New Member in Virginia

[Brigand]

My wife and I just purchased our first Airstream, a 2025 25’ Trade Wind FBT with Hatch, from Airstream of Virginia in Ashland (a shout out to Kat, thanks!). We are very excited to use it in the coming years. I have camped since childhood, both tent and car, but my wife has not. We are both new to travel trailers.

We had been eyeing a 20’ REI Basecamp for several years but then found the Trade Wind and it is perfect for us. I love the layout. I guess we bought our second Airstream first, as they say.

My tow vehicle is a 2018 Power Stroke F-150 Lariat with the max tow package. It’s a bit light on the payload but is capable of towing 11,500 lbs as configured. We have an E4 Equalizer hitch that seems to tow very nicely on the highways and backroads in our area…certainly in hills and on the flat. We’ll have to see how it goes in the mountains.

We’ve been trying it out in the driveway and will be making some short trips initially in Virginia, and then some longer ones to neighboring states. We plan to work our way up to the mid-west and Canada at some future date.

I have been reading the advice on Air Forums for a while and it has been very helpful.
__________________
2025 Airstream Trade Wind 25FBT
2018 F150 Lariat 3.0L V-6 Power Stroke Diesel

[rideair]

Brigand,

Depending on your flavor of camping, lots of different WBCCI rallies in the Virginia area in the coming months. Also, some really good Harvest Host/Boondockers Welcome locations in VA as well, even some courtesy parking. There’s enough to almost camp every day of the week between now and Thanksgiving and never visit the same place twice.

Enjoy,

[Brigand]

Originally Posted by rideair

Brigand,

Depending on your flavor of camping, lots of different WBCCI rallies in the Virginia area in the coming months. Also, some really good Harvest Host/Boondockers Welcome locations in VA as well, even some courtesy parking. There’s enough to almost camp every day of the week between now and Thanksgiving and never visit the same place twice.

Enjoy,

Thank you for the welcome, Rideair.

I have been mostly reading the technical pages and peoples' experiences with the different models. It's clear I now need to focus on the places we can visit within a few hundred miles. Thank you for the Harvest Host and WBCCI recommendations. I'll have to study them now.

Regards,

Brigand

[Wazbro]

Welcome, also an Airstream only campground in VA.
https://vahighlandhaven.com/

[AgBullet]

Welcome! You will love your new rig! So many places to visit in Virginia. Definitely consider joining ACI, and the NOVA chapter. You will like it!

[rideair]

The interesting thing about Virginia, it has four different WBCCI units.

I know this year we're attending a rally from at least three different units, the Maintenance Rally, River Rally and the Hot Air Balloon Rally, and that only takes us up through July 4th weekend

Lots of good places and people,

See ya down the road,

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by Brigand

My wife and I just purchased our first Airstream, a 2025 25’ Trade Wind FBT with Hatch, from Airstream of Virginia in Ashland (a shout out to Kat, thanks!). We are very excited to use it in the coming years. I have camped since childhood, both tent and car, but my wife has not. We are both new to travel trailers.

We had been eyeing a 20’ REI Basecamp for several years but then found the Trade Wind and it is perfect for us. I love the layout. I guess we bought our second Airstream first, as they say.

My tow vehicle is a 2018 Power Stroke F-150 Lariat with the max tow package. It’s a bit light on the payload but is capable of towing 11,500 lbs as configured. We have an E4 Equalizer hitch that seems to tow very nicely on the highways and backroads in our area…certainly in hills and on the flat. We’ll have to see how it goes in the mountains.

We’ve been trying it out in the driveway and will be making some short trips initially in Virginia, and then some longer ones to neighboring states. We plan to work our way up to the mid-west and Canada at some future date.

I have been reading the advice on Air Forums for a while and it has been very helpful.
__________________
2025 Airstream Trade Wind 25FBT
2018 F150 Lariat 3.0L V-6 Power Stroke Diesel

Congratulations on getting your Trade Wind. That is a really nice choice. And it does sound like you made a wise choice by buying your second AS first.

All the best and hope to see you down the road!

[dbj216]

Welcome from Colorado. Plan a trip out here and test your rig pulling over some of our mountain passes. The new Tradewind is a very nice, well designed trailer. And it will last a long time. I had a 1966 Trade Wind 24' that I renovated. See photo below. For many folks, the mid sized Airstreams are just about perfect.

David

[Ironsinker]

Congrats! VA state parks fill up fast! Need to book way in advance. Especially in hot spots like first landing. Private campgrounds are easier to get but are often not that great unless ur paying a lot for the site.

I was thinking of visiting Canada this year and the Great Lakes area. Not sure how much of a hassle that would be. We not liked very well at the moment. Prob need to make sure you read up on any changes crossing the border before you go.

[highheat7]

Welcome to the Club. Make sure to join Airstream International and connect with a local club. All the members are great and a wealth of knowledge. We are members of the NORVA club, but there are multiple VA clubs.

Kat is a great sales person. She sold us our first. We always joked that we commissioned a Kat original painting at got an Airstream for free.

Kevin and Evelyn
BRN3214
SilverDog Airstream Adventures