The "Silver Fox"

After my unwelcomed introduction, I was still very hesitant on getting to know the "Silver Fox" on a personal level. Scraping mold off the window sills and mopping up mildew from water logged floor boards left me sick in my bedroom with strep throat for a couple of days. Finding needles under the sink, and behind cabinets had me worried about other sicknesses as well. Even so, I loved the challenge and felt compelled to make something of myself and this pile of junk.

I came back from my isolated bed ready to see what this empty shell was made of... To my dismay, the propane hose was cut, and every fuse was blown. Somebody had cut off all signs of life. We had purchased a dead RV.

Within the next week I began thinking of the "Silver Fox" as a job rather than a chore. I found myself going down to hardware stores and talking about propane connections and rv-fuses. It became obvious that with every simple question I asked, the more it looked like I was either going to electricute, or blow myself up. Eventually I overcame every one of my obstacles and earned myself a degree in propane connections and fuse box science.

I had high intensions for the "silver fox,"at this point in time I felt like I was giving her a new heart. This was all she needed to come back to life. With the propane plugged in and fuses in place I raced to the electrical outlets ready to fire this puppy up and check the appliances.

The first sign of life was through light. All of her lamps shinned bright with 12 volt electricity, comming from the fuse box. Reaching up toward the lit control pannel, I turned on the water pump. I heard "verrrr...tut tut..speeeewwccchhhhhhh...." Thinking this was the sound of water running through the copper pipes, I kept my finger on the trigger. It wasn't... Instead water came up from the pump, through a massive crack, and on to my bare floor. Puddles and mildew spots that I tried so hard to dry up with AEG heaters and de-humidifiers came back to life. The disease spread all the way down into the rusted underbelly. Crushed... I kept my composure and spent the rest of the day cutting out "soft spots" in the floor boards.

first impressions

Chris (my brother) called me into his place of business and asked me if I would clean out an old vintage air stream that he purchased from a man in Washington state. Being an unemployed student living off the McDonalds dollar menu I quickly replied "yes."
We then walked out to a 31' 1974 "Sovereign" parked in the AURA river center parking lot.
As we both approached the front door, he kept on saying how this was a "huge job" and that I might want to pick up a mask and gloves at the local hardware store. I blew off his concerns knowing his lack of cleaning experience. Bleach can kill anything right? I should have taken a hint after he picked up a screw driver and began picking the dead bolt. Luckily someone already bashed the casing in with an axe and it didn't take that long to unlock...


The door creaked open and the trailers green shag carpeting released its noxious fumes. First impressions mean everything, especially when they involve you gagging and gasping for air. The mildew stench hit Chris and I like a brick wall. While backing away, Chris did his trademark smug grin and left me to give myself a tour.

As I braved through the stench and grime it dawned on me that there was actually some human like creature living in this dump before AEG purchased it...


Everything was literally contaminated with either mildew or mold. So I did what any logical person would do and threw it out the front door.
As I tossed out mattresses, and cleaned out closets, it became clear that our personal possessions reflect who we are as people...The previous owner of this classic air stream is not someone I would like to meet in person. Or talk to on the phone for that matter. I over turned some rocks that should have been left untouched.

Welcome Message

Welcome the AEG Airstream blog.

Kyle Owens and Dan have got their hands full with a project that allows AEG low cost lodging. The "Silverfox" will make her maiden voyage in late February in search of Steelhead.