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TinLoaf · 01-05-2008, 01:00 PM

Hello everyone. Today is the start of a new chapter in my life. Unfortunately the circumstances leading up to this day have left a cloud hanging over what should be a very happy day.

On December 1st I came back to my 2007 Keystone Laredo after a morning of deer hunting to find it had been destroyed by fire. Losing the trailer wasn't so bad, but I lost my yellow lab of six years in the blaze.

I've always dreamed of owning and Airstream, especially after reading "Wanderlust: Airstream at 75." After my Laredo was destroyed it opened up an opportunity to make light of a dark situation.

I spent hours and hours reading these pages all through the month of December. It helped take my mind off what had happened. I researched floor plans and narrowed down my search to a few models. I liked the Safari 23, but I didn't know how I would wash dishes in a single sink. I was most interested in the Safari 25 or 25 SS. I was hesitant with the 18 gallon black water tank, but I took the advice of Silvertwinkie and went with the SS.

I drove to Indianapolis and picked up a 2006 Safari SS SE. I would have been thrilled to have a base Safari and I never dreamed I could afford an SE, but the price was right and the trailer checked out to my liking. The previous owner's sales receipt shows he paid $51,485 in July 2007. I bought it for $32,500 - almost $20,000 saving by purchasing used and my warranty is good through July 2009. How's that for a good deal?

The seller included an Equal-i-zer hitch, but the ball height was wrong so I towed it back to St. Louis on my own hitch with no weight distribution and no sway control. Even without sway control it towed better than my Laredo with dual cams.

The previous owner bought it last summer and moved from California to Indiana and they brought their cats along. I spent the morning vacuuming cat hair and doing general cleaning. I kicked on the heat pump and got great heat with it being 44 degrees outside. Then I tested the furnace and could smell the oil film burning off the sheet metal. I don't think the previous owner ever used the furnace. I don't think they used to range or oven either. This thing is spotless.

The plan is to keep this 75th Anniversary Airstream for 24 more years and upgrade to a 100th Anniversary Edition in 2036. For the next 24 years I'll live the dream. "See More, Do More, Live More."

I know how much I've enjoyed reading SilverGate's thread with all his photos, so I decided to post some photos for everyone's enjoyment.

Steve

Melody Ranch · 01-05-2008, 01:06 PM

Very sorry for your loss but extremey happy (with you) at the rebound. I hope you become a Winter Texan...at least.

**Janet H** · 01-05-2008, 01:08 PM

The safari is a beauty. Hopefully over the next few years, you'll find as much pleasure as you did with the last trailer you had. I'm sure you miss your pet - but welcome to the forum anyway...

FreshAir · 01-05-2008, 01:24 PM

We are so sorry that your beloved Lab cannot be enjoying the luxurious Safari. In time you will find a new companion we're sure. Welcome to our group. You have now a whole bunch of new friends.

Sugarfoot · 01-05-2008, 01:29 PM

Welcome to the forums, Steve. Your new Safari is gorgeous. Very rich and warm. You will certainly enjoy traveling with it.

So sorry about your Lab. Losing a much-loved canine in such a tragedy is a hard thing to bear. Isn't amazing how Airstreams can even help ease the heart and open new horizons.

TinLoaf · 01-05-2008, 01:36 PM

Not to worry. I only made it seven days without having a dog. His name is Duncan and he'll be prime and ready for camping once April rolls around.

Mel · 01-05-2008, 01:40 PM

So sorry about your old lab, but glad you found Duncan to keep you company in that beautiful new Safari. Happy camping.

cameront120 · 01-05-2008, 01:47 PM

I'm sorry for the loss of your lab, but happy you are able to open your heart to another so quickly. I look forward to more pictures of Duncan growing into 'his' new trailer!

overlander63 · 01-05-2008, 03:19 PM

"Bittersweet" is right. You have our sympathies on the loss of your lab, and our congratulations on the new additions to you family, both four legged, and four wheeled.

Steve & Susan · 01-05-2008, 04:08 PM

Steve - having lost a one-year old Shepherd, I feel your loss

Owning an Airstream I feel your gain

And Duncan looks like a sweetie!
Best of luck! Be sure to visit here often for answers to your questions!
Had we bought a Safari instead of our International, we would have gotten the interior you have - we love it!

Silverwanabe · 01-05-2008, 04:18 PM

Sorry about your loss,

What caused the fire in the other rig?

Royce · 01-05-2008, 04:44 PM

So sorry for your loss. And welcome to the forum and A/S ownership. That is one nice looking Safari.

TinLoaf · 01-05-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverwanabe

Sorry about your loss,

What caused the fire in the other rig?

My insurance company has hired an investigation firm out of Michigan to try to determine the cause of the fire. So far I haven't heard if they've visited the site. I'll surely post the results as they should be relevant to everyone who camps.

I was boondocking on National Forest land so there was no electric hookup. That rules out a lot of causes. Had there been an explosion there would be pieces of fiberglass all over the woods. That's not the case. My guess is that there's a 50% chance it was mechanical failure of either the furnace, fridge or battery and a 50% chance that it was arson.

TinLoaf · 01-05-2008, 05:49 PM

I was just outside watching the wild card playoffs in the Airstream. I turned on the antennae and the TV, ran the auto program, and much to my surprise I had HDTV! I don't even have High Def in my house! I can't wait for the next moment of discovery.

Sugarfoot · 01-07-2008, 08:05 PM

Steve, may you have many more pleasant surprises with your new Safari.

BTW, Duncan is a cutie.

pilgrim · 01-07-2008, 08:20 PM

I'm so glad the Indianapolis Safari went to a good home. I had corresponded with the owner about his trailer for sale but he was very slow in respondig - I think he was out of town or something. By the time I heard back from him, we had found and purchased a 2007, 25' Airstream International - which was really what we were interested in. Good luck with your new baby - both Duncan and the AS. Hope you have many years of success and happy trails!! Perhaps we'll see you down the road some place.
___________________________________
2007 Airstream International SS OB
2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada
Equal-i-zer Hitch
Prodigy Brakes
REMEMBER, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool
Than to open it and remove all doubt."

TBRich · 01-07-2008, 10:50 PM

So sorry about your Lab...that's a tough one. It is alwlays a hard loss.

But glad you've offered a good home to another pup. Good for you.

You're obviously an Airstream kinda guy. Congrats on your new prize!

Glad you could join in...ease on down the road...

TB

ROBERT CROSS · 01-08-2008, 07:07 AM

Wow, what a story!

The loss of a beloved Pet, especially under those circumctances, must have

been devastating. But it sure sounds like your well on your way to happier

times. Congtats on the new AS, Duncan is just too CUTE, them "four leggers"

do seem to make themselves right at home real quick!!

Happy travels, keep us all posted!!

greywolf · 01-08-2008, 10:43 PM

Very sorry to read of the loss of the trailer and espcially of your dog. I have lost a few dogs/pals and it's not easy or pleasant. I hope this may relieve you in a way to know that your dog would have died of smoke inhilation before it burned, which would not be as nearly painful since it went to sleep first. I hope the investigation team finds the cause, thank God you weren't sleeping in the trailer when it happened!