Airstream EXCELLA 1985 User manual

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*1000 NILE CHECK OR 60 DAY CHECK-OUT
AUTHORIZATION CARD
This card entitles you, under the exclusive Airstreain
Certified Performance Check-Out Program, to a 1000 mile
(or 60 day.whichever comes first) Performance Check
of your Airstream trailer.
* After delivery of your trailer

INTROTILICTION
CONTENTS
The Owner's Manual for your
new Airstream Product is
designed to explain the oper¬
ation, function and care of
the many systems that make
modern trailering a joy. The
operation of appliances such
as refrigerator, furnace,
water heater and others are
explained by the manufacturer
in the packet included with
this manual. All information,
illustrations and specifi¬
cations contained in this
literature is based on the
latest product information
available at time of pub1i-
cation approval.
Throughout this manual CAUTION
and WARNING notations are used.
Failure to observe "Caution"
can damage equipment. "Warning"
notes the possibility o f
personal injury if not observed.
NOTE: If and when new
materials and production
techniques are developed
which can improve the
quality of its product or
material substitutions are
necessary due to availability,
Airs tream reserves the right
to make such changes,
Warranty.
Service.
Explanation of Warranty.
Wally Byam Stores.
Tow Car Equipment .
Electric Brakes.
Tires.
Hitching Up.
Towing Tips.
Overnight Stop.
Extended Stay.
Winter Trailering.
Storage and Winterizing.
Exterior.
In te rior.
L.P.G. System.
Water System.
Drain and Waste System.
Battery.
Electrical System.
Electrical Trouble Shooting...
Specifications.
Lubrication & Maintenance.
Pre-Travel Check List.X
For more detailed information
ask your dealer about the
availability of a Service Manual
that will cover this product.
C ) Airstream, Inc, 1985
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LIMITED WARRANTY 1985 AIRSTREAM TRAVEL TRAILERS
WARRANTY COVERAGE
Whe n you buy a new Airstream
Travel Trailer fron an auth-
orized dealer, Airs tre am
warrants the trailer to you as
foilows:
WARRANTY PERIOD
This warranty extends for a
period of one year from the
date of original purchase,
ITEMS COVERED
Any part of the trailer or any
component equipment installed
by the factory is covered by
the warranty ,
ITEMS NOT COVERED
* Tires
* Battery
* Fuses
* Interior and Exterior Light
Bulbs
The tire and battery warranties
will be handled by their
respective service points and
according to their written
policy. This limited warranty
does not include failure
caused by accident, abuse,
normal wear, overload, or any
cause not attributable to a
defect in original material or
workmanship of the trailer or
c ompone nt equipment as installed
by the factory,
LIMITATION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES
All warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular
purposef whether written or
oralf express or implied^
shall extend only for a period
of one year from the date of
original purchase. There are
no other warranties , which
extend beyond those described
on the face hereof and expressly
excludes conditions resulting
from normal wear, accident^
abuse, exposure or overload.
Some states do not allow
limitation on how long an
implied warranty lasts , so the
above limitation may not apply
to you ,
AIRSTREAM'S RESPONSIBILITY
The Airstream Limited Warranty
applies for a period of one
year from the date of original
purchase, and the applicable
date of all warranties is that
indicated on the owner's ID
card, (Owner's Identification),
Warranty defects (except tires
and battery) will be corrected
without cost upon the return
at the owner's expense of the
trailer or defective part to
an Authorized Airstream Dealer
Service Center,
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Inasmuch as this warranty
covers defective material
and/or workmanship , ad j us tment s
and checking are excluded.
All adjustments are made at
the factory prior to shipment,
and rechecked by the dealer
prior to delivery to the
cus tome r. An additional check
up, including adjus tme nts , is
given at the 1,000 mile or 60
day inspection* Adjustments
the r eafter become a customer
responsibility «
Each Airstream exterior (not
including the underside) is
sprayed with enamel or plasti ™
coating material to prevent
oxidation * This application
is covered by the one year
warranty against peeling.
A“1

Prolonged exposure to salt air
or industrial fall-out will
permit penetration through the
coating material, causing
damage to the exterior metal»
Since Airstream has no control
over these conditions, it is
necessary for the owner to
wash and maintain his trailer
as instructed in the Owner* s
Manual ,
INSTALLATIONS NOT COVERED
Airstream cannot, however, and
does not accept any responsibility
in connection with any of its
travel trailers for additional
equipment or accessories
installed at any dealership or
other place of business, or by
any other party other than
Airstream. Such installation
of equipment or accessories by
any other party will not be
covered by the terms of this
warranty ^
IF REPAIRS ARE NEEDED
If your trailer needs repairs
under the terms of the Airstream
Limited Warranty, you should:
1. Take your trailer to your
selling dealer or othe r
Authorized Airstream
Dealer Certified Service
Center for repair,
2- If the dealer is incapable
of making the repair,
request that he contact
the Service Adminis t ration
Department at Airstream
for technical assistance.
3, If repairs are still not
made, the customer should
contact Airstream, 419 W.
Pike Street, Jackson
Center, Ohio 45334,
attention -- Owner Relations
Department and furnish
the following information:
^ The c omple te serial
numbe r of the trailer.
* Date of original
purchase .
* Selling Dealer.
* Nature of service
problem and steps or
service which have
been per formed. The
customer may be
directed to another
dealer because
Airs tre am feels they
are better equipped
to make the repairs.
4. If, after taking the
above steps, repairs are
still not complete, the
Airstream owner may
request the trailer be
allowed to be brought to
the Factory Service
Center at the owner's
expense .
DEALER REPRESENTATION EXCLUDED
The full extent of Airstream's
warranty is set forth in the
"Airstream Limited Warranty",
detailed in this folder, and
in the Explanation of Airstream
Limited VJarranty covered in
the Airstream Trailer Owner * s
Manual. Airstream will not be
responsible for additional
re p re s e ntations or imp lied
warranties made by any of its
dealers to the extent those
representations are not a part
of, or are contrary to, the
terms and conditions of the
Airstream Limited Warranty.
CONSEQUENTIAL AND INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES
Airstream will not he responsible
for any consequential or
incidental expenses or damages
resulting from a defect.
Incidental expenses include ^
A“2

but are not limited to, travel
expenses^ gasoline, oil,
lodging, meals, telephone
tolls, loss of work and loss
of use of the trailer. Some
examples of consequential
damages would be: stained
curtains due to rain leaks,
delaminated floor caused by a
plumbing leak or oxidized
aluminum due to coating failure.
Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation
or eXc1 usion may not apply to
you ,
WARRANTY TRANSFER
The limited warranty is trans-
ferrable to subsequent owners
for the duration of the warranty
period. Warranty transfer
app1ication forms are available
from your dealer or the Airs tre am
Factory Service Adminis tration
Department.
CHANGES IN DESIGN
Airstream reserves the right
to make changes in design and
improvements upon its product
without imposing any obligation
upon itself to install the
same upon its products theretofore
manufactured,
This warranty gives you specific
legal rights , and you may also
have other rights which vary
from state to state,
A-3

SERVICE
THE AIRSTREAM CERTIFIED
PERFORMANCE CHECKOUT, or
C.P.C. is an exclusive Air-
stream program, Before
leaving the factory, each and
every vital part of the
trailer is tested for perform¬
ance , 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.
C.P.C. does not stop here.
After you have traveled with
your trailer for 1000 miles
or 60 days, (whichever comes
first) you can make an appoint¬
ment with any one of the
Airstream dealers for still
another check-out of your
trailer. At that time, a
specified list of performance
checks on your trailer equip¬
ment will be conducted and any
deficiencies you have experi¬
enced since taking delivery
will be corrected.
Please contact your dealer if
you need service. Major
service under your Airs tre am
Limited Warranty is available
through out 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 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 manager
at;
Airs tream Factory
Service Center
4]9 W, Pike Street
Jackson Center, Ohio 45334
513-596-6111

EXPLANATION OF AIRSTREAM LIMITED WARRANTY
The Airstream Limited Warranty
is detailed in a separate
folder. A plastic WARRANTY
IDENTIFICATION CARD is sent to
you after Airstream receives
notification from your dealer
of the sale. Since this I,D.
card is necessary to obtain
warranty, it should be kept in
the trailer or on your person
during the warranty period.
EXCLUSIONS;
NORMAL WEAR
Items such as tires, water
purifier packs, 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, we athe r,
and atmospheric conditions.
ACCIDENT
We strongly urge our dealers
and customers to inspect the
trailer upon receipt 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 beeome the
dealer’s or customer’s respon¬
sibility upon acceptance of
delivery, unless Airs t rearn is
notified and the damage is
verified by the person making
the delivery. Glass breakage,
whether obviously struck or
mysterious, is always accidental
and covered by most insurance
policie s .
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
prolonged 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
for the area, are beyond
Airstream’s control and become
the responsibility of the
owner.
Although it is our obligation
to correct a rain or plumbing
leak within the terms of the
limited warranty, it is the
owne r’s responsibility to use
reasonable, prudent care to
minimize foreseeable secondary
damage, such as a delaminated
floor, stained upholstery,
carpeting, drape s etc,
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 1abe1,
Load distribution has a definite
effect upon the towing charac¬
teristics 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
C-1

to believe these factors have been
exceeded could void the Airstream
warranty* For additional inform¬
ation 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° camber and
1/8" toe“in* These tolerances will
only change if the trailer is sub¬
jected 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*
C-2

WALLY BYAPl STORES
To make trailering more enjoy¬
able f there are Wally Byam
Stores established at the
majority of Airstream dealers.
All Airstream dealers have the
opportunity of purchasing for
you the necessary equipment
which would enable you to
enjoy your new trailer to the
utmost. The Wally Byam Stores
authorized dealerships stretch
from coast to coast, and these
dealers stock hundreds of
items which are tested and
approved by travel experts.
The fo1lowing is a list of
equipment we recommend:
1. First Aid Kit
2. Flashlight
3. Emergency Road Warning
T riangle
4. Crosstype Lug Wrench for
Trailer Wh eels
5. Pop Rivets (3 sizes)
6. Pop Rivet Gun
7. Battery Booster Cables
8. Tire Gauge (up to 100
pounds PSI)
9. Hitch Ball Lube
10. Small Bi-Directional
Spirit Level
11. Heavy-Duty Turn Signal
Flasher
12. Four Stabilizing Jacks
13. Leveling Ramps
14. Wheel Chocks
15. Spare Tire and Wheel
16. One 50 ft. and one 25 ft.
length of 5/8" High Pressure
Water Hose
17. Y-Connection with Cap
18. 5 Gal, Water Jug
19. Quick Disconnect Garden
Hos e Coupling
20. One 10 ft. or 20 ft. Sewer
Hos e
21. One Thetford Sewer Hose
Adapter - Straight or
Elbow
22. One Elbow Sewer Hose Outlet
23. Two 2 1/2" to 3 3/4"
Adj ustable Hose Clamps
24. One Drain Cap with Hose
Drain
25. One 1/2 Gal. Holding Tank
Cleaner and Deodorizer
26. 50 ft. Electric Cord #12-3
Wire
27. 20 ft. Electric Cord #10-3
Wire, 30 amp capacity
28. One Service Cord Adapte r
30-15 amp
30 . Spare Light Bulbs
31. Electrical Contact Cleaner
(Spra-Kleen or equivalent)
D-1

TOW CAR EQIjlPMEMT
IF YOU PLAN TO BUY A NEW
VEHICLE TO TOW YOUR TRAILER,
WE SUGGEST THAT YOU INCLUDE
IN YOUR PURCHASE THE TRAILER
TOWING OPTIONS OFFERED BY
MOST AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS.
These include such things as
heavy duty alternator and
radiator, heavy duty springs*
and shock absorbers , auto-
matic transmission cooler,
heavy duty fan and flasher
unit and others, depending on
the make of the vehicle.
Transmissions may be manual or
automatic , but an automatic
transmission may prolong your
car's engine life and generally
does a better job of controlling
engine loads than the average
driver using a manual shift.
Having adequate power is very
important when considering
the purchase of a new car or
the trailer towing capability
of your present one. Emission
controls that are required by
the Federal Government have
reduced overall engine power,
American car manufacturers
realize more than 30% of the
cars they sell will be used
for towing s ome type of trailer.
The car dealers are provided
with guidelines to use when
helping a cus tome r 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.
Inspect your vehicle's hitch
regularly for loose bolts or
nuts , cracked welds , loose ball
mounts, worn parts, etc.
New trailerists often carry
more food and other supplies
than really needed. Remembe r
th at every item you take along
is one more thing to s tow and
addes v/eight to the total
load you mus t 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.
* 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^
trailer and make your journeys
less enjoyable.
E-1

ELECTRIC BRAKES
WARNING
The brakes are operated by 12
volt current from your car and
MUST BE HOOKED UP SO THAT YOU
HAVE AN INTEGRAL SYSTEM WITH
YOUR CAR BRAKES. To prevent
problems and insure satisfac¬
tory braking action, install a
Kelsey Hayes Controller (or
equivalent) and selective
resistor in line with the
controller in your car.
A KELSEY HAYES CONTROLLER (or
equivalent) installed in your
car will synchronize the trail¬
er brakes with your car brakes.
It is designed to apply the
trailer brakes with your car
brakes.
The controller handle adjust¬
ment affects the rate of appli¬
cation of the trailer brakes.
This adjustment has no bearing
on the maximum braking capacity
of the trailer brakes. Because
of the wide variety of towing
vehicles and trailers it is
necessary to balance the trail¬
er brakes with the towing
vehicle brakes to provide for
a safe, comfortable stop. This
adjustment should be made to
provide for a slight lead of
the trailer brakes over the tow
vehicle brakes. Turning the
handle clockwise will decrease
the rate of application of the
trailer brakes, while counter¬
clockwise will increase the
rate of application. When the
desired setting is reached, the
controller will hold the adjust¬
ment, but may be varied at any
time by rotating the handle as
described above, After this
adj ustment there should be no
sensation of the trailer push¬
ing the car during a stop, nor
should there be an excessive
sensation of the trailer pull¬
ing the car during a stop,
A SELECTIVE RESISTOR to match
the weight of your trailer to
the controller should be in¬
stalled on the fire wall of
your engine compartment. It
should be correctly adjusted
during installation.
In THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENTAL
SEPARATION OF the tow car and
trailer, THE BREAKAWAY SWITCH
will set and lock the trailer
brakes for a sufficient length
of time to stop the trailer.
The switch is activated when
the small pin in the front of
the unit is pulled out by the
wire attached to it and to the
car. 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 contact 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 CAR, THE BREAK-AWAY
SWITCH LOOP SHOULD BE ATTACH¬
ED TO THE PERMANENT FRAME OF
YOUR HITCH, When disconnect¬
ing trailer from tow car,
remove wire loop from the
frame. DO NOT REMOVE PIN FROM
SWITCH, BECAUSE THIS WILL
APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES.
CAUTION
DO NOT USE BREAK-AWAY SWITCH
FOR PARKING BRAKE.
F-1

TIRES
Your trailer is equipped at the
factory with name brand trailer
tires* Airstream dealers can¬
not make adjustments to tires*
This must be done by a dealer
who handles that particular
brand* If you ever have tire
problems check the local
telephone directory for the
nearest dealer®
To get the maximum performance
from your tires check the air
pressure often^ but only when
the tires are cool. Never
bleed out air immediately
after driving. Recommended
tire pressures vary with
tire type and sise^
For pressures refer to the
Specifications Table,
WARNING
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO PERIOD--
ICALLY CHECK ON THE TIGHTNESS
OF LUG NUTS, THEY SHOULD BE
TIGHTENED TO A TORQUE OF 90 ™
95 FT, POUNDS ON BOTH THE STEEL
AND FORGED ALUMINUM WHEELS,
CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN AT ALL
TIMES WHEN HANDLING THE FORGED
ALUMINUM WHEEL BECAUSE OF
POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO ITS APPEAR¬
ANCE.
In a warm climate park out of
the sun whenever possible. In
desert regions use the tire
covers to prevent ultra-violet
deterioration to tires.
To change a tire with a jack
see the label affixed to the
underbelly just to the rear of
the wheels. This indicates the
proper jack placement. On
tandem or triple axle mode Is
a flat tire may be changed
without the aid of a jack.
Drive the unit up a ramp 8”
wide^ 6" high and about 3 feet
long at the base (see photo) ,
Tire Changing
-^11 tire, wheel, hub and drum
assemblies are dynamically
balanced at the factory. Be
sure to rebalance the tire,
wheel, hub and drum assemblies
each time a tire is changed
or rotated.
WARNING
WHEN REMOVING ALUMINUM FORGED
WHEELS FROM SPINDLE, IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT TO MARK THEM TO
ASSURE THE WHEEL IS PLACED IN
THE SAME POSITION OF THE DRUM
WHEN REINSTALLING. IF THE
ALUMINUM FORGED WHEEL IS TO BE
MOUNTED ON A DIFFERENT DRUM IT
IS IMPORTANT TO SAND ALL LOOSE
CORROSION FROM THE MATING
SURFACES.
In an emergency remove the flat
tire. The independent suspen-
sion of the Duro-Torque Axle
allows four or six wheel units
to be safely towed on three or
five wheels for a short distance
(100 miles maximum) and only
at a low speed (30 MPH).
G-1