Colonial Orientation

[Jukeboxfun]

We will be picking up our AS very soon at Colonial. They said it would take 2 hours to go over everything. I know many forum members have done this, any comments or advice on what to expect?

[Wayne&Sam]

Yes it can take that long- they won't rush you and want to make sure you understand everything. Take your time, don't be in a hurry so you can absorb it all.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[murreywalker]

Kevin Amaro will probably do your orientation.

If you've got a smartphone, you might ask him if you can use it from time to time.

There's a lot of stuff to go through if you've never had an Airstream.

His walkthrough will be very thorough.

Congrats on your new AS!

[AnnArborBob]

We had our orientation at Colonial as well. If you are a newbie to RV'ing, two hours is a bit short. Our orientation took closer to four hours. The people at Colonial are great.

You will be overwhelmed with information. If you can, use your smartphone to record some of the more critical parts of the orientation, like how to hitch and unhitch. Take notes. And mostly don't worry. There are a lot of YouTube videos out there to help remind you of what you were shown and there is always this Forum!

I will caution you that Colonial is located in a very congested part of NJ. Your inaugural tow will be on some of the busiest roads in the country. And then of course there is perpetual road construction. Plan your route out of Colonial carefully and know where you are going. We got lost right out of the parking lot because the GPS we had had not yet oriented itself properly and we turned left instead of right. If you can avoid I-95 I would recommend that.

Of course, if you are a RV expert, you won't have any problems at all.

[AWCHIEF]

While using phone to video don't forget to actually listen to what you are being told. Better yet have someone else video the presentation so you can concentrate.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

While using phone to video don't forget to actually listen to what you are being told. Better yet have someone else video the presentation so you can concentrate.

Excellent point, in our case I listened and my wife was the videographer.

[HowieE]

If you have not chosen an escape route I would suggest the following.
Right out of Colonial to left light on 623 New Hampshire Ave. a long block. New Hampshire to left at light on Cedarbridge Ave. again a long block Cedarbridge to New Jersey Parkway North. about a 1/2 mile. NJPW north to 195 west, 8 miles. West 28 miles on 195 to New Jersey Turnpike. South on TP to Pa.

You do not want to tow west through Lakewood.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by HowieE

If you have not chosen an escape route I would suggest the following.
Right out of Colonial to left light on 623 New Hampshire Ave. a long block. New Hampshire to left at light on Cedarbridge Ave. again a long block Cedarbridge to New Jersey Parkway North. about a 1/2 mile. NJPW north to 195 west, 8 miles. West 28 miles on 195 to New Jersey Turnpike. South on TP to Pa.

You do not want to tow west through Lakewood.

Can you bring a trailer on the Parkway? Last time I looked many many years ago I thought this was prohibited.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

Can you bring a trailer on the Parkway? Last time I looked many many years ago I thought this was prohibited.

Yes you can.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

Yes you can.

Good to know!

[Jukeboxfun]

Originally Posted by HowieE

If you have not chosen an escape route I would suggest the following.
Right out of Colonial to left light on 623 New Hampshire Ave. a long block. New Hampshire to left at light on Cedarbridge Ave. again a long block Cedarbridge to New Jersey Parkway North. about a 1/2 mile. NJPW north to 195 west, 8 miles. West 28 miles on 195 to New Jersey Turnpike. South on TP to Pa.

You do not want to tow west through Lakewood.

Sorry, I looked at Google maps and I can't follow your directions. I just figured back home same way I go down 88 back to route 9 to 195 njtunpike to pa turnpike.
If you can clarify, I welcome a different route.

[Woosch]

If you are new to RVing I would defiantly video hitching and unhitching. Using the Fantastic fans and hooking up electrical and sewer.

[moosetags]

Make sure that they show you the circuit breakers and 12 volt fuses. Also have them point out any GFCI outlets that may need to be reset.

Also have them show you the control buttons on the refrigerator, and how the operate and what signals show on the panel.

Brian

[AnnArborBob]

Once you've used the trailer a couple of times, you'll find that the most complicated things to master are the radio & television!

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

Once you've used the trailer a couple of times, you'll find that the most complicated things to master are the radio & television!

ROTFLAMO - too true.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by Jukeboxfun

Sorry, I looked at Google maps and I can't follow your directions. I just figured back home same way I go down 88 back to route 9 to 195 njtunpike to pa turnpike.
If you can clarify, I welcome a different route.

Look again. You don' want to tow through Lakewood and up route 9 unless you are comfortable towing with lots of traffic lights and strange pedestrians.

Search Colonial Airstream on Google and follow the instruction out of their lot.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

Can you bring a trailer on the Parkway? Last time I looked many many years ago I thought this was prohibited.

The southern section allows trailers.

[Jukeboxfun]

We are at colonial now! Early for our appointment having coffee.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by Jukeboxfun

We are at colonial now! Early for our appointment having coffee.

A very exciting day for you!

Enjoy, relax and take everything slowly.

You will be fine!

[moosetags]

How exciting! Have a great time.

Brian