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10-01-2002, 09:24 PM

do you guys refer to the year of your airstream buy the year in wich it was built or the the next year, like cars and such. my air stream was built 10/76 i have been calling it a 77 is that wrong?

thenewkid64 · 10-01-2002, 09:35 PM

Your best bet is to see what year is on the title from the state. I think that the way RV's are done is based on the calander year they were manufactured. In your case that would be a 76. I may be way off here so if anyone "knows" please pipe up.

10-01-2002, 09:42 PM

i was just going buy how everything else is. When was your Argosy built?

thenewkid64 · 10-01-2002, 09:50 PM

The sticker inside(mine is a motorhome) says Jan/1976.

My title and registration also say 1976.

10-01-2002, 09:55 PM

my title and registaration says its a 77. its an alaska title i dont know if that matters

10-01-2002, 10:00 PM

so when i want to get parts for my trailer, or if asked the year do i need to give the date it was built? are trailers say built in january different from ones built later in the same year? or does it matter?

thenewkid64 · 10-01-2002, 10:26 PM

I would say if the title states it is a 77 then that is what you need to refer to it as when buying parts.

Airstream did not make tremendous changes between model years, unlike auto manufacturers. The shell for a 69 is almost the same as an 81. There were minor changes in tail light assemblies, door handles, refer vents, kitchen exaust systems, and battery boxes. but none of these changes should cause a problem when ordering parts. You just need to be sure to get a full description of the new part and be sure it sounds like the old one.

Unless you really study the 76/77 models you more than likely will not be able to tell the diffrence anyhow.

So, I would say you have a 77 and do so with confidence.

10-01-2002, 10:55 PM

hey thanks

i think i'm suppost to call it a '77 too. i was starting to wonder becouse in forums under airstream trailers (buy year and model) there is no 1977 air stream overlander why is this? i was starting to wounder if they built a 77 overlander.

pjtaia · 10-01-2002, 11:05 PM

My Overlander was manufactured 10/74 and it is titled as a 1975...

10-01-2002, 11:18 PM

mine was built 10/76 title says its a 77

53flyingcloud · 10-01-2002, 11:59 PM

I just wanted to pass on this observation. I' saw just recently at A/S dealer in Del. several A/S that were built in Nov.01 and they're carried as 2002 models on the papers on the window.
ciao

Inland RV Center, In · 10-02-2002, 11:10 AM

The correct year of any Airstream trailer, is a part of the serial number.
Airstream years are just like the auto industry. Mid to late summer months are the model changeovers.
Experience says don't rely on what the title says. At least 1 out of 4 are wrong.
The serial number tells it "all."

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts

Jim W · 10-03-2002, 03:10 PM

My 77 31' was manufactured 8/76. My title says 1977, along with my owners manual. I think that the main difference between a 76 & a 77 is a digital clock & the two batteries on the 77 were on the front of the TT, one on each side of the propane bottles.

10-03-2002, 03:29 PM

mine has a digital clock and one battery box

thenewkid64 · 10-03-2002, 05:10 PM

Unless the unit was ordered with 2 battery boxes, 1 was standard on the 77 models. There may have been 2 as a standard option on the Excella. I had a second one added to my 77 Soverign.

10-03-2002, 05:18 PM

i need another battery box i have been running dual baterys with jumper cables...... i was thinking about sticking a CAT battery on there some how with a box...two batteries are way better than one.

thenewkid64 · 10-03-2002, 05:24 PM

I went the "factory route" and had my dealer at the time install a "used" airstream battery box on the other side of the A frame, where it would have been if the factory had done it. Almost any system you can come up with will be cheaper. I tend to be one of those people that do it the "right" way, even if it costs too much. If memory serves it was $400.00 ++ dollars for labor,parts wiring and a battery to do it. But I agree 2 is better than 1 and 3 are better than 2 if you are going to boondock! Solar helps to recharge and is enviro friendly, but the jury is out on that whole issue.

BTW what is a CAT battery?

10-03-2002, 05:35 PM

CAT batteries.....are used in heavy equipment they are very large. lots of capacity it's like having three car batteries in one. and they are high quality- and heavy duty . there good.....although i have had good luck so far with my exide orbital batteries.... i totaly agree with going the factory route stock is the best looking.......but i am having difficulty even finding door latch parts i can't imagine tring to find a battery box just like the stock one....in my overlander. and a CAT battery wont fit in the stock box...you can get smaller ones but i want a big one.

thenewkid64 · 10-03-2002, 05:46 PM

On the parts needed front have you tried Colaw in MO. they have a number of AS trailers there that they dismantle on a parts needed basis. They may be able to help. I needed a new exterior outlet and they were able to get me one with a minimum of fuss and they had it, the part is a discontinued one.

Check out the vendors forum, there is a link to them there.

On the CAT battery, it sounds cool, but what does it weigh???

74Argosy24MH · 10-03-2002, 06:01 PM

I am guessing by Cat battery you are talking about a 4D or 8D. You would be better off getting a good deep cycle battery. The starting battery won't live nearly as long.

A 4D weighs about 135 lbs, 8D 165 lbs.

John