Greetings Jake and Keli!
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstream ownership!
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Originally Posted by AirArkansas
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)😆
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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.
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Originally Posted by AirArkansas
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.
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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.
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Originally Posted by AirArkansas
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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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.
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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