Hi Diane,
Your AS sounds wonderful and I know you will love it!
I haven't trialed much outside the MA, CT area, once in eastern NY, the infamous Blackthorne trial! The Thanksgiving cluster in Springfield is a real event! The largest AKC event in the country - agility, obedience, conformation. We were there last year and Logan earned his novice preferred jumpers title in the weekend. Our agility plans have been put on hold until the first of the year. Logan has an ear canal tumor that required surgery to remove the canal and now daily radiation treatments in Boston to shrink what remains. I first noticed a problem last July at a trial, wobbly gait, head tilt, overly slow. As you can imagine, it has been a very difficult few months.
My younger dog Blaze was just about to begin competing. I have entered him in some matches, but needed to pull him from trials when his brother got sick and we couldn't go to the trials. We also started a vending business at trials so all that has been put on hold too.
I always love talking to fellow agility competitors! I never thought I would become so obsessed but it gave us the excuse we needed to buy the Airstream.
Hope to see you in Springfield someday!
Mary
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Sir Logan Foxhall, OAP, OJP, NAC, NCC, CL1, PS1, PJ1, CGC
Sir Blaze Foxhall, Let the Games Begin!!!
The more I try to understand people, the better I like my dog.
Congrates on your order. We too are looking at the 25 SS model without the SE option. We like the wrap around window in the front but, don't think we would like the Stainless interior, especially in the corner bed.
The concern we have is would the sides be cold in the winter? Since I would be up against the wall, I don't think I would like that. Also, I hate to see finger prints. How do owners deal with this issue? That is why I think the regular 25 SS with the LS option package would due for us. Padded ceiling and carpeted sides may even provide more sound deading and insulation in the trailer.
Thoughts?
I am not a good judge of if the SE interior would be cold in winter, as I really like it cold.
I never thought about the sound issue, but I think the metal interior would be much easier to clean than what i have now. My interior is vinyl wallpaper, and we like campfires, and the interior gets very dirty. The idea of being able to really wipe down the interior and not worry about the wall paper/carpet getting wet was appealing to me. I think it is a clean look, but probably to cold for some.
I guess that is why there is vanilla and chocolate!
As Rich wrote, the Colorado chain law was amended this year. The target was truckers who attempt to get over the mountains without chaining up despite the road signs announcing the law is in effect. They are under a lot of time pressure. We have seen many trucks stuck on grades who didn't chain up. They sometimes block the highway going up or jackknife on the way down. Mostly the changes were to increase penalties for commericial towing of trailers. The fine looks to be only a $66 ticket. I doubt it will change old habits. Chaining only is for drive wheels if I read the statute correctly.
FYI, chains don't mean only chains. It includes 4WD with "adequate" tires for the conditions or on any vehicle M&S or snow tires, or even all-season tires. I guess the only thing excluded is "speed" tires on sporty cars or racing slicks. If you want to read up on Colorado statutes (ha!), see Sections 42-4-106(5) and 42-4-1701(4)(a)(I)(F), Colorado Revised Statutes. There's really nothing about travel trailers.
I'd certainly avoid driving on snowy roads, but in Colorado, and many other places, weather can blow in quick. The snow season here is from September to May, or more. I was told by the salesman to turn off the brake controller on snow—hmmm? It may prevent locked up trailer wheels, but the trailer pushing the TV could be a disaster too.
Congrates on your order. We too are looking at the 25 SS model without the SE option. We like the wrap around window in the front but, don't think we would like the Stainless interior, especially in the corner bed.
The concern we have is would the sides be cold in the winter? Since I would be up against the wall, I don't think I would like that. Also, I hate to see finger prints. How do owners deal with this issue? That is why I think the regular 25 SS with the LS option package would due for us. Padded ceiling and carpeted sides may even provide more sound deading and insulation in the trailer.
Thoughts?
We just purchased a 2001 Safari 25 SS with the padded ceiling and cloth interior. Aside from the fact we couldn't afford a new one, we preferred the decore of this one over many of the newer models with aluminum interiors. To us it provides the feel being in a private jet. Being nylon I doubt it would add any insulation value, but it should help suppress noise. We'll have to be careful to keep it clean though - we're having the the dealer treat it with a fabric guard.
Putting carpet on the floor in our 2001 was a dumb idea, but we'll wait a while before replacing it with vinyl or laminate.
To bernermon: Congrats on the new trailer! I think it's a great choice!
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Gary & Debbie
2001 Safari 25 SS
2001 Yukon 5.3L 3.73 • Hensley • Jordan Ultima • McKesh
Garfield I noticed you pull yours with a Yukon. How does it pull it in terms of performance, hills, what gear do you use, sway, stability?
In general would you replace it with the same type if you wanted to?
Garfield I noticed you pull yours with a Yukon. How does it pull it in terms of performance, hills, what gear do you use, sway, stability?
In general would you replace it with the same type if you wanted to?
Heheh...well, that's a good question! We pick the trailer up next week. But I towed a 31' 7" Trail Cruiser for three seasons with no problems, so I'm expecting the 25' 10" Safari will tow much more easily. The Safari is only 200 lbs heavier, but of course is far more aerodynamic which will make a big difference at highway speeds.
When towing the TC I never exceeded 62 MPH (100 KPH) and always ran in third gear (OD would never hold anyway). The 5.3L 3.73 purrs happily at 2600 RPM and rarely has to drop to second except on the steepest/longest hills provided I would allow it to slow down to 55 MPH on occasion when necessary. We towed through the White Mountains (NH/VT) with narry a problem but the hills of Virginia would be tougher. I woudn't want to tow that combo through the Canadian Rockies.
Overall I was happy the way the Yukon towed, knowing that it was no powerhouse, although it did porpoise some. The Hensley was essential for that setup in my opinon.
Would I buy another? Possibly, although one reason we bought a 25 foot A/S was because when it comes time to trade the Yukon I'm going to look at a V6 or maybe one of the new baby diesels that are being developed. With oil approaching $100 a barrel (and soon to surpass that I expect) I'm hoping this will be the last V8 I own!
__________________
Gary & Debbie
2001 Safari 25 SS
2001 Yukon 5.3L 3.73 • Hensley • Jordan Ultima • McKesh
We are scheduled to get our new SilverLining next Thursday! I was hoping to be able to pick it up on a weekend to avoid both of having to take a day off work, but since we are getting a Hensley Hitch, they said the Hensley person is not there on the weekends.
Now I am really getting anxious. Does anyone know if there is any checklist posted on this list for items to look for when picking up the AS. Our salesperson seems very knowledgable, so I am in good hands.
Congrats on the new trailer. Ours is midnight sun and we're very happy with it. If you're getting it from Colonial, they do a very thorough walk through with you.
I'll look for you at NJ trials next spring. Our last for the year is this weekend just five miles from home!
Thanks 2air, you are so helpful. I did read those other posts just today, and will look at the other posts in the buyer guidelines section.
I would love to stay overnight at the dealer, but #1, I do not think they provide that service, and #2, since I have to pick up on a Thursday, both my husband and I must take a day off work, and we cannot really take two days off right now, and #3, we have two large dogs and it would be hard to camp in a parking lot with them. The dealer is Colonial in NJ, and they are about 1 1/2 hours from home at the most, so it is not so very far if we have to go back. We travel to that area for dog shows in the spring, so we will be even closer then.
About winterizing, the salerperson said they will have it winterized before I get there, but I am not sure that I want that, as I will not be able to verify that all water systems work then. I am trading in a trailer, which I have already winterized, and they are going to put water in it to verify that everything works, so I think they should understand that I need to do the same thing with the new one.
In case your plans change, Colonial does have a couple of spots to stay all night and I remember there being at least a spot of grass for the dogs. When we arrived to pick up our AS, it was a very hot day, but Lauren and Pat had the AS ready. The ac was on. All the curtains were open, the stereo was playing nice music, all the lights were on, and everything was clean and ready to go. The propane tanks were full and we received a certificate for three nights at the AS park in NJ, that, by the way, was very much enjoyed and appreciated. Lauren did our walk thru, and knew everything. (Listen closely when she explains the speaker system and getting the tv to come thru.) When we left, they invited us to call with any questions.
Enjoy you new AS, and don't worry about the pick-up process. Colonial will do it right.
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