Protecting Your Airstream

Airstream recommends Walbernize

Airstream Recommends Walbernize to protect your coach and keep it looking new.

Applies just like any wax which gives your Airstream a nice protected finish*

Contact Bates RV parts department. 

* even with the use of walbernize you still need to wash your unit and check all sealants on a regular basis

Cleaning Curtains on your Airstream

Cleaning Curtains

There are two different curtains in travel trailers: a loose-weave type for Classics and a polyester type for all other travel trailers.

Both types can be machine washed however we recommend you hang-dry the drapes in Safari, Bambi, and CCD models.
Safari, Bambi, and International CCD Curtains

Note: These curtains are manufactured by Dana Mills, Inc.

1. Remove the drapes.
2. Dry clean the curtains.
3. Hang drapes up to dry so they don’t shrink.


Classic Curtains
Note: These curtains are manufactured by Crestmont, Inc.
1. Remove the drapes.
2. Machine wash drapes using the gentle cycle. We
recommend using Woolite™.
3. Dry the drapes using a drier or hang them to dry.



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sealants continued

Sikaflex® -221 GREY Part Number 360180

USE Sikaflex® -221 is a polyurethane based sealant. This fast curing product provides permanent elastic adhesion to a number of surfaces with excellent cut and tear resistance. Designed to resist the shock and abuse encountered over countless road miles, Sikaflex® -221 will maintain its strength and adhesion over the long haul. Sikaflex® -221 is weather resistant, approved for potable water and incidental food contact.

Clean Up--- Using a soft rag, Clean up with isopropyl Alcohol or Mild mineral Spirits. Always wipe in the direction of the grain
Use on Interior segment Seams

Sika 721-UV White Part Number 365294-01

Use Sikaflex® -721UV incorporations the latest technology in polyurethane sealants with silanes, which give great adhesion with little or no surface preparation. Sikaflex® -721UV is UV resistant, so it retains its color perfectly after years in the sun. White stays white, grey stays grey. Does not chalk or streak.
Clean Up--- Using a soft rag, Clean up with isopropyl Alcohol or Mild mineral Spirits. Always wipe in the direction of the grain
Use on All exterior components- Skylights, Awning Rails, Tops of Airstream Made Windows, Radio antenna, roof vents, Top of Main Door, TV antenna, Awning Rail,

Sikaflex® -221 Black Part Number 360180-04

USE Sikaflex® -221 is a polyurethane based sealant. This fast curing product provides permanent elastic adhesion to a number of surfaces with excellent cut and tear resistance. Designed to resist the shock and abuse encountered over countless road miles, Sikaflex® -221 will maintain its strength and adhesion over the long haul. Sikaflex® -221 is weather resistant, approved for potable water and incidental food contact.
Clean Up--- Using a soft rag, Clean up with isopropyl Alcohol or Mild mineral Spirits. Always wipe in the direction of the grain

All Hehr Safari Windows

Sika 721-UV Gray Part Number 365294-01

Use Sikaflex® -721UV incorporations the latest technology in polyurethane sealants with silanes, which give great adhesion with little or no surface preparation. Sikaflex® -721UV is UV resistant, so it retains its color perfectly after years in the sun. White stays white, grey stays grey. Does not chalk or streak.
Clean Up--- Using a soft rag, Clean up with isopropyl Alcohol or Mild mineral Spirits. Always wipe in the direction of the grain
Use on tops of Airstream Riveted windows, Main door eyebrow


If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at click here to contact us with all your questions

Determining carring weight of water and lp.....

How do I know how much weight is in my Airstream from water,Lp and fuel


Wet Weight=
The weight of the vehicle with the fuel, freshwater and propane tanks full.
To help in determining weights, the following should be useful:

Gasoline weighs 6.3 pounds per gallon
Diesel fuel weighs 6.6 pounds per gallon
Propane weighs 4.25 pounds per gallon
Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon


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Water leaks or pump runs alot

Checking your airstream for leaks in the water system

WATER TEST PROCESS W/ WATER
1. Make sure all lines are capped off at ends going to faucets.
2. Install water pressure gauge at end of water line at galley faucet hook up.
3. Once you have capped off all waterlines going to faucets and installed pressure gauge. You can turn water pump on to assure that the water lines and water heater are full of water.
4. Once water lines and water heater have been filled. Pump waterlines up with 100 p.s.i. (+ or- 5) using your air compressor and fitting that can be installed at the city water inlet.
5. Leave this on for 10 minutes. (Minimum)
6. If you see a drop in pressure find the source and properly fix it.
7. Once you feel item is repaired you need to go thru process # 3 and #4 again to assure this.
Fresh Water Plumbing Leaks Procedure W/O Water
1. Turn off all water valves
2. Place 35-45 psi of air pressure into city water hook-up
3. If unit does NOT hold pressure for _ hour- re-apply air
- A. Check for loose fittings
- B. Check all tubing or pipes for cracks or cuts
- C. Check for bad gaskets at faucets or toilet, etc.
4. Upon finding leak replace bad part- gasket, fitting, pipe, etc.
5. Re-apply 35-45 psi of air pressure to re-check entire system
6. Repeat as necessary

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Batteries and Dry Camping

Dry camping drains the camper battery overnight with very limited use of the 12-volt lights. The battery recharges okay while on landline. A sixty-mile trip did not recharge the battery via an alternator charge. Where and how should I continue to troubleshoot?
First be sure the battery is "fully" charged. Monitor the specific gravity of the electrolyte while charging and record the readings every two to three hours. A battery is considered fully charged when the specific gravity peaks and does not increase over a two-hour period. A fully charged battery will have a specific gravity of about 1.265. This may take awhile, so be patient. Do not charge rapidly. Stay below the gassing voltage of 14.3 volts during the complete charging cycle.
Once you are sure the battery is fully charged, look for drains on the system by using a volt-Ohmmeter with a minimum ten-amp scale. Here's how; turn all 12-volt devices off. Disconnect the negative cable from that battery and insert the meter in-line with that cable. Any current draw over 600-800 milli-amps indicates an excessive drain on the system. At the fuse block, remove each fuse, one fuse at a time. The circuit with the drain will be revealed when the current drain disappears as that fuse is pulled. The final step is to simply identify the components in that circuit to find the culprit.
If no drains are found, inspect the positive and negative terminals at the truck/camper connection. Be sure the positive and ground wires are the same gauge. Oftentimes technicians install a large positive wire, (as they should), but neglect to have a like-sized or larger wire on the ground side. Remember, in a DC circuit the negative side of the circuit is just as important as the positive or "hot" side. Look also for frayed wires in the charge line to the camper or the ground connection on both vehicles. Rusted fuse holders, incorrect butt splices, loose terminals, etc., can all contribute to poor charging. Check each inch if necessary. As a final check, have the alternator tested for proper charge output. Batteries should indeed last longer than overnight.

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information copied from Airstream's web site