New Airstreamer in the PNW

[jlokanis]

Hello! We are John and Cheryl. We live in the beautiful Pacific NorthWET.
After many years of research and contemplation, we finally pulled the trigger on a 2024 Flying Cloud 27FBT.
Options include 2nd Air, Convection oven, Awning package and The Hatch!
Future plans include Lithium, Solar, Upgraded Inverter/Electronics.

This is our second TT but first Airstream. (We previously had a Lance TT that we sold a few years ago.)
We are excited to get back out there and meet fellow Airstreamers. We plan to join the national and local clubs.

We already have much of the basics for RVing but will be getting the new unit Snap Pads, a fresh sewer hose and a new surge protector. If there are other must haves specific to Airstream, please let us know.

Hope to meet some of you 'on the road' in the future.

-John and Cheryl

[SSquared]

Welcome to Airforums and the Airstream life. We are glad you are joining us.

One thing to think about is what to use for changing a flat tire on the trailer. The trailer does not come with a jack. Due to the torsion axle used on Airstreams, you can change a tire on a dual axle Airstream without a jack. You can pull the good tire up onto a ramp, and that lifts the bad tire. There's a commercial product for this called the Trailer-Aid. Or you can use a stack of leveling blocks. On our 25FB, a four-high stack of yellow lego-type blocks is just enough to do the job. Of course, you can also use a jack. If you plan on using your tow vehicle's jack, you should practice at home to make sure that jack will work for you.


Enjoy your travels!

[Nishad]

I found that installing a surge protector in the coach between the shore power connecting and the electrical panel in the panel compartment super convenient. Happy and safe Airstreaming!

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by Nishad

I found that installing a surge protector in the coach between the shore power connecting and the electrical panel in the panel compartment super convenient. Happy and safe Airstreaming!

Until your surge protector fails. Then it’s much more compnvienient to have a exterior unit.

Mike

[99TJSE]

Welcome, welcome.

Where you all home based at? Where did you get your trailer?

How excited are you to have a new Airstream?

It's an adventure for sure.

[10Smiles]

Welcome to the Airstream family from a fellow Northwesterner. Yes, many great places to camp around here.

As far as surge protection is concerned, I did the permanent install between the power inlet and the circuit panel. Yes, it would be more difficult to replace if it failed, but it's also more convenient to not have to plug it in every time you camp (and try to keep it dry). Plus I like having the display inside the trailer so I know how much I am loading my 30 amp service. Not as big a deal on a 50 amp service, but I really like it inside.

[dbj216]

Welcome from Colorado to the Airstream Owners Community. You are wise to join both local clubs and the International Club. I find Airstream owners are a great bunch of people who love travel and adventure. You might like rallies, caravans and participating in your local club.

I find your choice of a new Airstream very nice. It will last you many, many years and you picked a very handy floor plan. I believe it will hold its value quite well.

Here is a photo of our 1975 Overlander 27' with a big rear bath, center twin beds, and a comfortable front sitting area. But this floor layout is now rather old fashioned.

David

[aftermath]

Welcome jalokanis, this forum is enormously helpful. If you have any questions post one and you will be buried in answers. They will all be opinions, choose carefully.
Since you are not a complete newbie, I will assume you have camped up here in the beautiful state of Washington and you have figured out how to camp, hookup your trailer and use all the amenities as well.

Thanks for announcing yourself, what you are pulling and where you live. That was very nice of you.

I am a member of the KISS club. Having been using my Airstream since 2009, I prefer to minimize all the "stuff" I tote along. I do have a couple favorites though, like my Levelmate Pro.

Best Wishes, Aftermath

[Bearstream01]

Hi jlokanis. Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new FC! At some point you will probably need a rivet gun. And I think someone was selling gadgets that prevent the windows from sticking, if you are so inclined. The only other thing AS specific that comes to mind, not to buy, but the shower door “sag”. Read up on it and make sure your door is shimmed correctly from the start. Good luck with it!!!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Bearstream01

Hi jlokanis. Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new FC! At some point you will probably need a rivet gun. And I think someone was selling gadgets that prevent the windows from sticking, if you are so inclined. The only other thing AS specific that comes to mind, not to buy, but the shower door “sag”. Read up on it and make sure your door is shimmed correctly from the start. Good luck with it!!!

All the newer AS's have a Teflon/plastic type block on the bottom rail under the door now, so the door rests on that. I called AS last January and got them to send me one for my 2017 28' FC, which I cut in half, and installed below the shower door hinge and also below the front of the door on the inside frame rail. Works great! Preciously, I fought broken hinge screws, broken hinge, and actually had the door on the floor not long after we picked our "new" at the time, AS.

AS sent me an entire shower door with frame on a wooden pallet, when i called them about the broken screw in the top hinge. They told me they were "aware" and they had a fix in place, having the Mfg. install a "longer" threaded screw up there on the upper hinge to the door. Crazy! All I needed was a longer screw....and of course, the Teflon spacers on the bottom sill...which as I said, are now standard on newer AS's.

[jlokanis]

Thanks for all the tips. I just ordered a Hughes Power WatchDog EPO sure protector. Got a great Black Friday deal on it. It is the external type so I won't need to modify or install anything yet. Maybe I'll go internal when I do my solar/lithium upgrade.
I also ordered 2 BB GC2 batteries on their Black Friday sale. These are apparently the same ones Airstream installs. They are pricy but all the research I did convinced me they were worth the extra $$$.

We are located on the Eastside of the Seattle area. We bought from the local dealer in Milton. I did shop around for pricing from Montana and Utah dealers but found what I was looking for locally and got them down to a decent price.

I got a lot of great advice from a YouTube channel called Thirteen Adventures. If you have not checked them out, I can highly recommend them. Brad even called me and we had a long talk about PDI and other offers the dealership had for add-ons. Here is the link to their webpage: https://thirteenadventures.com

I will keep an eye out for that shower door issue. Since it is a 2024, I hope it comes with the fix already in place.

I am sure my wife and I will be very active on these forums as we learn and share our adventure. We hope to attend a local rally in 2025 and start meeting people in the community.

Thanks again for the warm greeting and tips/advice.

-John

[Bearstream01]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

All the newer AS's have a Teflon/plastic type block on the bottom rail under the door now, so the door rests on that. I called AS last January and got them to send me one for my 2017 28' FC, which I cut in half, and installed below the shower door hinge and also below the front of the door on the inside frame rail. Works great! Preciously, I fought broken hinge screws, broken hinge, and actually had the door on the floor not long after we picked our "new" at the time, AS.

AS sent me an entire shower door with frame on a wooden pallet, when i called them about the broken screw in the top hinge. They told me they were "aware" and they had a fix in place, having the Mfg. install a "longer" threaded screw up there on the upper hinge to the door. Crazy! All I needed was a longer screw....and of course, the Teflon spacers on the bottom sill...which as I said, are now standard on newer AS's.

Yeah, I found that spacer lying about one day and I just put it in a drawer for safe keeping, not recognizing what it was or where it belonged! Hopefully OP can avoid the same headache!

[Gun2Head]

You may want to consider installing a micro-air easy start (or soft start) in each AC unit so you can run them both on 30amp at older parks....

[WestieHouse]

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

Until your surge protector fails. Then it’s much more compnvienient to have a exterior unit.

Mike

Absolutely! We paid twice as much for the interior PMS on our first Airstream. It was convenient and we had no concerns about theft. And fortunately never had a problem in the 5 years we owned that 23’ FC.

But having read about the “sacrificial failure” of the PMS in some instances (and to save several hundred dollars) we opted for identical protection using the exterior portable PMS when we moved up to a 25’ FC. About a year later we encountered a worn and miswired pedestal and suffered a melted PMS. It would’ve been dangerous had it been installed inside our Airstream in the concealed location they usually are installed. The campground host took no responsibility and after some effort agreed to forego our rent for the night. Fortunately I was able to obtain an identical new PMS from the national camp store chain since the manufacturer guaranteed replacement in such instances. I avoided major installation costs for the new exterior unit. As for possible theft I always use a cable lock to secure it.

[WestieHouse]

You will discover many dozens of upgrades, safety, and convenience features that fit your preferences and budget.

Here are a few I suggest you explore:
1. the window “poppers” mentioned above
2. TPMS - expensive but definitely worth it IMHO
3. thumb screw kit for HVAC filter vents in the ceiling
4. a Viair compressor to keep tires inflated properly AND to winterize even if you are boondocking when the situation calls for it (not pictured here)
5. a torque wrench AND proper size / length socket to torque wheels occasionally on longer trips (nit pictured here)
6. a lockbox with spare keys to prevent becoming locked out of your Airstream. My system doubles as a lock for my LPG tanks ( see photo - requires a simple drilling of a hole in the wing nut and bracket on the tank cover. Uses your own set code fir entry like a real estate agent lock box.

Wishing you happy travels from a former Issaquah & Redmond resident now in Sequim!

[Lvanden]

Welcome! We are also in the PNW and love camping here. Lots of great ideas already. To the other ones, I would add Mopeka propane tank sensors and level mate pro. Some optional items we like include a teak shower mat, GCI rocking chairs, solo stove + propane stove (for the 4 months we can’t have a wood fire).

[jlokanis]

Here is a fix for the shower door from a channel I follow. Seems like a quick fix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avyXW9L4NUg

[BEh515]

Hi! I'm also in the PNW and even also bought my Airstream in June from Milton as well. Full timing it in the Olympia area. Welcome!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by jlokanis

Hello! We are John and Cheryl. We live in the beautiful Pacific NorthWET.
After many years of research and contemplation, we finally pulled the trigger on a 2024 Flying Cloud 27FBT.
Options include 2nd Air, Convection oven, Awning package and The Hatch!
Future plans include Lithium, Solar, Upgraded Inverter/Electronics.

This is our second TT but first Airstream. (We previously had a Lance TT that we sold a few years ago.)
We are excited to get back out there and meet fellow Airstreamers. We plan to join the national and local clubs.

We already have much of the basics for RVing but will be getting the new unit Snap Pads, a fresh sewer hose and a new surge protector. If there are other must haves specific to Airstream, please let us know.

Hope to meet some of you 'on the road' in the future.

-John and Cheryl

Well, I was late in adding this last year, after 20 years towing/parking my AS's, but better late than never! I got the LevelMate Pro last year, and finally installed it mid year 2024. Also went to the Anderson drive on levelers vs the "leggo" leveling blocks. These two make our parking/leveling the AS much easier and much faster set up. Wife still guides me in, but I can see right away when I start to back into our spot, which side needs the leveling. Wife sets the blocks either in front or back of the tires, and I slowely pull on to the Andersons until I see "perfect level" on my phone. Very fast and easy. Plus, after disconnecting from the hitch, I can easily adjust the power jack to achieve level also using the LevelMate Pro. No more "guessing" with leveling blocks, and looking at a level inside the door when parking! Great invention!