What Advice Do You Have for Our First Trip?

[dames7]

The one's that AS use is at 45 psi. Can not take the risk, always have your own regulator hookup, they are very reasonable price.

We were at Lake Tahoe state park and their pressure was 80 psi and when I talk to the ranger he told me that people were taking the water regulators off when they left, not good. He came right over to our site and put one that could not remove by anyone.

We now have a Valterra Water Regulator and Pressure Gauge for RVs - Lead Free around $30, Regulates incoming water pressure to 40-50 psi.

Forgot to tell you that because of 80 psi at Tahoe it blew out our built-in regulator and had to have it replace, a $45 part and labor, ours was under warrantee w/AS. Talking to the AS Tec, he told me that the regulator was one of the most change parts as most people think that because they are in a RV camp grounds that things are ok, not so.

[BillfromWI]

I suggest you make your first trip close to home and spend the time reading the manuals that came with your unit. It can be a little boring but it is time well spent.

I use a pressure regulator at the hydrant and a filter at the trailer.

Many people seem to have difficulty with their Zip Dee awning. There is at least one video on the Airstream site about how to use it. Keep it well lubed--spray silicone only. As noted above take it down if the weather threatens. Zip Dee advises against using guys as they can cause the mounting points at the trailer to rip out.

The wheel lug nuts on your unit are probably of two pieces; a chrome cap over a steel nut. When the cap comes off (it will) you will need a 3/4" six point (I say again SIX point) socket to get the nut off and even that will feel "risky". Or you can change them all to solid nuts such as McGard 64010 (Amazon). If you follow the good advice about torqueing your wheels you may need the socket sooner than later. Re-torqueing after warranty brake work is how I learned about two piece nuts.

Carry enough leveling blocks to drive a non-flat wheel on to "jack" the flat. I've never had a flat, even to Alaska and back (on 16" Michelin LT tires) but... I had 12,000 trouble-free miles on the Goodyear Marathons that came on the trailer but others have not been as fortunate. At 12,000 my sidewalls were pretty wavy. We are totally anal about tire pressure. In addition to manual checks I installed TST pressure and temperature monitors and I carry a 12 volt compressor to correct before every move, if needed.

The comment about the supplied single-stage charger/converter being death to the batteries is to be believed. Progressive Dynamics makes a multi-stage "drop in" replacement that comes with excellent installation instructions.

If you're beginning to think that for what Airstream charges they should provide better components, join the club.

And speaking of clubs, join your local WBCCI chapter. You will meet nice people, have access to national caravans and local events, and receive the "Blue Beret" which lists what every chapter in the country is doing.

Good luck, have fun.

and one more thing: Remember the obvious, that your Airstream is wider than your tow vehicle. Especially in construction zones with narrower lanes and concrete barriers where you are concentrating on keeping out of the oncoming lane and maybe not thinking about what's on your right. My enlightenment came in Chattanooga where I notice my concern for oncoming was getting me within about 3" of tearing the side of the trailer off.

[Toasterlife]

I like a small folding stool. I sit on it when putting the stabilizing jacks up and down, and to do this I use a tire iron - quick easy and quiet. Other people swear by their power drills - they are fast and easy but like generators they are very noisy, can be heard across the whole campground, and make you about as welcome as an ant at a pic-nic, and you have one more battery to contend with...
The folding stool makes it easier to latch the awnings, and is generally useful, like when cleaning windows etc.
Also we have a lot of plastic tubs in the bed of the pickup to keep "like" things together and it is easy to slide them around to access things at the back of the bed. We keep a mostly empty one nearest the tailgate for "hitch related" paraphernalia, like blocks, the tire iron, stool, chocks, etc.