Starting from Scratch

[JakeMtMn]

After acquiring corpi delicti I took it to local rv repair shop to have it checked over. His honest reply: "I don't know much aboust AS; why don't you take it to dealer?" So I took it to authorized AS dealer nearest to me asking them to check out all the systems. After a week or so, they called out and said I was ready to go. They replaced elec. tongue jack - but it didn't work. While tech. worked on electrical connections at battery, wife noticed dirty sink showed no sign of testing. So they connected hose. and water poured out under sink. Turns out, all they did was flip a few switches, repack wheel bearings and replace tongue jack -- all of which I could have locally w/0 having to drive 180 miles twice and paying $90 an hour labor. And worse than that, the service manager fabricated replies to my specific questions. Letter of complaint to owner yielded nothing expect his complete confidence in his SM. Copy to AS in Ohio yielded nothing.

So who can I trust to check out true condition of systems?

[Becky B.]

Not to be a smart alec, but I think the best person would be yourself. You're free, you're honest with yourself, and you will need to know how all these systems operate at some point, so now would be as good a time as any! Once you assess what you need repaired, you can then bring it in & TELL them what to repair. If you're really ambitious, you can repair the small things yourself & save yourself some bucks!

[TouringDan]

Jake

Sorry, it appears you got shafted. I agree with Becky that you can do it yourself, but only if you have the knowledge.

The local dealer here in Lynchburg is RB Taylor. The service manager is Jason Taylor, and he is an outstanding technician and person. You sure don't need to be an Airstream dealer to check out the operating systems in an Airstream.

I will help you all I can. Please call me anytime at 434-401-4060.

Dan

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by JakeMtMn

After acquiring corpi delicti I took it to local rv repair shop to have it checked over. His honest reply: "I don't know much aboust AS; why don't you take it to dealer?" So I took it to authorized AS dealer nearest to me asking them to check out all the systems. After a week or so, they called out and said I was ready to go. They replaced elec. tongue jack - but it didn't work. While tech. worked on electrical connections at battery, wife noticed dirty sink showed no sign of testing. So they connected hose. and water poured out under sink. Turns out, all they did was flip a few switches, repack wheel bearings and replace tongue jack -- all of which I could have locally w/0 having to drive 180 miles twice and paying $90 an hour labor. And worse than that, the service manager fabricated replies to my specific questions. Letter of complaint to owner yielded nothing expect his complete confidence in his SM. Copy to AS in Ohio yielded nothing.

So who can I trust to check out true condition of systems?

Trusting yourself is usually the best way to go.

You can get an Airstream service manual for 1974.

Most things in it are the same for an Argosy.

You would learn many things and at the same time save yourself some money too.

Repairing an Airstream or Argosy trailer is rather easy, if you have some kind of help.

If you can't trust a dealer to check out the coach, how could you trust him to do the repairs properly.

Start, after reading the manual, by making a list of things you find wrong. Then ball park repair parts costs etc., and time.

In that way you can budget your time, and money wisely.

The very beginning of repairs to any Airstream product is to make it water proof. Don't forget the sewer vent pipe cover gaskets that only last 2 to 3 years.

As you proceed, questions will pop up like no tomorrow.

That's what this site is all about. Ask questions, get answers. Some answers might have to be weighed as to their effectiveness for your situation, but it is a great starting point.

Same thing is true about parts. Deal with those dealers that know what your talking about, as they will provide the best help as well.

Andy