First trip in our new Airstream Interstate

[alann]

Only a 2 day one night stay but what a hoot! Only problems were tire pressure low and need an alignment. Other than that all went well. Would have made good entertainment for you more advanced RV'rs! The dumping was the "best" part. Will not go into details but wife now calls me "stinky" and the movie RV comes to mind. We had both forgotten how much we love the outdoors. Thanks to all of you guys/gals on this forum. The info gained here is what made us decide on Airstream.

Alan

[clancy_boy]

That's what it's all about - Congrats on your first outing. Line up some more fun soon.

Mike

[thecatsandi]

Congrats!
Alignment: Check all your tire pressures first. Your profile does not say waht trailer you have yet? You have some editing to do!

[drag'nwagon]

Congrats "stinky"...I mean alann,

We all hope you have great time out adventuring. Don't worry you will master the dump station soon.

[Mrs_RedSHED]

Great! Sometimes its all about the adventure and the stories you get to tell later!

Glad you had fun.

[SilverCabin]

Welcome to the forums. I would venture to say that we all have an amusing sewer story to tell. I know I do.

Randy

[ScottW]

Congrats on your first trip, Alan. Don't worry. There is nothing you can do wrong that I, or most of us for that matter, haven't already done. That's where the movie 'RV' came from.
Enjoy and send pics!

[TBRich]

Congratulations on your first trip! That's one you will always remember...glad it went pretty much OK... And don't worry...the stink will wear off. It did for me...

More Happy Trails are comin'...
TB

[davidz71]

Alan,
Glad to see that your trip went well, except for the stinky part. If only Robin Williams had been there to give you tips!

[alann]

Thanks for the replies. It is not a trailer, it is a "B" motor home made by Airstream. Oh, the tire pressure was at about 50 in all 4 tires. The door plate state "80psi" in all 4. I thought that was a high number since the tires max is also 80. However other owners state that is fine.

[thecatsandi]

If 50psi is what was in ther and 80 is max. What is the load on each tire? if it is near maximum then the pressure should be near maximum. The door plate should be ruling factor.
Have a look at the tires. Do they look squatty? If so they really need more air.

[Robfike]

Alann,
One of the best ways to check the over/under pressure of each tire is to check the temperature. Check the temp on the inside edge of the tread, the center, and the outside edge of the tread. If the center is higher than the edges, that tire is over inflated for it's load (120-130-120). If the center is lower than the edges, it is under inflated for it's load (125-115-125). In real life the edges will never be the same temp do to camber. Generally an even spread is what you are looking for (125-128-130).
The numbers I have shown are just to give you the idea. Your actual temps can be higher or lower.
This is how we adjust our tires on the race car, and it works with any tire/load combination.
When I am not racing, the lazer temp reader is in the MH.
Rob

[ghatfield]

We have an AS trailer and dumping the black tank was always a "treat." But my wife bought us a "Sewer Solution" and those days have thankfully passed. It offers a very clean way to dump and works like a charm for flushing the tank too. It even pumps up hill a couple of feet.

George

[Geophilist]

Alann,

Getting underway is always good. Nothing beats being being out in the woods.

As to the sewer, I'll share.

We were in a campground in Northern Virginia on our way home from a trip to Canada. On the way out of the park, we needed to dump the tank. I got the hose to the right places, and opened the gate. The right-angle end on the hose blew out, pluged the sewer hole and make a lake of, well, you now know what. I decided that the end was not worth retrieving, and donated it to the park. That taught me why dump stations are concrete and bowl shaped. I was just happy I was on the top of the bowl and my tank was not completely full!

Steve

[Chaplain Kent]

Congratulations on your maiden voyage. We look at the Interstate and keep wondering if we could get by with one. The comfort and newness sure would be nice.

[ROBERT CROSS]

You will never forget the "First" time!!! Welcome aboard just remember<><> TIME'S FUN.....WHEN YOUR HAVE'N FLIES.......Kermit T. Frog

[casamimosa@m]

Dear Alan,

I'm looking to buy the 2009 Interstate and was wondering if you are still enjoying yours? I'm looking at it as my full time car between CA and AZ and traveling with my small dog around the U.S. and Mexico. I know it gets less gas mileage than yours. Around 18 per gal. The nearest dealer to me is 4 hours away, so I thought maybe I could go up there, drive it around the town and sleep in it for 1 night to get a feeling for it. It is a big investment. I need to make sure it will be practical for a full time car first. I don't drive long distances on a daily basis and am told you can park it most places you can park a car with the exception of underground parking lots. Dumb question, but can you dump your waste somewhere other than an RV park? Just curious if I use the shower and john,in the city, where would I dispose it?
Happy Trails
Lily