Wow! What did I get myself into?

[Meeker]

On Saturday, I purchased a 1974 Airstream Ambassador. It was a spur of the moment purchcase. The misses and I have always loved Airstreams and by dumb luck, good timing or probably both, we purchased on Saturday. We didn't even have all of the money for it, but we begged and pleaded with the current owner and worked out a deal. He didn't have to do it, and by the frequency of the phone calls he was getting while we were there at his house about it, it would have been sold that day, if not within hours.

We will be moving it about two hours south of us in an RV slot at an airport where we work on the weekends during the warmer months. Initially, we plan on putting it in an RV storage facility until the weather warms up so we can do some small work on it, then we will move it down south. Initially, we don't plan on moving it much for the simple fact we don't have anything capable of safely pulling it. However, that will change in due time and give us some time to work on it.

At his point, the only thing that doesn't work is the fridge. He warned me when I purchased it that it was not cheap to either fix it or repair it, and after reading on here a little, he was right. Other than that, we're good to go!

I want to say, I'm amazed at the incredible community and wealth of information available here on this website. It's very impressive and we look forward to being a part of it.

Cheers,

Clint, Jen and Kyle

[Kevin245]

Congratulations on your new Airstream and welcome to the forum. Keep the posts coming and the photographs too.

Regards,

Kevin

[tkasten]

Welcome aboard! Glad to see another family joining the Airstream family. You are right, this forum is wonderful and will answer almost any question you could have about your Airstream. When we found our baby last spring we were clueless about restoration. Fortunately we found this forum before we started. People love pics so make sure you post your progress. Good Luck!....Tim & Linda

[Mike Leary]

Nice, clean coach! New fridges are indeed, not cheap, but much better than a rebuild if
you can find a Dometic that will fit in your rough opening. Welcome to the forum.

[Boondocker]

When you get ready to replace the refrigerator, search the forums for Palomino Parts out of Michigan. You will be able to get one for about half what you see elsewhere. Make sure you know exactly what you want when you call as they do not provide any help. You tell them the item you want, they ship it. Ask for Jevin.

[Meeker]

Thank you all for the nice welcome. So, I have my first question. I'm in the process at looking for a storage facility to store it in and be able to work on it at the same time. Do outdoor storage facilities provide an electrical outlet and a possible water source? Is this common with an additional fee?

Thanks for your help.

Clint

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Meeker

Thank you all for the nice welcome. So, I have my first question. I'm in the process at looking for a storage facility to store it in and be able to work on it at the same time. Do outdoor storage facilities provide an electrical outlet and a possible water source? Is this common with an additional fee?

Thanks for your help.

Clint

Probably not, since that would allow you to live in the trailer as well, or you could be running electric heaters or an AC, all at their expense, when you were not around.

Andy

[sd90mac]

Welcome to the forum.

We have our coach in a storage facility and have used them for years on both sides of the country and have yet to find one that will allow you to work on them at the storage facility. I have not found one with power or water in the RV storage sites.

Just because I have not seen or heard of one does not mean it does not exist, so keep looking.

Good luck

Marie

[cclarkego]

We all started here at one time,
You have found the right place to get lots of help
No one knew me when I got mine...

Now everyone helps me all the time,
if you read more of my stories,
you will figure out why.........

ccg

[Meeker]

So, here I am a few days after my purchase and I'm trying to figure out what we purchased. I've taken a picture of the serial number and understand everything except for the first number. According to the information that I've found, the first "object" should be either an I, E, or L for model designation. Well, in the picture that I've attached it sure looks like a 1 (number one) to me. I was under the assumption that I purchased an Ambassador, that was a Land Yacht. I assumed Land Yacht was an options package. Can anyone shed some light on this for me. I sure would appreciate it.

Cheers,

Clint

[pbearsailor]

On the storage facility question, Clint, it may be possible to find a facility that will let you work on your trailer.

I'm doing just that on mine. Don't have access to water, but I do have access to a plug for limited power. I use a genset for the big stuff. Haven't limited my ability to work on it at all. Verbally understood I won't try to live in it. Even let me move it under a shade tree this summer.

So, it is possible. Mine is in a rural area and that likely helps.

steve

[SilverHoot]

Here's what I found about the serial number for
1974 Ambassador 29'

Ohio | L(I) 29 X 4 J NNNN
California | L(I) 29 X 4 S NNNN
(L prefix for Landyacht options, I for Int'l) 'X'=(B=center bath double-bed; A=center bath twin; T=rear bath twin; D=rear bath double)

So, I don't know why yours starts with a '1' Andy of Inland has pointed out previously that the serial numbers are done by humans and humans make make mistakes. So, maybe it was a mistake?

So I'm thinking it is a built in Ohio, (maybe the serial number guy picked up the 1 instead of the I, if so yours is an International model?), twin bed rear bath model. Of course I'm bored and just trying to figure out something I don't know that much about!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Meeker

So, here I am a few days after my purchase and I'm trying to figure out what we purchased. I've taken a picture of the serial number and understand everything except for the first number. According to the information that I've found, the first "object" should be either an I, E, or L for model designation. Well, in the picture that I've attached it sure looks like a 1 (number one) to me. I was under the assumption that I purchased an Ambassador, that was a Land Yacht. I assumed Land Yacht was an options package. Can anyone shed some light on this for me. I sure would appreciate it.

Cheers,

Clint

Somebody had a bad hair day, at Airstream.

Your serial number is I 29 T 4 J 1806

Yes the first digit on your serial number plate says "1" (one) but it's supposed to be an "I" (eye) meaning International.

You should double check the title and see what is says.

Andy

[Meeker]

Thank you all for your help. So, last question. Why is there a Land Yacht plaque on the trailer if the serial number states that it is an International? Was the guy that makes the serial numbers and plaques drunk that day?

Thanks for your information,

Clint

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Meeker

Thank you all for your help. So, last question. Why is there a Land Yacht plaque on the trailer if the serial number states that it is an International? Was the guy that makes the serial numbers and plaques drunk that day?

Thanks for your information,

Clint

Clint.

Easy answer.

All Airstreams are Land Yachts, regardless of length.

Andy

[tallytwo1994]

Originally Posted by Meeker

Thank you all for your help. So, last question. Why is there a Land Yacht plaque on the trailer if the serial number states that it is an International? Was the guy that makes the serial numbers and plaques drunk that day?

Thanks for your information,

Clint

Clint,

I can't really answer your question about the 1 instead of an I on the plaque. Although I've read on this Forum that sometimes a state DMV will put a 1 on the title instead of an I.

About the International vs. Land Yacht, take a look at this Airstream document: http://service.airstream.com/files/l...b78538cbe1.pdf

About half way down the 1st page you will see: "International Land Yacht Series", and a list the standard options for that series.

BTW does that ID plaque look like it could be a replacement?

Carol

[flyfshr]

Welcome aboard. Glad to see another new and excited member join the silver family. As others have stated, post lots of pictures and keep us in the know with your progress.

Now, about that fridge. What, besides the PO, tells you its not working? And if its not working, what are the symptoms? Is it lighting up at all? It might just need a new circuit board or something less expensive than a replacement or a good clean supply of 12 volt power.

Some investigating is in order.

Brad
FF

[Meeker]

Brad,

Good question about the fridge. Here's what I know. The PO told me that he had it looked at locally by an RV dealership. Apparently, they told him it was a catastrophic problem. That's all I know. He told me he always ran the fridge on electricity, not gas, but, by the sound of it I was under the assumption that whatever problem it has, gas or electric doesn't matter. But, what do I know? Zero, zip, nada........

One interesting thing he told me, and try not to laugh at this. He told me he was camping and the guy next to him had an older AS also. The told me the old guy told him to take the fridge to the local Amish community to fix it, apparently they're pros at it. Now, I don't know if this is for real, or if it's some inside new guy joke that is being played on me, but, that's what he said.

Does this make any since to anyone? Because, it sure doesn't do me.

However, I'll try anything to save myself $1,600.

Cheers,

Clint

[flyfshr]

Couple of options before throwing it out entirely. Open up the compartment door on the trailer and take a good look around. Is it really dirty? Do you see any evidence of leaky fluid? Also, take a good whiff. If you smell ammonia, it has an ammonia leak and this could be catastrophic, as you say. If this is the case, you'll either need a new cooling unit or a complete replacement. Cooling units are available by mail order and I understand not that difficult to install.

If it is not leaking ammonia, on occasion a fridge can be "burped" to solve the problem. To do this, unhook it and take it out of the trailer. Put it upside down for three or four days and then set it back upright and hook it back up before putting it back in the trailer. Sometimes the ammonia gets an air bubble in the system preventing it from circulating and allowing the unit to cool properly.

Also, make sure it is getting 12 volt power, if it is the type of fridge that needs 12 volt. What make and model is this fridge? You need to try anything before shelling out $1,200. And on top of that, the new ones never fit the existing opening so modifications to the cabinetry are always in order.

Brad
FF

[Wabbiteer]

The ammonia cycle works in surges - you need the heat applied for 45 or 90 minutes sometimes before the system starts circulating. Amish communities really could know the ins and outs of absorption refrigerators, but I would sure ask around before appearing with refrigerator in tow