Lifetime Camper New to Airstreaming

[Scooter241]

Hello aftermath,

Originally Posted by aftermath

We looked for a couple of years before we found it so make sure you are patient.

Thanks; I’ve got aluminitus bad, but it sounds like patience can pay off!

Originally Posted by aftermath

We We prefer the queen bed over the twins. We also are small people, well short anyway, so the sideways queen in the 25 is not a problem for us. I really like the extra space that the 27 FB provides but I like towing my 25 just the way it is.

I'm beginning to realize this isn’t going to be an easy choice.
We’re kinda short, too, but have both thickened through the middle since our early days camping! So wider space is better, up to a point.

Originally Posted by aftermath

Living out west made it a bit of a challenge to call on units in Florida.

We call Ithaca “centrally isolated” so traveling to see units will be challenging. Part of the process I guess! And maybe part of the fun.
Thanks again for the warm welcome and details. Every bit helps.
Kathy

[Aage]

You might be advised to keep in mind that Utica is only 5.5 hours to Can-Am RV in London, Ontario. They usually had a good selection of used models, too.

Too bad for you the US dollar has fallen against the Canadian one.

[AirsDream]

There are always tradeoffs, ya' know?

Dual axles mean more tire and brake expense, repair, maintenance of wheel bearings, etc. ... but also make for easier tire changes (don't have to use a jack), reputedly back easier and track better with less sway, and give a definite advantage in case of a blowout. Single axle leaves you with more interior room, due to smaller wheel wells.

Older means (potentially) more maintenance, etc., but a far better price, letting someone else take the depreciation. Having said that, mine's 12 years old, and everything works just fine, with some small tweaks now and then.

Two tips: do go to some rallies, where everyone will be happy to invite you into their units for a better idea of layouts, how folks customize, etc. (And they will love it if you stay for dinner!!!) Trust me on this. And over a beer, you can ask lots of questions about towing, etc. Every Airstream owner I ever met loves to talk "shop."

Second tip: if and when you find the trailer you want, jump on it. Most of the better ones are on the market for very short periods of time. I lost two nice ones by dithering for a couple of days. But I called about the one I bought the very day it went on the market, went to see it the first day the previous owner would show it, and bought it on the spot. By the time I came to pick it up a week or so later, they reported that they'd had several offers to purchase above their asking price.

Have fun and enjoy life out there on the road. I've done a lot of backpacking, car camping, etc. over the years, and an Airstream beats them all for setting up when it's raining or cold. Alas, there are some places they just won't go - that's what backpacks are for.

BTW, I tow with a GMC 2500 diesel ... a lot more tow vehicle than I need (but it also has to tow a tractor around, haul firewood, rocks, etc.) - but it never strains even in mountains, and I feel quite secure with those much larger disc brakes, heavier duty differentials, etc. Seems to me that the received wisdom is that towing up to a 25 or so, you're fine with a half ton pickup, unless a lot of your towing is in mountains. Super hitches such as Hensley or ProPride no doubt help also. Older units also weigh less and tow easier with lighter duty vehicles.

Good luck. You're gonna' have a ball!

[Scooter241]

Originally Posted by Aage

You might be advised to keep in mind that Utica is only 5.5 hours to Can-Am RV in London, Ontario. They usually had a good selection of used models, too.

Too bad for you the US dollar has fallen against the Canadian one.

I visited their site and they let you "try before you buy"! Wow.
But you're right; the exchange rate and fees might make it prohibitive. Might be worth a drive anyway, just to see!

[Scooter241]

Hi AirsDream,

Dual axles mean more tire and brake expense, repair, maintenance of wheel bearings, etc. ... but also make for easier tire changes (don't have to use a jack), reputedly back easier and track better with less sway, and give a definite advantage in case of a blowout. Single axle leaves you with more interior room, due to smaller wheel wells.

Good info about duals--hadn't thought about tire changes and wheel wells.
Re: rallies. Very interested in attending rallies this summer--just not sure how to go about it--show up, call first?? Bring a tent?!?
Second tip about jumping on the dream is well taken. I'm putting things in place so I can do just that for the right TT.
Which brings up the TV--I'm hoping to get by w/ a V8 gas 1/2 ton, but worry that I'll get the fever and end up w/ a 25 or more and regret having too small a TV. Is it the chicken or the egg?
Lastly, I know setting up and Airstream when it's raining or cold will be sooo satisfying. And I'll listen to the rain on the roof and smile!
Thanks again for the welcome,
Kathy

[xrvr]

We have 2 Vespa 150s we vwould like to take along. However our Chevy 1500 half ton only has a 1400 pound cargo capacity, The bikes and two adults add up to about 800 pounds including gear, Add the tonge weight from the hitch and lawn chairs, maybe a cooler, generater etc, and we are way over the cargo capacity. We can tow up to 8000 pounds with our setup but the cargo weight is a loser., You can also get over your gcwr. Buy a 3 quarter ton or larger if a scooter is involved. jim

[kidsgone]

Welcome Scooter241! We bought our first (and only) AS last Jan at an RV show. It was a 09 purchased in '10. Having never owned one before, we decided to look for one with warranty and that sure has helped! We have had problems, tho those are now fixed. We weren't too sure about our panoramic windows until we camped in the mountains and opened both pano windows and the view was breathtaking! We do have the dual axles and love them...we tow with a Surburban 1500, mostly for room for the dogs!
When we started in early 08 looking into RVing, we would visit campgrounds in the area and talk to all kinds of people about all kinds of RVs. We did find that my husband was very allergic to new RVs that had formaldehyde smell...made him very sick. So the first time we stepped into our unit, it was love at first site. Yes, we have twins in ours, but we are tall and its a great place for our grangirls to play or watch TV. Yes, we have had our problems and thank goodness we have a good warranty, but things get fixed and we get back on the road.
Many people told us that when we saw the right one, we should buy it..and we did.
Good luck to you and hope to see you on the road sometime.
Its amazing when you pull in a gas station or a rest stop and people always want to see the inside...and so many people will argue with you that AS's are no longer made...one guy said they stopped making them in the '60's and ours must be a knockoff!!
Enjoy the search!
Andi

[ROBERT CROSS]

Big WNY hello, good folks here to help, you came to the right place.

Don't obsess about towing, the proper TV, set-up, and research will get you past the shudders just fine.

We find our 25 Classic fits our needs perfectly, we we boondock,(no services), almost exclusively. I know that anything larger would very difficult in most of the places we frequent.

We bought it new in 2003, (I was not a forum member at the time), knowing what I do now, that purchase would have been on a well researched 2-3yr old used model, just my take on it.

Our first AS, 63 Safari, 22ft single axle, (ck out our Gallery, Registry photo's), was a constant source of road worry on long trips. The added rubber sure improves
peace-of-mind, especially with the co-pilot.

Keep us posted on your progress.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Aage]

SearchTempest - The EASY way to search Craigslist

puts Craigslist and ebaY together, and gives results within a radius of area that you define from your ZIP code

rvs : craigslist eBay kijiji mash : US & Canada

"jaXed MASH" also adds the notion of price, plus searches Kijiji (ebay Classified in the USA)

[Scooter241]

Hi kidsgone,
Thanks for the warm welcome and the info. Been searching the classified and have to hold myself back! I do like the idea of a warranty...

Originally Posted by kidsgone

We weren't too sure about our panoramic windows until we camped in the mountains and opened both pano windows and the view was breathtaking!

Good point--Nothing compares to having the amazing view right outside your window(s)!

Originally Posted by kidsgone

We did find that my husband was very allergic to new RVs that had formaldehyde smell...made him very sick.

Uh oh. I have allergies and hadn't thought about the off-gassing.

Originally Posted by kidsgone

Many people told us that when we saw the right one, we should buy it..and we did.

Sounds right to me. I think I'll know it when I see it.

Originally Posted by kidsgone

and so many people will argue with you that AS's are no longer made...one guy said they stopped making them in the '60's and ours must be a knockoff!!

That's hysterical. Made my day. An Airstream knockoff!!
I am surprised and happy to say that I'm enjoying the research, the forum, the articles, oh, and I got some Airstream Life Mags to drool over! Big fun here.
Thanks again and hope I do see y'all on the road.
Kathy

[Scooter241]

Dear zigzagguzzi,
Nice to hear there are other Vespariders in the A/S world. I do love my scooter.

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

We have 2 Vespa 150s we vwould like to take along. However our Chevy 1500 half ton only has a 1400 pound cargo capacity, The bikes and two adults add up to about 800 pounds including gear, Add the tonge weight from the hitch and lawn chairs, maybe a cooler, generater etc, and we are way over the cargo capacity. We can tow up to 8000 pounds with our setup but the cargo weight is a loser., You can also get over your gcwr. Buy a 3 quarter ton or larger if a scooter is involved. jim

Uh oh. that's a big problem--and from the lists of stuff I'm thinking we'll bring, I wouldn't have room for the scooter anyway. I'm thinking about TV now and maybe I'll save the scooter riding for closer to home...or knuckle under and get a 3/4. The good part is I could then tow a 27 instead of a 23 or 25! oh I got it bad!!
Thanks for the heads up,
Kathy

[Scooter241]

Hi Aage,
Good fun w/ the search engine and better results w/the mash. Oh I'm droolin over the aluminum. Better hide the credit card!
Thanks!