[Tap]

Unfortunately unlike most of your nice, longer mohos, my 280 doesn't have a built-in spare tire compartment in the back (probably due to the bathroom in the back). And there is also no room underneath my rig.

But I really want to bring a spare along with me on adventures (I'm smarter than I look), so I bought this spare tire mount.

So now I want a vinyl or cloth cover to go over the tire, like you see on the back of Jeeps.

Ideally I'd love for an aluminum/silver colored one so that it will (pretty closely) match the color of my rig.

Someday I'd love to put an Airstream logo on it.

I see some wraparound spare tire covers online, but most of them say, "Jeep" and I'm guessing that unfortunately they are for a smaller tire size.

Do any of you know of any place that has a wraparound spare tire cover that would fit my 19.5 size? And if so, are there any "aluminum" colored ones?

Am I asking too much?

Thanks!

[Tap]

Here's my spare tire-less back on my rig:

[Isuzusweet]

I guess buying 19.5" run flats are out of the question.

I have however seen someone's 280 that had a spare carrier actually mounted above the bumper. I would go that route before having a hitch mounted one that takes away the availability of your hitch. It may take a bit of custom work but doing the design yourself should be easy, and then asking a shop to fabricate it shouldn't be a big deal.

Mark I found your spare tire carrier....Texas.....only $9,900.00. Expand the rear view and it will give you at least an idea what to build. If you decide not to mount to body, you can design to mount on top of hitch above valence. You can google Airstream 280 images to see more spare tire covers.

http://www.airstreamclassifieds.com/...-280-28-texas/

The 280 picture I saw did have a wheel cover that was chrome.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-19-5-SPAR...hVfPaW&vxp=mtr

Tip: For mounting the tire on the carrier weld a circle or series of tabs on a flat piece of steel that centers the rim on the carrier. Then rotate tire until three tapped holes appear in lug nuts; thread three bolts into carrier to secure tire.

Cheers
Tony

[Smartstream]

Mark your 280 is supposed to have a spare tire carrier that bolts to the back above the hitch. I would think you could find one from one of the scrapped early coaches. The spare mounts were external until 1983. There is a picture in the service manual. If you can't find one it should be fairly easy to fabricate.

The factory cover is abs and hangs over the tire with rubber snubber at the bottom. It would be hard to find one but an upholstery shop should be able to make a vinyl one held on with a draw string.

[Tap]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

I guess buying 19.5" run flats are out of the question.

I have however seen someone's 280 that had a spare carrier actually mounted above the bumper. I would go that route before having a hitch mounted one that takes away the availability of your hitch. It may take a bit of custom work but doing the design yourself should be easy, and then asking a shop to fabricate it shouldn't be a big deal.

Mark I found your spare tire carrier....Texas.....only $9,900.00. Expand the rear view and it will give you at least an idea what to build. If you decide not to mount to body, you can design to mount on top of hitch above valence. You can google Airstream 280 images to see more spare tire covers.

http://www.airstreamclassifieds.com/...-280-28-texas/

The 280 picture I saw did have a wheel cover that was chrome.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-19-5-SPAR...hVfPaW&vxp=mtr

Tip: For mounting the tire on the carrier weld a circle or series of tabs on a flat piece of steel that centers the rim on the carrier. Then rotate tire until three tapped holes appear in lug nuts; thread three bolts into carrier to secure tire.

Cheers
Tony

Tony,
I like it, buy a $9,900 spare tire rack, and get the attached motorhome for free. Hehe!

It's basically my exact motorhome.

Thanks for all the info.

[Tap]

For the long run, yes, I think I'll find a way to attach the spare wheel to the Airstream.

But the time being I think I'll use the hitch rack that I bought. That way I'll at least have something.

I haven't tried the rack yet, but my guess it's designed for smaller wheels and I'll need to weld a different plate on it to accommodate my 19.5" wheel.

[ASTailgate]

I have an ordinal spare tire holder and tire cover for sale if you are still looking for one. The tire covers were made of hard plastic and we painters grey and I believe you can buy this sticker for it online. Please feel free to email me if you would like.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Tap]

Originally Posted by ASTailgate

I have an ordinal spare tire holder and tire cover for sale if you are still looking for one. The tire covers were made of hard plastic and we painters grey and I believe you can buy this sticker for it online. Please feel free to email me if you would like.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Sending you a message now.
Thanks!

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Tap

Unfortunately unlike most of your nice, longer mohos, my 280 doesn't have a built-in spare tire compartment in the back (probably due to the bathroom in the back). And there is also no room underneath my rig.

Actually on the older MH, it is normally the other way around Tap, the rear baths are able to have a tire carrier (being a rear bath means the generator is on the side). Whereas older rear beds can't because the generator is there (for example Bella). On the older rear bath models (like Peanut and my parts donor), they have a carrier welded to chassis.

If the later models have a bolt on carrier, I would be interested in details as the carrier on Peanut has got bent back and punctured the outer skin. Its going to need to be cut off and Brad and I have been chatting about ways it could be converted to being bolted on.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Actually on the older MH, it is normally the other way around Tap, the rear baths are able to have a tire carrier (being a rear bath means the generator is on the side). Whereas older rear beds can't because the generator is there (for example Bella). On the older rear bath models (like Peanut and my parts donor), they have a carrier welded to chassis.

If the later models have a bolt on carrier, I would be interested in details as the carrier on Peanut has got bent back and punctured the outer skin. Its going to need to be cut off and Brad and I have been chatting about ways it could be converted to being bolted on.

Martin if you check out this thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ome-76406.html

Go to post #16 you can see what looks like a flat bar with the ends turned up sticking out right at the trim strip above the bumper. That is the upper support that the spare tire mount is bolted to. I believe it is bolted to a cross member at the rear of the frame. It's hard to see for sure because it's above the tanks. Anyway the tire mount attaches to the top of the hitch and that flat bar. It is very rigid. There is a picture in the service manual I have in pdf but it won't let me copy it for some reason. Hope this helps.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Martin if you check out this thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ome-76406.html

Go to post #16 you can see what looks like a flat bar with the ends turned up sticking out right at the trim strip above the bumper. That is the upper support that the spare tire mount is bolted to. I believe it is bolted to a cross member at the rear of the frame. It's hard to see for sure because it's above the tanks. Anyway the tire mount attaches to the top of the hitch and that flat bar. It is very rigid. There is a picture in the service manual I have in pdf but it won't let me copy it for some reason. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info Dan.

Although the '77 and '78's have the same bumpers as the later models the mounting structure is different. The chassis extension has a short vertical plate called the hit ch support tube.



The spare tire carrier then is welded to that plate.....make it very tight to the body work.



In the case of Peanut, too close!

[Smartstream]

Interesting, it looks from the picture that the mount is welded to the vertical tube welded to the receiver tube. Is it also supported forward of the bumper? Must be fun removing the bumper.

I think I might cut the vertical plate and gussets right at the base horizontal plate. Then move it aft maybe 2" and weld it back on. Also weld a tube frame around the perimeter of the vertical plate, maybe a 1-1/4" square tube. The plate looks thick enough but the tube frame will add a lot to prevent bending. The later type mount on my 280 is actually a bent square tube with a light plate welded across the top where the wheel is bolted on. Just an idea.
'

[Tap]

So I finally have a working automatic step!
The great guy helping me with repairs was able to get the replacement solenoid for under the step, replaced a few vacuum hoses and it now works!

It immediately tucks under when I start up the engine. Interestingly though, when the engine is off, it takes about 10 minutes to extremely slowly and eventually come back out as a step.

But at least it works and it's way better then when it stayed permanently out.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Tap

It immediately tucks under when I start up the engine. Interestingly though, when the engine is off, it takes about 10 minutes to extremely slowly and eventually come back out as a step.

It sounds like you have a restriction in the exhaust port of the valve. The steps should extend fairly quickly, as in seconds not minutes once the engine is turned off.

[Tap]

Originally Posted by bkahler

It sounds like you have a restriction in the exhaust port of the valve. The steps should extend fairly quickly, as in seconds not minutes once the engine is turned off.

Thanks so much, I'll look into that. Very helpful!!

[Tap]

So the metal shelves in my Norcold refrigerator are super rusted. I'd like to replace them with new ones.

Does anyone know if Norcold still sells replacements or if a 3rd party does?





Thanks!

[mayco]

Tap, I cleaned mine up the best I could with a wire wheel and then clear coated them. Not great but not bad. I priced replacements and they were crazy expensive. Its been a while but I think they were wanting $50 a shelf. Not gonna happen.

Mike