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Old 06-11-2025, 09:10 PM   #1
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Introductions: Just bought our first Airstream

Hi everyone!

We’re Jake & Keli from Little Rock, Arkansas, and we just purchased a gently used 25-foot, 2018 Airstream International Signature. In fact, we just had our first sleep in it last night. We are not new to camping, but we are definitely new to camping in an Airstream (spent way too long trying to remember where the button to the water pump was)😆

We did notice that the seal around the bottom of the toilet bowl appears to not be working. We took it back to the dealer to fix because there’s no reason that should not have already been addressed before we bought it. However, now that it’s at the dealership, I am wondering if it’s something we could’ve easily fixed ourselves? I think we are a bit intimidated and don’t wanna screw up the Airstream.

If there’s any piece of advice that you wish you had known when you got your first Airstream, whether it was a used one or a brand new one, we’d love to hear it.
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Old 06-11-2025, 10:10 PM   #2
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Hi AirArkansas and welcome to the forum! I wish I had known that the little white block I found lying on the floor was supposed to go under my shower door pivot point. I recommend searching the forum for shower door sag. I also recommend the learning hub at airgear.store for more Airstream specific maintenance. Enjoy it!
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Old 06-12-2025, 05:06 AM   #3
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We are also experienced RV'ers but new to Airstream and trailers. We bought a 2017 International Signature 25 in December 2024 and love it after our first 3,500 mi cross country trip.
If you're talking about the toilet bowl ball rubber seal, it is an easy fix. The old seal is easily removed and the new seal has a groove that 'snaps' in place. The internet has instructions about cleaning and lubricating before installing. Good Luck and safe travels!
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Old 06-12-2025, 06:04 AM   #4
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Thanks so much!
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Old 06-12-2025, 06:05 AM   #5
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Shower door sag? Wow, never heard of it. Will check it out.
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Old 06-12-2025, 08:10 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AirArkansas View Post
We did notice that the seal around the bottom of the toilet bowl appears to not be working. We took it back to the dealer to fix because there’s no reason that should not have already been addressed before we bought it. However, now that it’s at the dealership, I am wondering if it’s something we could’ve easily fixed ourselves? I think we are a bit intimidated and don’t wanna screw up the Airstream.
Congratulations on your new-to-you trailer!

Yes, replacing the toilet seal is a DIY project that needs to be done every couple of years or so as a maintenance item - kinda like changing your tires. I certainly wouldn't pay Airstream shop rates to have them do it and be without my trailer for more than a couple hours because of it! As a matter of fact, we replaced ours (Dometic 310) yesterday.

The rubber seal gets old & "set" in it's way. With the jostling of the trailer/toilet on the road (especially if it has set for awhile) can make it fail. It's easy to change out, just turn off the water, unscrew the toilet, lift it off, clean the floor & fitting then replace the rubber seal. Most RV shops sell the OEM Dometic seal <$30 (preferred) or Amazon has lots of after-market seals for less. It's not bad...but a good idea to have some towels & rubber gloves ready.

In my opinion, if you are even somewhat handy, the more of these "little projects" you can DIY and become more self-sufficient, the better & un-interrupted your trailering experience will be.

Shari
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Old 06-12-2025, 09:31 AM   #7
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Shower door sag? Wow, never heard of it. Will check it out.
The door needs support while driving. The little white block holds the corner up preventing sagging. However, mine was a rectangle with sharp corners and sometimes it caught the corner and prevented it from closing.

I accidentally drove with it that way and the door sagged. The dealer rounded the corner of the block, so now if the door is sagging a little, it lifts it back into place. It also corrected most of the sagging and works a lot better.
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Old 06-12-2025, 04:02 PM   #8
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RE: Introductions: Just bought our first Airstream

Greetings Jake and Keli!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstream ownership!

Quote:
Originally Posted by AirArkansas View Post
Hi everyone!

We’re Jake & Keli from Little Rock, Arkansas, and we just purchased a gently used 25-foot, 2018 Airstream International Signature. In fact, we just had our first sleep in it last night. We are not new to camping, but we are definitely new to camping in an Airstream (spent way too long trying to remember where the button to the water pump was)😆
There is certainly a learning curve when switching to Airstream from other RV brands. I made the switch in 1995 from first a Nomad travel trailer, then a 1983 Compliment B-Van on a GMC G20 Chassis to my 1964 Airstream Overlander Land Yacht International. There were far fewer devices to learn on my rig than on your 2018 model so the learning curve wasn't as steep, but for me it was the Armstrong Air Conditioner that was controlled by the wall thermostat rather than knobs on the ceiling unit that threw me on my first camping trip with the trailer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AirArkansas View Post
We did notice that the seal around the bottom of the toilet bowl appears to not be working. We took it back to the dealer to fix because there’s no reason that should not have already been addressed before we bought it. However, now that it’s at the dealership, I am wondering if it’s something we could’ve easily fixed ourselves? I think we are a bit intimidated and don’t wanna screw up the Airstream.
One of the things that I learned rather quickly after purchasing my Airstream, despite the fact that I had a very reliable Airstream dealer within 2 hours of where I lived, anything that I could do on my own was worth doing. Also, I learned to keep a list of tasks to have done at the end of the season when I dropped my trailer off for Winterization -- at the time I lived in Wisconsin and I liked the idea of having the guarantee that the Winterization would be handled properly and I wouldn't have to worry about any burst pipes in the Spring. The basic components that make up the systems of an Airstream are not all that much different than those in other trailers of similar era so there isn't anything to become overly afraid of in day-to-day operations and maintenance. The biggest difference is in the monocoque construction which in some ways relates to uni-body construction in automobiles, and is one of the reasons that leak prevention is so important on those trailers with wood subfloors. It is also one reason nearly every Airstream owner learns how to use a pop rivet tool as sooner or later every Airstream will pop one or more interior rivets that will need to be replaced, or something will need to be hung or installed on an exterior wall/ceiling where a pop rivet is the preferred attachment method.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AirArkansas View Post
If there’s any piece of advice that you wish you had known when you got your first Airstream, whether it was a used one or a brand new one, we’d love to hear it.
My introduction to Airstream was a bit different from most as I was five years old when I was introduced to Airstreams by friends of my family. They had just purchased a brand new Airstream and had stopped at our family farm on their shake-down trip (this was their second Airstream), and they towed it with their 1957 Mercury Monterey. During the week that they stayed at our farm, they invited me to spend a couple of nights in the trailer, and I was sold immediately on it and its hammock bunks. That dream never ended for me until I purchased my first Airstream in 1995, the 1964 Overlander Land Yacht International that I own to this day. The one thing that stuck with me from that visit were their stories of their adventures with the Wally Byam Caravan Club International -- they had joined shortly after purchasing their 1957 Airstream new, and continued on almost until they retired from traveling in 1980. I followed their example and within days of purchasing my Airstream, I joined the WBCCI and enjoyed my membership so much that I became a Lifetime member in 2005.


Enjoy your 2018 Airstream International Signature - 25, and Safe Travels!!

This is my 1964 Overlander Land Yacht International with my all-time favorite tow vehicle, my 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible. Sadly, the Cadillac was stolen in 2014 so I now tow with a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited sedan.


Kevin

As a Post Script:
I might suggest that you consider joining the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI)/Airstream Club International (ACI) along with your local Unit as it is an excellent way to meet other Airstream owners in your area and experience the camaraderie of Airstream ownership firsthand. You will often find someone in your local Unit who either owns or has owned a 2018 Airstream International Signature - 25 trailer identical or similar to yours who can be a great source of information. In addition, you have access to State, Regional, and Special Event Rallies as well as the Annual International Rally that will be held in York, Pennsylvania this year at the end of August (different state and dates each year). Members are also welcome to attend the Rallies and functions of other Units on a space available basis as you travel. There are also the Caravans that are led by Volunteer members who attend training seminars at the International Rally, and these Caravans are typically a great value as they generally include campground fees, many if not all attraction fees, some group meals, sometimes include tolls/ferries, and often include being able to see/do things that are often not available to solo travelers. There are also ten Intra-Clubs or Clubs within the Club for persons of varying interests. For instance, I belong to two -- the Vintage Airstream Club, for owners and enthusiast of Airstreams 25 years of age or older where preservation/restoration/maintenance/upgrades are often topics of discussion -- Pride Streamers, one of the newer Intra-Clubs for LGBTQ owners, their friends and families. There is an Intra-Club for just about any interest, and there are many options for members to enhance their enjoyment of the Airstream ownership experience. With several of the Intra-Clubs, you are offered the option of parking with your Intra-Club at larger Rallies like the International Rally. I have been a member for 30 years, and many of the friends whom I have made within the club have become like an extended family such that I chose to become a Lifetime member in 2005.
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Old 06-13-2025, 07:48 AM   #9
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I"ll second all the above info. The Arkansas Airstream club is one of the best groups in the country and we have a ton of fun. They just finished up their last event until fall. You should seriously consider joining us for some of the fall camping trips. Check out the map of events on airstreamclub.org and join us.


https://airstreamclub.org/events
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Old 06-15-2025, 10:00 AM   #10
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Thank you so much for all the details! Will definitely be joining the ACI and checking out our local chapter!
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Old 06-15-2025, 10:00 AM   #11
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Thanks! Looks like lots of fun stuff going on in our chapter!
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