Picking up new Airstream what do I need to know?

[Elizabeth28]

Hello everyone--
I'm very excited to be picking up my 2017 16' Bambi Sport tomorrow. The salesman told me to allow 2-3 hours for our orientation session. I have never owned a travel trailer of any kind. I live on a 40-acre hobby farm and have pulled old trailers with goats and cows in them, but that's the extent of my experience. Anything I should be sure to ask about while I'm at the dealership? I'm a complete newbie. Thanks,
Elizabeth

[batman]

Congratulations and welcome!

[FCStreamer]

Congrats! I'd suggest a checklist like this one:

http://www.ourflyingcloud.com/2016/0...checklist.html

[Isuzusweet]

Please don't take this the wrong way and I'm trust me I'm not being sexist, but learning the in's and out's of any new trailer or RV is daunting at best, terrifying at worst. Your Bambi may only be 16', but there's a lot cramed into that 16'. Your only concern at this appointment is not to fuff it up and damage something.

I remember when I bought my 1983 310 turbo diesel and the PO showed me all the systems, (at least the ones that worked) I missed critical information that should have had me asking questions but my brain was just overloaded with information trying to absorb it all. It was too much too fast.

So, would it be possible to take someone that is knowledgable about trailers, towing and preferably about Airstreams with you? Even if they don't know about Airstreams, having two heads to listen to what's being said will help, as sometimes when we're are thinking about a question we tend to miss new information. Also they would be another set of eyes to help you with towing your trailer home.

Yes, we all hope the dealer will be helpful and all knowing, but the check has cleared and in typical salesman fashion it's onward to the next conquest.....

If you can, record your interaction with a camcorder or smart phone as he/she shows you the trailer and how things work so you can watch later.

Watch You Tube videos on Airstream Bambi's before you go so you will understand most systems and have questions written before the showing. The less NEW information your brain has to process, the more new information is absorbed (at least that's what works for the lesser of the two genders; that's me).

Good luck and God speed
Cheers
Tony

[PKI]

If you have never towed an RV trailer, it may take a bit longer to do the walk through.

The moisture meter suggested is to look for leaks. A conversation is worth having, but a new coach should be dry.

The majority of the list is appropriate. Opening all the compartments will help you get to know the coach. Ask how to winterize it and where the valves are located. Have them show you the fresh water pump. Note the mention of 50 amp is not correct. Your coach should have a 30 amp shore power connection and cable.

You should operate all the systems your self with their instruction. It's easy to think you understand, but if you do it you will learn more.

Have them show you how the propane valves work, the propane detector, and how to turn on and off the gas.

The heater and air conditioner control is difficult to program. Have them show you and practice it yourself. Understand how to set all the functions. Have them show you how to clear all programs and reset them.

Have them show you the 12 volt power battery switch and explain how it works.

Have them show you how to connect all the cables, hoses and drain lines.

Lower and extend the awning yourself with their instruction. Have them show you how to open the windows and discuss carefully opening them if they become stuck to the window seals.

Have them show you how to hook up the hitch and weight distribution if you plan to use one. Have them show you how to hookup and set the brake control.

If possible, have them go with you and demonstrate how to tow and stop your coach.

Spend some time viewing every video available for your coach on you-tube. There are good videos on dumping tanks and likely the features of your model that may provide you with more questions.

Ask the difference between your tanks and those on other coaches and how to use them. I believe the grey and black are combined, but have no direct experience, so ask.

Good luck. Hope to see you down the road. Pat

[PKI]

More - develop your own checklists for each phase of towing - setup, loadout, departure, and on the road tire and brake checks. Always concentrate on your driving. Towing requires active driving. Also, you need a spotter if you are going to back up. Practice, ask questions, and never stop learning. If uncomfortable, slow down, stop or leave. Take it slow. If you can't see something, stop and get out to look. Much easier than fixing dents. Pat

[cabinetmaker]

Congrats Elizabeth! Your in for a wonderful adventure.

Ask your salesman for his cell phone number...so you can call with the questions you didn't know to ask until after your on your own.

It's really not that hard just different. After you have done it once your good to go.

I would walk through with them showing you everything then start over and have them observe you doing it all yourself.

Good luck...I truly admire all the Lady Airstreamers out there!

[McDave]

I was in a similar situation to you, although my previous experience was limited to towing a boat trailer. Absorb what you can from the orientation, but be aware that there is a lot, some of it important, that you won't get. For example, in my case, I didn't get that leaving the emergency brake plug pulled out while camping would quickly discharge my battery. I didn't get that the battery doesn't charge when the trailer is plugged in to shore power and the switch inside the trailer is on "store." I didn't get that despite the fact that I have a high IQ, I really do need a departure checklist (and to really LOOK at things as I do a final walk around) or I will leave the hitch stand down and will plow a furrow with it as I drive away. None of these things are anybody's fault; just too many new things to absorb at one time. You will get it all in time, but just like a 16 year old driver, the first year can be a little hairy.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth28

Hello everyone--
... Anything I should be sure to ask about while I'm at the dealership?

Ask them to demonstrate how to test the GFI circuit (ground fault interrupter) and how to reset it if it trips. The reset button is in different places in different coaches. If this device trips your 120 volt circuit will stop working.

Welcome and congratulations.

[Bob662]

I'd allow more time than your dealer suggests. Done thoroughly, the walk-thru will take up to four hours. Don't let them rush you.

[Al and Missy]

Welcome to the "cult" and congratulations!

If you have time, download and read The Newbies Guide to Airstreaming, available on Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble. It is generic to all Airstreams, but will give you the basics for all the systems.

Edit: I just noticed that your post was yesterday, so you are picking up today. You won't have time to read the book before, but it is still a good reference to have on hand.

Al

[Mollysdad]

I found the hardest thing to do on my first RV was to look up.
I did a walk around; jacks up? check. Power cable stored? Check. Tongue jack up? check.......Then I'd almost drive away with the antenna up or an awning still deployed, or a roof vent open. I've seen many others making the same mistake.
I finally made a check list, "arriving" on one side and "departing" on the other. Some things are easier in a certain order, like getting out the wood blocks and power cord before opening a slide over them.

[CAV]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth28

Hello everyone--
I'm very excited to be picking up my 2017 16' Bambi Sport tomorrow. The salesman told me to allow 2-3 hours for our orientation session. I have never owned a travel trailer of any kind. I live on a 40-acre hobby farm and have pulled old trailers with goats and cows in them, but that's the extent of my experience. Anything I should be sure to ask about while I'm at the dealership? I'm a complete newbie. Thanks,
Elizabeth

Purchase 2 manuals by Richard Luhr, editor of Airstream life magazine. "Newbies guide to Airstream" & " the nearly complete guide to Airstream maintenance " . Invaluable to learn and as reference for new owner. I was in same boat as you and these were very helpful. Best wishes!

[short stuff]

We are still newbies and we have had out 16 footer for almost 1 year. The one thing we did wrong for sure we did not inspect the trailer as well as we should have. We also were told to give ourselves a couple of hours and we were done in 1 and a half. I have seen other posts that have a complete check list to go over.....get a copy and use it. I am sure it will take longer but well worth it. Now the fun part......the trailer is a blast we have really enjoyed it and look forward to using it more this year. Have fun

[RVDreamer]

Don't worry.

It is just a trailer. All of the systems are very easy to understand with practice.

If you live close to the dealer, then I would just enjoy the experience, use your phone to record the instructions from the dealer.

Then just be careful, drive slow and take extra precautions when turning, entering a parking lot or gas station, changing lanes, etc. Once you get used to traveling with a trailer it will become second nature.

Plan to camp out soon with your new trailer. Make a list of any problems you discover while camping. Promptly get the dealer to make any repairs.

Most likely you will iron out any problems very quickly and then have very few issues as the trailer ages.

[tjwoods1]

One thing I wished I had checked when I picked up my 16 foot Bambi was the batteries. The dealer had the airstream plugged into shore power and everything worked fine but when I got home I came to realize the battery couldn't hold a charge.

I also had to check the wiring on the TV. There were a lot of weak and splayed wires there.

[2fromtexas]

Our first trailer was a Casita. Then purchased an AS 6 months later. We were new to an rv and yes, there is a lot to learn. We found a woman on YouTube who taped her complete Casita orientation. What a help for her and us. If you can, tape your orientation so you can go back and repeat it every time you think you need to review.

[DogGonnit]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth28

Hello everyone--
I'm very excited to be picking up my 2017 16' Bambi Sport tomorrow. The salesman told me to allow 2-3 hours for our orientation session. I have never owned a travel trailer of any kind. I live on a 40-acre hobby farm and have pulled old trailers with goats and cows in them, but that's the extent of my experience. Anything I should be sure to ask about while I'm at the dealership? I'm a complete newbie. Thanks,
Elizabeth

Congratulations, Elizabeth. I'm excited for you.

When my husband and I picked up our 2014 FC, I counted on my husband to pay attention while I went through the trailer and oohed and aahed at all the shiny things. Big Mistake!! Sadly, my husband passed away and I'm on own and learning about the AS by trial and error.

I would suggest videotaping as much as you can, taking notes and if something is not clear have the representative explain until you understand. Sometimes when I'm in the AS, I feel like I'm manning the space shuttle. Eventually, you'll want to type up a permanent checklist of arrival and departure procedures.

Here are some things I wish I'd paid particular attention to: propane tanks -- removing, replacing, checking amount of propane in tank; how to control and program HVAC; importance of leveling trailer in relation to operation of the refrigerator (if trailer is not level, your fridge may not work properly); how to level the trailer; monitoring system for fresh, gray, and black water; hooking up water and electricity at full service sites; emptying gray and black water tanks; operating the awning. You say you've towed trailers around your farm so that will probably be second nature for you. I still find it difficult and worrisome to hook up my TV to my AS, but I'm getting more confident.

This forum has been incredibly helpful for me. The folks here are wonderful.

Here's to lots of adventures in your new Bambi.

Randi

[Skooter]

Last part of our orientation was the dealer rep rode with us around the block with Bambi in tow. And I had already been towing an R-pod for a few years, so wasn't new to towing. BTW that was Chilhowee RV in Maryville, TN and we felt they were a pretty good dealer.

[Rabid54]

Elizabeth,

Congratulations!

PKI has hit the mark. When Upper Management and I picked up our AS, the dealership spent 4 hours with us. UM and I each had clipboards in hand and each took extensive notes, as well as lots of pictures with our phones.

The dealership set up our stabilizing hitch and demonstrated to us how to hook up our AS - and then made us repeat the process. That was a great experience and really drove home the important points in the process.

I had prior experience with flatbed trailers, but I will tell you that the trip home with our AS was a bit nerve-wracking. Once we got home, we used our notes and the Newbie guide to put together checklists for everything. Before we camped, we went over the process represented by those checklists and made sure that we were happy with, and understood those lists. We put the checklists in plastic sleeves and use erasable markers to check off completed steps. They all reside on a clipboard stored inside our AS.

After awhile, it all becomes second nature - but UM and I still use the checklists. And, as we've learned, we've modified the checklists to represent our new "best practices".

Have Fun!
rab