cooter

[cooter]

Good Afternoon, I'm new to the Airstream Community, just purchasing a new '06, 19 ft Bambi. I'm an outdoor writer and plan to use the unit to tour the midwest and Alaska, leaving in June. I've budgeted 10 weeks for the trip, leaving North Carolina, destination Fairbanks then back down the coast to Washington. Any advice or help will be appreciated. I've got a lot to learn... but it's going to be fun.

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. You'll find a lot of good information here.

I am assuming that since you are an outdoor writer, you are an experienced camper. You don't mention if you are an experienced RVer. If you are, you should get right into the groove with your new Airstream. You're goning to love it. If this is your first RV, you should do some practice camping close to home before taking off to the wilds of Alaska. If you are not an experienced tower, you should also have some practice in that area. It's not launching rockets, but it does take a little practice.

Shoot the questions and this group will give you answers.

[Mel]

Hi Cooter - welcome and congrats on your new Airstream! Check out the search feature at the top of the screen - lots of answers to your questions may already be there. Good luck and I can't wait to hear about your travels! Where in Washington are you going to end up?

[rickandsandi]

Greetings Cooter and welcome to the forum! It is a great place to make friends and learn a thing or two along the way.

You may want to check out this link: Hamnqvist's 2006 summer vacation: main. Friends of ours made the great Alaska trip and documented it along the way. Some very interesting entres worth noting. And of course as Mel mentions, the search function here is awsome so do take advantage of that. Keep us all posted!

[cameront120]

Welcome! There's a good chance you'll be passing through my neck of the woods on your way down to Washington! I sure hope you'll consider posting a bit of a travelogue of you trip here for us all to enjoy!

[str8strm]

Originally Posted by cooter

Good Afternoon, I'm new to the Airstream Community, just purchasing a new '06, 19 ft Bambi. I'm an outdoor writer and plan to use the unit to tour the midwest and Alaska, leaving in June. I've budgeted 10 weeks for the trip, leaving North Carolina, destination Fairbanks then back down the coast to Washington. Any advice or help will be appreciated. I've got a lot to learn... but it's going to be fun.

Wow! How do I get that job? Have fun and keep us posted on your adventure.

[Fyrzowt]

Wow! How do I get that job?

Ron,
Remember - you only work 10 days a month as it is!
Aren't payback tough?
Have fun down there,
Dave

[cooter]

Thanks Folks, I feel as if I'm a member of the family already. We hit the big road in June, after some small side trips. We hope to be in Washington mid August. Can't wait to get started. Coot

[cooter]

Mel, thanks for the note. We hope to come through Washington mid August after the long run through Alaska. Coot

[bina]

We are also new to airstream and this is agreat site to learn. lots of nice people.
Check out the rally site and perhaps you can join a group of airstreamers for a rally on your adventure.
I have always journaled as we traveled and find the memories great. I am sure a experienced writter will create great descriptions of a trip.

[airstreamers]

hi cooter and welcome. i am new on this site also and i can tell you i have found it to be a great and helpful buch of like-minded airstream loving people. are you traveling alone? i think the peace and solitude of such a long trip would be so wonderful. being a writer, you are already a creative person and this will open up a whole new world to explore. maybe there will be a novel in there? anyway, i'm sure most of us here are hoping for a picture documentary of your trip. good luck and happy airstreaming!

[cooter]

Yo Folks. Last week I picked up my '07 Bambi and towed her to her new home in Southern Pines North Carolina. A trip of about 70 miles. My towing vehicle is the new fj crusier by toyota. It did great! I have the reese equalizing hitch and sway bar and everthing tracked well. The problem is mirrors. Toyota doesn't make extension mirrors and the mirrors on the crusier are too thick for the temp type. Any help will be appreciated. I'm learning... only took me about 30 minutes to rehook after I unhooked the first time. Also am trying to remember all the instructions from the dealer. The instruction manual reads like a philly lawer put it together. What do you think is the major pratfalls for a newcomer? I'm sure I'll be asking questions down the road. In the interum if you see a geezer in a park standing beside a Bambi scratching his head. Be kind. Coot

[clancy_boy]

Hey Coot,

I'll be in Southern Pines in early June. My niece is graduating fro high school this year. They live in Vass. We hope to stay in the campground in Southern Pines - it looks real nice on the web and my sister drove through to check out the best sites. Just wanted to say hello and welcome to the forums. Your adventure sounds great.

Mike

[maxandgeorgia]

Cooter, your summer Alaskan adventure in your new Bambi sounds great. You asked: What do you think is the major pratfalls for a newcomer? If you use the search feature on the menu bar above, you can type in "dumb a$$. . ." and you should find a thread in which forum members have shared the most awful things they have done, and really, in the reading, you should get some tips of the "pratfalls" you hope not to make! Then, relax and know that you are going to make some goofs, just as everyone else does, but that most of the time you'll get along fine. This thread will give you a heads up, however! In addition, using the search function, you can find threads that list departure and arrival procedures to follow for success. Many of these are worth printing off and laminating as permanent guides so that you don't forget details like putting up the steps or taking down the antenna, etc, when you are leaving a site. Other possibly useful threads have to do with provisioning or gathering the "stuff" for your new Bambi: everything from whether to pack glass or plastic wine glasses to kinds of pots and pans. Best wishes, and I'll also encourage you to share lots of photos and a travelogue along the way. Lots of us here dream of making your trip some day. ~G

[bobchevy89]

Originally Posted by cooter

Yo Folks. Last week I picked up my '07 Bambi and towed her to her new home in Southern Pines North Carolina. A trip of about 70 miles. My towing vehicle is the new fj crusier by toyota. It did great! I have the reese equalizing hitch and sway bar and everthing tracked well. The problem is mirrors. Toyota doesn't make extension mirrors and the mirrors on the crusier are too thick for the temp type. Any help will be appreciated. I'm learning... only took me about 30 minutes to rehook after I unhooked the first time. Also am trying to remember all the instructions from the dealer. The instruction manual reads like a philly lawer put it together. What do you think is the major pratfalls for a newcomer? I'm sure I'll be asking questions down the road. In the interum if you see a geezer in a park standing beside a Bambi scratching his head. Be kind. Coot

Hi and welcome
Which year did you get 06 or 07?well use the search button and look up your bambi and check to see if any problem are listed . fix them now and you won't have many while on the road..
Bob

[sd90mac]

Coot,
Welcome to the world of airstreaming. You will love it. Any questions you have can and will be answered on the forum.
Have fun on your trip and be careful. Don't forget to post lots of pictures for us.
Marie