Airstream Excella 500 1979 User manual

®1 979 By Airstream

Introduction
An Airstream Excella Travel Trailer offers you
excellence in travel luxury and mobility. This
owner’s manual is your key to carefree travel
fun. It contains information necessary to
avoid problems. Consult it when you have a
question about your new Excella. It has been
designed to aid you in knowing your trailer
better. All information, illustrations and speci¬
fications contained in this literature are based
on the latest product information available at
the time of publication approval. The right is
reserved to make changes at any time without
notice. Should you trade or sell your Excella,
please leave the manual with the trailer. Go
Airstream and make this your year for care¬
free vacations.
Note: If and when new materials and pro¬
duction techniques are developed which
can improve the quality of its product or
material substitutions are necessary due to
availability, Airstream reserves the right to
make such changes.

Contents
Wally Byam Caravans and Clubs.2
Airstream Limited Warranty.4
Warranty and Service.5
Explanation of Airstream
Limited Warranty.6
Service Centers.8
Wally Byam Stores.12
Tow Car Equipment.13
Electric Brakes.14
Hydraulic Brakes.16
Loading.18
Tires.26
Hitching Up.27
Towing Tips.30
Overnight Stop.33
Extended Stay.34
Winter Airstreaming.36
Storage and Winterizing.37
Exterior Identification.38
Exterior.40
Floor Plans.42
Interior. 4 7
L.P.G. System.58
Refrigerator.61
Microwave Oven.64
Range and Oven.66
Furnace.68
Water Heater.70
Water System.71
Drain and Waste System.74
Electrical System.77
Battery.79
Electrical Outlet Locations.81
Electrical Wiring Diagrams.82
Electrical Trouble Shooting.91
Specifications.92
Pre-Travel Check List.94
Lubrication and Maintenance.96
Maintenance Record.97
Index.98

Wally Byam Caravans, Rallies and Clubs
When you bought your Airstream, you bought
a whole new way of life. Airstream owners en¬
joy endless opportunities for friendship, fun
and adventure. You may join every Airstream
Wally Byam Caravan and Airstream Compa¬
ny Rally, we arrange for such rallies to vari¬
ous areas each year. You also become eligi¬
ble to join the Wally Byam Caravan Club
International, the largest single make trailer
club in the world. The WBCCI is made up of
26,500 family memberships and 170 local
chapters or units throughout the United
States, Canada and Mexico. They meet at
monthly rallies, or where weather conditions
prevent, year round rallies, Caravanners come
together for pot luck dinners to plan events
for the good seasons.
Since the first Wally Byam Caravan in 1951,
120 Airstream Caravans have gone to most
parts of the world. Caravans to Canada and
Mexico are now so popular that there are sev¬
eral each year. Many a lifelong friendship was
started on these trips. Old-timers and new
owners share experiences and find a new
kind of fellowship, and there is no better way
to learn to use your Airstream. Caravanners
enjoy many advantages: the security of trav¬
eling in a group, planned entertainment and
exceptional sightseeing opportunities. The
prestige and good will established over many
years by our Caravans adds further benefit to
Caravanner membership.
The “Caravanner” is the Airstream publica¬
tion and the “Blue Beret” is the official Cara-
2
van Club publication. The “Caravanner” is
for general distribution to owners and pro¬
spective buyers, while the monthly “Blue
Beret” is for WBCCI members only.
Several months before a Caravan rolls, the
“Caravanner” and the “Blue Beret” publish a
description and a registration coupon. Every¬
one who registers receives a detailed bulletin
with complete information on the caravan.
When going abroad, all official matters such
as insurance, tourist cards and border cross¬
ing formalities are handled for you by the
Caravan staff. On every Airstream Caravan,
the route is carefully planned, and a day by
day itinerary, including mail stops, is given to
all Caravanners in advance. Our staff also
makes all the arrangements for parking,
entertainment, tours, etc. well ahead of the
starting date. Airstream Caravan Programs
always take Caravanners of all ages into
account. Airstream provides a Caravan staff:
a leader, a recreation advisor, and service
representative and an advance representa¬
tive. This staff is backed by committees com¬
posed of interested Caravan members who
assist in the day-to-day operations.
Wally Byam, pioneer trailer traveler, and
founder of the Airstream Company, was born
on July Fourth and the first International Ral¬
ly was in the form of a huge birthday party for
him at Bull Shoals, Arkansas. It was patterned
after the International Rallies in Europe which
Wally and his wife Stella had attended for
many years. Everyone enjoyed this first big
rally so much that the club decided to make it
an annual event. Since then, International

Become part of the Airstream Way of Life.
Join our WBCCI activities and we believe you
will enrich your life. Owners join through a
local unit of WBCCI. All operate autonomous¬
ly, elect their own officers and fix their own
dues. Annual International dues are paid with
the unit dues at the time of application. These
are at present: International dues, $7.50 per
trailer and unit dues from $1 to $10. If you are
interested, please write to the following ad¬
dress for information regarding units in your
area:
Along with the fun, Airstream owners recog¬
nize the need for better legislation, more and
better overnight parking facilities, more sani¬
tary stations and other travel conveniences.
Rallies have grown and grown. Some 3949
Airstream Travel Trailer families recently
gathered at Ames, Iowa, for the 1978 Interna¬
tional Rally.
They are alert to adverse bills governing trav¬
el trailers and have achieved much through
the actions of the strong WBCCI National
Legislative Committee.
The Way of Life Department, of the
Airstream Company dedicates its full time
staff to improving the owners’ fun and makes
use of all the information and experience
gained by owners over the years to help
develop even better Airstreams and Way of
Life programs for the enjoyment of all
Airstream owners.
Only Airstream Wally Byam Caravanners and
WBCCI members are entitled to have an offi¬
cial Trailer Number and be listed in the 1979
Annual Directory. This directory contains a
schedule of all major WBCCI activities and
Airstream Wally Byam Caravans and Rallies
for the year. It also lists such things as
Freewheelers Club membership, C.B. Radio
and Amateur Radio Club memberships and
call signs, members who offer courtesy park¬
ing, and a complete list of Authorized Service
Centers.
WBCCI Headquarters Office
15939 Piuma Avenue
Cerritos, California 90701

Please place your Registered Warranty over this Facsimile with the folded edge on top. There is a-glue strip on the back for this purpose
AIRSTREAM LIMITED WARRANTY
When you buy a new Airstream Travel Trailer from an authorized dealer, Airstream warrants to you that, except for
tires and battery, it will pay for the repair or replacement of any part of your trailer or any component equipment
installed by the factory that is defective in material or workmanship. This warranty extends for a period of two (2)
years from the date of original purchase.
All that we require is that you use your trailer in a normal manner and properly maintain and service all component
parts requiring scheduled maintenance, and that all repairs and replacements be made by the Airstream factory or
any Airstream Certified Dealer Service center. Any warranty defect will be corrected without cost upon return of
the trailer, or defective part, to the Airstream factory or Airstream Certified Dealer Service center.
All warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, whether written or oral, express or
implied, shall extend only a period of two (2) years 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 tire- above limitation may not apply to you. Airstream will not be
responsible for any consequential damages incurred as a result of any defect. Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary
from state to state.
For additional information regarding your Airstream Limited Warranty, refer to the materials entitled "Explanation
of Airstream Limited Warranty" provided with this warranty.
Ohio Factory: 419 West Pike Street, Jackson Center, Ohio 45334
California: 15939 Piuma Avenue, Cerritos, California 90701

Warranty and Service
Airstream offers the most complete and ex¬
plicit warranty in the industry. Your valuable
warranty covers every item of your trailer (ex¬
cept tires and battery) against failures result¬
ing from defects in either material or work¬
manship for two years from date of original
purchase.
Please read the facsimile warranty careful¬
ly. As soon as the factory has received your
signed check-out and acceptance sheet, a
formal warranty is issued to you, together
with an owner’s identification card. As soon
as you receive your warranty, please attach it
over the facsimile for safekeeping. In order to
qualify for service without charge under the
Airstream Warranty Program, your owner’s
identification card or authorization for Inter¬
im Warranty must be presented to the ser¬
vice representative.
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 an Airstream is
tested for performance. Each test is signed
and certified by an inspector. After the Air¬
stream arrives on your dealer’s lot, all of
these vital parts and systems are again test¬
ed. When you take delivery of your new Air¬
stream, a factory trained expert personally
gives you a complete check-out on the trailer.
C.P.C. does not stop here. After you have tra¬
veled with your Airstream for 1000 miles (or
60 days, whichever comes first) you can
make an appointment with any one of the 132
Airstream dealers or service centers for still
another check-out of your trailer. 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. Give the
C.P.C. card overleaf to the dealer when you
take your Airstream for the 1000 mile check.
Please contact your dealer if you need ser¬
vice. Major service under your Airstream
Warranty is available through our nationwide
network of factory trained specialists at Air¬
stream Certified Dealer Service Centers listed
on page 8-11 of this manual. All centers op¬
erate on an appointment basis for the ut¬
most efficiency. When you require service
from the Airstream factory or a certified ser¬
vice center, please contact the service mana¬
ger for an appointment, and kindly inform him
if you are unable to keep the appointment
date or wish to change it.
Airstream factory service may be arranged by
contacting the service manager at:
Airstream
15939 Piuma Avenue
Cerritos, California 90701
[phone]
Airstream
Jackson Center, Ohio 45334
[phone]

Explanation of Airstream Limited Warranty
The Airstream Limited Warranty applies for a
period of two (2) years from the date of origi¬
nal purchase, and the applicable date of all
warranties is that indicated on the owner’s
I.D. card. (Owner’s identification.) Warranty
defects (except tires and battery) will be cor¬
rected without cost upon the return at the
owner’s expense of the trailer or defective
part to the Airstream factory, Airstream Certi¬
fied Dealer Service Center, or participating
Argosy Certified Dealer Service center.
The Airstream axle is manufactured to a toler¬
ance of 1° camber and Vs” 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 would be con¬
sidered as resulting from an accident which
risks are not covered under the warranty. Ab¬
normal tire wear and/or wheel alignment re¬
sulting from such damage is not covered un¬
der the terms of the warranty.
The tire and battery warranties will be han¬
dled by their respective service points and
according to their written policy.
Caution: Your Airstream may be equipped
with the optional Excella-Vac brake system
which for the first time brings all of the ad- '
vantages of full disc braking to travel trail¬
ers. It is extremely important to note, how¬
ever, that Excella-Vac uses an entirely dif¬
ferent system for controlling brake oper-
tion. It is not compatible in any way with the
electric brake control system. If you do not
use the control system designed for use
with the Excella-Vac disc brakes, the terms
of your Airstream Limited warranty will be
voided with respect to any damages in¬
curred as a result of the use of a noncompa¬
tible system. In addition, many advantages
of the exclusive Airstream disc brakes will
be lost if the Excella-Vac control system is
not used.
Inasmuch as this warranty covers defective
material and/or workmanship, adjustments
and checking are excluded. All adjustments
are made at the factory prior to shipment, and
rechecked by the dealer prior to delivery to
the customer. An additional check-up, includ¬
ing adjustments, is given at the 1,000 mile or
60 day inspection. Adjustments thereafter be¬
come a customer responsibility.
Each Airstream exterior (not including the
underside) is sprayed with a plasticoating ma¬
terial to prevent oxidation. This application is
covered by the two year warranty against
peeling. Prolonged exposure to salt air or in¬
dustrial 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 his trailer as instructed
in the Owner’s Manual.
Damage to enameled or porcelain surfaces
resulting from abrasion or blows is the result
of accident or abuse, and is not covered by
warranty. Window glass breakage, and what
is termed by the automotive industry as
“mysterious explosions,” although not
covered under this limited warranty, is
covered by the comprehensive clause of most
insurance policies.
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 component equipment as in¬
stalled by the factory.
Exclusions:
1. Normal Wear.
Items such as tires, water heater flints, wa¬
ter purifier packs, curtains, upholstery,
floor coverings, window, door and vent
seals will show wear or may even wear out
within the two year warranty period de¬
pending upon the amount of usage, weath¬
er, and atmospheric conditions.
2. Accident.
We can all recognize damage caused by
accident because it is visible, and we
strongly urge our dealers and customers
to inspect the trailer upon receipt of deliv¬
ery 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’s or
customer’s responsibility upon accept¬
ance of delivery, unless Airstream is noti¬
fied and the damage is verified by the per¬
son making the delivery.
6

3. Abuse.
Lack of customer care and/or improper
maintenance will result in early failure for
which Airstream cannot be held
responsible.
4. 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 un¬
der similar conditions, and refinery chemi¬
cals of a sulfurous nature are harmful to
finishes if not washed off periodically. Ex¬
tremely hot or direct sunlight will deter¬
iorate rubber and fade curtains and uphol¬
stery. Conditions of this nature, although
they may be normal for the area, are be¬
yond Airstream’s control and become the
responsibility of the owner.
One other type of exposure is that result¬
ing from an accident, rain or plumbing
leak. Although it is our obligation to cor¬
rect a rain or plumbing leak within the
terms of the limited warranty, it is the
owner’s responsibility to use reasonable,
prudent care to minimize foreseeable sec¬
ondary damage, such as a delaminated
floor, stained upholstery, carpeting,
drapes, etc.
5. O verload.
Damage due to loading, either beyond ca¬
pacity or to cause improper towing be¬
cause of improper balance, is beyond
Airstream’s responsibility. The Airstream
trailer is engineered to properly handle the
gross vehicle load rating on the certifica¬
tion label. Load distribution has a definite
effect upon the towing characteristics and
attitudes of the trailer. Level hitch installa¬
tions are a necessity, and very important
on a tandem axle trailer. There are limits to
the amount of load that can be safely tran¬
sported depending upon speed and road
conditions, and reasonable cause to be¬
lieve these factors have been exceeded
could void the Airstream warranty. For ad¬
ditional information on the loading of your
trailer, consult your Owner’s Manual or
gross vehicle weight rating plate.
Airstream will not be responsible for any con¬
sequential damages incurred as a result of
any defect. Consequential damages include,
but are not limited to, travel expenses, gaso¬
line, oil, lodging, meals, telephone tolls, loss
of work and loss of use of the trailer.
In the event of a warranty defect, the warranty
holder should take corrective action to lessen
damages which might result from such
defect. Airstream will not be responsible for
resulting damages which could have been
avoided.
The full extent of Airstream’s warranty is set
forth in the “Airstream Limited Warranty” and
this “Explanation of Airstream Limited
Warranty.” Airstream will not be responsible
for additional representations or implied war¬
ranties made by any of its dealers to the ex¬
tent those representations are not a part of,
or are contrary to, the terms and conditions of
the Airstream Limited Warranty and Explana¬
tion of Limited Warranty.
If you believe your trailer needs repairs under
the terms of the Airstream Limited Warranty,
you should contact the Service Manager at
the Airstream factory, Airstream Certified
Dealer Service center or participating Argosy
Certified Dealer Service center. The trailer or
defective part must be returned to the factory
or authorized service center at the owner’s
expense.
This limited warranty is transferrable to sub¬
sequent owners for the duration of the war¬
ranty period. Warranty transfer application
forms are available from your dealer or the
Airstream factory.
7

Factory Authorized Certified Service Centers
ALABAMA
Alabama Auto Carriage Inc.
2359 Fairview
P.0. Box2763
Montgomery, Alabama 36105
205-262-3563
205-262-3564
R & S Camper Sales
2405 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, Alabama 35806
205-837-5241
ARKANSAS
Fred & Jack Trailer Sales
10318 New Benton Highway
1-30 West
Little Rock, Arkansas 72209
501-565-0131
ARIZONA
Robert Crist and Company
2025 East Main Street
Mesa, Arizona 85203
602-834-941 0
Robert Crist and Company
8833 North Black Canyon Hwy.
Phoenix, Arizona 85021
602-997-2611
CALIFORNIA
Adventure Recreational Vehicles
5810 South Union Avenue
Bakersfield, California 93307
805-831-5451
Bay Area Airstream
3534 Santa Rosa Ave.
Santa Rosa, California 95401
707-525-8330
Caswell's Vacation Vehicles
700 East Foothill Boulevard
Pomona, California 91 767
213-331-0163
714-624-0021
Coastline Trailer Sales
303 North Ventura Avenue
Ventura, California 93001
805-648-1772
805-648-1 776
Haller Trailer Sales
15711 South Lakewood Boulevard
Paramount, California 90723
213-634-3553
Highway 1 7 Trailer Sales
175 Curtner Avenue
Campbell, California 95008
408-377-8500
Holiday Trailer Sales
770 East Baseline
San Bernardino, California 92410
71 7-889-891 8
Manteca Trailer Sales
1990 East Yosemite
Manteca, California 95336
209-239-1 267
Pulmobile Trailer Sales
4563 San Fernando Road
Glendale, California 91204
213-245-6068
213-241-0310
Ralph's Trailer Sales & Supply
1025 East Main
El Cajon, California 92021
714-442-4435
Toscano Recreation Center
617 West Pacheco Boulevard
Los Banos, California 93635
209-826-4923
COLORADO
Chisman Trailer Sales
2500 East Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909
303-473-7043
Trailerland
8200 West Colfax Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80214 •
303-238-8283 ,
DELAWARE
Marty's Travel Trailers, Inc.
2343 South DuPont Highway
Dover, Delaware 1 9901
302-697-31 73
FLORIDA
Bell's Trailer Park & Sales, Inc.
6401 West Tennessee'Street
Highway 90, West
904-576-2915
Camptown USA, Inc.
23905 S.W. 132nd Avenue
6 Miles S. of Perrien on U.S. 1 at Princeton
Miami, Florida 33032
305-245-2353
Carpenters Campers, Inc.
8450 Pensacola Boulevard
US 29 North, Between 1-10 & 90
Pensacola, Florida 32504
904-477-6666
Fallin Camper Sales, Inc.
100 South Edgewood Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32205
904-783-0630
General R. V.
5610 Okeechobee Road
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
305-686-3707
305-525-3374
Heintzelman's Motor Coaches
1080 East Highway 436
Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701
305-831-4442
Indian River RV Sales, Inc.
5855 US Highway 1
Between Cocoa and Titusville
Cocoa, Florida 32922
305-636-1422
Kropf Eldorado, Inc.
6915 14th Street West
US 41 South
Bradenton, Florida 33507
813-755-1 586
C. J. Stoll, Inc.
5985 34th Street
North US 19
St. Petersburg, Florida 33714
813-527-2189
GEORGIA
Three-Way Campers, Inc.
1660 Cobb Parkway, N.W.
Marietta, Georgia 30062
404-422-9300
IDAHO
Wheels Unlimited
6715 West State Street
Boise, Idaho 83703
208-336-8970
Wheels Unlimited
4498 Yellowstone
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
208-237-8800
208-237-8801
208-237-8802
208-237-8803
ILLINOIS
Crystal Valley, Inc.
4220 Northwest Highway
US 14 at Route 31
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
815-459-6611
Rocket Trailer Sales
528 West Route 30
Rock Falls, Illinois 61 071
815-625-6245
Wilderness Lake Camping Center, Inc.
Route #2
Martinsville, Illinois 62442
21 7-279-3396
INDIANA
Berning Trailer Sales, Inc.
5220 New Haven Avenue
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46803
21 9-749-941 5
Four Seasons RV Center
8225 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46231
317-241-8348
Midwest Trailer Mart, Inc.
2409 Corydon Pike
New Albany, Indiana 471 50
81 2-945-11 73
Vacationland, Inc.
58049 State Road 19 South
Elkhart, Indiana 46514
219-295-8524

IOWA
Ace Fogdall, Inc.
5424 University Avenue
Cedar Falls. Iowa 50613
319-277-2641
Imperial RV Center
1727 South Ankeny Blvd. Hwy. 69
Ankeny, Iowa 50021
515-964-1424
KANSAS
Scholfield Winnebago, Inc.
11516 East Kellogg
Wichita, Kansas 67207
316-684-0236
KENTUCKY
Crouch Campers & Trailers, Inc.
5081 Reidland Road, Route 4
Highways 62 & 68 S.E.
Paducah, Kentucky 42001
502-898-7373
Murphy Sales Company, Inc.
Box 404
Winchester Road US 60 West
Mt. Sterling, Kentucky 40353
606-498-1168
LOUISIANA
Camper Village, Inc.
705 Florida Boulevard, S.W.
Denham Springs, Louisiana 70726
504-664-7104
Superior Pontiac GMC, Inc.
200 Wright Avenue
Gretna, Louisiana 70053
504-368-5640
MARYLAND
B & J Trailer Sales
Box 369, US Route 40
Aberdeen, Maryland 21001
301-575-6840
301-272-0435
Koon’s Ford of Annapolis, Inc.
2540 Riva Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
301-224-2100
MASSACHUSETTS
Donahue's Trailer Sales
88 Mountain Road, Box 126
Off Route 128 at Exit 41-S
Burlington, Massachusetts 01803
61 7-272-9830
MICHIGAN
Bay Valley RV Center
2717 Delta Road
Route 4
Bay City, Michigan 48706
517-684-0930
Caswell & Company
243 South Dexter
Ionia, Michigan 48846
616-527-3310
Ewing Trailer Sales
4251 West Columbia Avenue
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017
616-965-0597
Kolbe Trailer Sales
4401 East Eight Mile Road
Warren, Michigan 48091
313-536-0265
313-754-8310
Moore’s Recreation
1222 North Territorial Road
U.S. 23, 5 miles N. Ann Arbor Exit 49E
Whitmore Lake, Michigan 48189
313-662-4548
Northwoods Recreational Vehicle Center
G-6369 North Dort Highway
Mt. Morris, Michigan 48458
313-686-4330
Woodland Travel Center, Inc.
5190 Plainfield Avenue N.E.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505
616-363-9038
MINNESOTA
Hart Trailer Sales
Highway 71
Long Prairie, Minnesota 56347
612-732-6106
Minnesota Trailer Sales, Inc.
11350 Highway 65 N.E.
Blaine, Minnesota 55434
612-757-1420
Rochester RV Center
Airport Overpass and Highway 63
S. Route 2
Rochester, Minnesota 55901
507-285-9102
MISSOURI •
Kansas City Trailer Sales, Inc.
11530 South 71 Highway
Kansas City, Missouri 64137
817-761-3322
Bill Thomas Camper Sales, Inc.
5217 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis (Bridgetown), Missouri 63044
314-731-2217
MONTANA
Big Sky Airstream
1923 Old Hardin Road
Billings, Montana 59101
406-259-5571
NEBRASKA
Autosport RV Center, Inc.
6101 "L" Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68117
402-734-1133
NEW JERSEY
Airstream by Angell, Inc.
Route 78 & 173 Interchange
Box 94
Bloomsbury, New Jersey 08804
201-479-4118
South Jersey Travel Trailer Center, Inc.
Route 47 and Leonard Cake Rd.
Franklinville, New Jersey 08322
609-694-1 700
Service: 609-694-1 701
NEW MEXICO
Wayne’s Recreational Vehicles, Inc.
12020 Central Avenue, S.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 871 23
505-296-0507
NEW YORK
Filion-McGee, Inc.
AKA Bailey-Momot Trailer World
RFD 1, Box 316
Plattsburgh, New York 12901
518-563-2440
518-563-2441
Ralph Bubbs Sport Center
RD 5, Route 57
Fulton. New York 1 3069
315-695-5020
Maroone Family Travel Center, Inc.
2550 Walden Avenue
Exit 52 E from NY Thruway
Buffalo, New York 14225
716-681-1700
Niblack Trailer Sales
691 McLean Avenue
Corner NY Thruway
Yonkers, New York 1 0704
914-965-5685
O Mailey Enterprises. Inc.
Traffic Circles - Routes 9 & 7
P.O. Box 116
Latham, New York 12110
518-785-6654
Walker's Four Seasons. Inc.
Route 17. Box 265
Big Flats, New York 14814
607-562-8731
NORTH CAROLINA
College Park
4208 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27610
919-833-7015
College Park
North Church Street Extension
U.S. 301 and 301A North
Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27801
919-446-9233
919-446-7166
Hawley's Cycle & Camping Center. Inc.
4784 Raeford Road
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28304
919-425-3145
Out-of-Doors Mart. Inc.
1-40 at Sandy Ridge Road Exit
Drawer 799
Kernersville, North Carolina 27284
919-993-4518
Tracy Trigg RV Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 12522
9136 East Independence Boulevard
Charlotte, North Carolina 28205
704-537-7844

Wray Frazier Camping Ctr . of Asheville
1-40 Exit P.O. Box 868
Swannanoa
Asheville, North Carolina 28776
704-686-3414
NORTH DAKOTA
McLaughlin Equipment Co.
320 27th Street, South
Fargo, North Dakota 581 02
701-237-6046
OHIO
Avalon R.V. Center, Inc.
11761 Portage Road
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
21 6-854-2222
Coachmen Camping Center
410 East Sandusky Street
Findlay, Ohio 45840
419-423-1912
Jerry Greer Airstream/Argosy. Inc.
4855 Groveport Road
Columbus, Ohio 43207
614-491-8544
Murphy Travel Trailers of Ohio, Inc.
11526 Chester Road
3 Miles North of Windjammer
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
513-771-5771
Frank B. Ricketts Travel Trailers
P.O. Box 683
1-77 at US 40
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
614-432-4040
Teynor's Mobile Home Center. Inc.
3884 SR 4
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
419-562-8827
OKLAHOMA
Brassfield Travel Trailers
7727 N.W. 39th Expressway
Bethany, Oklahoma 73008
405-789-4941
Travel Home Sales
1601 5 East Admiral Place
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74138
918-437-0020
OREGON
Cascade Trailer Sales
1876 Highway 99 North
Eugene, Oregon 97402
503-688-8505
Spencer's RV Center, Inc.
9341 S.E. 82nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97266
503-777-1484
PENNSYLVANIA
Farnsworth Camping Center, Inc.
Route 54
Elysburg, Pennsylvania 17824
717-672-2332
Glasgow Recreational Vehicles, Inc.
1650 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201
717-264-9551
Robison Trailer Sales
Route 198 at Blooming Valley
R-D. 3
Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335
814-724-8129
Trav-L-Homes
Lewis Road
Royersford, Pennsylvania 19468
21 5-948-5900
Turner Airstream Sales
472 Lincoln Highway W., Adamsburg
Jeannette, Pennsylvania 15644
41 2-523-6545
412-523-6546
Wiles Trailer Sales
1030 North Main Street
Route 8 & 422
Butler, Pennsylvania 16001
412-287-4745
Wise Trailer Sales
Division of F.W. Wise Gas Co.
1501 Airstream Way
Clearfield, Pennsylvania 16830
814-765-7801
SOUTH CAROLINA
Dixie Lee Trailer Sales
Highways US 1 & 78 •
P.O. Box 306
Clearwater, South Carolina 29822
803-593-2162
SOUTH DAKOTA
Spader, Inc.
DBA Spader Camper Center
5500 North Cliff, Box 963
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57101
605-339-3230
TENNESSEE
Cullum & Maxey Camping Center
Music Valley Drive
2 Miles North of Opryland
Donelson (Nashville), Tennessee 37214
615-889-1600
Jewell's Camping Center
Route 4, Highway 45
Trenton, Tennessee 38382
901-855-9590
Bobby Jones Trailer Sales
4222 James Road (In Raleigh)
Memphis, Tennessee 38128
901-386-5833
TEXAS
A and A Trailer Sales
118 Arnold Boulevard
Abilene, Texas 79605
915-692-1555
Abbott Trailer Sales
408 Avenue Q
Lubbock, Texas 79401
806-763-4747
Bear Trailer Sales
South of Dallas on 1-35
Bear Creek Road Exit
Lancaster, Texas 75146
214-223-6025
D & M Trailer Sales, Inc.
3900 1-40 East
Amarillo, Texas 791 03
806-374-1 211
806-374-3789
Land Yacht Trailer Sales
4616 Titanic Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79904
915-755-2339
915-755-2338
Lloyd's Trailer Sales, Inc.
350 Twin City Highway
Port Neches, Texas 77651
713-727-1 666
South Texas Trailers & Supply, Inc.
11210 Interstate 35 North
San Antonio, Texas 78233
512-653-4161
South Texas Trailers & Supplies, Inc.
Highway 77 South
P.O. Box 880
Sinton, Texas 78387
512-364-1118
South Texas Trailers & Supply, Inc.
Box 457, 101 Expressway 83
Donna, Texas 78537
51 2-464-3432
UTAH
B & K Sales
3371 South State
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
801-466-5501
VIRGINIA
James River Camper Sales, Inc.
Box 834, US 460
Lynchburg, Virginia 24505
804-846-7444
804-845-6127
Koons Pontiac-Oldsmobile, Inc.
7105 Sudley Road
Manassas, Virginia 22110
703-631-9500
Poquoson Motors, Inc.
4116 West Mercury Boulevard
Hampton, Virginia 23666
804-826-11 00
Travel Trailers of Virginia
2211 South Main Street
P.O. Box 1089
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
703-434-9676
-i n

VERMONT
Camperama Air./Arg. & RV Sales
Harmony Depot Road
Townshend, Vermont 05353
302-365-4451
WASHINGTON
Central Trailer Exchange, Inc.
14433 Pacific Highway South
P.0. Box 68425
Seattle, Washington 98188
206-244-9600
Devon Lee Corporation
11257 Kirkland Way
P.O. Box 464
Kirkland. Washington 98033
206-822-2211
Spokane Travel Center
E. 5019 Sprague Avenue
Spokane, Washington 99206
509-535-3675
Tveten Motor Company
7700 Pacific Highway East
Tacoma, Washington 98424
206-922-7770
■
WEST VIRGINIA
Airstream by Stanley
1400 North Eisenhower Drive
Box 1545
Beckley, West Virginia 25801
304-252-6121
■
Don's Travel Trailers, Inc.
459 Winfield Road
St. Albans, West Virginia 251 77
304-727-2153
■
WISCONSIN
Spitzer's Northside RV
N56 W13180 Silver Spring Road
Menomonee Falls, Wl 53051
414-781-9646
■
Swee Trailer Sales
US 2 and US 51
Hurley, Wisconsin 54534
715-561-4887
WYOMING
Bundy's Marine and Ski
3201 CY Avenue
Casper, Wyoming 82601
307-237-2509
CANADA
Can-Am Trailers Ltd.
Box 370
Highway 4, x k mile N. 401, Exit 19
Lambeth, Ontario NOLI SO
519-652-3284
Claynor Trailer Sales
4053 208th Street
Langley, B.C., Canada
604-530-9141
Maurice Gareau, Inc.
7965 Henri-Bourassa Boulevard East
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
514-321-7933
Go Camping, Limited
Route 4, Highway 7
Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6T351
41 6-794-0031
Kanata Trailer Sales
Div. of K. Dilawri Auto
Highway 7, Box 900
Stittsville, Ontario, Canada
613-836-1421
Pik-A-Dilly Trailer & Marine Sales, Ltd.
Trans Canada Highway
West of 1 st Street
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada R7B0M0
204-728-8570
Travel Trailers Western, Ltd.
5934 104th Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T2N2K3
403-437-0276
Twin City Trailer Sales, Ltd.
Dartmouth Highway, Box 395
Bedford, Halifax County
Nova Scotia, Canada B0N1 BO
902-835-8375

Wally Byam Stores
To make trailering more enjoyable, 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 Airstream 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. Be
sure and get a Wally Byam Stores Catalog
from your dealer or write to:
Wally Byam Stores
Ohio Building
P.O. Box 128
Sidney, Ohio 45365
The following is a list of equipment we recom¬
mend:
1. First Aid Kit
2. Flashlight
3. Emergency Road Warning Triangle
4. Handi-Roll Trailer Tool File — with small
hand tools — hammers, pliers, crescent
wrench, screwdrivers, electrical tape
5. Crosstype Lug Wrench for Trailer Wheels
6. Pop Rivets (3 sizes)
7. Pop Rivet Gun
8. Battery Booster Cables
9. Tire Gauge (up to 100 pounds P.S.I.)
10. Hitch Ball Lube
11. Small Bi-Directional Spirit Level
12. Heavy-Duty Turn Signal Flasher
13. Leveling Ramps
14. Wheel Chocks
15. Y-Connection with Cap
16. 5 Gal. Water Jug
17. Quick Disconnect Garden Hose Coupling
18. One 10 ft. or 20 ft. Sewer Hose
19. One Thetford Sewer Hose Adapter —
Straight or Elbow
20. One Elbow Sewer Hose Outlet
21. Two 2 / 2 ” to 3%” Adjustable Hose
Clamps
22. One Thetford Plastic Cap with Hose Drain
23. One Z 2 Gal. Holding Tank Cleaner and
Deodorizer
24. One Service Cord Adapter 30-15 amp
25. Spare 20, 40, and 50 amp Cartridge
Fuses
26. Spare Light Bulbs (see page 92 for sizes)
27. Electrical Contact Cleaner (Spra-Kleen)

Tow Car Equipment
If you plan to buy a new car to tow your
Airstream, we suggest that you include in
your purchase the trailer towing options of¬
fered by most automobile manufacturers.
These include such things as a heavy duty
generator and radiator, heavy duty springs
and shock absorbers, automatic transmission
cooler, heavy duty fan, heavy duty flusher
unit and others, depending on the make of the
vehicle.
Transmissions may be manual or automatic,
but an automatic transmission will prolong
your car’s engine life and 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. To determine generally what
the tow capability of your car is, divide the
total weight of your trailer by the cubic inch
displacement of your automobile engine. This
ratio should be between 10 and 20 pounds of
trailer weight per cubic inch of engine dis¬
placement. For example, with a 31 ’ Airstream
weighing 7000 pounds totally loaded for trav¬
el and a car with 400 cubic inch displacement
engine, divide 7000 by 400 giving a value of
17.50 pounds of trailer weight per cubic inch
displacement. The automobile should have
adequate power for towing the trailer. Re¬
member that engine power is only one indica¬
tion of the car’s towing capabilities; the axle
ratio and cooling capabilities certainly must
be considered. We suggest you review the
owner's manual of your present car and dis¬
cuss your automobile towing capabilities with
your Airstream dealer and your automobile
dealer.
Inspect your vehicle's hitch regularly for
loose bolts or nuts, cracked welds, loose ball
mounts, worn parts, etc.
The majority of new trailerists 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 lock¬
er than two half empty ones. Special care
must be taken not to overload the front and
rear ends of the trailer.
See tire section for correct tire sizes and
pressure for your trailer and load on page 26.
13

Electric Brakes
The Kelsey Hayes Brakes are operated by 12
volt current from your car and must be
hooked up so that you have an integral sys¬
tem with your car brakes. To prevent prob¬
lems and insure satisfactory braking action,
install a Kelsey Hayes Controller (or equiva¬
lent) and selective resistor in line with the
controller in you car.
A Kelsey Hayes Controller (or equivalent) in¬
stalled in your car will synchronize the trailer
brakes with your car brakes. It is designed to
apply the trailer brakes with your car brakes.
The controller handle adjustment affects the
rate of application of the trailer brakes. This
adjustment has no bearing on the maximum
braking capacity of the trailer brakes. Be¬
cause of the wide variety of towing vehicles
and trailers it is necessary to balance the
trailer 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 in¬
crease the rate of application. When the de¬
sired setting is reached, the controller will
hold the adjustment, but may be varied at any
time by rotating the handle as described
above. After this adjustment, there should be
no sensation of the trailer pushing the car
during a stop, nor should there be an exces¬
sive sensation of the trailer pulling 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 com¬
partment. It should be correctly adjusted dur¬
ing installation. However, if you wish to
change the action of your brakes proceed as
follows:
The selective resistor adjustment affects the
maximum braking capacity of the trailer
brakes. Because of the variety of axle load¬
ings, the rated load capacity of the brakes
may exceed the load on the trailer axle.
When a resistor is installed on the towing ve¬
hicle and a setting is made according to the
chart on page 15, check the initial trailer
brake application with the controller fully
applied. If the setting is correct, the controller
full “on” position should provide firm braking
action just short of skidding on dry pavement.
Follow the chart and change the setting to
achieve greater or less braking, as required.
Due to normal brake lining wear, the brakes
and the controller setting should be checked
and readjusted, if necessary, during recom¬
mended inspection intervals. Normally, it is
not necessary to reset the selective resistor
unless there are major changes in the trailer
loading. Note: Brake lining adjustment should
be periodically checked to be sure trailer
brakes are in the same adjustment as the
automobile’s.
Properly set, these 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 car and trailer, the breakaway switch
will set and lock the trailer brakes for a suffi¬
cient 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 at¬
tached 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 reinsert pin. A drop of light
household oil on the groove near the base of
pin will allow pin to operate freely. When the
trailer is connected to the tow car, the
break-away switch loop should be attached
to the permanent frame of your hitch. When
disconnecting 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.
We recommend that your brake system be
checked and adjusted by a Certified Service
Center. However, in emergencies, to adjust
brakes:
1. Remove the small rubber plug at the base
of the backing plate on the brake drum.
14