Is a walk-thru necessary/helpful with "new" purchase?

[kendrick.l.j]

Agreeing with Peter. Sure hope you’re seeing this advice from a broad range of Airstream owners. Plan on 8 hours the first day, then sleep in it right there on the lot if at all possible and make a list of all the things you find that need fixed. Stay second night. If everything is not absolutely perfect I would be prepared to head home without said Airstream.
I didn’t know about Airforum when I brought mine 2 years ago and didn’t know about all the issues to look for, had I known ahead of time it sure would have saved me 3 long, cold months of misery.
I hope we’re not scaring you off or causing you to second guess your purchase. We’re all here because we all have Airstreams and prefer them over other travel trailers but the RV industry is not like the auto industry. Quality control can very greatly but as soon as all the bugs are worked out you’ll really enjoy owning an attention getting Icon that will last decades longer than any other brand on the road.

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Wondering if you are following this [your] thread?

Good luck,

Peter

Hello...

Hello??? Bridget, are you still there???

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

The other crappy thing to remember is that by buying the trailer from LA airstream, you’re going to be paying LA sales tax. To avoid it and get the Vegas sales tax, they are required to deliver the trailer to you at the Nevada boarder. Assuming you spent $100k on a new trailer, it’s an extra $1250 in tax that you’re spending to buy from LA

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by RivetED

Hello...

Hello??? Bridget, are you still there???

She was on the forum yesterday afternoon, so hopefully she saw all this at that time.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Indeed, this all *can* start to sound a bit scary. Since we still don't know what sort of Airstream is being picked up, a *lot* of what has been tossed out may be off the mark. It would be very helpful to at least know if this is a van or a trailer ....

Bob

[Bill M.]

Meeting the dealer halfway sounds like the worst possible choice you could make. Whatever Kind of Airstream you are buying. The trip is less than 300 miles. We have been that far to get a pizza. I really do not “get” this question?

[OTRA15]

Could you please chime in here?

Thanks,

Peter

Originally Posted by Bridget

So excited to become part of the Airstream family!
. . .

[Sparkle]

Do the walk through with the dealer, and if they don’t allow camping on their lot, find a full hookup campground nearby to test the trailer. Also watch Patrick Botticelli’s video walkthrough from Colonial Airstream in New Jersey. All their walkthroughs are on YouTube and I believe he’s done all the AS models. I learned much more from him for my Bambi than I did from the dealer, and so did my brother for his Flying Cloud.

[tbashin]

Originally Posted by brick1

Do the walk-thru. And a thorough inspection before signing the paperwork

Brick has best advice so far.

[CoolCat]

Absolutely do a thorough walkthrough with clipboard in hand. Make a list, you’ll find things - maybe big, maybe small. Our good friends didn’t insist the hitch up looked a little “off” when leaving JC. they had a catastrophic rollover before they got it home. No injuries but totaled trailer and suburban. Lesson learned. So. Everything has to be to YOUR satisfaction, and you’ve paid a boatload of $$$ for a gorgeous trailer that will be around a lifetime with love and care.

[WapitiCathie]

We live in Wyoming. Bought our new AS in Las Vegas. The 2 hour walk-thru is so very important. We took notes, asked lots of questions, then stayed close our first night. Even after the walk-thru, we had many questions. LasVegas treated us wonderful!! I can't imagine spending this much money without the invaluable walk-thru. Congrats on your new AS. You will love it!

[london1201]

Been there done that-exact same scenario. Worst mistake we ever made was buying online and taking delivery without walk thru. We were seasoned AS owners but we were dealing with a CA dealership that was not honest or interested in customer service. Don’t ever buy without a complete walk thru

[Cobalt]

Just remember the dealer you buy from is going to be your “home base” for getting stuff done and asking questions. Unfortunately, the first question the service department asks is “Did you buy it from us?”

[cazual6]

Wow!

I hope this is NOT a serious question.

Seems like trolling to me.

[Bridget]

Just a quick note to say thanks to all of you who took time to reply to my question about the walk thru. We followed the sage advice and spent a solid day with a very helpful technician who went over every little and big thing with us. As many of you replied, there were a few things that needed attention before we go back tomorrow for the final tow away. Our experience from beginning to end with Airstream LA was excellent.
Finishing up chemo, readying to have surgery to remove a kidney, and finishing the Airstream purchase has been a journey...but, now we just hope the Airstream Sport 22 will let us have a bit of a break!
Grateful for you with helpful replies! The end.

[OTRA15]

Quite a journey indeed!

Best wishes for your kidney surgery, and thanks for the update -- good move to go to the dealer.

Apologies for certain additional "head winds" here . . .

Happy trails,

Peter

[Cobalt]

Originally Posted by cazual6

Wow!

I hope this is NOT a serious question.

Seems like trolling to me.

Well, I might say the same for your note. I think if I’m logged in as an Air Forum member, which is typically verified at the time, I would not be. I will not quote the dealer name, but they did, asked me what work, under warranty, then told be three days. My “dealer” told me to bring it in. Are yo7 upset because the dealer in LV quoted a higher price?

[robertbrenne]

CHECK EVERYTHING before signing final paperwork! including tires, batteries, and ALL the electronics. If you don't understand it ask and take videos/good notes. Some tires are a year old before they are put on rims. Batteries are another thing to check out (and probably the hardest to determine if they have been abused).
An exciting time but be aware of everything, once you sign it is your problem!

[OTRA15]

robert, they already picked up the trailer, per Bridget's recent post:

Originally Posted by Bridget

Just a quick note to say thanks to all of you who took time to reply to my question about the walk thru. We followed the sage advice and spent a solid day with a very helpful technician who went over every little and big thing with us. As many of you replied, there were a few things that needed attention before we go back tomorrow for the final tow away. Our experience from beginning to end with Airstream LA was excellent.
Finishing up chemo, readying to have surgery to remove a kidney, and finishing the Airstream purchase has been a journey...but, now we just hope the Airstream Sport 22 will let us have a bit of a break!
Grateful for you with helpful replies! The end.