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Old 07-25-2018, 05:15 PM   #1
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2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Washington DC , Washington, D.C.
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Tomorrow Begins My Journey

The day has arrived. Tomorrow I head to New Jersey to pick up my 2018 GT EXT 4WD w/Air Suspension. It's black if you must know.

I feel I am mostly prepared yet cautiously ready for the ensuing desperation and pleas for advice over the coming weeks.

I will come home tomorrow night to the DC area and load up what is currently strewn across my garage. The special rack for my whitewater kayak is assembled and just needs to be attached. There is a lot of stuff ready (probably a lot I don't need) but the most important part is cooling, the beer.

I am solo so the prep process thus far has been easy.

I can say with immense gratitude that this site has been invaluable the past month as I prepare. I have learned so much. Preparing has been less daunting - and without all of you to guide me I would have made countless mistakes in the first five miles. I even got the toilet everyone suggested and the dealer is swapping it for me before I set forth! If that is not being a Boy Scout I don't know what is.

One little hiccup is that the dealer called me today and, in testing of everything, they found that the cab speakers seemed to have shorted and are crackling and not working properly (A Mercedes issue it seems). While they suggested I delay for a week while they get new speakers for it my schedule is done and there is no turning back now. With some persuasion and coercion on my part they are setting up a repair in Vegas with a Mercedes (authorized) where I will be for a few days early in August. The drive and time there should be crackly - but I can deal.

The maiden trip will be to Colorado for some quick kayaking on the Arkansas, on to Moab (where my kayak will be dusty and unused), Vegas (where I might pawn my kayak), So Cal (for work), Sierras for more kayaking and then work again (with some boating mixed in) to the PNW. Yes, My vehicle doubles as a "mobile office" so I can also blend in my travel now with the "side stuff." I finish off through Montana and then home in late August with more work stops in Nebraska and Illinois. I should (god help me) be pretty up to speed after this!

I will keep you all updated and post porn shots along the way here. Again, thanks to everyone for the pre-briefing. I am sure you will hear more from me as I screw something up along the way!
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Old 07-25-2018, 05:28 PM   #2
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Thumbs up

Wishing you many miles of safe, relax, and happy travels. Enjoy!!!

And take time to check in and share a few photos... We love photos, lol.
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Old 07-25-2018, 05:31 PM   #3
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2007 22' International CCD
Corona , California
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Just drive carefully, don't fall for "gotta-get-there-itis" syndrome** along the way.

It's steamy hot out in the desert regions of the Southwest right now, it is not getting any cooler for a while, and the wind has been strong lately. A slowed pace is better for you and the rig. Pushing it only leads to fatigue and accidents.

**Driving fast, and/or too long in the mistaken belief that schedule is more important than safety. Cause of MANY aircraft and vehicle accidents. The schedule will take care of itself, and personally, I love the whooshing noise that deadlines make as they go by...

Say hello when you get to Southern California! We live here year-round.
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Old 07-25-2018, 06:06 PM   #4
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2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
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Hi

Welcome !!!

First step would be to stock up on 120 minute IPA .... it gets harder to find the further west you go.

Bob
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Old 07-25-2018, 06:20 PM   #5
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I sure hope you asked them to turn on the fridge today!!! So you can safely store your precious cargo.
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Old 07-25-2018, 06:30 PM   #6
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2017 Interstate Lounge Ext
Plano , Texas
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Interesting on the speaker. I have the 2017 lounge TB. The speaker nearest the back TV has a hum to it when using the dimmer on the roof lights (med). It is on my dealer checkout list to still be fixed. I think mine might be wiring versus actual speaker but will be interested in your fix.

We always like pictures.
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Old 07-25-2018, 07:49 PM   #7
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Normal , Illinois
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Congratulations on your new baby, and may you have many happy miles.

Two suggestions...

Take notes during your walk thru, of where things are at and how to start/operate whatever.

Consider spending your first night in your new rig at or near your dealer, so that if you have questions or are unable to get something to work they are there first thing in the morning for assistance.

Take a few basic overnight necessities and just run thru everything yourself.

Sounds like you have a great first trip planned, and hope it all goes well.

Maggie
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Old 07-25-2018, 09:28 PM   #8
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2018 Interstate Lounge Ext
LV , Nevada
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EYECHIP - Congrats on the new rig. As RMKRUM noted, it is very hot in the SW this time of year. We have been over 100 in LasVegas for a month now. August will be the same. Just be ready to sweat and run A/C in full blast 24 hrs.

Let me know if you need help with local info. We are here for the next few weeks, until the heat gets to us again and we head up the Utah mountains. If your speaker repair is scheduled at Fletcher Jones Mercedes, they are top notch MB Shop. They have serviced all our MB sedans the last 18yrs. If it is at Airstream of Las Vegas, they have a long backlog, you have been warned
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Old 07-26-2018, 09:59 AM   #9
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2018 33' Classic
Irvine , CA
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May your maiden voyage be a swan dive and not a belly flop. Pawn your kayak in California, not Vegas! Everyone loves eye candy; please make sure your porn shots have something for the ladies as well.

Best wishes for a safe and grand journey.
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Old 07-26-2018, 10:12 AM   #10
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Fulton , Maryland
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Eyechip - congratulations on getting your Interstate. I would question Airstream’s claim that the Mercedes speakers are bad. Airstream installs the radio so they have plenty of chances to mess up the wiring and connections.
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Old 07-26-2018, 10:55 AM   #11
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2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Charleston , South Carolina
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The speakers that were in the front of my 2016 were the cheapest crap I’ve ever seen. Used pawn shop speakers are probably superior to what Mercedes put in my 2016. Head to an audio dealer and replace them. An amp will fit under the passenger seat.

After 2 plus years with an Interstate, I will tell you to get rid of stuff in the van that just gets in the way such as:


the sliding plastic doors for the overhead above the driver’s seat.
the silver soap dispenser in the bath. It's easily removed by 4 screws.
the tables, the table mounts on the floor and the rubber stoppers.
the rear seat belts.
the little counter extender in the back.
the rear TV. Replace the front TV with a smaller one that doesn't stick out.
The rear doors and hardware underneath the bed.


other considerations:
mount a magnet on the sliding screen door so it doesn't slide back and forth on a slope.
get a Dyson V8 as you will vacuum daily. You can also suck bugs out of the van. The little $70 dollar starter vacuum is money wasted.
you will quickly learn to not have lights on in the van when parking, and you will enter and exit quickly so bugs don’t get in.
buy a stream light so you can point the light out of the van when looking for the numbers on your parking space.
put a light out at the back and center of your parking space when backing in at night. move the picnic table out of the way first.
bring a level so you can use the VB AIR to level out when parking.
parking at night without being plugged in is called battery suicide. I only have 2 batteries.
drive slow when pulling out and look look look look.
before leaving in the morning, walk around the van multiple times and do a visual inspection for anything that you need to check.
take a fan with you as the van heats up. my van is black too, but i doubt this is really that much of a consideration. when it’s hot, it’s hot.
I cut some reflectix to fit my front and side windows and use this in addition to the provided Airstream shades. I put the reflectix on the front window first and then follow with the Airstream shade. I do the reverse with the side windows. This helps cut heat in the day and light penetration at night. It’s also a lot easier to just pop up the reflectix when parking during the day for lunch, etc. Oh yea, don’t bother taking the bag for the shades.
You want to put 3M Crystalline on the van immediately. Repeating. Do this asap.
I run my generator and rear AC when it’s hot. Yes. it’s sucks propane, but it’s better to stay cool. At least run it about a half an hour before parking to cool the van down.
turn off the propane switch when not in use as this drains the batteries.
take a lot of quarters for the spray wash.
If you think you are taking too much stuff, then you definitely are. Boy Scouting is great, but you don’t want to take what you won’t use. It will just get in the way.

Happy trails
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Old 07-26-2018, 10:56 AM   #12
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2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Camas , Washington
Join Date: Nov 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lily&Me View Post
Congratulations on your new baby, and may you have many happy miles.



Two suggestions...



Take notes during your walk thru, of where things are at and how to start/operate whatever.



Consider spending your first night in your new rig at or near your dealer, so that if you have questions or are unable to get something to work they are there first thing in the morning for assistance.



Take a few basic overnight necessities and just run thru everything yourself.



Sounds like you have a great first trip planned, and hope it all goes well.



Maggie


+1 and big congrats!
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Old 07-26-2018, 11:12 AM   #13
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2006 22' Interstate
League City , Texas
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That’s one heck of a maiden voyage. Our van is much older which means we’ve worked out most of the kinks and luckily, mostly uneventful. I can’t imagine a trip like that right out of the gate.

Good luck.
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Old 07-26-2018, 10:01 PM   #14
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2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Washington DC , Washington, D.C.
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Long day. Just got home. I got her. Love her. Let's hope I don't blow her up.

I am way behind schedule but wanted to post a thank you to everyone for the awesome suggestions. My head is spinning after a full day of orientation. But I got this. Sorta. As I say optimistacally above a big complex rapid..."what could possibly go wrong?"

I will share some thoughts, feedback, loves and hates as I get a moment once I am more than a few hundred miles in. And loaded. Which I am doing tomorrow as I am so exhausted now.

The only thing I contemplated loading tonight was beer. But then I just started drinking it instead.

Besides the hell of no bluetooth or music (the faulty speakers) which will be fixed (I pray) when I layover in Vegas, there is just one glaring issue I noticed. I hit a bump (random and at different speeds or intensity) and a small beeb goes off that sounds like it is coming from the lane assist speaker. But it's not, as I turned it off and it still does it. It's not a long obnoxious scream like lane assist. More a gentle but seriously annoying BEEP when I hit SOME bumps. Anyone experience this?

That's all for tonight. I gotta load in the morning and sort my head out with all the info I now have. You guys have been great. With your suggestions, help and this forum I did not sound like a complete idiot today. Only half of one.
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Old 07-27-2018, 01:17 AM   #15
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2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Auburn , Georgia
Join Date: May 2016
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There is a beeper that sounds when the awning is not completely retracted. You might try extending it a bit and retract it making sure it is completely seated.
Congrats, Have fun on your great adventure !!
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Old 07-27-2018, 07:30 AM   #16
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2016 25' Flying Cloud
Trenton , Georgia
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Bob voyage! Look forward to your adventures.
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Old 07-27-2018, 08:22 AM   #17
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2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Orlando , Florida
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I have not experience that sound when hitting bumps... only a few things make sounds like that... the Air Suspension, if not fully up where it needs to be, will make a sound while it is adjusting. But this is usually for me when I level it (most of the time is when I lower it), and then when I am ready to go and I lower the e-brake and move the transmission to D it will make the noise.

So you have to check:
  • Air Suspension...
  • Is the e-Brake all the way down?
  • Awning as mentioned by Getridaone...
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Old 07-29-2018, 09:03 AM   #18
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2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
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Update from Missouri and into Colorado today.

Well, now I know why a few thought I was crazy to embark on such an ambitious four week journey right out of the gate as a noob.

So, the day I was leaving I noticed the fridge was out. I called the dealer and they had me first pull out to make sure the lines were connected. They were (at least I learned the screw points and how to pull out a fridge on a 90 degree day.

With that I decided myself to check the fuses. Sure enough the fuse was red. I tapped it and perfect...it worked (A friend and I even pulled out each fuse and checked them and all showed fine on the meter). Well, for a day. The next day (yesterday) it stopped again. I went to check and do the tap and it came back on. Last night I finished driving around 9PM and it was off again. This time a tap did nothing. This is clearly much more and I am now traveling without any food, lost what I did have, and it's Sunday. I emailed the dealer to see what kind of support I can get. We will see.



Honestly, other than those things (and the non-functioning speakers) everything else is fine. It's a lot to handle being alone with these hiccups/teething pains but I am determined to stay positive.
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Old 07-29-2018, 10:20 AM   #19
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Staying positive is the best recipe!! Thank you for the update!!!
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Old 07-29-2018, 11:03 AM   #20
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2006 22' Interstate
League City , Texas
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THe refrigerator is a big loss but it doesn’t sound like a huge problem for the dealer to fix. Worst case you’re out a couple days while they wait on a new shipment.

Gratz on not killing the house battery (yet).
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