The 23FB forum

[Troutboy]

I read in another thread here that the advantages of tankless are:
- more energy efficient
- "endless" hot water. So if you have many folks taking a shower you don't have to wait for water to reheat.
-saves water, you don't have to run water and wait as long for hot water to exit faucet.

I love making upgrades. We haven't had any issues with our stock unit, so this is low on the list as of now.

[weirdstuff]

Frustrating, trying to make a deal on a 2018.

Local dealer just pulled the "If you don't buy it here, we won't service you" card. They threatened us with that in 2013 when we bought our Interstate. And they always did our service (their service dept sucks, but that's another story).

Still waiting to hear from the dealer that's an hour away.

[Cinmeredith]

Our local dealer, whom we purchased from, always works us in no matter when we call. They have made the comment that their customers get preference over people who haven't purchased from them. They will, of course, service all Airstreams but their direct customers get priority.

[Troutboy]

They have to service all AS. They can't use that as leverage. However, they do give preference to people that purchase from them. Based on my recent experience, it is a 6-8 week difference if don't purchase from them. This was also in peak time.

I got in in 3 weeks when I called. And friend who bought from another dealer was told 8-9 weeks at the same time.

[Cinmeredith]

That sounds about like our experience.

[rjbrown99]

@weirdstuff if you are in SoCal keep in mind that Airstream LA, Airstream OC, and Airstream IE are owned by the same company. It won't really help to compare pricing between those three dealers.

For what it's worth we bought from Airstream OC and had a very good experience, both sales and service. And we had a bunch of modifications done.

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by rjbrown99

@weirdstuff if you are in SoCal keep in mind that Airstream LA, Airstream OC, and Airstream IE are owned by the same company. It won't really help to compare pricing between those three dealers.

Thanks. Yes, I do know that.

The one down here in San Diego is independent.

The one in IE is about 1.3 hours from us. They've been nice to deal with. But they are currently operating out of a parking lot. Said they're moving into a big place in Temecula (I think), in a few months, and that they will have a full service center. If that's the case, I'm guessing it'll take a whole lot longer than a few months to build and set up and staff a service center...so, I'm not counting on that.

Seems from other's comments above, it is standard practice to give priority service to customers who purchased from them.

I guess I have to decide whether to drive 1.3 hours to purchase and save $2500, but risk being low priority for service at the nearby dealer. It bugs the heck out of me that they use that threat to pressure you into buying from them.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

I read in another thread here that the advantages of tankless are:
- more energy efficient
- "endless" hot water. So if you have many folks taking a shower you don't have to wait for water to reheat.
-saves water, you don't have to run water and wait as long for hot water to exit faucet.

I love making upgrades. We haven't had any issues with our stock unit, so this is low on the list as of now.

Just the two of us. We haven't run out of hot water or propane yet. Now, if I switch the generator to propane and run the A/C, I'll be going through propane a bit faster. For now, this upgrade would be way down on my list..
Thx!

[switz]

Finally got around to taking a photo of the Truma AquaGo Comfort instant on water heater door with a customized door (actual airstream side skin riveted to the stock colton door and then the painted trim around the door). This decorative work was done on both the 23D and the Classic that have this model water heater now.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by weirdstuff

Frustrating, trying to make a deal on a 2018.

Local dealer just pulled the "If you don't buy it here, we won't service you" card. They threatened us with that in 2013 when we bought our Interstate. And they always did our service (their service dept sucks, but that's another story).

Still waiting to hear from the dealer that's an hour away.

I'd walk off the lot one second after hearing those words. Buyers vote with their wallets. My wallet and I don't think blackmail is a legitimate sales tactic that any Good dealer would use or tolerate from one of its employees.

[PKI]

A stupid salesperson is not a good reason to write off a whole organization. However, a terrible service dept is a really big strike and if management and ownership is the problem, walking away with a brisk step and loud voice is a way AS customers can be part of the solution to work with AS Corp to achieve dealer improvement. Pat

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by switz

Finally got around to taking a photo of the Truma AquaGo Comfort instant on water heater door with a customized door (actual airstream side skin riveted to the stock colton door and then the painted trim around the door). This decorative work was done on both the 23D and the Classic that have this model water heater now.

Switz; can you say this installation has met your expectations and has been a big improvement over the standard tank hot water heater? Has it saved water usage, etc?

You now have me thinking about doing this....

thanks,

[Troutboy]

Originally Posted by switz

Finally got around to taking a photo of the Truma AquaGo Comfort instant on water heater door with a customized door (actual airstream side skin riveted to the stock colton door and then the painted trim around the door). This decorative work was done on both the 23D and the Classic that have this model water heater now.

Looks good switz! Did you have the same outfit do this that did your other mods?

[weirdstuff]

Tomorrow we're driving 1.3 hours to the Airstream dealer to place our order. (Not going to the dealer 15 minutes away).

No matter what I say, or share from your comments here, husband still not convinced that we need awning package. He says we can add it later if we decide we want and need it. He wants to make some kind of covers for the windows, that will shade the windows. So, look for the trailer with some kind of newfangled funky window treatments...and that'd be us.

So, we're going with the Serenity, with the oyster seating (oyster color, not seating for little oysters, though that could be tasty), back up camera, manual awning.

Leaning towards ProPride hitch.

Any last advice before we place our order?

[OTRA15]

I lived in San Diego for many years, and know the climate well including deserts to the east. Remind me to tell you about going through Yuma at midnight in 116 F heat with no AC in an old VW!

Missing out on an instant awning package NOW is penny wise, and pound foolish IMO.

No Rube Goldberg window contraption is going to replace good functional awnings.



Period !!!

Good luck.

Peter

PS personally I don't think you need a Pro Pride for the lighter and narrower 23FB but that is not my area of any expertise.

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

I lived in San Diego for many years, and know the climate well including deserts to the east. Remind me to tell you about going through Yuma at midnight in 116 F heat with no AC in an old VW!

Missing out on an instant awning package NOW is penny wise, and pound foolish IMO.

No Rube Goldberg window contraption is going to replace good functional awnings.



Period !!!

Good luck.

Peter


PS personally I don't think you need a Pro Pride for the lighter and narrower 23FB but that is not my area of any expertise.

This made me laugh!!

Well, I agree with you. I have until manana to convince husband.

You might be right about the Pro Pride. We've never towed before, so it's all new to us. Once thing we do like about the Pro Pride, vs the Blue Ox, is that you don't remove the WD bars each time you unhitch. That seems like it'd be a PIA. We're going off of videos we've watched on line.

[OTRA15]

Anyone who lives in San Diego, who does not recognize the need to maximize awnings . . . especially if you are going to the desert at some point . . .



Let us all now praise the patient women of the world!

Good luck . . .

Peter

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

If a grown adult man who lives in San Diego does not recognize the need to maximize awnings . . .

I know!

He keeps saying that, on the 23, there are not enough windows to worry about.

[OTRA15]

The solar gain coming through just one of the windows, especially when the outside temp is over 100 F, and the skin of the Airstream is too hot to touch, may eventually change his mind as he is drenched in sweat feeling . . . whatever . . .

You can lead a horse to water . . .

Over and out.

[Cinmeredith]

If you are investing all of this money to purchase a unit, just get the awnings. Just my opinion.