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Old 04-03-2007, 11:44 AM   #1
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So close and yet Sa-fari (adventures with our new 1971)

Big excitement...We've just purchased a gorgeous 1971 Safari from another forum member. And now that we have it, there are a few things we'd like to have done. Is there a place in the forums to learn about recommended RV service centers? We are in Portland, Oregon.

Thanks much.
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Old 04-03-2007, 12:10 PM   #2
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Based on my recent experience with Sutton in Eugene, OR I cannot recommend them. I can recommend Airstream of Spokane.
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Old 04-03-2007, 12:20 PM   #3
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hi dmroot and welcome to a/s ownership...

a/s lists all dealers and factory approved service centers on their web site....

still most people (with older units) are not willing to pay service center hourly rates...

buying parts and diy repairs, like home improvements is the norm...

most, but not all NON a/s rv service centers will not or do not like working on a/s...

many reasons for this.

still there are good shops who can and will repair or replace specific items....

axles, hubs, wheel bearings, water pumps, water heaters, fridges, a/c, jack assemblies, lp gas appliances and so on....

cosmetic issues and interior design upgrades are an entirely different beast...

again like hiring someone to remodel a room at home.

the parts aren't so expensive but labor is....

especially if done poorly...

i'm sure someone will offer up some repair spots in oregon....

but you might get more from the forums by starting a thread specifically on YOUR trailer.

post some pictures, ask some specific questions and read some of the many repair threads....

what needs to be done,
how much are you willing to do and
what's the budget?

happy travels

2air'
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Old 04-03-2007, 12:40 PM   #4
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Great points. We are pretty darned handy but some of this is just new to us. The forums will be a huge resource (have been already!) but we may want to pay for certain expertise having to do with the running gear. Hopefully there will be some good resources here in the Northwest.

I also like the idea of starting a thread in the Safari area of the site, that would help us a lot...and get more perspectives on issues we may encounter during our update process.
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Old 04-03-2007, 02:54 PM   #5
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Specifically we'd like to have a professional look at the brakes, shocks, axles, bearings. And we need new tires.

Has anyone had this type of work done in Oregon or southern Washington?

Here's a picture of the new beauty:
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Old 04-03-2007, 03:22 PM   #6
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Our new 71 Safari needs some updating

And while I am asking questions (and have been newly moved to the Safari forum) I will ask one more:

The inside of our trailer had some modifications done on the kitchen cabinet fronts (only) and overhead storage compartments (fronts only). You can see what I mean in the attached picture. Light colored wood has been bolted on the fronts of the existing wood-grain laminate framing.

I'd like to restore it back to the rolling wood-grain laminate type if possible. Does anyone have a recommended resource for new fronts?
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Old 04-03-2007, 05:42 PM   #7
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ok dmroot...

NOW u r rolling!

next think up a catchy-kitchy name for the thread and ask a mod to change it...

something like...

'adventures in my pretty safair' or
'rockin' and rollin' in a 70s safari' or
'surfin' safari'

ok u get the idea

70s style tambour doors are often removed and discarded during renovations....

so vintage spare parts are sometimes available here 4 the price of shipping....

i've seen several folks offer up their tambour bits.

there are still tambour door products available....

a quick google...

Tambour Doors, Panels, Wallcovering, Roll Top Desks, Wood and Storage Products: National Products, Inc.

Winona Manufacturing: Decor Tambour, Ceiling Systems, Kitchen Cabinet Doors

TAMBOUR DOORS AND TRACKS

and there are plenty more....

vintage tambours can be repaired but it is time consuming to reglue the backing...


as for the running gear,

any qualified rv/trailer service shop should be able to check out your set up.

we've got a whole bunch of n.wetters on the forum to suggest shops.

and get to a forums rally asap! you will get lots of advice first hand....

and good food, good friends and good times....

there is a rally memorial day weekend, just up the road.

cheers
2air'
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Old 04-03-2007, 07:35 PM   #8
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Like 2 air said, any competant trailer shop should be able to do your brakes/bearings /axels and any other running gear related problems. As far as a service center to work on the rest of the components in the trailer, I would ......................................

FIRST: find a service center who is familiar with Airstreams and WILL work on them

SECOND: see how many CERTIFIED MASTER RV TECHS they employ. This rating is earned only after intensive schooling in many areas of RV repair and scoring 85 or above on a 5-6 hour exam. Any CMRVT should know what they are doing and are WORTH the price you pay for their services. (OK, I'm a little biased here, but you get my drift!)

THIRD: I'll be in Hood River for most of July ans August and would be glad to answer any questions you may have.
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:04 PM   #9
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Thanks for the guidance you two.

2air: here's my idea for a catchy title - So close and yet Sa-fari...Ha! Or, maybe I will think about it a little more...

We are knee deep wading through the tambour links. They are so 70s-orama that I wouldn't have expected them to be so readily available. In addition to checking with the suppliers I will post a "wanted" in the forums just in case others aren't as fond of 70s laminate as I am.

Lew: the advice on the Certified Master RV Tech is great to know. It sounds like you are choosing the right months to be back in Hood River

More soon: there is cleaning to do, and a dinette to build...
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:10 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmroot
- So close and yet Sa-fari...
Is that a request? I can make that happen...
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:15 PM   #11
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Yes please. The official request would be:

So close and yet Sa-fari (adventures with our new 1971)

Thank you thank you
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:17 PM   #12
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Yes please. The official request would be:

So close and yet Sa-fari (adventures with our new 1971)

Thank you thank you
Your wish is my command. It is done.
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:20 PM   #13
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Great name and avatar!
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:25 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmroot
So close and yet Sa-fari (adventures with our new 1971)
now THATS a great title!

i hope you have lots of fun here...


i love tambour doors,
been thinking about adding a tambour fly...
to my drawers...


cheers
2air'
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Old 04-03-2007, 09:25 PM   #15
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Thanks Terry! I am set for a spring full of interesting posting now.

And...I am slightly jealous of Terry's John Wayne pic!
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Old 04-06-2007, 10:46 PM   #16
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Wierd wierd tire wear pattern

The work on the new Safari commences:
Today we put on four new tires that look just great. The wierd thing was the wear pattern on the old front two tires. Take a look at this picture. Does anyone have an idea on why the front tires would have worn this way?
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Old 04-07-2007, 12:03 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmroot
The work on the new Safari commences:
Today we put on four new tires that look just great. The wierd thing was the wear pattern on the old front two tires. Take a look at this picture. Does anyone have an idea on why the front tires would have worn this way?
Hi, from that picture, it looks like many miles or many years of being out of balance. And as for George Sutton RV, I bought my trailer from him, got a good deal, and have had good service from them too. In the service business there is always some happy customers and some unhappy customers.
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Old 04-07-2007, 12:09 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmroot
The work on the new Safari commences:
Today we put on four new tires that look just great. The wierd thing was the wear pattern on the old front two tires. Take a look at this picture. Does anyone have an idea on why the front tires would have worn this way?
Looks like some trailer tires I have seen on a friends trailer (flatbed for a tractor). He seemed to always have issues with the brakes and they would lock up and he would just drag it and put flat spots on the tires. Maybe?

Mike
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Old 04-07-2007, 12:11 AM   #19
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Tire wear

Looks like an alignment problem between the front axle and the rear one to me. Then again if the axles/running gear haven't been aligned on the trailer that might be the reason for the excessive wear pattern on the front set of tires. Maybe Andy from Inland or Lewster could shed some light on this problem better than I, but I would bet running gear alignment will fix this problem. Best to do it now while the tires are new. Good to see another Safari Bwanna! Happy Trails, Ed
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Old 04-07-2007, 08:07 AM   #20
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A couple more pics

I appreciate your answers and ideas. Whatever led to that ugliness needs to be fixed...

The first picture (above) is the best. It shows the depth of some of the wierd diagonal cupping. But here are a couple others.

We plan on doing the brakes next. In fact we got the new tires in preparation for bringing it to a brakes place. I don't quite understand the concept of alignment of the front and rear tires yet (I will do some research)...and we need to do an axle assessment...
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