New guy in Melbourne, FL

[taxdude]

Hello everyone:

I am a lifelong sailor who has sold his sailboat and bought a 1973 Overlander. My wife and I have done a lot of camping in the lower 48, but never in an RV. Our Airstream is in remarkably good condition for its age. Everything works but I sure would like to do something about the stains and pitting on the stainless steel cooktop. It is a Gaffers and Sattler 4-burner which I would love to replace.
We are leaving May 4 for 6 months of camping in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky, mostly in federal campgrounds. Our tax "rebate" should help pay for some of the increase in gas prices!
We look forward to learning a lot by being members of this community. Neither my wife nor I have ever towed a camper before so the learning curve will be steep and broad!

[Fyrzowt]

Welcome!
What better way to learn, then on the road having a good time.
But then, this assumes that you either have done a good safety check yourself, or had one done.
If there are major issues with the trailer, the fun is lost.
Sounds like a fun trip, I'm jealous.
Dave

[n2916s]

Welcome and congratulations on your new land schooner.

Towing is really easy and you will master it in short order. If you can find the time, locate a big empty parking lot (early at a Mall?), set up some cardboard boxes and practice backing as it has the longest learning curve (if you have a friction-type sway controller you should remove it before backing - it will last longer...).

For the first few hundred miles try and consciously swing just a tad wider on turns and try and allow a greater interval behind the car in front of you. Pretty soon you won't even have to think about it.

It's a lot easier than reefing a main at 0230 in a squall.

There is a big used RV parts place over in I-75 somewhere (you can search this forum) that may have a replacement cover for your stove or even a reasonable replacement.

mike

[taxdude]

Thanks for all the suggestions! There is a HUGE empty parking lot just 2 miles away and I will practice there early tomorrow morning....

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. Best of luck with your new baby.

Safe travels,
Brian

[centennialman]

Hey Taxdude.....WELCOME and congratulations on purchasing your Airstream! There is nothing like them and, when the bug bites, it bites hard.

Be sure your axles are in good condition...you can find lots of posts on that subject here. You don't want things shaking apart while you go down the road.

You will learn how to back up pretty quickly. Just take your time and you will get it down.

Happy Trailering!!!