Airstream Service Bulletin
Bulletin Number: 172
Product Line: Airstream Basecamp
Subject: Refrigerator Cooling

Operation Code: TTSBR8362079
Labor rate: 2.50 hrs if the refrigerator needs to be removed
1.50 hrs if the baffles and insulation are already installed and the wiper seals are correct
It has come to our attention that there is an opportunity for the refrigerator in certain 2017 and 2018
Basecamps to cool inadequately in extreme higher temperatures.
The bulletin will consist of adding a set of baffles to the refrigerator and compartment, as well as moving the
location of the wiper seals in the compartment. Insulation will also be added to the area around the
refrigerator. The location of the thermal limit switch will be moved. There will also be a 2nd ventilator fan
added to the top vent and another battery added to the battery compartment. This will help to prevent heat
from circulating around the refrigerator and force more warm air out through the exterior refrigerator vents.
This will help aid in cooling.
Please contact our Customer Service Department at 937-596-6111 ext. 7401 with the serial
number to have the parts shipped to your dealership.
Please perform the following procedures to all Basecamp stock and customer units within VIN range 203005204091.
The procedure below is for modifying the refrigerator compartments in the 2017 and 2018 Basecamps.
RANGE OF VEHICLES INVOLVED:
2017-2018 Airstream Basecamp Travel Trailers built between 9/08/2016 and 8/11/2017
Serial number range: 203005-204091
Note: Because our VINs do not run in a contiguous series, there will be trailers in the VIN range
that are not affected by this Service Bulletin.

Please inspect all units carefully as many of the Basecamps were built with the wiper seals in the correct
location, as well as having the baffle installed.
If the baffle, wiper seals, and insulation are present, there is no need to remove the refrigerator and these
steps can be skipped.

Equipment needed:
- Battery Op Drill
- Screws
- Crescent Wrench
- Screw Driver
- Wire Cutters
- Wire Strippers
- Gray Ad-Seal (Part # 365330-03)
- Aluminum Baffle for Refrigerator (Part # 455360)
- Aluminum Baffle for Compartment (Part # 455359)
- Eco-Batt Insulation
- Spray Adhesive (such as Hi-Tak)
- Aluminum Tape, 2” (Part # 365194)
- Ventilator Fan (Part # 690394)
- Jumper Wires for Battery (Part # 512049-04 (+) 512049-05

Part # 455359

Part # 455360

Step 1: Turn off gas, remove LP bottles and LP bottle cover. To remove the cover, remove the 4 self-tapping
bolts with a 3/8” socket or nut driver.

Note: You will need to cut the 3M film along the seam of the vent doors. We recommend cutting it as
pictured below. You will need to apply 2 new 3M film decals when completed. The part number for the film
is 203988.

Step 2: Using a flat head screw driver, turn the locking tabs in the corners of the refrigerator access doors.
This will allow you to remove the refrigerator access doors.

Step 3: Disconnect the LP line, 12 volt power wires and 110 volt power plug for the refrigerator.

Note: You may need to loosen and move the fridge to get the 110V power disconnected. See step 4 for
refrigerator removal process.

Step 4: Remove the refrigerator. To do this, remove the screw caps on the left and right side of the
refrigerator and remove the 4 phillips-head screws. You should also put down some kind of protective cover on
the floor to avoid damage when removing the refrigerator.

Step 5: Remove the existing wiper seals from the refrigerator compartment. Then, measure 14” from the
frace of the cabinet into the refrigerator compartment and re-mount the wiper seals on either side of the
refrigerator compartment. The part with the wood attachement will attach to the road side. (If needed, the

part number for the wiper seal is 381830)

Step 6: Using Eco Batt, insulate between the wiper seals and the front of the refrigerator cabinet. Use a spray
adhesive, such as Hi-Tack, on the side walls of the cabinet to adhere the insulation. Make sure the insulation is
installed 2 inches above the floor to allow for the drain to work properly without getting the insulation wet.

Step 7: If present, remove the foam gasket from the top of the refrigerator.

Step 8: Using aluminum tape, tape the gray wire to the side of the refrigerator, like pictured below

Step 9: Take the “U” shaped baffle (Part # 455360) and slide it over the fins of the refrigerator

Note: The baffle should fit between the fins and the back on the refrigerator and make sure it bottoms
out on the bracket like pictured below. Also, make sure that the baffle is just as wide as the
refrigerator. If it sticks out on the sides, use a pair of tin snips to trim it down.

Step 10: Relocate the temperature sensor on the refrigerator fan about 2 inches away from the fan on the
aborption system tube with a zip tie, like pictured below:

Step 11: Spray the top of the refrigerator with spray adhesive and attach a piece of insulation.

Note: When completed, the refrigerator should look like this:

Step 12: Install the other baffle (Part # 455359) on the inside of the refrigerator compartment. It should sit with
the longer flat side flush with the top of the upper refrigerator vent and connect in with 4 screws. The other side
will connect to the top of the refrigerator cabinet.

Note: Make sure to feed the LP line through the notched side of the baffle (left side if you are looking
from the inside out toward the vents). If it doesn’t fit properly, you may need to notch it out further.
Some units will have a copper LP line rather than the flexible LP line shown.

Step 13: Using Ad-seal, seal around the new baffle. Using aluminum tape, tape off around the LP line.

Step 14:Install the refrigerator. Make sure to check either side of the refrigerator and tuck any insulation
behind the wiper seal. The seals should fit tightly to the back of the refrigerator, like this:

Note: The baffles should sit together like this when the refigerator is installed:

Step 15: Mount the second ventilator fan on the baffle, using the supplied bracket so it is centered in the upper
vent door. This will need to be positioned to push air out through the vent away from the refrigerator (the fan
will be marked to show air flow). You will want to add a piece of foam gasket between the fan and the baffle to
help reduce vibration noise.

Step 16: Wire the new fan into the existing fan circuit.
Cut and strip the red and black wires from the existing fan to the temp sensor.

Using a bell connector, splice in the red wire from the new fan to the wire that was just cut

Do the same with the blue wire from the new fan and the black wire that was cut.

Step 17: Reinstall LP bottles and cover. Perform LP drop pressure test to verify there are no leaks.

Step 18: You will need to install the 2nd 12v battery in the battery compartment. This is accessed by removing
2 panels inside the galley cabinet on the road side. Start by removing the vertical panel with 4 screws. Remove
the 4 screws and pull the panel out.

Step 19: After removing the upper panel, you will then be able to remove the lower panel. Remove the 6
screws and lift from the back of the panel. This will allow you to remove the panel and access the battery box

Step 20: After removing the battery box lid, disconnect the original battery and move it to the rear of the box
with the posts facing away from the wall.

Install the second battery with the posts facing away from the wall and wire in parallel like pictured below.
You may use jumper wires ordered through Airstream (Part # 512049-04 (+) and 512049-05 (-)) or you
can make you own with 6 gauge wire.

If there are any questions or more instruction is needed please contact our Customer Service Dept. at
937-596-6111 ext. 7401.