Advice for a newbie

[Loden]

We are about to purchase our first Airstream. We will be making a private buy of a 2013 27' FB Eddie Bauer with the OEM Solar Kit, currently owned by a reputable physician who claims he bought it new, has used it one weekend, and has kept it in a garage the rest of the time.

- I will be picking it up and then need to travel about 100 miles to get home next Tuesday. Do I need to find a dealer in the pickup area and get maintenance of any kind done before heading out?
- I have read on these forums that the battery charger/converter may need replacing. Is that true on the 2013 Solar Kit?
- I have also just purchased a Chevy Silverado 4wd 2500 with the larger diesel to pull it. The seller has an Equalizer Hitch which is part of the deal.
- Any general advice is welcome. Thanks in advance!

[SteveH]

A trailer that new with that little use, I would just go get it, check the air in the tires, and drag it home.

[AWCHIEF]

What Steve said!

[acstokes]

Be prepared that the batteries may be discharged depending upon whether he's kept the EB plugged into a 30 amp receptacle or just let it sit under his garage. Also, if he's kept it garaged, the solar panel will not have kept the batteries charged. It's true, you may need to replace the converter, but that can wait until you've had a chance to familiarize yourself with how everything works and that all systems are functioning properly.

[TSOMMY]

GOOD FOR YOU !!! I have a 2012 EB 27ft with a solar kit that I store at the AS dealer outside. My batteries are still in good shape. Check the tire pressure. Bring it home - fill it up with your stuff and go camp. You will get lots of (uoos & ahhs) from passers by saying look at that Airstream I've never seen one of those before . IT'S FUNNN

[CaddyGrn]

Just check the lights, brakes, and tires.... bring her home! Check out the systems and then go on a "shakedown" camping trip! Not too far, but maybe a weekend with a hour drive.... see what it is like! You might also check with your auto insurance company about insurance for your trailer and what they will/won't do if you break down somewhere and need your truck towed.... you don't want to leave your trailer on the side of the road! Enjoy!

[ASDreamer]

Does that new TV need break in before towing? Mine required 1,000 miles before any towing. You might want to see if towing without proper engine break in voids any provisions of Warranty??

[StreamDog]

Make sure your Chevy has a brake controller and make sure you know how to set it for proper trailer braking. Also, trailer batts need to be charged or the trailer won't brake itself if it accidentally becomes detached from the tow vehicle. Finally, download the owner's manual for that model AS and read it.

[Loden]

The AS manual makes a BIG deal of lug nut torque. Any recommendations on a good torque wrench and methodology to check the nuts? Obviously, I know how to tighten a nut to a torque setting, but if it is already tightened to a torque higher than the book it seems I would need to loosen each nut and tighten it back to the specified torque to know it is right. Does the AS come with a lug wrench? How about a jack?

[blkmagikca]

I use this Precision Instruments C3FR250F 1/2 in. Drive 40 - 250 ft-lbs. Split-Beam Click-Type Torque Wrench - - Amazon.com

When I had my LY moho, I bought the Precision 3/4" drive one. It was excellent. After I sold the moho and bought the AS Excella I now have, I bought the Precision 1/2" drive one. One big advantage is that you don't have to zero it for every reading.