Return
to the Tip List.
Subject:
Blue Book Value
Tip:
The Aero Cruiser holds its
value better than most coaches. According to Rick (the Club President), the
Blue Book listing is under Sun Rader and does not
include $17,000 or more worth of options.
Return
to the Tip List.
Subject: Aero
Cruiser Insurance
Question: For
Insurance purposes we would like to know what is the value of a 1990 - 23 foot
Aero Cruiser? Thank you, our best, Steve and Danielle
Answer: When you
have a 17 year old rig, condition is everything. I have seen good ones sell in the
20K range. Basically you are talking about a restored antique. The important
thing is what will the Insurance co. pay out if you total it. If you want
to insure it for more than you paid for it, you may need to
get a written statement from the insurance company that they will cover it up to the
value placed on it. In this case they may
require an inspection. Otherwise the agents 20K value they base your premium on
may turn into the adjusters 1K pay out.
That said, I also have a 1990 23 footer with a standard insurance package. If
I total it, all I expect is a fight from the insurance co. My preference
has been to go with an Insurance company that specializes in Motor Homes such as Good
Sam or Camping World. Their price was right and the package covered more
motor home related items such as interior contents. The packages change
from time to time so check it out before putting bucks on the line.
This is my personal opinion, you need to consult a lawyer for a definitive
opinion.
Keep on Cruisin' -- Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Aero Cruiser Derivability, Wandering and Towing
Question:
Can you tell me how the Aero Cruiser drives? Are they hard to control at 60 - 70 mph? Do
they tend to wander around on the road at all? Is there any adverse changes when towing something?
Thanks again, and I'll try to let you know. Hoping to be cruising soon, Mark
Answer:
The biggest derivability / wander-around-the-road factor is the tire pressure. I keep the
Tire Pressure at: Front 60 lb., Rear 75 lb. Check with your tire manufacture. The proper tire
pressure depends on the tires you purchase and the weight on the Front and Rear axles.
Note: if
you over-inflate the front tires the unit may tend to wander on the highway and you may have a
tendency to over steer. If you under-inflate, you will get poor tire wear and you may blow a tire.
When my wife and I first started driving the Aero Cruiser it took a while to get use to it.
We
had a tendency to over correct but soon got use to it. No problem after the first hour or so.
I
don't drive it at 60-70 mph but my wife says it's no problem.
I tow a car from time to time without any problems. It will cost you about 1 mile per gallon in extra fuel burned.
Keep on Cruisin' -- Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Windshield Replacement
Question:
Where can I get a replacement windshield? Are they still being made?
Answer:
The windshields are still being made. Your insurance company will know of a distributor. There
is also a "Link" on our private web site where you can get them. It is -- http://www.coachglass.com/ -- but shop around, there may be other sources also.
I have replaced mine twice. In both cases my insurance covered it with a $100 deductible.
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Aero Cruiser Chassis, Front and Rear ends and Engine Year
Question:
Where is the chassis number, I need it to get the right parts for the
suspension. How can I find out what year the engine is?
Answer: The Aero Cruiser a custom chassis so a chassis number
will not help you find parts. The
1988-89 models had a "Vironex" chassis and some had steering or front suspension
problems, so have the front end checked before you buy. The 1990-92 models had a
better "LGS" chassis.
Everything
in the front end is from a Dodge full size pickup that was extended 8 inches
and has a helper spring mounted above the axle. All of the electronics and
the components in the dashboard are also from Dodge full size pickup. The rear
end is a Dana 60 by Spicer. Read through the information on our web site --
http://aero-cruiser.fl-ink.com/ac-29ft.htm -- for more details.
Look on the engine air filter housing to get the year of
the engine manufacture. The Aero Cruiser itself may be listed as a year or two
newer then the engine. My 1990 Aero Cruiser has a 1987-8 engine.
Keep on Cruisin' -- Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Trailer Hitch rating for the Aero Cruiser
Tip: The tag on my 1990 23
foot Aero Cruiser trailer hitch says it is rated to tow a maximum of 5000 pounds
with a tongue weight not to exceed 500 pounds. That makes it a Class III hitch, welded to the frame and is good to tow a car or boat trailer.
If you are looking to
haul a larger trailer you should
use a "Weight Distribution Hitch" that transferees most of the tongue weight directly to the frame.
The real question is how you drive with a trailer in tow and, for
a heavy trailer, do you have a Gear
Vender for steep terrain? Basically you can haul almost anything with a
low enough gear ratio. Slow and steady is the name of the game. In
this case the rabbit is likely to burn out a transmission 
while the tortoise
just keeps on truckin'. 
Don't forget the brakes! You need to connect the Aero Cruiser brakes to
the trailer or car braking system in most cases. Where you need gears to
go you need brakes to slow!
The following are general specification for trailer hitch and not specific to the Aero Cruiser.
- Class I - up to 2,000 lbs of maximum gross trailer weight and 200 lbs of maximum tongue weight.
Are light duty hitches good for holding a bike rack or hauling a small utility trailer.
- Class II - up to 3,500 lbs of maximum gross trailer weight and 350 lbs of maximum tongue weight.
Good for small cars, SUV's and pickups.
- Class III - up to 5,000 lbs of maximum gross trailer weight and 500 lbs of maximum tongue weight.
Good for mid-sized cars, SUV's and pickups.
- Class IV - up to 12,000 lbs of maximum gross trailer weight and 600 lbs of maximum tongue
weight or more when used with a Weight Distribution Hitch. Good for
full-sized cars, SUV's and pickups.
- A "Weight Distribution Hitch" can be used to increase the Tongue Weight to:
600 lbs, 800 lbs, 1000 lbs or 1,200 lbs. Check with the manufacture to
see if you can use it on a motor home like the Aero Cruiser.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald.
Return
to the Tip List.
Subject:
Has anybody put Dual Wheels on a 23 footer?
Question:
We are in process of making this 89 coach our third
motor home. Do you know of anyone who has put dual wheels on one of these?
If so
what type wheel-set. I just feel a lot safer running duals on the rear, it seems
like they would offer more stability. Would appreciate you answer and
comments, Looking forward to being a club member. Thanks for you site and the
info you provided. Again thanks, Sam
Answer: Dual wheels are not added for stability, they are added for load. Most motor homes with
dual wheels are built on truck chassis. They use 2 smaller tires instead of one larger
tire to give a lower flat-bed for cargo carrying while supporting a given
weight. The result is a higher ground clearance.
The Aero Cruiser is designed as a low profile motor home with a much lower ground clearance and
center of gravity. It's tires are designed to support a certain weight at a
specific tire pressure.
To know what the proper tire pressure is for each wheel, they should be weighed individually. Then
one can look up the proper inflation level in the manufacturer's tire chart based on the wheel supporting
the most weight on a given axle. Wheels on the same axel should always be
inflated to the same pressure. Over inflated tires cause a rough ride and lead to irregular and
premature wear and the tires do not hold the road as well.
On the Aero Cruiser most owners have found that 60 pounds in the front and 75 pounds in the rear work
best for most tire manufacturers. If you over-inflate the front tires your rig may tend to wander
on the highway and you may have a tendency to over steer. If you under-inflate, you will get poor
tire wear and you may blow a tire.
Other members have gone to a larger tire size that supports more weight and allows
for a lower tire
pressure giving a softer ride. That's fine as long as you go by the book, the
Tire manufacturer's book that is. Be sure to check if your Aero Cruiser has
large enough wheel wells to allow for larger tires. Most Aero Cruisers don't!
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald.
Update: I
agree but adding that the extra wheel in the rear is also a safety factor. It
is usually the rear wheel that catches road debris and goes flat or ruptures.
On the other hand, duals would also require a modification of the wheel wells at
the cost of interior space. Also a dual-wheel rim hub has a 6in or more
negative offset so the two rims can be mated together. That means the
front singles would do the same and you would have a 12" or more narrower
track. A front axel modification would also be needed. Although
spacers are available for that purpose, the bearings are not designed for that
much camber stress.
So in the end, the question is "Why would anyone want to convert to
duals"?
-=Dale=-
Return
to the Tip List.
Subject:
Wood versus Metal Frame and how to tell which is which
Question:
Like your site! Would you recommend staying away from purchasing a 1988 23' because of wood vs steel frame?
Answer:
Not really. Wooden frames supporting the side walls and roof -- like the ribs found in the early Aero Cruisers --
are common in the industry today. I don't know of anybody in the club who has had problems with either a wood or
metal frame specifically. The biggest potential problem is with leaks. If you have a leak it should be fixed
as soon as possible. Wood frames and floors can get dry-rot while the metal frame will rust out. In
short, it's a toss up. Many motor home and trailer manufactures use wood frames today. The Aero Cruiser
switched from the wooden ribs used in the "Vironex" chassis to the metal ribs found in the "LSG" chassis in 1990.
The "LSG" chassis are better in that they fix a number of front end weakness; however,
if you don't have a front end problem then it doesn't matter.
Note: The LSG Chasses will have a
metal tag inside the front hood riveted to a vertical support on the left side
(part of the frame) with LSG on top, the VIN number in the middle, and
"Elkhart IN" on the bottom. You can't miss it; it's easy
to see.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald
Return
to the Tip List.
Subject: Exterior Measurements of the Aero Cruiser
Question: I
need to know how wide the exterior is for the 23 foot Aero Cruiser so I can see
if I have enough room for it.
Answer: My
1990 23 foot Aero Cruiser (and I assume most others) measures 23' 3" bumper
to bumper and is 7' 9" wide excluding the mirrors. The mirrors add 11"
to 12" to each side depending on how they are adjusted. So the total width
is 9' 9" or so. The height is 9' 4" to the top of the Air Conditioner
unit on top of my rig. I always assume I will need 10 foot clearance when on the
road. Everything except the length should be the same for the 29 footer.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald.
Return
to the Tip List.
Subject:
Aero Cruiser Headroom
Question:
I was looking for the interior height from the floor to ceiling.
I have always liked the style of these units & now looking at a few of
the smaller motorhomes to purchase.
Could you tell me what is the headroom in the 23 foot model?
Thanks, Mark
Answer:
The ceilings are only 6'2". I am 6'1" and have no trouble: I probably
duck
slightly for the air conditioner shroud but I don't think about it if I
do.
My shower is a good 6'3" due to the dome. --Frank DeRemer
Update:
The ceilings are the same hight in the 23 and 29 foot Aero Cruisers.
Keep on Cruisin' -- Tom Heald
Return
to the Tip List.
Subject:
Drivers Seat Leg Room
Question:
I'm looking for a rear bedroom model Aero Cruiser. I just looked at one today but found that the
driver's seat would not go back far enough to accommodate my 6'3" frame. Can you tell me if other
tall owners have modified the driver's seat or perhaps the one I tried was unique?
Thanks, John
Answer:
The drivers seat should slide all the way back to the couch. If not
then you have some sort of an obstruction. However, depending on the
year, even then the foot room can be a bit tight. Some owners have
replaced the seats. One option is to move the seat up. You can
replace the pedestal it mounts on or just try a cushion on top of
the seat. I am 6 foot and my wife is 5 foot 10, so I normally put
a cushion on the seat to let me sit higher and give me a bit more
leg room. When my wife drives, we take the cushion out and never
have to adjust the seat back and forth.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Where can I find a Used Aero Cruiser?
Question:
I'm looking for a rear bedroom model Aero Cruiser. Do you know of any on
the west coast?
Answer:
There are always some used Aero Cruisers on the market. Check
out the Public Web Page for the Aero Cruiser Club at: http://aero-cruiser.fl-ink.com/ac-sale.htm
A second source is on -- http://aero-cruiser.fl-ink.com/
-- the club's public web site.
On the home page there are links to
Classified Ad pages where some members and non-members advertise their uses Aero Cruisers.
Just
scroll down the page to the section titled "Looking for Used Aero Cruisers" and follow the instructions.
The site is to let non members know we exist and how
to get in touch with us. This site also has lots of information about the Aero Cruiser including
its history, photos, specifications and information on our club.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Aero Cruiser Suspension and Tire size
Question:
I am thinking of buying one of these units and would appreciate
a few answers. I would of course join your club if I find one. I
was a member of the Cortez Club. I know the chassis is custom but
what do they use for the front
end (suspension)? Is there a problem with wheels and tires as they
are single wheels? Is the rear axle coil or leaf sprung? Thanks
Answer:
Everything in the front end is from a 1-ton Dodge Pickup that was extended 8
inches. It has coil springs and a lateral leaf stiffener-spring was added over
the front axle. The rear suspension has leaf springs with airbags that are
individually controlled from the front cab.
I look at the single rear wheels as an advantage over the smaller dual-wheels. It
all comes down to how much load each tire bears. I run 60 pounds of pressure in
the front tires and 75 pounds in the rear which is the recommendation of the club's
Techmaster. A common problem is over inflating the front tires which will cause the
steering to wander around on the road a bit. A mechanic first guess will be the ball
joints or the steering arms -- which could be true -- but before you open your wallet,
check the tire pressure.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Aero Cruiser Vinyl Strip
Question:
Hello: I am looking at a 1989 23' Aero Cruiser and am quite
impressed. The main thing that bother me is the vinyl band that encompasses the unit at the
joint of the two halves has some bubbling in spots, especially
where the strip stops and starts. The bubbling is such that if it
was a metal body, as in a car or truck, I'd be running for all I'm
worth. I know that the two body halves have a metal band that they
are attached to, and am wondering if this could be a problem? What
is the metal band made of, could it be stainless steel? Could this
be just bad glue holding the vinyl, or am I hoping for too much?
Mark
Answer:
The vinyl strip is a week point. Almost every coach has had to reapply the strip after 5
to 10 years. It is applied with double backed tape and water can get in at the seams. When
I purchased my 1990 coach in 96 the vinyl was falling off. I removed everything, cleaned
it up and reapplied it with contact cement. That was a mistake. I should have replaced it
but I could not find a source at the time. It lasted for another 5 years,
but was badly discolored so I located the manufacture and replaced the old vinyl
strip with a new one.
After replacing the vinyl strip I added a bead of clear silicon sealant
above and below to keep the moisture out. That worked ok and I did the same
thing when I replaced it later. I check it every spring and seal
any area where the sealant is coming loose. For more information on
replacing the vinyl strip, look it up in out "Technical Data Base" if
you decide to join our club at: http://aero-cruiser.fl-ink.com/
There are two types of Body Side Molding used on
our rigs. The older models -- up through 1990 I think -- use a 4.75 inch wide molding on the sides
and a 3.25 inch molding on the front and rear. Newer models use a thinner, bumper-style molding on the sides.
The best source for the wide molding is JC Whitney's "Ultra-wide Body Molding". It is 8.12 inches
wide by 15 foot long. You trim it into strips approximately 4.75 & 3.25 inches wide for the sides
and ends. You only need to order enough for the sides, as the part you trim off is more than enough
for the front and rear. Go to -- http://www.jcwhitney.com/ --
and search for "ultra-wide molding" or call (800) 603-4383.
The metal band is aluminum and it allows the two haves to flex. I don't know of any coaches
that have had a problem in this area. In the last year or two of production they switched to a different
attachment method that replaced the 4.75 inch vinyl with a 1 inch (or so) "bumper" like strip to seal
the attachment joint. This is a much better solution, but there is no way to retrofit the change.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Aero Cruiser Pricing
Question:
I am looking at a 1989 23' Aero Cruiser and am quite
impressed. However, he is asking $22,000.00 US for the unit
and it seems awfully high to me for a unit of this age and size. Is this
within the range or out of line?
Mark
Answer:
The price sounds about right, especially if everything is ok with the coach.
As with any used vehicle, it's all in the condition and mileage. A well
maintained or restored coach with low mileage can sell for much more. One
that needs work, a lot less.
Because they are
unique, and small they have held their price very well. Like "Yoda" said
in "Star Wars". "Judge me not by my size." They sold new for around $50,000 and up. And that is real
dollars of the time. If you adjust the price to Today's dollars, well, you can do the math.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
Subject:
Passenger Capacity and Seat Belts
Question:
I am looking at purchasing a '89 - 23' with capacity for only two people. It has only two seat belts,
and they are in the cab area. It has the two free standing chairs for a dinette area, and no way of
belting anyone in there. We are moving into retirement and the kids are now on there own. This will
be my first motorhome. My questions and concerns are: How much of a concern is it to be able to carry
passengers? Do other Areo Cruiser owners have this situation and is it
a concern for them? Thank you
Answer: A standard Aero Cruiser has seat belts for 5 or
6. Each of the seats has a belt, 3 in the Rear Bed and
Rear Bath models and 2 in the Twin Bed model. There are also 3 other seat belts for the couch
or dinette. Check the Floor Plans on our public web
site. It sounds like the one you are looking at has been modified or the missing belts
are tucked below the seats. Ask the owner.
Keep on Cruisin', Tom Heald
Return to the Tip List.
|
CopyrightŠ 1999-2016
Freelance Ink.
All Rights Reserved.
|
|
.
