Ready to Order a New A/S

[Danner]

Well, I pretty well decided on a 25' FB Safari SE with twin beds in Midnight Sun. Which is Flying Cloud for 2009. I've got a Dealer in town (Happy Camper), which I will visit on Saturday, though I haven't talked to him yet. I figure I should order it exactly the way I want it, since this will be over 50-large.

Few questions...

Which dealers in the DFW area are/n't recommended?

I'm thinking this will be at MSRP, less 15%. Or can I do better than that on a custom order? Does the balance between cash/financing affect the price?

Is there any chance the dealer can find the model I want somewhere out there and have it shipped to Ft. Worth? Colonial has the exact model I like.

Wondering if the window awnings package is worth getting or not?

Also wondering about the generator prep kit, since I will run this with a Yammy EF2400 sometimes.

Any thoughts on haggling with the dealer would be welcome too.

Final question. Am I nuts? Ha, ha, ha!!!

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Danner

Final question. Am I nuts? Ha, ha, ha!!!

Yes, but so are a lot of us....seriously, that is an awesome trailer......seems to have all the right stuff in all the right places. Welcome to the cult. pj

[Goin camping]

Yes, Your nuts but then so is everyone else around here.

IMHO by buying off the lot you'll probably get a better deal. Inventory costs money to keep.

Consider calling Colonial. They do deliver.

There is a dealer in Texas that people that have used them rave about A-1 sales and service. I hope somebody comes up with the name for you in case you'd prefer buying local.

[Mexray]

Sure, we're a 'nutty' group, but lovable too...

You might contact Airstreams of Arkansas for another 'bid' also, I know they deliver and are a good group to deal with when you need something for your AS.

[ArtStream]

Hey Danner,

Congrads and welcome

In Dallas/Ft Worth the dealer with a great reputation is "Roger Williams Airstream" Their reputation is well known on the forum.

Airstream of Arkansas, has a very very good reputation also.
Just ask for Gene!

Michael

PS, a full awning package helps keep the trailer cool and the sun off of the fridge
Go for the 15,000btu AC.

Originally Posted by Danner

Well, I pretty well decided on a 25' FB Safari SE with twin beds in Midnight Sun. Which is Flying Cloud for 2009. I've got a Dealer in town (Happy Camper), which I will visit on Saturday, though I haven't talked to him yet. I figure I should order it exactly the way I want it, since this will be over 50-large.

Few questions...

Which dealers in the DFW area are/n't recommended?

I'm thinking this will be at MSRP, less 15%. Or can I do better than that on a custom order? Does the balance between cash/financing affect the price?

Is there any chance the dealer can find the model I want somewhere out there and have it shipped to Ft. Worth? Colonial has the exact model I like.

Wondering if the window awnings package is worth getting or not?

Also wondering about the generator prep kit, since I will run this with a Yammy EF2400 sometimes.

Any thoughts on haggling with the dealer would be welcome too.

Final question. Am I nuts? Ha, ha, ha!!!

[5cats]

Originally Posted by Danner

Wondering if the window awnings package is worth getting or not?

We like the factory-installed awning package very much!
I don't think much of dealer-installed bits and pieces, though Roger Williams has a tremendously good reputation.

Cheers,
-jd.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Danner

Well, I pretty well decided on a 25' FB Safari SE with twin beds in Midnight Sun. Which is Flying Cloud for 2009. I've got a Dealer in town (Happy Camper), which I will visit on Saturday, though I haven't talked to him yet. I figure I should order it exactly the way I want it, since this will be over 50-large.

Few questions...

Which dealers in the DFW area are/n't recommended?

I'm thinking this will be at MSRP, less 15%. Or can I do better than that on a custom order? Does the balance between cash/financing affect the price?

Is there any chance the dealer can find the model I want somewhere out there and have it shipped to Ft. Worth? Colonial has the exact model I like.

Wondering if the window awnings package is worth getting or not?

Also wondering about the generator prep kit, since I will run this with a Yammy EF2400 sometimes.

Any thoughts on haggling with the dealer would be welcome too.

Final question. Am I nuts? Ha, ha, ha!!!

Awnings....definitely!

Gen prep......a waste unless you plan on installing the genny directly in the trailer with an internal hard-wired connection. Otherwise, don't spend the $$$$$ (go for the 15K A/C-heat pump combo instead) and just plug in your trailer to the Yammy with your regular 30 amp cord.

You might also consider using solar to supplement your batteries, but I would look into aftermarket systems like Welcome to AM Solar - Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987 if you really want to commit to solar and plan to be off-grid a lot.

Happy shopping!!!!!

[Andrew Selking]

Danner I agree with all that has been posted . We got ours From Steve Ford down south of Fort Worth In Stephenville . Steve is a good al boy from Texas and made me a good deal on the trailer we got. Happy camper tried to play both ends of the stick, Me and the salesman against the Sales manager. Needless to say Steve won hands down because he could make the deal with out having to get approval and I did not get the run around. Call Steve he will make you a deal that you can live with. Just my two cents.

[SilverCottage]

Others can chime in but I believe 20-21% off list price is not unreasonable. As was said above, get a couple more quotes.

Happy Streamn!

[whitsend]

Others have said it, I just want to congratulate you on your smart choice and reiterate some of what's already been said here -
- The factory-installed awnings are well worth the money!! Helps shade the trailer on our blistering Texas summer days,
- Roger Williams Airstream in Weatherford, TX are a great group. Ask them about the stainless exterior doors & vent they have had locally fabricated to replace the junk AS puts on our trailers - they look SO MUCH BETTER. Thanks to David Tidmore!
- I would think in today's economic market, I'd shoot for something in the range of 20% off MSRP, especially if the trailer has been on the dealer's lot for quite a while & is getting ready to go off being "floored" by AS.

Your gonna love your trailer. Please do let us know what you decide to do.

[Danner]

Thanks everybody, very good info.

I'll drive out to Weatherford this Saturday, instead of S. Ft. Worth.

Awnings it is! That seems like a classic A/S feature.

Interesting about the custom aluminum doors, etc.

On the AC unit...
The 13.5k unit in my 23' Rockwood does the job in Texas, and the Yammy 2400 can run it all day long. Does the 25' A/S need 15k to keep cool in 100 degree heat? I really want to be able to run the AC off the Yammy, and I'm a bit concerned that a 15k unit will overload it. On the other hand, the trailer trumps the genny, as I could upgrade the Yammy if necessary.

Thanks again...

[Roamin Cat]

Hi Danner,

You could always get a second 2400 and a parallel connector kit, for when you want the AC.

I got the extra awnings and am very glad I did, even in April in CT - seems you will need them in TX, so glad you decided for them. I'm not thrilled with the dealer's install, definitely wish they were factory.

Seems like in TX you could really make use of aftermarket solar, as Lewster suggests. Better batteries, too.

A second Fantastic Fan would be a good call.

Love the Midnight Sun fabrics, much more durable than the Oatmeal. I had the MS added to my O, and the combo looks great and is holding up well so far.

Tell us about your family size, pets, and how you plan to use your AS (if you want to!). Have you seen the inside of any units yet? Really hang out for a while with your family, go through the motions of living in it, check out the space.

I ask because I have the 25'FB (LOVE the FB layout!), and would be happier with the 27'FB. TWO more feet of closet and pantry space (and for us, the queen bed rotated and easier to walk around in the 27')! Even after my almost 15 yo heads off to his next adventure, the extra space would be great and I could probably FT in it when ready. I could FT in the 25' by myself, with a cat or two, but add DH and we would just need more space. YMMV, of course, and you may bring along less stuff

Have fun, it is a grand adventure!

[dmac]

You should really look at a newer used unit. RV's depreciate rapidly, but most are used rarely - this is a great combination for a buyer! You should be able to fine a really nice (as in nearly new condition) unit for 1/2 the new price.

[AZ-JH]

The 25 FB SE is a nice unit. We almost bought new but found exactly what we wanted used a couple weeks ago. The 2006 still had the new smell which we've since thoroughly off-gassed. We saved on the depreciation hit, dealer prep, destination charge, 9% sales tax (not required for private party used sales in AZ), and got extras on the unit we now don't have to buy like anti-sway hitch and a few upgrades. If you purchase two years or newer, then it probably had the glitches worked out under warranty.

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

We have a 2005 Safari LS 25FB, named Lucy. We have spent over 270 nights in her and have pulled her over 32,000 miles. Lucy has the Midnight Sun interior. It is very durable and still looks great. The floorplan is also great, and works very well.

We bought Lucy off the dealer's lot. We got 23% off MSRP, but Lucy was a new '05 that we bought in June of '06.

Brian