questions about our "Ladybug"

[ourladybug]

Hi: We recently bought our first PO Airstream. 25' c 2000 Safari. Need some help with A. Cleaning white fabric (mousefur) interior areas. Seems to be scattered black spots that Trichlor won't touch. B. Source for window gasketing (original has shrunk away from frame). C. Economicial source for small parts (latches, rocker switch, lenses for small lites, Creation window glass etc). D. How to maintain center roof of unit(appears to be aluminum but has white finish). E. Is a spare necessary? Unit is in good shape but PO seems to have made some changes, some not for the better. Hope to get it on the road soon. Thanks for any help you might provide.

[CanoeStream]

Hi ourladybug -- Welcome to the forums! Some mention and links for black spots on mousefur are here. A lot of people report this -- it's usually fine aluminum powder escaping rivet holes and along inner skin seams -- caused by road vibrations.

Window gasketing and parts? In alphabetic order, talk to these folks:
Inland RV
Out-of-Doors Mart
Vintage Trailer Supply

Shipping probably will be less the closer they are to you.

Until the last 5 years or so, spares were optional on two-axle trailers unless they were Classics. Still, a lot of spares are installed under the belly by the front A-frame. Some dealers (or handy owners) could install the factory rack. Your manual does point out that you can tow to the nearest town for tire repair with 3 tires on your coach if you keep it under 45 mph. The easiest way to remove a wheel is to pull the other wheel up onto a single car ramp or stacked 2x8s. I always carry one rhino ramp because it's light and easy. You'll need a bottle jack and lose time if a road hazard ever puts two tires on the same side out of commission. You can only jack on the frame the axles are attached to -- never the axles.