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05-15-2017, 08:48 PM
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#1
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New Member
2017 27' International
Brooklyn Park
, Minnesota
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 3
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New IS 27FB Twin on the way - finally
After a year of research, looking and hand wringing I finally ordered my new AS. Looking forward to my first adventures this summer. I'm already planning to winter in Florida. I have a job where I can work from anywhere so finally taking advantage of that.
This is a new adventure for me. I've never towed a trailer before. I'm not as worried about the highway towing as I am about other aspects. Backing up and navigating places like gas stations still seem pretty daunting.
Any tips or advice you can offer a newbie?
Thanks in advance!
Jim
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05-15-2017, 09:41 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Gold Country
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 334
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Congratulations! I've lived in 2 houses in NMpls, glad to see an old haunt on here!
Backing up just takes practice, no big deal, just practice.
Try to time your gas fills at big rig/semi type gas stations. Check out Allstays app, it great for many things, including finding the rv stations.
Good luck!
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05-16-2017, 05:03 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2018 30' International
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Los alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 359
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Find an open parking lot in the evening, go with a friend, use the 6 o'clock technique and practice. I tow a 30', picked up many tips from YouTube . Just traded my 2014 30' FC for a 2018 Serenity 30'', size not an issue when backing, simply strive to look over your drivers side shoulder when backing, know where you tires are. Go slow, the rest is easy.
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05-16-2017, 05:29 AM
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#4
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,654
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Welcome to the forum. It's great to have you with us. And congrats on your purchase.
I remember when I towed my first trailer. It was a 27' long. It was intimidating and I was afraid of all the things you mention in your post. As I was about to pull away, a gentleman that looked to be in his 80's, drove into the dealership with a giant motor home pulling a trailer behind him. I thought if he can do it so can I and I did.
Wishing you many happy and safe miles of traveling!
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05-16-2017, 05:41 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2012 28' International
Prince Edward County
, Ontario
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 336
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Jim:
Good advice above. We were in your position four years ago when we began more than three years of full-timing. Take time to scout out gas stations - we begin looking when the tanks gets to half full and big rig friendly stations are usually the best with plenty of room to manoeuvre. Backing up takes some practice but take your time and have a good spotter (and work out your signals ahead of time).
Otherwise, take it easy, watch your mirrors and be aware of what is happening around you.
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05-16-2017, 06:44 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2018 27' Globetrotter
Apollo Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,401
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Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on a great travel trailer selection. We have just taken delivery of our FC25FB and love it. Its very exciting to take that new Airstream out on its maiden voyage.
You have received excellent advice above and I follow all those tips. Another tip would be to develop a system for hitching up the Airstream. Always repeat the hitching process in the same order and double check everything before driving away. Its easy to forget or miss a step which could be disastrous. One important step is to check tire pressures. I always carry a tire pressure gauge in my pocket and 12V air compressor in the Airstream while traveling.
Have fun with your new Airstream!
__________________
2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
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05-16-2017, 07:47 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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youTube is your friend. Long Long Honeymoon has some decent videos and is Airstream oriented
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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05-16-2017, 07:52 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari
Signal Mountain
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 450
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Give toll booths, gas pumps, etc a wide berth at first. It won't matter if you have to open the door to hand over a toll. Sometimes protective bollards are out farther than the curb.
__________________
Don
'06 Safari 25 LS
'18 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Allison
TN,”Greenest State in the Land of the Free”.Davy Crocket
" America is not a place;it's a road." Mark Twain
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05-16-2017, 08:44 PM
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#9
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New Member
2017 27' International
Brooklyn Park
, Minnesota
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 3
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Thanks for the warm welcome and lots of great advice.
I already downloaded Allstays - great app! I've spent many a late night watching loloho and have learned a lot. I plan to get a TPMS for the trailer tires and already have a 12v air compressor with an extension cord.
Planning a few long sessions of backing in a parking lot. Have to get over the self conscious aspect of that first for real back in. Lol.
Thanks again. I'm very excited about this new journey.
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05-16-2017, 10:03 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB International
Baton Rouge
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 58
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Next Exit
A really handy book to have onboard your tow vehicle is "Next Exit". It has
information (gas, food, parking, shopping) for just about every exit on the
interstate highway system. The gas stations that are "rig friendly" are printed in red. It has certainly made life a lot easier when deciding where to pull off. You will learn that the gas pumps at the end of the row are the best, as long as you have an escape lane. Pulling away from the pumps can be one of the scariest things; the nice shiny aluminum does not mix well with gas pump islands. I have walked all the way aroung the gas store many times checking the departure path. Congrats on new unit.
Don
Remember when leaving the campsite..."Look up, look down, look all around"
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05-16-2017, 10:05 PM
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#11
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New Member
2017 27' International
Brooklyn Park
, Minnesota
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 3
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Anyone ever have an issue with gas pump island canopies? I'm not sure of the clearance. I think the AS is 9'9"
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05-17-2017, 06:51 PM
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#12
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Registered User
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Fairfield
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 905
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I go with a 10 foot clearance, so far I haven't hit anything yet.
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05-19-2017, 05:46 AM
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#13
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,654
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donabston
A really handy book to have onboard your tow vehicle is "Next Exit". It has
information (gas, food, parking, shopping) for just about every exit on the
interstate highway system. The gas stations that are "rig friendly" are printed in red. It has certainly made life a lot easier when deciding where to pull off. You will learn that the gas pumps at the end of the row are the best, as long as you have an escape lane. Pulling away from the pumps can be one of the scariest things; the nice shiny aluminum does not mix well with gas pump islands. I have walked all the way aroung the gas store many times checking the departure path. Congrats on new unit.
Don
Remember when leaving the campsite..."Look up, look down, look all around"
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I am putting this book on my "want" list. Sounds like a nice thing to have along. Thanks for the recommendation.
And btw I agree with having an exit strategy when at the gas station or even in parking lots. A little bit of thinking ahead can spare you much stress!
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05-19-2017, 05:55 AM
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#14
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,654
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jyanik
Anyone ever have an issue with gas pump island canopies? I'm not sure of the clearance. I think the AS is 9'9"
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My 2009 25' is listed at 8'11". I have never actually checked it but am always concerned when I see low clearance. Otherwise this is what can happen!
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