I just bought a 1980 something (?)(might be older, has an 8-track player) Kountry Aire, 32ft. We pulled the jacks and going to try to get the jacks working tomorrow. The carpet will be pulled and replaced. Looks like original A/C, refrigerator, and possibly furnace. The first 2 work, haven't tested any of the propane systems yet.
Anybody know these kind of trailers? I might need you as a reference book later.

 

Cant help you at all but have fun with the trailer. Make sure to check your wheel bearings (you probably already knew that).

 

DD, you might try checking in over at www.rv.net

They have various forums that you might find interesting and maybe some answers to the questions. Good luck.

..

 

Apart from their being very heavy compared to modern ones, I actually prefer the older ones. They're normally much more self-sufficient, no electronics to kill batteries etc. Do yourself a huge favor, there's a book published by trailer life. an older used copy is fine, but the later versions go into the modern appliances as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-lifes-.../dp/0934798001

obvious first thing to check are wheel bearings, brakes, fridge and furnace flues, leak check all the propane lines, check all the water lines & fittings, the plastic lines are very prone to cracking with age. Light fixtures crack, roof vents too, window cranks are often stripped. All easily replaceable. if the fridge and furnace both work, about the most expensive thing to have to replace is an awning.

Have fun with the restoration! I'm sure there's more than a few of us here that either remember them well or still have the older campers. But as was already mentioned, rv.net is a great resource. I spent a lot of time on there when I did my last restoration.

 

I second the recommendation to buy that book!

Be sure to inspect the roof carefully, and reseal if needed.

For each appliance, you can likely download a service manual on line for free. I'd do that, print them and keep them in a folder, then go through each for cleaning and leak check and whatever inspections the service manual recommends.

Tire wise, if they are 6 years old, replace them all. If you do that, white modular wheels and some of the plastic chrome center caps would dress things up well. The modular wheels are a few bucks more than the wagon wheel ones, but have a higher weight rating.

For sure take the wheel bearings out for cleaning and inspection. I prefer to use synthetic grease, and reusing the seals isn't worth the few dollars you would save.

Clean and adjust the brakes if they are servicable. If not, I'd suggest buying the whole backing plate with all the springs, shoes and hardware already on. It isn't that much more $$$ than replacing shoes, and you get all new hardware, magnets, and save a lot of time.

Have fun with it.

 

Kountry Aire is made by Newmar. They are a good company and are usually VERY heavy.

The first place I would inspect before doing anything else is the roof system. If it is rubber, be very critical of it. Clean out and recaulk every seam and protrusion thru the roof. Reseal with DICOR. Do not use anything petroleum based as a cleaner on the roof if it is EPDM rubber. Get a good roof on it first, then worry about the inside. On one that old I would check the seal on all windows, doors, hatches, etc.

Have fun,

Bob

 

Thanks guys, I've been looking all day for new gears to the jacks, but no one can identify the jacks and all the gear kits have been too big, looks like I'm going to have to deal with Newmar on Monday. I'm going to start working the trailer over tomorrow, hopefully there won't be any major problems to find.

 

The main thing is Its a new toy!!! and we love playing with new toys.

 

Exactly.
The carpet is no longer in there. A 1' strip of plywood needs to be replaced on the floor in the front beside a wall since it was pretty well water damaged. Otherwise just new carpet and the like, with new panels on a few sections of damaged walls and everything will be good for a new start.

 

New jacks should be here in the next few days. So far everything we have really tested has worked. The furnace needs the rat stuff cleaned out before we test the heat and the fridge is doing alright for cool off of electricity but it could be better. I'm going to put the modern hoses with the female connector on and valves to each tank then test the fridge on propane.

 

The fridge will never be as powerful as a household unit. We always pre-cool ours on 110V at home while loading up for a trip, then switch to propane. This helps save propane and cool the fridge down faster.

 

wheres the pictures??

 

Oh, you want pictures?

 

Finally got the title today, it is a 1979 model

 

Looks like it's time to fire up the shop-vac and the carpet machine... but the trailer its self looks straight and in good condition.