Glen,

Not sure of the exact years, but for several years in the mid-70's Airstream offered the vacuum brakes as an option. When they were new they were better than the electric, so I've been told. As they aged a number of serious problems developed , one main one being they would tend to drag, which would wear out the brake rotors. The hubs and rotors being an integrial type of unit, this was a serious problem. Several years back, (4-6) Airstream ran a special trying to get owner's that had the vacuum brakes to convert over to electric. Just this past week I called our local Airstream dealer and was quoted a conversion price that was around $1,300-$1,500. Reason I called was a friend was (and did) buying a 1977 31ft. Airstream that had vacuum brakes.

One of the first projects he plans on doing is to get it converted to electric brakes since they are safer and give less trouble.

Pat

Glen Cymbalist wrote:

What years had the vacuum brakes? What kind of tow vehicle modification is required? Tap into engine vacuum source? Are these vacuum brakes trouble free?

Glen Cymbalist

On Tue, 26 Jan 1999, Donald Kribbs wrote:

Bill Day: Take a look at the 1976, 27' for possibility that it has vacuum brakes rather than electric. Vacuum would require modification of your  tow vehicle to provide the vacuum. I agree that the limits on your tow vehicle rule out the 31footer.

Donald