We have camped a couple of times since I last wrote anything and they have been fun times without the use of running water indoors. I must take the time right now to comment on the fact that I can't put any bold print or extremely odd fonts that I have used in the past, because they have seemed to have gone away. I am a total computer dummy that always has depended upon my extremely talented and gifted daughter "Tomara" to make my final product look good.....well I can't figure out all these details because all my settings seem to have gone away and I simply can't find anything. I do realize that this speaks volumes for my lack of computer knowledge. SOOOOO... back to what I was talking about.
Pat has gotten advice, tools, parts, and we have decided to do the repairs our self and save our self a huge $$$$$$$$ repair bill. These Airstream trailers are built so conservatively and everything runs underneath along the floor and you have to disassemble beds, toilets, just everything. We have three sizes of tubing, requiring three sizes of hose to replace, three different clamps and we have used two different sizes of copper pipe cutters. You have to try to reach into a 4 to 6 inch space to cut then patch with hose...install the clamps. Here is a word of advise if you ever undertake this kind of project....put the clamps on before you connect the hoses. This is such logical advice that it seems almost ridiculous to do anything otherwise, but I did it two of four repairs. NOTE... If you would like to hire me for repairs, I am diligent,BUT I work my the hour.
You need a very patient wife that is supportive of your endeavors and who will actually do most of the work. We would complete one repair, look over our work, pat ourselves on the back, then turn the water on and cuss because we find another leak more challenging than the last. Another trip to the plumbing store, more hose, more clamps, another type gizmo and another couple of stupid questions. Well, I'm sure you are as tired of hearing about this as I am about telling you, so I will just say we went through this process four times and we are now proud owners of an Airstream with INDOOR PLUMBING. We will be undertaking the propane someday and I'm real sure you have some good chuckles ahead.
I will say, we were real proud that we fixed it ourself and rewarded ourselves yesterday. I will not elaborate, just let your minds wonder. Our next camping trip is a Vintage Rally of Airstream owners with old units. Ours is nearly 40 years old so we qualify. This should be fun, we will be able to go to different forums about topics we need MUCH information about. We just hope we don't really dumb down the whole crowd. I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about the next time we talk...So until then THIS is what he said, and see WHAT she said...if she ever says anything again...
