irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Oct 7, 2019 10:35:57 GMT -8
We bought one about 2 1/2 years ago and installed it in our '64 Shasta Airflyte. We operate it on 120 VAC and on propane (NOT AT THE SAME TIME... of course!) We installed a small air conditioner in the top cabinet above it and with the AC on, we noticed that we were not getting cool air out of the AC unit and the refrigerator quit cooling as well. Not sure at first what it was (I can hear the tongues clucking..!) Thought it might have to do with the heat from the AC unit and after checking out several places on the web, I thought that we had burnt out the electric coil. Not so. Dummy me, we simply added a heat source which added a heat load to the refrigerator as it heated up the cabinet adding enough heat that the refrigerator simply wouldn't work correctly nor the AC. I pulled the AC unit out and added a heavy duty 12 volt blower with a 12 V to 120VAC inverter to run it. Problem solved(so far). I may add an additional muffin fan behind the fridge blowing out the vent through the side to make sure that no hot air is trapped. We paid $400 delivered for a 2.1 Cubic Foot 3 way refrigerator and it works fine. No issues at all. So far, it has been a good inexpensive 3 way refrigerator.
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Feb 16, 2018 10:46:29 GMT -8
Did anyone else hear Disco Duck playing in the background??
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Feb 5, 2018 14:55:51 GMT -8
Larry , thank you for the compliment. I really appreciate it. You were instrumental in our repairs thanks to the excellent videos. I used most of your 59 Shasta Airflyte videos. You saved me a bunch of new gray hair..!
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Feb 5, 2018 14:41:37 GMT -8
LOL... We have been followed home several times by vintage camper folks that had a canned ham or a Shasta Compact. So far, they have been wonderful to talk to and share stories and advice. We are so psyched to start camping in her. Two more photos: IMG_3429 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/142377009@N05/ IMG_3430 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/142377009@N05/
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Feb 5, 2018 13:16:01 GMT -8
Sorry for the delay in getting these posted. We haven't hooked up the propane, installed the 3 way refrigerator and need to run power to the inside light by the sofa/bed. Hope to be camping March 2nd. IMG_3442 by
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Feb 5, 2018 13:13:16 GMT -8
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Feb 5, 2018 13:05:50 GMT -8
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Feb 5, 2018 8:28:49 GMT -8
As a street rodder and classic car guy, I am familiar with the devil that lurks beneath the skin... whether it be rust, bondo, wreck damage or wood rot and failed structural members. So, before buying do some homework. Hats off to all of you that share your experiences, they helped me a great deal. Here's my experience. If you live out West, you can be more selective than those of us on the East and SouthEast coast. There just aren't many vintage trailers over here(16' or less and 50s to mid 60s). I spent abut 5 months looking for a decent candidate for purchase. We had several CL trailers sold out from under us. I get the economics of restoration and that is why you pros must have a low purchase prices. We just never ran across a decent and popular vintage trailer that sold for less than $1000. Ours was a resto in progress and had a nice interior with a few minor problems on the exterior. We paid about $3500. I have more than that in it now but still in my budget range. Like an old car, I never expect to make money but do count on breaking even. So my 2 cents from a Newbie: Research the trailer you are interested in, research SOLD prices as a guide to what the trailer is worth. Ask around for prices to repair and then determine if you are capable of doing some of the work yourself. Make sure that it is towable(sound, good tires, fresh grease or rebuild on the hubs, safe structure and whenever possible, tow it yourself or put it on a trailer and tow it home. We towed our Shasta Airflyte for over 1300 miles and the only bad thing that happened was an extension cord that was left in the closet vibrated down through a two inch access hole in the floor then eventually contacted the tire. 25 feet of cord were sucked around the tire before you can say Oh #)$+*(@!!The cord cut the tire apart and wrapped the carcass and the cable around the axle.Once we sawzalled the tire parts away from the axle we drove our tow vehicle to a local tire shop and got a tire mounted on the wheel. The good news is that we needed two trailer tires and we got a great deal on them mounted and balanced. I know bad things can happen but if you do your homework and research you can find the trailer of your dreams.
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Jan 30, 2018 7:48:59 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice. This will be our first experience with a 3 way refrigerator. Are there any others out there that have used the Smad 3 ways?
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Jan 29, 2018 16:05:28 GMT -8
Yes, the controls are on the bottom. I had been watching E Bay for about 2 months looking for a deal and right before Christmas I saw 2 pop up. I thought that for the kind of money I paid I should be safe. The face is black plastic so it should look good with the natural wood of the cabinet around it.
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Jan 29, 2018 6:15:07 GMT -8
Our Airflyte had a hole in the cabinet where the old icebox was when we bought her. I checked into new and used Norcolds and Dometics and decided that the risk/reward of using a used 3 way was too great. Soooo, and I am sure I am going to hear some groans from folks on the forum, I went to EBay and bought a 2.1 Cubic Foot Smad 3 way. They were originally designed for Tractor Trailer usage but I don't think there is much less vibration or movement in the cab than in a vintage camper. Got a great deal on it, paid $353 delivered. As soon as I got it, I plugged the unit in to check it and it worked great. Will be installing it soon and yes, I will take some pictures. I know it is Chinese but so is my Harbor Freight $12 grinder which has been to date, the best cheap tool I have every bought! Keeping my fingers crossed!
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Jan 29, 2018 6:07:51 GMT -8
Larry; Glad to see you back in action! You are a treasure to us first time camper owners!
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Jan 21, 2018 16:38:40 GMT -8
Someone gets the Eagle Eye award! The picture was taken outside Tim's shop in Panama City, FL after he finished putting a new skin on the lower half curbside. He prepped the trailer for painting by removing all the windows, jrail and awning rail. This was taken in October, about 3 weeks after we dropped it off at Tim's place and before he finished taking the rear and front windows out. He had already replaced the lower skin. Yes, he is fastidious and detailed about his work. Wish I could have afforded to have him do more. Sorry for the delay in getting pics out. I should have about 8 - 10 in the next 3 - 5 days. Heading to Atlanta on business and to visit my grandson.
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Jan 18, 2018 12:50:31 GMT -8
flic.kr/p/22dER5ZHope this works!! More to come... this is about 1 month after we purchased her... all windows were removed and jrail and awning rail removed in preparation for our next step, bring er home and start prepping for painting. The PO had already replaced all of the damaged wood and restored the interior.
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irmatrailer
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Post by irmatrailer on Jan 12, 2018 19:14:30 GMT -8
Just finishing up our 64 Airflyte. Bought her in September of '17 and just about finished putting her all back together. We love our little Irma!
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