Where do you shop for Airstream stuff?

[Andy R]

We are trying to figure out where everyone does most of their shopping. If your favorite place is not listed, please post to this forum and let us know!

We are looking for specific retail & online vendors.

Why do you shop there? Service? Price? Location?

[BobbyW]

You also asked to post who and why....
[list=a][*]Lowe's:
For building materials. (wood, screws, adhesives, some plumbing) Stores are well organized and stocked.[*]PPL RV and Trailer:
Customer Service advice and new parts, Power supply/converter and appliances.[*]Bob Jones RV:
For old Vintage Airstream parts. Had the Gabrial shocks on the shelf. Wealth of knowledge.[*]Memorial Hardware Store:
Older inventory, great for plumbing parts and service. Had the right parts to rebuild my Moen fittings.[*]Local plumbing supply for Quality plumbing fittings.[*]InlandRV:
Refrigerator Vent, window cranks.[*]Trailer Supply Co.
Purchased all of my running gear rebuild from them. Complete brake backing plate sets, bearings, seals, hitch rebuilds. Also carrys all of the clearance running lights you can imagine.[/list=a]

-BobbyWright

[InsideOut]

Here's what we've found:

1. Camping World: everyday RV stuff, tp, chemicals, stinky slinky, blue belly, etc.
2. Inland RV: for hard to find Airstream specific "Bits & Pieces" & rims, rivets, etc.
3. Airstream Dreams: 20 lb Worthington Aluminum Tanks (although we now know, these are available elsewhere for less)
4. Home Depot: nuts & bolts, o-rings, wood re-finishing stuff, etc.
5. eBay: all the funky-retro goodies we've outfitted Maxwell with
6. Various Online Stores: Nuvite from Perfect Polish, T-Molding from Tape-Ease, Micro-Mini Blind from Blinds Galore, etc.
7. Other: Cherokee RV Salvage - Denver, VAC List Classifieds, thrift stores, Airstream swap meets @ rallies, General Cushion - Denver, for new upholstery & foam

I would recommend all of these...no problems!

Shari

[overlander64]

My favorite stop for regular maintenance and repairs is Ace Fogdall RV in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They are a current Airstream dealer, and they are very Vintage friendly. They have performed a variety of repairs on my rig from replacing a section of floor to sorting out a variety of wiring problems as well as the more typical replacement of worn out appliances - - refrigerator, air conditioner, hot water heater, fresh water tank, and water pump.

I have purchased Vintage Airstream restoration parts from both Inland RV and Airstream Dreams with good results from both vendors.

My regular consumable supplies are generally purchased in bulk from Camping World. I have been surprised by the number of "store only" bargains that were available at their West Chicago location.

When it comes to interior upholstery and decorating, I have had top notch service from Fowler Interiors in Symsonia, Kentucky. Arlene is a perfectionist, and the interior of my Overlander turned out beautifully. In fact, she will be refurbishing the interior of my recently acquired Argosy Minuet later this Fall.

A favorite source for running gear repairs is Kampers Supply in Carterville, Illinois. They have a number of technicians who do brake and susupension work that is beyond reproach.

[escapeez]

We have had our Airstream for exactly 25 days. In this time we have found a few...well, "issues" which required parts - and lots of them.

We have found Camper Exchange in Bellville, Illinois is WONDERFUL with capitol letters for many parts including hithes, fridge, etc., etc..mostly anything new.

We did purchase a box full of goodies from Inland RV, [some hard-to-find] but found they really don't have a customer service department. The information from Andy is good, insightful and helpful - but our package was mailed six days ater we ordered it [in fact on the day we were told we'd recieve it] and arrived sans two parts we really needed. Long and short, we'd prefer to use them only when we aren't stranded someplace and/or don't need it quickly. The other low score goes to phone calls not being returned by Inland - but if you're persisitent they do have lots of parts and pieces for older Airstreams and Andy seems fairly quick on the draw with answers to questions. Found them a little spendy too, but then again older parts are all by themselves.

Home Depot for the odds and ends and Walmart for the dressing up stuff.


Escapeez

[bluegrassman]

Seeing how I live near Dayton, Ohio, I sometimes go straight to Jackson Center. Richard in Southwest Ohio

[LLB21]

We have found C&G Trailer Service in Bellflower, California to be the most helpful. They have been around about 35 years and have parts and knowledge of Airstreams. They are highly recommended by Airstreamers on the road. They are an Airstream Service Center and ship parts everywhere. The telephone number is 562 634-6286. When I asked them why they don't have a website I was told they are so busy with telephones and repair work they don't have time and want to maintain their level of excellent customer service.

Also, Airstream Dreams has great prices. We have purchased many parts from them. They have shipped promptly and kept us advised of any backordered items. The prices they charge are very fair and it seems like they add new items often.

And don't forget Home Depot. We really enjoy a trip there!

Lou

[flyfshr]

I've gotten stuff from all over:
1. new axle/hubs/brakes/break-away switch made for my coach from Auto Safety House
2. water heater, sinks, pex/fittings, rv odds & ends from Al's RV and Marine-great guys and very helpful. Are proud their products are going on a vintage Airstream
3. countertops, table top and overhead compartment sliding doors from JLM Laminated Products-great selection
4. refurbished Dometic fridge from Myers Gas Refrigeration-just happened to stumble across this guy-great service-only handles RV fridges
5. chrome plating on furnace, fan cover and stove trim from Papago Plating
6. rippled aluminum extrusions on edge of countertop and table from Outwater Plastics - lots of unusual merchandise-call for catalog 1.800.835.4400 ask for the big catalog
7. Arizona RV Salvage for hard-to-find items not necessarily specific to Airstream
8. Oasis RV Center in Tucson for Airstream-specific parts
9. upholstery from Jimmy Upholstery - highly recommend-great work, is going to be working on trimming down my Zip Dee awning by 2'
10. interior furnishings such as dishware from Bo's Funky Stuff in Glendale
11. Capital Metals has supplied the angle aluminum, sheet aluminum and other metal parts I've needed - this place is like a shopping mall for the metal worker
12. of course, there's Home Depot and Lowe's but I've found things at Ace that neither of the other two had

Highly recommend all of these vendors, nothing but great experiences with them all. With the exceptions noted, all of these places are in Phoenix

Brad

[RoadKingMoe]

Initially, a lot of the basic stuff from Camping World on a visit to their stores in Nashville and Bowling Green during the big brown bag sale. Lego-like leveling blocks, between the tire brake/lock, water and sewer hoses, glass rack, dish draining rack for sink, matching carpet set etc.

But have also purchased from them two of our most favorite items we haven't found elsewhere... the nesting pots and pan set and the memory foam pillowtop mattress cover.

[Andy R]

Where have you been shopping lately? Is the economy, the internet or any other factors effecting your shopping patterns more these days?

[Matthew]

In purchased my A/S (used) at Turner Airstream outside of Pittsburgh Pa. in a little town called Jeannett and have had nothing but excellent service and parts all at very reasonable rates. They really treat you well.
Wal Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, all are used for various supplies.

[Tarheel]

I do some of my Airstream shopping at West Marine. Whats the difference between a land yacht and a sea yacht? I like the better quality material 6( ss vs pot metal ) They have a lot of 12 volt products and cabin fixtures and fittings are designed for an adverse enviorment. Driving down the interstate is an adverse enviorment.

[Davydd]

If it can be bought at Target that is where I go. I'm not allowed to go into a Wal-Mart unless I am spying on the enemy.

But so far I have bought stuff at Shorewood RV in Minnesota, Ace Fogdall in Iowa, Home Depot, Northern Tool in Minnesota, and a couple of auto supply stores. I plan a trek to Camping World soon.

[LeeC]

For Airstream specific stuff, I use Out of Doors Mart in Kernerville, NC. Recently I broke a window while vacationing in Florida. (A story for the "Dumbest thing you've ever done thread".) A Florida AS dealer told me that there would be a 6 weeks delivery time. I called Out of Doors Mart and the window was sitting in our carport when we got home 5 days later. They had apparently orded it the minute I hung up and had it drop shipped from Jackson Center. Thanks to them and Jackson Center.

Airstream Dreams has good service for sealer and etc.

Generic stuff we get anywhere we can find it: Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Camping World, and etc.

My one experience with Inland is that they have lots of info, lots of parts, but short on customer service.

Interesting thread.

Lee/5474

[plowboy]

Camping world.... for generic parts, outdoor furniture
Home Depot/local hardware... for hardware
Westmarine... Marinco products (replacement inlet, power cord) and metal polish (which I later found at Wallymart )
Vintage Trailer Supply... gaskets, toy trailer on my desk!, marker lights
Walmart... tires
Local RV dealer... hitch mis. parts
Paul

[Don McKelvay]

One of the best places I find is at the International Rally Flea Market or at the Region Rallies. Many of us have items we no longer need or we are searching for "just that right piece" we cannot find anywhere else. There are so many items and you need to be quick looking and buying. Besides it is a lot of fun!

[Tin Hut]

Vintage Trailer Supply.com
Airstream.com
JC Whitney on line
E-bay for specific original parts
Several automotive or truck parts sites
Local authorized Airstream Service center

[C Johnson]

Parkrose Hardware is the other place I get a lot of things. It's here in Portland.

[redeagle313]

Etrailer.com, rvwarehouse, Camping World, Camper's Choice (now part of Camping World, Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, Airstream, local hardware store, Target, and the dealer.

[sarmimi]

We bought a number of items at target - plates, cups, containers, table cloth, etc, as well as IKEA - bed spreads, pillows, decor items, etc.