suggestions for equipping a new Safari SE 27 FB

[hlopez]

Hi folks,

Newbie question

We are getting ready to pick up our new AS. It is an 08 Safari SE 27FB with the entertainment package and the A/C w heat pump. We are getting an equalizer for the hitch and we also plan on getting some Honda 2000 generators to run in parallel.

Interested in your ideas for what other "must have" options we might have the dealer install before we pick it up? We plan on practicing with shorter trips for a while and intend to go full time in a year or two.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hector and Brenda
"Luna" - 08 Safari SE 27FB
08 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8

[rashton]

we bought the same unit in the 07 model in dec/07 .We love it ! are off on our first trip in a week. spent 15 years in a sob 5 th wheel.Love the al interior! r ashton

[Wayne&Sam]

Ummm... toilet paper?

Enjoy your new Safari!

[Steve & Susan]

We'd recommend the roadside and rear awnings - we had them added aftermarket and they make a HUGE difference keeping the inside cool in the summer sun.

If we were buying new, we'd also upgrade to the 15,000 BTU AC - 13,500 in 95 degeree sunshine really works hard. On the other hand, we're not inside during the day that much and 13,500 does just fine for sleeping.

Get the spare tire/wheel if it is an option - you never know.

Also, I don't know if disk brakes are optional on that unit but they might be worth considering if you do a lot of towing.

Boy it sure is nice spending other people's money!!!

Best of luck - be sure to pay close attention to the dealer walk-through. If you can, video-tape it for future reference. Have them show you the water-heater bypass settings - we found that the manual for our AS showed the same diagram for both settings - 'doh!

[Silvertwinkie]

Steve and Susan pretty much hit most of what I'd think of.

One thought would be to have 2 fantastic vents (one in front which I think comes with the SE version) and one in the back. For times when boondocking where there is no electric hookup and you don't want to lug gens around, two can create a good vortex of wind in the Airstream.

At some point you also want to consider putting in a 3 way converter, which you can get from bestconverter.com

[hlopez]

Thanks everyone - fot the awning and the front and back vents. But ... Silvertwinkie - allow me to illustrate our ignorance. What in the world is a 3 way converter?

[mandolindave]

The 3 way converter would would more aptly be called a 3 stage converter.
It starts out charging a little above 14 volts, then drops down to a lower voltage, then when the batts are charged, it goes into trickle charge mode.
Trickle charge mode keeps topping off the batts to compensate for normal
discharge when the batts are sitting idle over extended periods of time. Trickle charge mode is less powerful and does not cook your batteries into an early death.

[Motoman]

I would suggest a good solar panel system, 200 watts or more, possibly the WFMC 600 watt pure sin wave inverter (also Best Converter) that Airstream installs as an option and lastly upgrade the batteries to either Gel or AGM type when the wet cell Interstates need replacing.

You can do all of these yourself but the solar install and the inverter install can be a daunting task since you have to get on the roof, drill holes in the outside shell, run cables and work in tight spaces.

[RIstream'n]

Congrats!! That is the very same unit we ordered and picked up in Nov. We got the Equalizer as well. I agree with the awning pkg, two fantastic vents, and bigger A/C. Are you getting the feeling that we hate hot weather
We also got the audio/video pkg and exterior decal. Enjoy your new baby!! What color interior did you get?

[neil.ervin]

I found it important to have a longer sewer hose. The factory hose tube was only 4 feet long. I had a second tube installed, 8 feet long.

We used brown paper to create a pattern, then cut perfect size inside trailer rug. Doesn't need anything to hold in place.

Extra awnings are very valuable, but for the long roadside awning, install a locking mechanism, like on the curbside awning.

Consider 'darkening' pull down shades for the bedroom area.

[hlopez]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful suggestions.

Brian and Donna - we got the light beige interior with the blond wood. Pleased to know someone who has the exact same model.

A follow up question please to the forum about the 3 stage converter. If you don't have it and use the single stage that comes factory what happens to the batteries?