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adonh · 03-08-2013, 12:02 PM

Its official now, I am the new owner of a 2005 Airstream 396XL diesel pusher Motorhome. Signed all the papers on 3/4/2013 and I am picking it up at Colonial Airstream in Lakewood NJ 3/18/2013. I will then drive back home here to Missouri City TX, just outside of Houston. Buying something like a Motorhome sight unseen would have been difficult for me to do but dealing with everyone at Colonial with their great reputation made the process very easy. They provided me with all of the detailed information that I requested and an abundance of clear pictures as well. I can't wait to pick it it up and finally see the Airstream in person and to meet everyone at Colonial. Also I want to thank Dave, masseyfarm, for his input and research.

I have been a long time Airstream owner and forum member and I will be keeping my 1976 31" sovereign and join the ranks of those that have more than one Airstream.I will continue this thread as I move ahead with the 2005 Airstream 396XL diesel pusher Motorhome. Here are a couple of pictures of my new to me Airstream.

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PeterH-350LE · 03-08-2013, 12:46 PM

Beautiful, congratulations and have fun picking it up

cwf · 03-08-2013, 01:39 PM

Congrats! Thanks for sharing the fun! Have a safe trip!

gunner · 03-08-2013, 01:46 PM

Bautiful motor home, great color combination; enjoy and have a safe trip.

Hodum · 03-08-2013, 02:37 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!! I am glad that you got that motor home off the market. I look often to see if it is still for sale. I had no thought that I would buy it, just dreams. I hope you enjoy to the fullest.

JourneytoRet · 03-09-2013, 02:45 AM

very nice! we just bought a 2000 35' DP ourselves. I notice you also have a burgandy colored recliner behind the CP's seat; how is yours secured to the deck?

adonh · 03-09-2013, 07:43 AM

I will let you know when I pick it up next week.

adonh · 03-09-2013, 04:20 PM

Here is a question for you big diesel rig guys. Its hard enough to pull my 31' Airstream in to the gas station set up just for cars and maneuver around to get gas in the the Suburban. But I would not want to even try this with a 39' coach. So where do you pull in for Diesel. Is a motor home allowed in a truck stop.

Thanks

masseyfarm · 03-09-2013, 06:16 PM

Any service station that has diesel, will have it on the outside pump island so that you don't block their view of the pumps. I have never had any problems at large (ie chain or big box store locations).

The biggest problem will be the entrance and exit from some of these locations if there is a steep rise in or out of the lot. Try to pick a level location so as not to drag front of rear.

Know your height and post it on the dash but generally the canopies are 13' or higher.

You should have fills on both sides of that 396. Make sure you have the key!

A lot of pumps shut down at $100 so don't be fooled and think it is full.

If you spend $200 they will usually give you a free coffee.

The truck stop prices posted are often the cash price. It is often cheaper off the freeway. If you have WiFi, check out GasBuddy in the area you are heading.

Have a great trip. Hope you don't have any weather or other problems.

I always wanted to do the Freightliner factory stop in Gaffney. Take notes and give us the details when you get home.

Dave

adonh · 03-10-2013, 08:34 AM

I already have 30 amp shore power here at home for my Airstream trailer and I am going to have my electrician come by and install a 50 amp receptacle for the motor home. I can only park for a short period in my drive way but this will give me time to load and unload after trips. I found an interesting web page on RV wiring that goes in to detail on how the 50 amp service is set up. PPL here in Houston has the 50 amp box that matches the 30 amp I already have installed for the trailer.

RV Wiring

RV Hookup 50 Amp outlet from PPL - PPL Motor Homes

adonh · 03-10-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

Any service station that has diesel, will have it on the outside pump island so that you don't block their view of the pumps. I have never had any problems at large (ie chain or big box store locations).

The biggest problem will be the entrance and exit from some of these locations if there is a steep rise in or out of the lot. Try to pick a level location so as not to drag front of rear.

Know your height and post it on the dash but generally the canopies are 13' or higher.

You should have fills on both sides of that 396. Make sure you have the key!

A lot of pumps shut down at $100 so don't be fooled and think it is full.

If you spend $200 they will usually give you a free coffee.

The truck stop prices posted are often the cash price. It is often cheaper off the freeway. If you have WiFi, check out GasBuddy in the area you are heading.

Have a great trip. Hope you don't have any weather or other problems.

I always wanted to do the Freightliner factory stop in Gaffney. Take notes and give us the details when you get home.

Dave

Yes I am looking forward to the stop at the Freightliner shop. Although I could not get a firm appt they feel that they will be able to work me in. I plan on being there the afternoon of Wednesday the 20th to put my name on the list for Thursday the 21st. I was hoping they would have one of their training classes on the Freightliner chassis that day but they don't have any scheduled until the following week.

masseyfarm · 03-10-2013, 09:35 AM

I question whether the cost of changing 30A to 50A can be justified if you are only going to park there for short periods. The 30amp will run everything and one air conditioner with ease.
I am sure you will have plenty of other items to spend your money on?

After reading your post again, I guess you are going to leave the trailer plugged in to the 30amp?

Dave

[QUOTE=adonh;1271097]I already have 30 amp shore power here at home for my Airstream trailer and I am going to have my electrician come by and install a 50 amp receptacle for the motor home. I can only park for a short period in my drive way but this will give me time to load and unload after trips.

adonh · 03-10-2013, 12:44 PM

[QUOTE=masseyfarm;1271126]I question whether the cost of changing 30A to 50A can be justified if you are only going to park there for short periods. The 30amp will run everything and one air conditioner with ease.
I am sure you will have plenty of other items to spend your money on?

After reading your post again, I guess you are going to leave the trailer plugged in to the 30amp?

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonh

I already have 30 amp shore power here at home for my Airstream trailer and I am going to have my electrician come by and install a 50 amp receptacle for the motor home. I can only park for a short period in my drive way but this will give me time to load and unload after trips.

No I can't get both there in the drive way at the same time from storage. So I would add a 50 amp box just for the motor home. I may be able to stay there a couple of days so this would give me a plug for either of them.

adonh · 03-12-2013, 07:33 AM

OK I think I have everything set up for the trip, airline tickets, cab to the airport, hotel the first night in, shipped a few things so I would not have to carry a big bag on the plane but most important I found the nearest Walmart in Lakewood NJ. I'm ready.

masseyfarm · 03-12-2013, 06:55 PM

You better check on the WalMart in Brick, NJ, as I don't think you can park overnight there??????? It appears to be a 24hr store. Did Colonial not have room for an overnight stay?

This page has info in the left column with some detail you might be interested in.

http://www.allstays.com/c/walmart-lo...-noparking.htm

Dave

adonh · 03-13-2013, 07:09 AM

I was not planning on parking overnight at the Walmart, but stocking up for the trip. I will either stay there at Colonial on Monday night or find an RV park near by.

masseyfarm · 03-13-2013, 09:49 PM

Don, this should be the one for your unit. The copy is faded but readable.

http://www.airstream.com/files/libra...edcab1e468.pdf

Your 396 should be the middle column listed. Note the CC is approx. 4500lbs with your two slides.

Dave

adonh · 03-14-2013, 07:28 AM

Thanks Dave the two documents fill in a lot of information on everything that came with the Coach and specific data and measurements as well. Wow

This is terrific. Thanks so much

Don

adonh · 03-14-2013, 10:52 AM

OK I have rented a covered storage space 12' X 40' That should give me about a 1 1/2' on each side. Now I just need to find a open parking lot and practice backing this big thing between some markers to get the hang of it. I have no problems backing my 31' Airstream trailer in to tight spaces so I hope this will help in learning to back up the Motor Home.

adonh · 03-18-2013, 03:20 AM

After a travel day on Sunday flew in to Newark and arrived about 9:30 pm. It's going to be cold and a little snow for a couple of days here and in Lakewood they say. We are heading out to Colonial at 8:30 am and I am excited about finally seeing the Airstream Motor Home.