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cptkel · 11-24-2013, 07:48 AM

Has anyone had experience with any airstream dealers in or around PA/Maryland area? I know Colonial in NJ is supposed to be good, but that is probably 4 hrs away from me.

I want to check out some models and maybe work with a dealer that some people have had good experience with.

cptkel · 11-24-2013, 07:52 AM

I had planned to go to the RV show in Hershey, but heard airstream pulled out. So really having a hard time finding a way to see some airstreams.

ROBERT CROSS · 11-24-2013, 07:54 AM

Colonial is well worth the 4hr investment.
Great inventory,staff, first class service and customer satisfaction.

Take advantage...

Bob

kdinnar · 11-24-2013, 08:10 AM

We are another satisfied Colonial Airstream customer...and we drove from Maine!

cptkel · 11-24-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdinnar

We are another satisfied Colonial Airstream customer...and we drove from Maine!

Wow, that's dedication.

I am the type of person that would require multiple trips. Guess I should just try and start with the first trip.

murreywalker · 11-24-2013, 08:42 AM

cptkel, a four hour drive to Colonial will be well worth your time.

Look and my signature, and you'll see how far we traveled to get to Colonial.

Wayne&Sam · 11-24-2013, 08:54 AM

Yup, go to Colonial.

idroba · 11-24-2013, 08:57 AM

Lots of us in the country would be happy with only a 4 hour trip to an Airstream dealer. Hells bells, I am two hours one way from a Wal Mart!

Seriously, there are not a lot of Airstream Dealers and a trip to see them is worth the effort and time. A large dealer like Colonial will have a stock big enough to let you see the differences between lines and sizes and will give you the best idea of what is available. A smaller dealer may not have many on the lot anyway and you might miss seeing the exact one you want. For example, prior to last spring I didn't realize that there was a Flying Cloud 20' with a floor plan I liked. I had only seen the 19' ones and their floor plan does not suit me at all. But when I walked into the 20', it was great. I purchased one shortly thereafter.

Skater · 11-25-2013, 05:47 AM

Colonial was at the Hershey show this year, by the way. From what I heard (and there's a thread in the Vendor's section), they sold quite a few of them at the show, too.

ROBERT CROSS · 11-25-2013, 06:12 AM

I guess there was a time when PA restricted the out-of-state vendors.
Maybe they changed their policy.

Bob

**blmitch5** · 11-25-2013, 06:44 AM

If you go to their site they have a dealer locator.

http://www.airstream.com/dealer_loca...code=&state=PA

PharmGeek · 11-25-2013, 07:18 AM

look at the dealers listed on the website...I looked all up and down to get quotes...I cannot recall many...I think you will be left with very vew choices anyway....colonial is well regarded it seems....they were easy to deal with as far as email, phone, pricing, etc...absolutely from them there was no feeling of "car sellsman" type of ick...they are just a short 14 hours from me so I opted ou.....

I think IF you are going to own an airstream, this is one of the implicit downsides.

There are not many dealers...very few...and during your warranty period folks like you (and me, and many others) are forced to buy, then if issues rise, to drive fairly long distances, which costs alot of time, and money....

This is a real negative of ownership...it did not scare me away....we just accepted that we may have to blow a few weekends traveling for repairs for a couple year....after the 2 year period is up, I will find a more local experience person to do stuff that I have not yet learned to do....most of the reapairs any experienced RV technician should be able to tackle I presume....so I think of this problem of distance for the most part limited to warranty period....

Or so goes my own rationalization.

I have to drive about 5 hours to my dealer....if we have warranty repairs, we may even drive back to OH to the mothership for repairs and make a trip out of it...about 8 hour drive from my current location.

cptkel · 11-25-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skater

Colonial was at the Hershey show this year, by the way. From what I heard (and there's a thread in the Vendor's section), they sold quite a few of them at the show, too.

Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll hit up Hershey in 2014. What thread do you speak of?