New Owner Today

[Mikec1231]

Well, we made the dive today on a 2012 International Serenity 27FB. We are excited. Ready to hit the road in Oregon and if you see an Airstream with a White English Bl=ulldog with a Brown eye, that is Gucci. She will love you to death!
Looking forward to meeting up.
Loretta and Mike

[SuperTrouper]

Welcome and congratulations!


Brad and Maggie

[blmitch5]

Congrats! Post some pics of your trips!

[dkrug]

Welcome! Congratulations on your new Airstream. I know you will have many wonderful adventures.

[eljay]

Very exciting! Congratulations!

[Bruce B]

Nice Airstream, congratulations!
Now for some pictures if you please....
Bruce

[Mikec1231]

Thank you all for your good wishes.
Today we are heading out for our maiden voyage. Just a short "shake-down" about 2 hours away, for 2 nights. Thought that going to an RV park on our first trip was more reasonable than dry camping for this trip. We can pulg in, have water, etc. This way we can test all the ammenities. We are also going to be in wine country in Oregon for a day (Saturday) of tasting Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills with a short drive back to the park. Dinner on the grill, and a relaxing evening in the Serenity.
We are really excited after filling all the necessities in the cupbards, hoping to have almost everything . Pictures coming on Sunday.
I have attached a checklist that I downloaded and edited from a number of contributors on this forum. If you can think of any others please advise.

Also, where do you store your wine in the AS?
Loretta & Mike

[ILOVESALLY]

That's a beautiful trailer. Aesthetically the nicest Airstream they have made in my opinion. Lots of fun times ahead, congratulations. My 9 year old son was disappointed that I didn't shell out the extra $50k 3 weeks ago when we bought our 2007 25ft

[Mikec1231]

So I am on our trip and have a couple of problems. The AS is on shore power. The refrigerator is taking forever to cool. How long would it normally take to get to operational temperatures?
Also, have an EQ hitch and couldn't get the ball out and released from the hitch. The locking mechanism would not lift up to release. I finally got the hitch out of the receiver but it still will not release from the ball!
Lots of fun...
Thanks
Mike

[4RXLA]

The fridge can take 4 hours or more to cool. I always turn on mine the day before. As for the ball, if the tongue is too high the latch won't lift to release the ball. Try lowering the tongue to the point where your tow vehicle starts to lower and then try the latch. Lubricant also helps.

[blmitch5]

Originally Posted by Mikec1231

So I am on our trip and have a couple of problems. The AS is on shore power. The refrigerator is taking forever to cool. How long would it normally take to get to operational temperatures?
Also, have an EQ hitch and couldn't get the ball out and released from the hitch. The locking mechanism would not lift up to release. I finally got the hitch out of the receiver but it still will not release from the ball!
Lots of fun...
Thanks
Mike

The fridge does take a long time to cool and we turn ours on the night before as well, perfectly normal. As for the hitch, once I release some pressure I take off my chains (be careful) and then pull to release the coupler. Same when hitching up, as soon as the coupler is on the ball and the vehicle starts to lower then I lock the coupler. The first trip is always a learning experience. I hope your enjoying your new AS and all of this will become second nature with time.

[Roadrunner]

Loretta/Mike...we have found that running the refrigerator on propane prior to hookup, placing couple bags of ice in the freezer, and using a battery air circulator all seem to speed up the cooling process. As others state...it takes some time on AC.

Bob
Indiana, PA

TAC PA-5
WBCCI 4871

[jdalrymple]

Welcome to the forums!

"Glamping" as some call camping in th luxury of an Airstream is quite fun.

The hitch can be tricky, sometimes. If you have the stinger out of the receiver, you will have to support the weight of ball and ball mount to get the latch to open.

Also, apply pressure forward, or toward the tow vehicle, as well as up as you lift the the release, it seems to work for me.

If the trailer is lifting the tow vehicle even slightly, the latch can be very difficult to open.

Watch the hitch as you raise the tongue jack, and quit as you see the weight come off the hitch. You can see the movment at the recevier on the tow vehicle.

Level the trailer after you get the hitch open and move the TV.


Regards,

JD

[SuperTrouper]

Originally Posted by Mikec1231

I have attached a checklist that I downloaded and edited from a number of contributors on this forum. If you can think of any others please advise.

Loretta & Mike

Hi Mike,

I've only been here a couple of years but I have a few opinions.
I read through the list. I think Antenna Down and walk around should happen before moving.

The biggies I've come to realize as a high priority in regards to the to the itemized list is:

Arrival Chocks first and Departure Chocks last
Arrival Stabilizers/Steps last, and Departure Stabilizers/Steps first
Always retract the jack fully (to the stop)
If you use WB bars, keep a firm grip on the tool you use to set/release tension.

Look up, look down, look all around before entering or exiting a site.

However you use your list, make it ROUTINE.

Top "OOPS" items (most expensive) as I understand it are Antenna contact, Step/Stabilizer contact and Jack contact.

Safe travels and enjoy your Airstream!

Brad