The Airstream Classic Motorhome Sticky Thread!

[Keyair]

The Classic Airstream Motorhome is an interesting and complex mixture of Airstream riveted aluminum structure, and control forward motorhome chassis.
Add a combined chassis, and trailer 12V systems, a 120V system, water, waste and propane, and things get more fun!
Oh, and throw in an onboard generator for good measure!

After discussion with Air Forums, it was decided to attempt to put together a sticky thread, as a place to stop and find information.
We will be working on this thread in an ongoing attempt to keep links up to date, and add information as we move forward.
Thank you, in advance to all those who have gone before and blazed a path and a wealth of information for us all to benefit!

Here we go!

History

It is not really known how many Classic Airstream Motorhomes were produced, as even Airstream themselves say they have no accurate records.
There was also a lot of custom builds, which clouds the data.

Most of the Motorhomes were built on General Motors P30 chassis's, and were equipped with front mounted Big Block 454ci gas motors, and TH475 3 speed automatic transmisions, driving the rear axle, but there are some exceptions!

The exceptions;
Some of the earlier models that had the 350ci Small block.
In 1982, Airstream began offering an Isuzu 6 cylinder Diesel, in both normally asperated, and Turbo versions. It is our understanding that the Turbo was a factory fitted option by Airstream, not Isuzu.
Later a Cummins BT6 Turbo Diesel was offered in place of the 454.
The very rare, and largest models ever made were the 365 and 370, and these were based on the Gillig Chassis, and powered by Ford 460 V8.
From December 1992, a Diesel Pusher model was added. This featured a Sparton Chassis with a rear mounted Cummins BT6 Turbo Diesel and Allison AT542 transmission.

The Argosy Motorhome was the first produced in the Classic style, from 1974 thru 1978. Argosy's were painted from the factory. They were available in 20', 24', 26', and 28' models with various interior layouts.

In 1978, Airstream began producing Motorhomes in clearcoated aluminum.
From 1978 through 1982 they were available in 24', and 28', and badged as 240 and 280 models.
In 1982, a 310(31') model was added, as well as the Isuzu Diesel option.
In 1984, the 270(27'), and 345(34.5') models were added. The 345 was the first to have the Henchen Duratorque Tag axle.
In 1985, the models available were, 290, 325, 345, and the 370(37')

In 1993 there was a major facelift, with a sleeker nose, and flush windows, and it became known as Land Yacht. It still featured the clearcoated aluminum exterior panels, and this model continued until 1997.


Thinking about buying a Classic Airstream Motorhome?

Good advice here..
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...eam-83217.html

Classic Airstream Picture thread...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ead-71750.html

Fred's Airstream Archive is a great place to overview years, lengths and Models.
Fred's Airstream Archives @ ViewRVs.com - Used Travel Trailers and MotorHomes For Sale

Classic Airstream Motorhomes for sale we have seen.. but check the Classifieds at the top of the page too!
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ale-91704.html

How to read your Airstream VIN.
http://www.airstream.com/files/libra...d86d618144.pdf

Airstream Motorhome Specs, floorplans, etc. Scroll down...
Airstream, Inc :: Specifications

Bodywork.

A&E Domestic Awning Manual
http://www.dometic.com/FileOrganizer...erating_EN.pdf

Deadbolt issues?
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...res-95092.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...oes-64193.html

Roof Fans.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...fan-84190.html

Rooftop Air Conditioners
Service manual for Earlier Coleman 6700, 7000, 8000, and 9000 series.
http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/rvp/rvp6789mech.pdf

Chassis.

Alternator Mods, and testing.

Airbag information, replacement and mods for front and rear suspension.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ods-59597.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...nt-105611.html


Chassis Airbag Pump, GAST Compressor Manual.
I think the 3HBB is the model fitted to my 1984 345, and this is the closest manual I can find.
http://www.gastmfg.com/support_docum...%20rev%20l.pdf

Chevy control forward P30 Motorhome Chassis Manual.
http://campkahler.com/files/P30-chassis-manual.pdf

Chassis information here:
http://www.offroadtoybox.com/RV/P-Ch...entProcess.pdf

Banks Power Installation Manuals.
Chevy 454 single Airpump
http://assets.bankspower.com/manuals...340-v3-web.pdf
Dual Airpump.
http://assets.bankspower.com/manuals...341-v3-web.pdf
TBI 454.
http://assets.bankspower.com/manuals/170/96354.pdf
Cummins 5.9 Diesel.
http://assets.bankspower.com/manuals...her-v3-web.pdf

Diesel Engine Conversions.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...cle-38432.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...wer-73574.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...h-26956-2.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...-mh-26956.html


Fuel Tank and fuel lines.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ent-96528.html

The official GM fuel vaporlock issue, and cure.
Chevy P-30 VaporLock Fix 1984.pdf

Cummins BT6A parts catalog!
http://www.gessford.com/images/5.9%2...el%20parts.pdf


Towing with a Classic?
Remember the stock hitch is only rated to 2000lb.
Discussion and Hitch upgrades.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...sic-77205.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ome-76406.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...5-a-27248.html

Supersteer Bellcrank Installation Video and Manual.

How to install SuperSteer Bell Crank P3032 Chevrolet Workhorse Chassis road wander steering play - YouTube

http://www.hendersonslineup.com/P303...ns%2010-06.pdf

Tag Axle Brake overhaul thread..
Based on a later chassis, but great info, thanks 92LandYacht!
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...ics-94448.html

Interior.

Auxiliary Heater repair.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ter-72696.html

Suburban NT Furnace service manual;
Suburban NT Series Service Manual

Service Manuals for Refridgerators, Water Heaters, Furnaces, AC and more!
Service Documents

Leveling System

ID your HWH Leveling System.
http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml40256.pdf

Owners Manual, 100 Series.
http://www.hwh.com/ml2059.pdf

Owners manual 110 series.
http://www.hwh.com/ml7367.pdf

Maintaning your jacks..
http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml47149.pdf

I found this AWESOME Tech Training test, that is really helpfull too!
http://www.hwhcorp.com/Lesson_13_pt_1.pdf#page=1

Found another original manual for the A&E Leveler system that has great info and aftermarket mounting instructions that explained a LOT!
A-E-Hydradulic-Levelers

Onboard Generator
Kohler
7CM21RV Owners manual
http://campkahler.com/files/kohler-7...log-tp1184.pdf
7CM21RV Service manual
http://campkahler.com/files/kohler-7...log-tp1184.pdf
7CM21RV parts Manual.
http://campkahler.com/files/kohler-7...log-tp1184.pdf

Kohler Oil Leaks.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...eak-64381.html

Putting the Genset on drawer slides.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...ide-33447.html

Onan
Here are some Onan generator manuals. Most are for the Emerald plus 6.5 which is the genset that came in the 1986 345.

Onan Emerald plus Operators Manual

Onan Emerald plus 6500 Genset spec sheet

Onan NHE-NHEL Genset Service Manual

Onan Installation Guide 6.5 NH Genset

Onan Operators Manual 6.5 NH Genset

Onan Installation Replacement for Crank Ignition Relay

Onan RV Troubleshooting Guide from Flight Systems

Onan Installation of Control Board Replacement

Generac info for the genset fitted to earlier Argosy Motorhomes.
http://campkahler.com/files/Generac_IM-NP-Q.pdf

Honda Genset Conversion!
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f160...ing-92061.html


110v Electrical System

Most of the 80's Motorhomes have a 30a supply.
Links to upgrading.
JTB Engineering does a great kit.
JTB Manufacturing - RV Power Management - JTB Power Solution


Propane

Water and waste system.

[streamquest]

Steve,

This is terrific! You have made some great contributions to the forum in the past, but this may top them all. Thanks for the effort!

Charly

[Keyair]

We are still working on it...
And will be for some time!
Don't have the full editing function yet, but as soon as that is done we will figure out the best format, but I am sure we will change it a few times along the way.

Please everyone, feel free to comment and suggest what you would like to see?

We have also been talking about writing an overview/history of the Classic Motorhome "Family Tree", showing, which models were available when.
Easier said than done, as there are so many oddities, and Airstream themselves seem to be clueless about what they made!

[Mike Leary]

I too, was interested in the coaches. In 1996, I wrote to Airstream and recieved the following response: "We have no records available as to how many coaches we've made,but the last year for the 310 was 1984. We built 29 and 33 footers until 1990, a 30 foot model in 1991, and speciality coaches for funeral homes. From then on, they have just gotten bigger." Go figure.

[Smartstream]

To me the best thing would be a simple use-able index. There is so much information already here it's just tough going trough everything trying to find what you want. The search function can be so frustrating to us older computer illiterate types.

Cheers, Dan

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

To me the best thing would be a simple use-able index. There is so much information already here it's just tough going trough everything trying to find what you want. The search function can be so frustrating to us older computer illiterate types.

Cheers, Dan

Agreed.
Yes, there is lots here, but in my experience, sometimes it can be somewhat difficult to find, and very often a gem of knowledge is buried in a thread that is sometimes seemingly unrelated.

To be truly helpful, it would be great to build a database with an easy menu.

The first thought was breaking it down into simple sections, bodywork, chassis, interior, etc and within each section a brief description of the item covered.
In time, it would be great to have for example, a section on brakes with all of the operations, and part numbers for the components etc...

[Keyair]

Editing is up and running!

Banks Power manual links added.
HWH Levelers Id and Manuals added.


If anyone knows of links or threads that are useful, please post them here and we will add them!

[PeterH-350LE]

Honda Genset EV6010 to 345 coach wiring:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f160...ing-92061.html

Excellent idea for having so many resources under one umbrella, you may want to consider "locking" this thread for only you to edit it and open a new thread for the input and suggestions ? Admin could easily do that by splitting this thread after the first post

[Keyair]

Thanks Peter, your link is added!

For now, we will leave the thread open so people can comment and as you did, provide links!

[raveson]

Keyair,
Your efforts are more then great! Will follow the thread and hope I can contribute as you continue to refine and expand.
Richard

[Keyair]

yes, I sure you will have plenty of input!

Can someone post info on the Onan gensets that were fitted to some Classics... model numbers etc, so we can find and add links for the manuals?

[Waipio Rim]

Here is the P30 motorhome chassis service manual, pointed out to me by Robert Cross:

http://www.bdub.net/manuals/P30/P30.pdf

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

Here is the P30 motorhome chassis service manual, pointed out to me by Robert Cross:

http://www.bdub.net/manuals/P30/P30.pdf

Got it, thanks!

[Keyair]

Going through my personal manual list and adding links as I find them...

Gast Air compressor 3HEB Owner and service manual link added...
I think this is what I have mounted in the rear compartment of my '84 345.

A&E Domestic Awning Manual added.

[Keyair]

Links added.
Towing and Towhitch upgrades.
Diesel Engine conversions.
Deadbolt problems.

[Keyair]

Great link to many service manuals added to sticky page...
Lots of stuff here!
Service Documents

[Mike Leary]

Had a fan looking at the coach this morning and he remarked what a high-powered rig I had. I looked at him and said, "hell, I have a tough time passing farm machinery". He said, "with a 310 hp engine, how could you have a problem?"

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Had a fan looking at the coach this morning and he remarked what a high-powered rig I had. I looked at him and said, "hell, I have a tough time passing farm machinery". He said, "with a 310 hp engine, how could you have a problem?"

LOL On the return trip home after picking up my nu2me 310TD I blew the doors off a combine. However it wasn't until well into my beautifully excuted passing maneuver that I realized he still had the corn head on. My brakes, almost non existant so I looked straight ahead at the gap and prayed the combine driver didn't swerve towards my rig as I passed.........The look on the face of the aproaching car driver was funny as hell as it wouldn't be every day you'd be face with the decision of a head on between a combine and a big Silver Bullet as there was nowhere else for him to go.

[bkahler]

Steve, here is another manual for you.

The factory service manual for Suburban furnaces supplied to the dealers.

Suburban NT Series Service Manual

Brad

[Mike Leary]

Can't pull it up Brad, is it me?