Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-19-2002, 12:18 PM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
Joan D'Andrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 32
Send a message via Yahoo to Joan D'Andrea
Fixing things

I am new to the Forum and really enjoy it. There is a population of zero people I know who have an Airstream. The fellow who sold it to me says I should learn to do my own work if at all possible. Huuuummmm. How does one go about learning to fix things like hotwater heaters and furnaces and refrigerators and leaking toilets and leaking holding tanks and things like that? I understand that the Airstream I purchased has a plethora of manuals and service records and so forth. Does the manual actually tell you what to do if the item breaks down? If not, then what boks and materials would be good to collect to help out along the way. I have one, an RV manual, but I noticed right off that many Fix-It-Yourself Manuals are written on the premise that you know what the names of the parts are and have had some experience with the item before. I DON'T. I also don't have the $$$$ to pay a service person and am willing to learn. Is there a book out there like The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fixing all the Things in YOur Airstream that go wrong written for the inexperienced?
__________________
Kalakkala II
Joan D'Andrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2002, 01:01 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
LOST , Hawaii
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,193
If the manuals are service manuals they should at least have a breakdown for parts. This should help in disassembly. Some manufacturers are better at others in what they include, you will have to go through the manuals and see if they are helpful to you.

This site is the best around for Airstream repair and restoration. Some of your questions may have been answered, there is a search button in the upper right. Others you may have to ask, post away.

John
74Argosy24MH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2002, 01:04 PM   #3
5 rivets, 1 loose screw
 
Rog0525's Avatar
 
1966 20' Globetrotter
Saginaw County , Michigan
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,555
Images: 11
Smile It's kinda like fishing, Joan

Learning how to repair and restore Airstreams requires a lot of patience and persistence.

Quote:
Is there a book out there like The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fixing all the Things in YOur Airstream that go wrong written for the inexperienced?
If anyone decides to write one, I'll be one of the first to buy it.
In the meantime I'll just keep posting my questions here when I'm stumped. What a great place!
Rog0525 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2002, 01:53 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
InsideOut's Avatar

 
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen , Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
Images: 108
10 months ago, we "knew absolutely nothing" about any of the bits-&-pieces-that-are-held-together-by-a-bunch-of-rivets that we have since, affectionately named Maxwell! We had never even set foot inside an Airstream before!

The one thing we did, that has helped ALOT is find some other folks that have Airstreams. Look up on www.wbcci.org website to find out who else is in your area. We actually found the WBCCI folks before we had our Airstream...what better way to find out about them than to hang out with folks who have them!

Most folks, especially those with the older vintage trailers are more than willing to show you the ropes!

My other advice is, take one "mini-project" at a time so you don't get overwhelmed....use the resources you do have (like this forum & the internet), take lots of pictures and don't be afraid to ask questions!

Good luck, hopefully we will be able to help you with your progress...even if sometimes it's just a "yup, I've tried that too"

Shari
InsideOut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2002, 02:56 PM   #5
4 Rivet Member
 
gwsullivan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 268
Joan, there is a repair manual authored by Bob Livingston that really explains how all the systems in an RV work and how to repair the popular brands of appliances. The title is 'RV Repair and Maintenance Manual' (Fourth Edition). Hope this helps.
__________________
Jerry Sullivan
'01 Limited
'01 Safari
On The Road, USA
gwsullivan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2002, 03:30 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
BobbyW's Avatar
 
1965 20' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Houston , Texas
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,002
Images: 9
Bob Livingston's book is an excellent recomendation. I keep one on the ol' bookshelf.

ISBN: 0934798702
Updated to the 4th edition February 2002

-BobbyWright
__________________
BobbyW
AIR# 123

-"You want to make it two inches - or, if you're working in centimeters, make sure it's enough centimeters for two inches."-Red Green
BobbyW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2002, 04:49 PM   #7
2 Rivet Member
 
Joan D'Andrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 32
Send a message via Yahoo to Joan D'Andrea
Fixing Things

Thanks to everyone who wrote back to my queery regarding HOW TO. I will indeed post as things come up. Right now I have an arm on an awning that is bent and needs replacing. I will get the name of the brand and get back to you at the end of the month. Our Maiden Voyage is about to start and I feel it will be a just the begining of my education into HOW TO>>>>> for the Airstream. Oh well, I always did say that education was one of the best things in life.
__________________
Kalakkala II
Joan D'Andrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
General Repair costs for my 78 Excella startrekker2001 Dollars & Cents 1 11-08-2003 08:50 PM
Maintenance Manual dcfl General Repair Forum 2 08-07-2003 05:54 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:40 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.