Newbies need help

[chan@country]

We recently purchased our first AS-a '86 Excella. We thought only the carpet needed to be replaced-boy, did we discover different! We now have a couple of questions. When you tow what do you do with the "cocktail" chair? How do you remove and replace the shade which is in the door? Are there any sources for "offical" AS parts. Our shower door is in okay condition but the plastic channel that holds the aluminum side frames has broken. We also need pivots to repair the step. Surely some AS dealer has a good on-line parts supply site?We really have appreciated all the info here

[Ganglin]

First welcome and congratulations on your Airstream. There are lots of parts sources out there. Get ready though - some parts for your model will be hard to find - some impossible. Which makes this a great place for help on making something work. With an 86, personally I'd start with the local dealer you have in Greenburg. Airstream here in Ohio is great at helping with parts:

Airstream :: Contact

Another good source is Inland RV:

Airstream Parts Sale Inland RV Center, Inc. (951) 734-8130

Also, look at other RV dealers for things you can make work - a ton also listed on the internet obviously. Good luck with your new toy.

[chan@country]

Gary:
Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

So far we have re-plumbed with Pex, repaired rotten spots in that horrible chipboard they used for sub-flooring, repaired the furnace, put vinyl tile in the bath, replaced the carpet with cherry (fake) laminate flooring, re-built one end of the convertible sofa and made some cabinet mods and repairs. It goes without saying that the whole thing has been Clorox'd. It also goes without saying that a tour to D.C. for the spring has been postponed.

I think that this AS was made on a Monday or Friday (based on workmanship). I have a some very good friends from Ohio who migrated this way early in their lifetime. Are you an OSU (not Oklahoma State) fan?

Based on some of the RV replacement part prices, I may start fabbing, ESP vacuum-formed and cast pieces. They look like prices on yacht parts!!

BTW, the guys at Zipadee (awnings) and Alsons (vacuum breaker) are super.

chan & echan

[Mel]

Boy, you've been busy! Hope you've been taking lots of pictures of the process - we'd all enjoy seeing them. Good luck with the rest of your project, and hope you're on the road soon.

[Ganglin]

Hey Chan,

Yes an OSU fan - you better be to live in the Columbus area (actually more of a WVU fan incognito). Mentioned Greensburg for a dealership - that would be in PA not CA - used to live in Pittsburgh - think I'd catch the difference.

Have a very good friend near you in Martinez - he moved there from Pittsburg. Anyway, here's another good parts source and good folks to talk to. They have step parts you may need on their site.

Out-of-Doors Mart