Our First (AND LAST) Airstream

rjd · 05-29-2007, 05:34 PM

Thursday, we picked up a new to us 2005 Airstream Safari S/O. Friday, we were off on our maiden voyage to Spirit West Coast Del Mar

. Whooo Hooo!

We love our Airstream! It tows like a dream, and was obviously built to last. Absent unforeseen circumstances, I can't see myself in any other RV!

We pulled the Airstream without an anti-sway bar and felt ZERO sway while driving next to 18 wheelers

. The Airstream towed as solid as our last RV (38' 12k+ lb 5th wheel).

My only "issue" has to do with a few minor dents and scratches courtesy of the last owner

. I guess I won't be obsessing over the first "scratch." Oh Oh Oh! Almost forgot! I took out my driver's side skid plate on Friday while turning into a grocery store's parking lot

. Option 1 will be bend it back into place. Option 2 will be total replacement. Do you have any recommendations on how to deal with the skid plate? Has anyone replaced the plates with wheels?

RJD
2005 Airstream Safari LS S/O
2003 GMC 3500 CC Duramax/Allison

pmclemore · 05-29-2007, 05:49 PM

RJ,

Welcome to the Forum. And welcome to the ranks of addicted Airstream owners.

I think you are referring to the vertical plate attached to the rear frame. If you are, then I would try to straighten it and endeavor to not bend it again, if at all possible. As for attaching wheels, as those with other brands of trailers do, doing so might encourage you to not worry about dragging the rear. Airstream frames are different from others in that the skin of the ship is part of the structure - the top holds up the bottom, and the frame is less stout. If you regularly or severely bottom out your back end, you risk damaging that relationship.

As for me, when I get caught and know that my rear might drag, I grit my teeth and hope I haven't screwed up. Wheels would not help my worry.

As for sway, please always use anti-sway control of some sort. Airstreams are not immune from sway, even though they may be better at it.

Happy trails!

Pat

redeagle313 · 05-29-2007, 05:50 PM

Congratulations on your Airstream!

We were concerned by the title of the posting that maybe you were not happy with your Airstream purchase.

We own an '05 also, and we fully expect it to be our last Airstream, as we expect it will last until we are ready to stop travelling and camplng.

njoysrvin · 05-29-2007, 07:23 PM

Congrats on your new '05...we also have an "05 and love it....and we agree with above info

rjd · 05-31-2007, 09:22 AM

Thanks for the replys!

Pat, you were right. I was referring to the verticle plates. I am working on straightening it out. Definately not an easy task!

I'm going to consider your advise regariding the anti-sway control. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

To all others. I find myself obsessing more and more every day! Love it!

**moosetags** · 05-31-2007, 09:48 AM

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. Congratulations on your new baby.

SilverCabin · 05-31-2007, 11:25 AM

Welcome to the forums, and hopefully you meant you're keeping your Airstream forever! We bought our first Airstream a few months ago and love it. It might be our last Airstream as well, unless we tired with the rasselin' match to make the bed

Randy

**jcanavera** · 05-31-2007, 12:48 PM

Part of the process is to look ahead when you head into parking lots other streets etc and look for those telltale grooves in the ground (where other vehicles have drug). In many cases if you take it slow you might avoid a drag. In other cases I've seen the drag marks and gone on to a safer area to get access or make that turn. The key in most cases is to take it slow and easy (not always easy of you are left turning across on coming traffic). Even if you do drag, the most damage will be the paint on the skid bar.

I also echo the others. Get some type of anti-sway control.

Jack

**CanoeStream** · 05-31-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd

Do you have any recommendations on how to deal with the skid plate? Has anyone replaced the plates with wheels?

Best just not to drag the tail. It's been said don't use wheels -- makes it too tempting and the frame shell connection can be damaged pretty quickly when you subject it to stresses immediately opposite of gravity sag.

I slightly bent one of my protective c-channel guards the first month of our '06's ownership. I've come to recognize high crowned streets and gas stations with those entryways that are nothing more than wide curbs. You'll bend the guard if you turn into the gas station or store at an otherwise reasonable 2-3 mph. You must go dead slow. Also, there is more clearance if you go up the curb at an angle rather than entering at 90 degrees. If it drags, it drags. At least it won't bend. This is a very exposed area and extremely easy for a local welding shop to replace the drag guard you have -- a little POR-15 and it looks as good as new!

Goin camping · 05-31-2007, 01:00 PM

Hi and welcome aboard.

Don't worry about that skid plate. Its there to be scraped and bent. You can always replace it when you need to.

You are in luck as a Ca. resident. There is active forum camping here. You have the NorCal group and Cal Streamers. Between the two we can't seem to go two monthes without a rally.

Calstreamers is going to Pyramid lake 7/20-7/22 you are of course invited. We love meeting old friends for the first time. Run Cal Streamers under the search function and join us in July. In Oct. will be a NorCal near Paso Robles. Remember the idea is to use that trailer!

P.S. Please post pictres of your new baby. We love pictures here.

rjd · 06-04-2007, 11:08 PM

I appreciate everyone's advise on the skid plates.
Now I don't feel so bad.

Regarding Pyramid lake... that's a definate maybe :-) I'll know more by the end of the week.

I'll be posting pictures soon.

rjd · 06-08-2007, 05:02 PM

Well Guys... Here's the update on the pictures.

The Airstream, though bought used, was purchased form a SOBrand dealer. As part of the "prep," a "wise" technician

filled the black water tank with a hose through the toilet. He apparently forgot his Ritalin, distracted himself, and overflowed the toilet. It didn’t end there. He didn’t bother to remove the water from the carpet, closed up the Airstream for a couple of warm spring days, and mildewed the carpet. The dealer has been great about addressing the issue. We gave them the opportunity to try to "clean" the carpet, which we were sure wouldn’t work. Today, they conceded that the carpet needs to be replaced and are in the process of doing so.

The dealer is also in the process of fixing the bedroom light.
Careful inspection has revealed no other water damage.

I anticipated having the Airstream back home by today; however, it’s obviously going to take a little longer. I promise to upload pictures when it’s back home. Also, we plan to join you at Pyramid Lake in July. We will be making the reservations soon.

jdalrymple · 06-08-2007, 05:51 PM

Always Something. At least they owned up to it. Good luck.

Goin camping · 06-08-2007, 07:01 PM

Well the upside is you get new carpet. Did you get to pick the color?

Look forward to seeing you at Pyramid. Don't forget to sign up on the rally page.