New Airstreamer in Central Florida

[ShinyPete]

Hello all-

For our first post, my wife and I wanted to introduce ourselves to this great forum. We joined the ranks of all of our fellow Airstreamer's on November 8, 2013, when we picked up our 2014 Flying Cloud 27FB twin. This coach is our 5th RV and we hope our last, so we reached a little further than we initially planned and bought a new unit. We couldn't be happier with the 27FB and have spent at least 25 nights in our shiny "Pete" since we brought him home. Our coach was named "Pete" by our 3 year old Grandson, and when a 3 year old names something, it sticks! (Pretty sure Pete refers to mischievous Pete on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)

We have been RVing regularly since 2002, and went from a Sunline 24 to a SunnyBrook 26 to a SunnyBrook 30 to a Newmar Dutchstar Diesel 38 to "Pete". As you can see we (at least me ) got infected with two-foot-itis, which affects both RVers and Boaters equally. We loved every coach, have great memories in each, but feel like we've come home again to a manageable package. We enjoyed the Dutchstar the most, spending at least 70+ nights per year in it for the 6+ years we used it. That class A was definitely like home, but costly to own and maintain. We look forward again to the lower maintenance lifestyle and won't miss $3000+ annual service and repair costs. We'll also see if we can get more nights in Pete!

I have included some pictures of our new coach, and will try to be an active participant on AirForums. I have already learned so much, and my notebook is growing with pages of tips and information. Thanks for having us, and maybe we'll see you down the road!

[Rollster]

That's so exciting, and welcome! We live in northeastern Florida, so maybe we'll encounter each other someday soon. We like short outings in Florida State Parks, but most recently camped over Thanksgiving at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. We've owned our AS, Aggie, for a year, and my husband just spent the last two weeks converting from our queen bedroom to one with two twins (which I see you opted for in your beautiful new Pete). Here's a picture from a camping trip last summer to north Georgia. [ATTACH]202943[/ATTACH

Enjoy your upcoming adventures, and happy trails, Carol

[Sbb]

Hi, welcome, beautiful Airstream. I worked my way up to my first Airstream, and altough it has only been a year, my wheels are already yearning for the next. I love the bunkhouse.

[sleepybear74]

welcome fellow Florida airstreamer! we live just north of Tampa! hope to meet you all one day!

[nilesrob]

I just posted to a another fellow-new-AS-FL owner. There will be 80-100 AS's at Topsail SP next weekend for the Canopener - an AS rally that has been going on for a few years. Might be a good opportunity to meet others if you can join us!

[sleepybear74]

where is that located? not familiar with the abbreviation SP?

[nilesrob]

Sorry - Topsail State Park, Santa Rosa Beach on the panhandle.

[sleepybear74]

nice! thanks for letting us know!

[PharmGeek]

Hey hey - welcome

My wife and I are new to our first RV ever - we researched for a couple ears and got bit by the 2014 FC bunkhouse - picked up 11/2013 and have camped now a couple weekend trips and will be at canopener rally with our two small children and boston terrier

Your AS looks really nice - hope to cross paths - take care!

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. Congratulations on your new baby. We passed through Sumter County earlier today on our way home from Tampa.

[jbroedlow]

Congratulations on your new AS. We're waiting for the same unit to be delivered this spring. Question? You mentioned that you've picked up a lot of tips from the forums and keep them in a notebook. Could you list for us maybe the top 10 tips that you felt were really essential to a successful journey in this new adventure. Thanks and good luck. Hope to meet someday.

[tailpipe]

Welcome from SW Florida, we traveled a similar road for 15 years with 5 years living as a full timer a total of one little egg ..three different 5 th wheels the last one 40' and 22,000 lbs......maintenance ouch...no a F 150 would not pull this one. Without a doubt the A/S is designed for traveling and designed to enjoy the outdoors. We love traveling in this trailer. One of our better RV decisions.

[ShinyPete]

Thanks for the kind welcomes everyone, and sorry for long reply! I am amazed at how soon I realized there are many Streamers in Florida. Of course that shouldn't amaze me. As Moosetags pointed out we're in Sumter County in the middle of the state, and we have certainly grown as well! We might need a Central Florida Airstreamers group soon! By the way Moosetags, we want to spend as many nights in Pete as you folks do in Lucy (and Lucy2)!

Rollster, we almost bought your exact coach in an '08 model. We had started the deal when we happened upon the twins in the 27FB. We love them and your conversion should be great! Sbb, don't fret about a larger AS, as long as you stay in the family! Nilesrob, we would love to attend the Canopener and we really like Topsail, but we're booked-maybe next time? Sleepybear74, we go to Sam's in Brooksville and might see you there (they sell some shiny things that work in Airstreams)! PharmGeek, I appreciate your detailed journey to a beautiful bunkhouse! Tailpipe, our chief regret now is "why didn't we do this like 3 units ago?"

Jbroedlow, top 10 might be tough how about 5? 1) Ok, so Airstreams CAN leak..........and so I need to be diligent about sealants. 3) Filiform corrosion can happen at rough edges anyplace the clearcoat has been broken....and so things like Corrosionx are our friend. 2) A three year old CAN lock himself into Pete by accidentally flipping that cool looking little lever below the door handle when the keys are on the hook above him and the spares are 35 miles away.........a 3M hook and a rubber band helps, along with a spare key.....4) I sure hope our led running light gaskets don't leak 5)ooooohh how many shiny things can I ask for that Shiny Pete "needs" for Christmas....

Anyhow, Thanks for the welcome!

[Flynavy]

Congrats on your new coach. Love the floor plan, love the color scheme. Best to you.

[tvketchum]

Great look 'Stream! It looks like your TV is an F150. We use one to pull our 31' '08 Classic. I'm sure you will have many years of family enjoyment with Pete.

[time2play]

Congratulations on your Airstream purchase and welcome to the forums. My husband and I purchased TWO Airstreams last year (we only kept one). We now have a 2013 30' Classic.

Again, welcome!

[Aviator]

Welcome to the forums and congratulations on your new Airstream. You may want to check out Alumaflamingo Feb 18-23 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. If it is anything like Alumapalooza it will be a fantastic time. Come for part or come for all

[Skatiero]

Welcome to fun fun fun times!!!!

[xrvr]

The Forida unit of WBCCI is active. Check WBCCI website for units in the state. Jim