...yet another new Airstreamer

[8starsnorth]

Greetings, all, and thank you for this wonderful forum!

We just purchased a 2011 20' Flying Cloud (my profile says 2010, but only because I didn't see a 2011 option). My husband will be driving out in a few weeks to bring it north. I'm in love already!

Looking forward to all the stories, advice and information we'll gain from being a part of this community.

[Zeppelinium]

Welcome to the forums. Hope your huby will post photos of the trip, details of getting an Airstream up the ALCAN, fun with Canadian Customs, etc.

Zep

[dkottum]

Good for you. Many excellent Airstream models to choose from. We have the same model as yours (then Safari 20 SE) and found it to have a remarkably efficient floorplan. Big kitchen, lots of storage, comfortable bed kept us happy on a five month trip this past winter.

[8starsnorth]

Thank you for the kind welcome!

I'm sure there will be many good photos to post of the trip through Alaska and Canada. (And it will probably be a memorable experience dealing with customs.)

As of now, he plans to use the ALCAN and the Cassier Highways. The Cassier through BC cuts a little time off the trip, and since he has a tight schedule it may be a good option. He's driven the route three times previously.

He's also going to try to break his iPhone addiction while in Canada...roaming and data charges are horrendous (in our opinion). It's not worth upgrading our plan for such a relatively short trip. Guess that will be more motivation to get there and get back!

[TBRich]

Welcome aboard...this will become your 2nd hone...well, next to your new Airstream, of course...

Happy trails!

[Lucy815]

This AS is beautiful! Really like the interior colors and comfort! Even our two guard dogs (Maggie & Oscar) seem excited to travel again. She's our second AS, but as our 1997 34' beauty she stands proudly in our driveway after my husband has given her a healthy bath and rub, polished her windows and run through all her systems, "Lucy2" has some ills. She seems to have a couple of character flaws...such as someone pulled away from a parked position and tweaked her steps and undercarriage on the curbside. Oh, and a child used the front curbside dome as a backboard for a ball game. However, when we learned the repairs to "the leak" the PO had repaired (and was significantly charged for) by his trusted RV mechanic were not completed in an acceptable QA/QC fashion because it still leaks; this concerned us greatly. Indeed to add to the most disappointing fact we learned was today my husband and I found that the rear storage area was quiet wet..as in soaked. The protective plastic was still covering the carpeting as well as under the bed frame including the drawers, and the carpet was wet.

As we were commisserating at lunch, the PO's came walking down our driveway because they had brought us both a gift, felt horrible about the inconvenience caused, wanted to see for themselves, of course, and in the end they graciously offered to pay for the re-repair to the damaged line and tank work; we agreed to talk with them after we have the work completed. They are wonderful people!

Since we live in Joliet, IL, we thought we would check the skills and ability of the Airstream of Chicago agency in New Lenox, IL If it is beyond their skill or timeframe, we will drive to Jackson Center, OH.

If anyone has any other suggestions or experience, please offer it; it's our semi-maiden voyage.

[loudruff]

If you call ahead and make an appt. Jackson Center has the skills required and of course it is a great place to visit for the water bath test..for leaks. They have great technicians. We had 3 pine trees crush our front curbside panel and put a big dent there. They replaced it, leak tested the seams and got us up and running again in about 12 hrs. total. The Terraport is a good place to camp at $10/night. If you get work done it is a free camping night.

[Lucy815]

Thank you, loudruff, for the advice. We made the appointment this morning for Lucy2 to see the Jackson Center mechanics; the first available opening is Wednesday, 8/11 @7am. We'll be there w/bells on!

Again thank you for your help.

[loudruff]

If you are able to get away and go earlier we found it nice to spend the night there. Get up, check in at the window in the service building, and get on the list. They will go get the trailer.with the tractor.Then you can spend your idle time at the Wally Byam store. Leave the wallet elsewhere!

[Lucy815]

Thanks for the suggestion; however, we will not be able to stay in our AS because she's going in for a major water line/holding tank leak which the PO thought they had repaired. Unfortunately, there seems to be a growing list of items we'll need to have checked out which don't seem to be right. Indeed, this experience has left us disappointed to say the least. =(

When my husband made our JC appt., the gentleman told him of a couple of towns close by where we may find lodging. At this point, we can't seem to think about lodging since we expected never to be in this position. C'est la vie!