Airstream International 2009 Owner's Manual

INTRODUCTION

The Owners Manual for your new Airstream trailer is designed to respond to

the most frequent inquiries regarding the operation, function and care of the

many systems that make modern trailering a joy.

Airstream realizes our customers possess varying degrees of expertise in the

area of repairing and maintaining the appliances in their trailer. For this reason,

the service and trouble-shooting information found in this manual is directed

toward those with average mechanical skills.

We also realize you may be more familiar in one area than you are in another.

Only you know your capabilities and limitations. We want you to use this

manual, and hope you will ﬁnd the information contained in it useful, however,

should you ever feel you may be “getting in over your head” please see your

dealer to have the repairs made.

A brief explanation of the operation of the appliances such as refrigerator,

furnace, water heater and others are explained in this manual. However, you

will also find the manufacturer’s information supplied in a packet included

with this manual more detailed.

All information, illustrations and speciﬁcations contained in this manual are based

on the latest product information available at the time of publication approval. If

and when new materials and production techniques are developed which can

2009 INTERNATIONALINTRODUCTION

improve the quality of its product, or material substitutions are necessary due

to availability, Airstream reserves the right to make such changes.

We have provided many important safety messages in this manual. Always

read and obey all safety messages.

Warning indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not

avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CaUTiOn indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not

avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

nOTiCE: used without the safety alert symbol indicates a situation that could

result in property damage if not avoided.

NOTE: Important information regarding the maintenance of your recreational

vehicle.

(Optional)

This denotes items that may be an option on all or particular models. Additionally, some optional items can only be included during the manufacturing phase and

cannot be added.

The inclusion of optional items does not imply or suggest the availability, application suitability, or inclusion for any speciﬁc unit.

Important Safety Precautions

You’ll ﬁnd many safety recommendations on this page and throughout this

manual. The recommendations on the next two pages are the ones we

consider to be the most important. They are covered in depth in later sections

of this manual.

Do Not Allow Passengers to Ride in the Trailer During Travel

The transport of people puts their lives at risk and may be illegal. The trailer

does not have seat belts, therefore, it is not designed to carry passengers.

Reducing Fishtailing or Sway (See page C-11)

Sway or ﬁshtailing is the sideways action of a trailer caused by external forces.

Excessive sway of your travel trailer can lead to the rollover of the trailer and

tow vehicle resulting in serious injury or death. Be sure to follow the instructions

in this manual.

INTRODUCTION

Mold (See page C-10)

There are mold and mold spores throughout the indoor and outdoor environment.

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor

environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

Towing and Weight Distribution (See section B, B-1-B-3)

Weight distribution is an important factor when loading your travel trailer. A

recreational vehicle with the cargo distributed properly will result in efﬁcient,

trouble-free towing. Be sure to follow the instructions in this manual.

Lug Nut Torquing (See page D-12)

Being sure wheel mounting nuts (lug nuts) on trailer wheels are tight and

properly torqued is an important responsibility that trailer owners and users

need to be familiar with and practice. Inadequate and/or inappropriate wheel

nut torque (tightness) is a major reason that lug nuts loosen in service. Loose

lug nuts can rapidly lead to a wheel separation with potentially serious safety

consequences. Be sure to follow the instructions in this manual.

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN OCCUR

On ﬁrst trip, tighten wheel nuts at start of ﬁrst trip and at 10, 25, and 50

miles. Thereafter check wheel nut torque: Before each trip, Following

winter storage, Following excessive braking, or whenever a wheel is

removed and replaced.

See torque pattern on page D-12 for tightening sequence and follow torque

speciﬁcations in the speciﬁcation chart in the speciﬁcation section of this

manual.

Appliances and Equipment (See section H, pages I-5)

The appliances (stove, refrigerator, outdoor grills, etc.) and equipment (hot water

heater, furnace generator, etc.) typically operate on propane gas. Propane gas

is ﬂammable and is contained under high pressure. Improper use may result

in a ﬁre and/or explosion. Be sure to follow all instructions and warnings in

this manual as well as the speciﬁc owners’ manuals of the appliances and

equipment.

Tire Safety (See page D-9)

Properly maintained tires improve the steering, stopping, traction, and load-

carrying capability of your vehicle. Underinﬂated tires and overloaded vehicles

are a major cause of tire failure. Be sure to read the Tire Safety Manual

Addendum included with your owner’s packet.

2009 INTERNATIONALINTRODUCTION

Chemical Sensitivity; Ventilation

Chemical Sensitivity

After you ﬁrst purchase your new recreational vehicle and sometimes after it

has been closed up for an extended period of time you may notice a strong

odor and chemical sensitivity. This is not a defect in your recreational vehicle.

Like your home, there are many different products used in the construction of

recreational vehicles such as carpet, linoleum, plywood, insulation, upholstery,

etc.

Formaldehyde is also the by-product of combustion and numerous household

products, such as some paints, coatings and cosmetics. However, recreational

vehicles are much smaller than your home and therefore the exchange of air

inside a recreational vehicle is signiﬁcantly less than a home. These products,

when new or when exposed to elevated temperatures and/or humidity, may

“off-gas” different chemicals, including formaldehyde. This off-gassing, in

combination with the minimal air exchange, may cause you to experience

irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat and sometimes headache, nausea, and a

variety of asthma-like symptoms. Elderly persons and young children, as well

as anyone with a history of asthma, allergies, or lung problems, may be more

susceptible to the effects of off-gassing.

Formaldehyde

Most of the attention regarding chemical off-gassing surrounds formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance and is an important chemical

used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous

household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain

other natural processes. Thus, it may be present inside the trailer with some

individuals being sensitive to it. Ventilation of the unit normally reduces the

exposure to a comfortable level.

Trace levels of formaldehyde are released from smoking, cooking, use of

soaps and detergents such as carpet shampoos, cosmetics, and many other

household products. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde while

others may not have any reaction to the same levels of formaldehyde. Amounts

released decrease over time.

Your Airstream trailer was manufactured using low formaldehyde emitting (LFE)

wood products, which is the typical usage in the recreation vehicle industry.

Formaldehyde has an important role in the adhesives used to bind wood

products used in recreation vehicles. The wood products in your trailer are

designed to emit formaldehyde at or lower than industry guidelines and should

not produce symptoms in most individuals.

INTRODUCTION

While LFE wood products typically do not emit formaldehyde at a level that

would cause symptoms in most individuals, it is possible, though not likely, for

that to occur when the trailer is not properly ventilated. Ventilation is an essential

requirement for trailer use, for many reasons. Any effects of formaldehyde

can be greatly reduced by actions such as opening windows, opening roof

vents, running the air conditioner, or some combination thereof. In addition,

the emission of formaldehyde by these products naturally decreases rapidly

over time.

Airstream strongly suggests that you take measures to properly ventilate your

trailer on a regular basis. If you have any questions with respect to proper

ventilation of your trailer, please do not hesitate to contact your dealer or

Airstream.

Ventilation

To reduce or lessen exposure to chemicals from off-gassing it is of utmost

importance that you ventilate your recreational vehicle. Ventilation should occur

frequently after purchase and at times when the temperatures and humidity are

elevated. Remember off-gassing is accelerated by heat and humidity. Open

windows, exhaust vents, and doors. Operate ceiling and/or other fans, roof air

conditioners, and furnaces and use a fan to force stale air out and bring fresh air

in. Decreasing the ﬂow of air by sealing the recreational vehicle increases the

formaldehyde level in the indoor air. Please also follow the recommendations

contained in Chapter 2 regarding tips to avoid condensation problems. Many

of the recommendations contained in Chapter 2 will assist in avoiding exposure

to chemicals that off-gas.

Do Not Smoke

Finally, we recommend that you do not smoke inside your recreational vehicle.

In addition to causing damage to your recreational vehicle, tobacco smoke

releases formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals.

Medical Advice

If you have any questions regarding the health effects of formaldehyde, please

consult your doctor or local health department.

Warranty Exclusion

Chemical gassing is not a “Defect” in your recreational vehicle and is not

covered by the Limited Warranty. Please follow the recommendations in this

manual to address this concern.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. WARRANTY AND SERVICE

Warranty

Warranty Explanation

Service

Reporting Safety Defects

Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance Parts & Supplies

B. TOWING

Tow Vehicles

Brakes

Weighing your Trailer

Hitching Up

Towing Tips

Pre-Travel Check List

C. CAMPING

Camping Safety

Overnight Stop

Extended Stay

Leveling & Stabilizing

Hook Ups

Winter Traveling

Prolonged Occupancy

Condensation

D. EXTERIOR

Cleaning

Chassis

Windows & Screens

Power Jack

Tires

Axle and Running Gear

Electric Brakes

E. INTERIOR FURNISHINGS

AND ACCESSORIES

Fabric Care

Flooring & Fixtures

Features & Switches

Storage Areas

Smoke Alarm

LP Gas Detector

Fire Extinguisher

F. PLUMBING

LP (Liquid Petroleum) Gas

Water

Water Pump

Drainage

Winterizing

Drain and Waste

Toilet

G. ELECTRICAL

12-volt Operation

Battery

Converter

TV Antenna

Satellite Antenna

Solar Panel

Bathroom Exhaust

Monitor Panel

110-Volt System & Components

H. APPLIANCES

Air Conditioner

Furnace

Range/Oven

Refrigerator

Water Heater

Roof Vent, High Volume

I. SPECIFICATIONS

WARRANTy AND SERvICE

WARRANTY COVERAGE

Airstream, Inc. (“Airstream”) warrants that it will repair or replace defects in

material or workmanship in any components of a new Airstream trailer pur-

chased from an authorized Airstream dealer in the United States or Canada for

a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date the trailer is ﬁrst delivered

to the original retail purchaser. In order to obtain coverage under this Limited

Warranty, you must notify an authorized Airstream dealership or Airstream of

the warrantable defect no later than ten (10) days following expiration of this

Limited Warranty. Airstream’s obligation to repair or replace defective materials

or workmanship is the sole obligation of Airstream under this Limited Warranty.

Airstream reserves the right to use new or remanufactured parts of similar qual-

ity to complete any warranty work.

LIMITATION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES

IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, IF ANY, INCLUDING

BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY

OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN

DURATION TO THE TERM OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. ALL OTHER

WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED BY

AIRSTREAM. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG

AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT

APPLY TO YOU.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY

This Limited Warranty does not provide coverage for any of the following:

(1) Tires and batteries;

(2) Any part or component of the trailer that was not manufactured or installed

by Airstream;

(3) Normal deterioration due to wear or exposure, including but not limited to

rust and cosmetic blemishes;

(4) Normal maintenance and service items, including but not limited to light

bulbs, fuses, lubricants, sealants and seals, slideout adjustments, door adjust-

ments, and awing tension;

(5) After-market equipment or accessories installed on the trailer after comple-

tion of manufacture by Airstream, or any defects or damage caused by such

items;

(6) Defects or damage caused by, in whole or in part, or in any way related to:

a. Accidents, misuse, or negligence.

b. Failure to comply with the instructions set forth in any owner’s

manual provided with the trailer.

c. Alteration or modiﬁcation of the trailer except such alterations or

modiﬁcations approved in writing by Airstream.

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

A - 3

d. Acts of God or other environmental conditions, such as lightning,

hail, salt, or other chemicals in the atmosphere.

e. Failure to properly maintain or service the trailer, including but not

limited to the maintenance of lubricants, sealants, and seals.

f. Condensation and the results of condensation including water

damage and the growth of mold or mildew. Mold and mildew are

natural growths given certain environmental conditions and are not

covered by the terms of this Limited Warranty.

g. Use of the trailer other than for temporary recreation purposes,

including but not limited to use of the trailer for residential, com

mercial, or rental purposes.

h. The addition of weight to the trailer that causes the trailer’s total

weight to exceed applicable trailer weight ratings, or addition of

weight causing improper distribution of the weight of the trailer.

i. Use of an improper or unauthorized trailer hitch.

j. Failure to seek repairs in a timely manner.

k. Failure to use reasonable efforts to mitigate damage caused by

defects.

DISCLAIMER OF INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

Airstream hereby disclaims any and all incidental and consequential damages

arising out of or relating to the vehicle, including expenses such as trans-

portation to and from vehicle dealerships and Airstream repair facilities, loss

of time, loss of pay, loss of use, inconvenience, commercial loss (including lost

proﬁts), towing charges, bus fares, vehicle rental, service call charges, gasoline

expenses, incidental charges such as telephone calls and facsimile transmis-

sions, and expenses for lodging.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or conse-

quential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE

In order to obtain warranty service under this Limited Warranty, the owner must

do all of the following:

1. Complete and return the Owner Registration Card within 10 days from de-

livery of the trailer;

2. Notify Airstream or one of its authorized, independent dealers, of any claimed

defect within the warranty period or 10 days thereafter;

3. Provide notiﬁcation of a defect within 10 days of discovery of that defect;

and

4. Promptly return the trailer to an authorized Airstream dealer or Airstream for

repairs.

If you believe a defect covered by this Limited Warranty still exists after an at-

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

tempted repair by an authorized Airstream dealer, you must contact Airstream

at the following address, specifying: (1) the complete serial number of the

trailer; (2) the date of original purchase and the date of original delivery; (3) the

name of the selling dealer; and (4) the nature of the problem and the steps or

service which have been performed.

AIRSTREAM, INC.

419 West Pike Street

P.O. Box 629

Jackson Center, Ohio 45334-0629

Attention: Owner Relations Department

Airstream may direct you to an authorized Airstream dealer, or may request

that you bring your trailer to the Airstream factory in Jackson Center, Ohio for

repairs.

Airstream does not control the scheduling of repairs at its authorized Airstream

dealers, and repairs at the Airstream factory may not be immediately available.

Therefore, you may encounter delays in scheduling repairs and/or completion

of repairs. All costs associated with transporting the trailer for any warranty

service shall be the sole responsibility of the owner.

DEALER REPRESENTATIONS EXCLUDED

The entire Limited Warranty provided by Airstream is set forth herein. Airstream

will not be responsible for any additional representations or warranties made by

any person or entity other than Airstream, and Airstream’s obligations are solely

as set forth in the terms and conditions of this Limited Warranty.

WARRANTY TRANSFER

This Limited Warranty is transferable to subsequent owners for the remaining

duration of the warranty period. Transfer of this Limited Warranty is only ef-

fective upon completion and return to Airstream of a transfer application form.

Transfer application forms are available from your dealer or Airstream’s Service

Administration Department.

CHANGES IN DESIGN

Airstream reserves the right to make changes in design and improvements

upon its products from time-to-time, without imposing upon itself any obliga-

tion to install additional features in your trailer.

THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY

ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

AIRSTREAM, INC.

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

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419 West Pike Street

P.O. Box 629

Jackson Center, OH 45334-0629

Tele: 937-596-6111

Fax: 937-596-6539

E-mail: www.airstream.com

EXPLANATION OF AIRSTREAM LIMITED WARRANTY

The Airstream Limited Warranty is detailed on a Warranty Card. It is ﬁlled out

by the dealer and presented to the owner during delivery of a new unit. The

Limited Warranty must be presented to a dealer to obtain warranty service. It

should be kept in the trailer during the warranty period.

EXCLUSIONS:

Normal Wear

Items such as tires, curtains, upholstery, ﬂoor coverings, window, door and vent

seals will show wear or may even wear out within the one year warranty period

depending upon the amount of usage, weather, and atmospheric conditions.

Accident

We strongly urge our dealers and customers to inspect the trailer upon re-

ceipt of delivery for any damage caused by accident while being delivered to

the dealer, or while it is on the dealer’s lot. Damage of this nature becomes

the dealer or customer’s responsibility upon acceptance of delivery, unless

Airstream is notiﬁed and the person making the delivery veriﬁes the damage.

Glass breakage, whether obviously struck or mysterious, is always accidental

and covered by most insurance policies.

Abuse

Lack of customer care and/or improper maintenance will result in early failure

for which Airstream cannot be held responsible.

Exposure

Not unlike a car, the steel parts of a trailer can and will rust if subjected to pro-

longed exposure to moisture, salt air, or corrosive air-borne pollutants without

repainting. Aluminum oxidizes when unprotected under similar conditions, and

reﬁnery chemicals of a sulfurous nature are harmful to ﬁnishes if not washed

off periodically. Extremely hot or direct sunlight will deteriorate rubber and fade

curtains and upholstery. Conditions of this nature, although they may be normal

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

for the area, are beyond Airstream’s control and become the responsibility of

the owner.

It is the responsibility of the owner to take such preventative measures as are

necessary to maintain the exterior caulking and sealer of your unit. It is the

responsibility of the owner to use reasonable, prudent care to prevent foresee-

able secondary damage from rain, plumbing leaks, and the natural accumula-

tion of moisture in your unit, such as a delaminated ﬂoor; stained upholstery,

carpeting, or drapes; mold formation and growth; furniture damage, etc. Mold

is a natural growth given certain environmental conditions and is not covered

by the terms of the Limited Warranty.

Overload

Damage due to loading, either beyond capacity or to cause improper

towing because of improper balance, is beyond Airstream’s responsibility.

The Airstream trailer is engineered to properly handle the gross vehicle load

rating on the certiﬁcation label. Load distribution has a deﬁnite effect upon

the towing characteristics and attitudes of the trailer. Level hitch installations

are a necessity, and very important on a tandem axle trailer. There are limits

to the amount of load that can be safely transported depending upon speed

and road conditions, and reasonable cause to believe these factors have

been exceeded could void the Airstream warranty. For additional information

on the loading of your trailer, consult your Owner’s Manual or gross vehicle

weight rating plate.

The Airstream axle is manufactured to a tolerance of 1-degree camber and 1/8”

toe-in. These tolerances will only change if the trailer is subjected to abuse,

such as dropping off a sharp berm, striking a curb, or hitting a deep hole in the

road. Such damage could be considered as resulting from an accident which

risks are not covered under the warranty. Abnormal tire wear and/or wheel

alignment resulting from such damage is not covered under the terms of the

warranty.

Chemical Gassing

Chemical gassing is not a “Defect” in your recreational vehicle and is not

covered by the Limited Warranty. Please follow the recommendations in this

manual to address this concern.

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

A - 7

SERVICE:

Before leaving the factory, each and every vital part of the trailer is tested

for performance. Each test is signed and certiﬁed by an inspector. After the

trailer arrives on your dealer’s lot all of these vital parts and systems are again

tested. When you take delivery of your new trailer you will receive a complete

check out. At that time a speciﬁed list of performance checks on your trailer

equipment will be conducted and any deﬁciencies you have experienced since

taking delivery will be corrected.

Please contact your dealer if you need service. Major service under your

Airstream Limited Warranty is available through our nationwide network of

Airstream Dealer Service Centers. An up-to-date list of Dealer Service Centers

has been provided with your new trailer. This list is current as of the date of this

publication.

Occasionally dealerships change, or new dealers are added who may not

appear on this list. For this reason, it is suggested that you contact your local

dealer from time to time and bring your list up to date. He can also provide

you with additional copies if you need them. ALL CENTERS OPERATE ON AN

APPOINTMENT BASIS FOR THE UTMOST EFFICIENCY.

When you require service from the Airstream Factory Service Center, or a

Certiﬁed Dealer Service Center, please contact the service manager for an

appointment, and kindly inform him if you are unable to keep the appointment

date or wish to change it. Service may be arranged at the Factory Service

Center by contacting the Service Coordinator at: Airstream Factory Service

Center, P.O. Box 629, 419 W. Pike Street, Jackson Center, Ohio 45334-0629

Phone: 937-596-6111

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could

cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway

Trafﬁc Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Airstream Inc..

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it

ﬁnds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and

remedy campaign. However, NTHSA cannot become involved in individual

problems between you, your dealer, or Airstream Inc.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at

1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or

write to: Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington,

DC 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety

from http://www.safercar.gov.

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

EVERY 1,000 MILES OR 60 DAYS

Escape Window Check operation of latches and upper

hinge.

*Battery Check water level

Smoke Alarm Test and replace battery as required.

Tires Check tire pressure (See Speciﬁcations).

Hitch Check for loose bolts or unusual wear.

GFI Circuit Breaker Test and record.

* As a battery ages and becomes less efﬁcient, the water level should be

checked at more frequent levels. Checking water level does not apply to Glass

Mat Batteries.

Note: See appliance manufacturer’s literature for further information

Warning: FAILURE TO MAINTAIN YOUR COACH CAN CAUSE

PREMATURE AND UNEXPECTED PARTS BREAKAGE AND/OR ERRATIC

OPERATION THAT MAY BE HAZARDOUS.

EVERY 5,000 MILES OR 90 DAYS

Exterior Door locks Lubricate with dry graphite

Exterior Hinges Lubricate with light household oil

LPG Hold Down Lubricate with light household oil

LPG Regulator Check bottom vent for obstructions

Main Door Striker Pocket Coat with parafﬁn

Wheel Lug Nuts See wheel torque instructions, Section D.

Break Away Switch Pull pin and lubricate with household oil

7-Way Plug Spray with contact cleaner

Hitch Ball Latch Lubricate with non-detergent motor oil

Hitch Ball Lubricate with hitch ball lube or wheel

bearing grease

Range Exhaust Hood Clean fan blades and wash ﬁlter

Roof Vent Elevator Screws Lubricate with light household oil

Main Door Step Lubricate moving parts and check

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

A - 9

EVERY 10,000 MILES OR 6 MONTHS

Brakes Inspect, adjust or replace as

necessary

Wheel Bearings Clean and repack

Tires Inspect and rotate

Spare Tire Carrier Lubricate moving parts.

Seals, Windows & Door Clean with mild detergent and coat

with “Slipicone”.

TV Antenna Lubricate all moving parts with

silicone lubricant.

Exterior Wax (Do not use an abrasive

cleaner or wax).

Escape Window Lubricate latches with WD-40.

ANNUALLY

Battery Clean, neutralize and coat termi-

nals with petroleum jelly.

A-Frame, Step Wire brush and paint frame at front

and rear.

LP Bottles Have purged by LP supplier.

Seams: Check and reseal exterior seams, windows, lights and vents as needed.

Use Acryl-R seam sealer or equivalent.

Hitch Coupler and Ball: Check for wear or damage. Assure all parts operate

freely. Replace any component if worn or damaged.

A - 8

SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE PARTS AND LUBRICANTS

BULBS, EXTERIOR

Convenience Light (Dump Valve) # 53, wedge base

License Plate, Clearance Lights # 67

Door Light # 1141

Tail light LED

BULBS, INTERIOR

Shower, Exterior Compartment # 1141

Round Ceiling Light 12V-10W

WARRANTy AND SERvICE

Warning: Always replace the light bulb on an interior or exterior

light ﬁxture with the correct bulb for that light. Failure to heed this warning

could cause ﬁre, property damage, personal injury, or death.

FUSES

Radio ATC 15 Amp

Battery Cable Fuses SLC 50 Amp

(Canadian approved trailers only)

Power Center 20 & 30 amp

Automotive fuses

Battery Disconnect Relay ATC 5 amp

To change the bulb in the round ceiling light, ﬁrst remove the lens assembly.

The lens assembly is spring loaded and pops out of the ﬁxture at its chrome

ring. A small screwdriver may be used, be careful not to scratch the chrome and

be sure the bulb is cool before attempting replacement. The bulb inserts into

the ballast by two wire prongs. Grasp the bulb with a piece of cloth and pull it

gently straight out from its ballast. Insert the new bulb, and replace the lens. The

lens assembly has two grooves that must be aligned to the light ﬁxture before

snapping the lens back into place.

12-VOLT BREAKERS

50 Amp Type 2

Location: just above the ﬂoor on 30 Amp Type 2

roadside interior front end. 20 Amp Type 2

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

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MISCELLANEOUS

Water Hose Gaskets Wheel Bearing Grease

Extra Hair Pin Clips for Hitch Grease Seals

Dry Graphite Silicone Lubricant

Light Household Type Oil Spray Contact Cleaner

Exterior Seam Sealer

Hitch Ball Lube (May use wheel bearing grease.)

Oil Can with 30 Weight Non-Detergent Oil

WD-40 or Equivalent Aerosol Lubricant

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MAINTENANCE RECORD

WARRANTy AND SERvICE

DAT E DEALER SERvICE PERFORMED

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WARRANTy AND SERvICE

NOTES

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TOWINg

TOW VEHICLE EQUIPMENT

If you plan to buy a new vehicle to tow your trailer, we suggest that you include

in your purchase the towing options offered by most tow vehicle manufacturers.

These include such things as a heavy-duty alternator and radiator, heavy-duty

springs (See Note), shock absorbers, transmission cooler, heavy-duty fan and

ﬂasher unit and others, depending upon the make of the vehicle.

Transmissions may be manual or automatic, but an automatic transmission

may prolong your tow vehicle’s life and generally does a better job of control-

ling engine loads than the average driver using a manual shift.

Having adequate power is very important when considering the purchase of

a new vehicle or the trailer towing capability of your present one. American

manufacturers realize more than 30% of the vehicles they sell will be used for

towing some type of trailer. The dealers are provided with guidelines to use

when helping a customer decide on a tow vehicle. The guidelines are not just

determined by the power output of the engine. The gear ratio of the differential

is also a very important part of the guideline.

New trailerists often carry more food and other supplies than really needed.

Remember that every item you take along is one more thing to stow and adds

weight to the total load you must pull. Consolidate items in shelves, lockers,

and in the refrigerator. It is better to have one full and one empty locker, than

two half empty ones. Special care must be taken not to overload the front and

rear ends of the trailer.

NOTE: Be realistic when ordering heavy duty springs. Only springs heavy enough to support your loaded vehicle (not including trailer) are necessary. Too harsh of spring rate will only shorten the life of the tow vehicle and trailer, and

will make your journeys less enjoyable.

Inspect the vehicle’s hitch regularly for loose bolts or nuts, cracked welds,

loose ball mounts, and worn parts.

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TOWINg

ELECTRIC BRAKES

The brakes are operated by 12 volt current from your tow vehicle and MUST BE

HOOKED UP SO THAT YOU HAVE AN INTEGRAL SYSTEM WITH YOUR TOW

VEHICLE BRAKES. To prevent problems and insure satisfactory braking action,

install an electronic controller in line with the brakes in your tow vehicle.

An electronic controller installed in your tow vehicle will synchronize the trailer

brakes with your tow vehicle brakes. It is designed to apply the trailer brakes

with your tow vehicle brakes.

Your brake controller should be adjusted to provide for a slight lead of the trailer

brakes over the tow vehicle brakes. Follow the directions provided with your

controller and keep the information for future reference. Don’t be afraid to ask

questions! If you don’t understand the directions, have the installer explain the

procedures.

Due to normal brake lining wear, the brakes and the controller setting should

be checked and readjusted every six months or 10,000 miles whichever comes

ﬁrst.

Properly set adjustments will provide for safe comfortable stops. They will

also help assure optimum brake and tire life for both the tow vehicle and

the trailer.

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENTAL SEPARATION of the tow vehicle and

the trailer, the BREAK-AWAY SWITCH will set and lock the trailer brakes for

a sufﬁcient length of time to stop the trailer. The switch is activated when the

wire attached to it and to the tow vehicle pulls out the small pin in the front

of the unit. THIS PIN SHOULD BE PULLED OUT, LUBRICATED WITH LIGHT

HOUSEHOLD OIL, AND REPLACED EVERY 90 DAYS.

To prevent corrosion within the breakaway switch, pull the switch’s pin straight

forward and spray the inside of the switch through the hole with an electric con-

tact cleaner (such as Spra-Kleen) and re-insert pin. A drop of light household oil

on the groove near the base of the pin will allow the pin to operate freely. WHEN

THE TRAILER IS CONNECTED TO THE TOW VEHICLE, THE BREAKAWAY

SWITCH LOOP SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FRAME OF

YOUR HITCH. When disconnecting the trailer from the tow vehicle remove wire

loop from the frame. DO NOT REMOVE PIN FROM SWITCH BECAUSE THIS

WILL APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES.

Note: Brake lining adjustment should be periodically checked (fully) to be sure

trailer brakes are in the same adjustment as the tow vehicles.

Warning: Do not use breakaway switch for parking brake.

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7-way Plug Diagram

Black, 12V

Clearance Lights, Green

Blank

Brown, Right

Left Turn, Red

Turn

Blue, Brake

When you tow a trailer, you are subject to new and different challenges on

the highway than you may have previously encountered. Towing a trailer is

no small responsibility and should be undertaken with great care and an eye

toward safety ﬁrst. An accident with a tow vehicle and trailer can have much

greater consequences than carelessness with a small car. Like an airline pilot

who is responsible for expensive equipment and many lives, you should take

your responsibilities as a tow vehicle driver very seriously and learn all you can

about doing the job safely and well. Balancing the load and preparing the trailer

and tow vehicle are critical to safe handling.

One of the most critical aspects of safely operating a trailer is knowing the

weights involved and where they are placed. The ﬁrst thing to determine is

how much is being towed and conﬁrming that it is within the capacities of the

equipment being used. Determining WHERE that load is placed is critical to the

12V, White

way your rig will handle on the road.

Do not try to guess what your recreational vehicle weighs loaded. Load your RV

including water, propane, etc and take it to a public scales. Weigh each axle of

your vehicle. Refer to your axle weight and tire limits to see if your within a safe

range. Total all axle weights and make sure you are below the GVWR. If you are

not overloaded make sure your load is balanced. Do not load too much on one

side. A balanced load is much easier to tow or drive. Also, front to back balance

is also important. Step back and look at your recreational vehicle. Make sure

that there is not too much weight on the hitch or on the rear of the RV. Be sure

to secure all items. Loose items can cause damage and be a safety issue if not

properly secured.

Below is a sample of the Cargo Carrying Capacity tag provided on all Airstream

vehicles. This tag can be found on the inside of the main door screen door.

RECREAT IONAL VEHICLE TRAILER CARGO CARRYING CAPA CITY

VIN #################

THE WEIGHT OF CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED

XXX kg or XXX lbs

CAUTION

A full load of water equals XXX kg or XXX lbs of cargo @ 1 kg/L (8.3 lb/gal)

Airstream weighs the vehicle as ﬁnished to arrive at the Vehicle Weight.

That number is subtracted from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

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of the trailer and listed under THE WEIGHT OF CARGO SHOULD NEVER

EXCEED on the tag. The total weight of any and all cargo, including dealer

modiﬁcations or additions, water, and propane should never exceed the

number listed.

When loading the vehicle it is important to keep the Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating, Gross Axle Weight Ratings, Tire Weight Ratings (listed on the vehicle

Tire Information Placard), and Cargo in mind. These ratings should never be

exceeded. Your safety depends on not overloading the trailer, trailer axles,

and tires. See the speciﬁcation section for rating list.

Warning: Never add items such as generators, heavy tool-

boxes or motorcycle racks to the back of the trailer. Weight behind the

axle will tend to magnify any sway that may occur when passing trucks or

in gusty wind. If a heavy generator is mounted on the rear bumper what

may have been an almost unnoticeable sway turns into a severe sway you

may not he able to control.

nOTiCE: Damage to your trailer caused by mounting heavy objects on

the rear is considered abuse, and is not covered by warranty.

WEIGHING YOUR TRAILER

The diagram below shows how to weigh the trailer on scales.

When loading heavy objects such as tools, skillets, irons, and boxes of canned

goods, etc. keep them as low as possible - preferably on the ﬂoor. Try to hold

additional weight behind the axle to a minimum.

Warning: The allowable personal cargo must be distributed

in your trailer in such a manner that the Gross Axle Weight Rating is not

exceeded.

To determine this, it is necessary to load all of your allowable personal cargo

and variable weights. Then hitch the trailer to the tow vehicle with load equal-

izing hitch properly adjusted as shown on the following pages.

Place the trailer on a scale with both axles only on the scale (see 2). If the

weight on the axles exceeds the axle system GAWR, then some of the personal

cargo must be redistributed forward in order to place some of this weight on

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the tongue.

The tongue weight should be in between 10% - 15% of the trailer’s total

weight, but must not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum recommended

hitch weight of the tow vehicle or hitch. To determine tongue load, unhitch

tow vehicle and place the tongue hitch post on a scale. The trailer must be

properly loaded as determined above, with your allowable personal cargo

and variable weights.

Use a scale, such as a bathroom scale, that has a lower weight limit

than your tongue load to check the tongue weight by using the following

method (see illustration).

Place a piece of wood of approximately the same thickness as the bath-

room scales on the ground in line with the trailer hitch jack as shown. It

should be so spaced that a short piece of pipe or other round piece will lay

exactly one foot from the centerline of the jack extension. Place the scales

so that another round piece can be exactly two feet from the centerline of

the jack extension in the other direction. Place a 4 x 4 on the two round

pieces and screw the jack extension down on the top of the 4 x 4 until the

tongue of the trailer is supported by it. Multiply the scale reading by three.

This will be the tongue weight of your trailer. If you exceed the capacity of

the bathroom scales, increase the two-foot dimension to three or four more

feet, but always multiply the scale reading by the total number of feet between

the wood and scales.

Note: Be sure trailer is level when you read scales.

2 FT.

Pipe

Bathroom Scale

1 Ft.

Pipe

Wood Support

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HITCHING UP

Hitching up your trailer is something that will become almost second nature

with practice. The following section includes proper hitch load distribution and

a procedure for hitching up.

Equalizing Hitch Load Distribution

When a trailer is hitched up properly to a tow vehicle with a load equalizing

hitch, approximately 1/3 of the trailer’s tongue weight will be on the trailer’s

axles and 2/3 will be transferred to the tow vehicle, 1/3 of this weight transfer

will be carried by the front wheels and 1/3 by the rear wheels of the tow vehicle

(See diagram), Thus, the tire load of each wheel on the tow vehicle will be

increased by 1/6 of the trailer’s tongue weight. The tire air pressure of the tow

vehicle should be increased to compensate for this additional weight. Refer to

the vehicle’s owner’s manual for this information.

Warning: The tongue weight should he approximately 10% to

14% of the trailer’s total weight. Under no condition should it exceed the

hitch rating. Your hitch installer should provide your hitch rating informa-

tion to you.

Sway Control Device

Although Airstream has not intruded into the hitch manufacturers ﬁeld of exper-

tise and preformed formal testing, we ﬁnd the vast majority of Airstream owners

purchases sway-control devices.

When passed by large trucks or when exposed to sudden crosswinds the

trailer will be “pushed” and this action will be felt in the tow vehicle. It’s our

understanding the sway control devices will reduce the amount of movement

and make towing more comfortable and add some safety.

Follow the directions of the sway control manufacturer when having it installed

and using it.

Steps for Hitching Up

The following steps are for a typical hitch system and are not meant to

supersede instructions and training provided for the hitch installed on

your tow vehicle. Please follow instructions and training provided with

your hitch and its installer.

1. Jack up the trailer hitch until there is clearance for the HITCH BALL to slide

under. Remove the safety pin, slide the locking lever forward and raise. Back

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the tow vehicle straight back to the hitch. This can best be accomplished

through the use of prearranged hand signals with the help of another person;

but if you are hitching up by yourself we recommend the use of a HOOK-UP

VIEW MIRROR.

2. Lower the trailer hitch onto the hitch ball. Then close the locking lever and

insert safety pin.

3. Now raise the trailer and tow vehicle to the full height of the hitch jack and

then attach the LEVELING BARS. Lever the tension on the bars. Lower the tow

vehicle and trailer.

The hitch ball should be level to slightly higher. Readjust leveling bars until this

condition is correct by increasing or decreasing the length the chain engaged in

“A” frame saddle bracket. Short chain raises hitch ball, longer chain lowers it.

A level condition will result in the best balance for towing and steering control

as the weight-equalizing hitch distributes the hitch load.

A low hitch ball increases tail wagging tendencies by lowering the nose of

the trailer, thus changing the center of support for the trailer and reducing the

weight on the four wheels of the tow vehicle. With proper hitch installation

and hitching up, the bar should have a noticeable amount of the deﬂection or

bending. A little practice with your rig will teach you how far to pull the bar; you

Percentage of Tongue Load

distributed to car and or trailer wheels

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may wish to mark the chain links that match your rig.

Always choose level ground for checking correct hookup.

Note: If you’re tow vehicle is equipped with adjustable load leveling air shocks,

you must load the tow vehicle ﬁrst with typical luggage and passengers and

bring it back to level. Then attach the trailer and adjust the load leveling bars.

Otherwise the air shocks on the tow vehicle will overload the rear wheels. Do

not use air shocks to level tow vehicle and trailer after hitching up.

Note: Leveling the trailer end to end, then measuring from the ground to the

inside top of the ball socket determines hitch ball height for the tow vehicle

4. Attach the safety chains to the welded portion of the hitch or tow vehicle’s

frame, but never to the removable ball mount. Cross the safety chains under

the hitch.

5. Remove the jack pad and stow in the tow vehicle’s trunk along with the

leveling jack and other gear used when stopped.

may cause them to open with possible damage.

nOTiCE; Retract the hitch jack completely for maximum ground clear-

ance. NEVER TOW YOUR TRAILER WITH THE JACK DOWN.

6. Move the rig ahead about 50 feet and test the trailer brakes, then check the

ground for forgotten objects. Regularly check the condition of your tires, air

pressure, and the tightness of your lug nuts.

NOTICE! CHECK WHEEL NUTS

On ﬁrst trip, tighten wheel nuts at start and at 10, 25, and 100 miles. See Chart

in Speciﬁcation Section in this manual for wheel torque ratings. There

after, check wheel nuts before each trip, after excessive braking, and following

winter storage.

nOTiCE; Check that the foldaway step is up and LOCKED in its store

position and that the main door is completely closed and the dead bolt

LOCKED for towing. If they are not locked the constant vibration of travel

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TOWING TIPS

A few hours of towing practice in a large empty supermarket lot will make pull-

ing your trailer over the road much easier. Line out two corners for left and right

turns. You may also use these corners to practice backing and parking.

After thoroughly inspecting your hitch, brakes, and tires you should be ready to

tow. Check trafﬁc, signal that you are about to pull away, and start slowly. Look

often in your mirrors, and observe the action of the trailer, then carefully move

into the proper lane of trafﬁc. Remember that the trailer wheels will not follow

the path of the tow vehicle wheels; therefore, WIDER TURNS ARE NECESSARY

WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT.

We want every owner to be a safe and courteous driver. On a two-lane road

cars may be lining up behind you because you travel at a lower speed. It is both

courteous and sensible to signal, pull onto the shoulder, and let them pass.

Your trailer is designed to be towed easily at any legal speed, so if you are not

careful you may be inclined to forget it is there.

The BRAKE CONTROLLER is activated when you apply the brakes of the tow

vehicle. Your tow vehicle brakes will automatically apply the trailer brakes ﬁrst

when properly adjusted. This will help keep your tow vehicle and trailer in a

straight line and make you stop as if you were driving the tow vehicle alone.

If swaying or swerving should occur, brieﬂy operating the controller separate

from the vehicle brakes may help correct the situation. Practice this maneuver

on a clear highway. Don’t wait for an emergency then grope for the controller.

Please read the Controlling Sway and Fishtailing text in the Camping section

of this manual.

When trailering you might encounter a temporary cooling system overload

during severe conditions such as hot days when pulling on a long grade, when

slowing down after higher speed driving, or driving long idle periods in trafﬁc

jams. If the hot indicator light comes on, or the temperature gauge indicates

overheating and you have your air conditioner turned on, turn it off. Pull over

in a safe place and put on your emergency brake. Don’t turn off the engine.

Increase the engine idle speed. Lift the engine hood and check for ﬂuid leaks

at the radiator overﬂow outlet. Check to see that all drive belts are intact and

the fan is turning. If you have a problem have it ﬁxed at the next opportunity. If

there is no problem, the light should go off or temperature should come down

within one minute. Proceed on the highway a little slower. Ten minutes later

resume normal driving.

DangEr: Never open a radiator cap when the tow vehicle is hot.

Check the coolant level when the vehicle is cool. Read your tow vehicles

owner’s manual and follow all instructions on the cooling system.

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Tracking

OBSERVE THAT THE TRACKS MADE BY THE TRAILER WHEELS ARE

DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE MADE BY THE TOW VEHICLE.

Studying this will make it easier for you to correct mistakes. Truck or trailer type

fender or door grip rear view mirrors are a must for maximum visibility and in

most states the law requires them.

Passing

ON FREEWAYS OR EXPRESSWAYS try to pick the lane you want and stay in

it. Always maintain plenty of space between you and the car ahead, at least the

length of the tow vehicle plus trailer for every ten miles per hour. Remember

that in order to pass another vehicle you will need longer to accelerate. You

must also allow for the length of the trailer when returning to the right hand

lane.

When going downhill in dry weather, down shift so that engine compression

will slow the whole rig down. Take dips and depressions in the road slowly and

do not resume normal driving speeds until you are sure that the trailer wheels

are clear of the dip.

Warning: On slippery pavement do not use engine drag to

help slow down as this may cause the rear wheels of the tow vehicle to

skid. On icy pavement drive slowly and if you feel the tow vehicle skidding

gently apply the trailer brakes only. This will bring the tow vehicle and

trailer back into a single line. Chains do not help trailer wheels.

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When driving in mud and sand let the momentum carry the rig through. Apply

power gently and use as little as possible. Stay in the tracks of the vehicle

ahead and keep the tow vehicle in the highest possible gear. If you get stuck it

is best to tow out the entire rig together without unhitching.

Despite the best hitch you will notice that whenever a large bus or truck

overtakes your rig the displaced air ﬁrst pushes the trailer rear slightly to the

right and then affects the front. It may be necessary to steer very slightly, mo-

mentarily, toward the bus or truck to help compensate for the sway induced

by the passing-vehicle. Do not apply the vehicle brakes, as this can tend to

exaggerate the situation. You may ﬁnd, however, that brieﬂy applying the trailer

brakes with your manual control will help eliminate sway.

Warning: When stopping on a hill or slope, leaving your tow

vehicle in gear is not enough for standstill safety. CHOCK THE TRAILER

WHEELS. Do not use trailer brakes as parking brakes.

Backing Up

In BACKING UP the important thing to remember is to DO EVERYTHING

SLOWLY and to correct immediately if you see the trailer turning the wrong

way. Concentrate on the rear of the trailer. With your tow vehicle and trailer in

a straight line back up slowly and turn the bottom of the steering wheel in the

direction you want the trailer to go. Watch out the window or in the mirror until

the rear of the trailer is pointing in the desired direction. Your vehicle will be

following the trailer in an arc. Straighten the tow vehicle and trailer by turning

the steering wheel more sharply, and then when they are in line, straighten the

steering wheel.

ALWAYS TRY TO BACK TO YOUR LEFT BECAUSE THE VISIBILITY IS MUCH

BETTER. (See Illustration) When you don’t make it on the ﬁrst try it is usually

much easier to pull forward to your original position and start over.

If your spouse or traveling companion normally directs you when backing they

should position themselves forward of the tow vehicle so the driver can easily

see them. Their directions should always indicate to the driver the direction

the rear of the trailer should go. A little practice in a parking lot with the person

giving directions can save a lot of frustration when backing into a campsite.

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