New Member, Looking for first rig

[Doomstar]

Hello!

Would like to introduce myself and start building knowledge from the forum for my upcoming Airstream purchase. Some notes:

• I’ve been researching/interested/following/into overlanding, 4x4ing, car living, full-time RV-living, Land Cruisers, etc. for a few years now. It all started with a casual interest in Airstreams because I thought they looked cool
• After going down the YouTube rabbit hole about overlanding, RVing, 4x4ing, etc. for a few years I’ve come full circle and decided that all that other stuff is cool but my heart is into the Airstream life I’ve watched, read, researched, obsessed about and come to understand that there’s a lot more to Airstreams than just looking cool
• So I’ve decided to start small and casual and part time; now looking for a late-model 16’ Bambi/Sport as my first rig
• I plan to use it for weekends/overnights at national/state parks and do some boondocking here and there
• It’s just me and my tiny girlfriend and tiny dog
• I’m an old Marine grunt at heart so I like to travel light which is why the Sport/Bambi sounds like good starter pack
• I have a 2010 Ford F150 FX4 with tow package rated around 9000# towing and ~1100# for payload
• I know the truck has the problematic 5.4L and it is about to click over 100k miles but I’ve taken very good care of it with religious oil changes every 3k, regular service, etc. Hopefully I can get more use out of it with the Sport/Bambi
• I live in Madison, WI and am only in my early 40s so winter is an issue (as in; not a lucky snowbird yet)


So going into my first purchase, what do I not know that I don’t know? Such as:
• Is it better to buy a rig that’s a few years old compared to a new 2019 or 2020?
• I’ve noticed that some used rigs’ prices compare pretty solidly with new rigs’ prices? Could I possibly get a new one for less than a used one?
• What’s the usual new rig purchase price from a dealer off MSRP? 5%? 20%?
• If I buy used from a private party, what’s that process look like? Things to look for in, say, a 2014 and newer Sport/Bambi?
• What about escrow, title signing, good banks to use for RV loans, when doing a private party used purchase?
• I have USAA for loans, but is Good Sam better?
• What’s the typical monthly insurance cost of a late model Sport/Bambi? $50? $500?

I’ve got my eye on a few new rigs at Ewald’s Airstream in Milwaukee but their inventory is kind of light. I’m aware of Colonial Airstream in NJ due to all of the YouTube vids but that has the added complication of the drive from WI to NJ. I’ve also been keeping an eye on AirstreamClassifieds.com and see a few 16’ that I like but they’re in other states and I’m not sure how to start parsing through those…

So many questions, but it looks like I’ve found the right online forum for that!

Thanks!
Doomstar and his tiny girl and tiny puppy

[Carl n Lynn]

USAA will give you insurance quotes on various models just as they do for cars! RVOne in Albany NY has a decent selection. We thought about used, but bought new. For just a bit more we got the 3 year warranty and , well, everything is new! Look at the 19 and 20. Not much more than 16 and don’t have wet bath.

Semper Fi

[Doomstar]

Originally Posted by Carl n Lynn

USAA will give you insurance quotes on various models just as they do for cars! RVOne in Albany NY has a decent selection. We thought about used, but bought new. For just a bit more we got the 3 year warranty and , well, everything is new! Look at the 19 and 20. Not much more than 16 and don’t have wet bath.

Semper Fi

Hello and SF!

What type of warranty comes with a new Airstream? I thought the 3 year was standard? Do Airstream warranties work like car warranties where I get the balance of the warranty if I buy a one-year-old Ford with 10k miles?

I just sent a message to Colonial Airstream for a 2017 Bambi 16. They have it listed for $38,995. It looks pretty squared away. Just wondering if that's a good price. I made the mistake of mentioning financing while asking about it and they left a message talking about how it would be better to get me into a new trailer because the financing options are better.

I also saw a 2014 model in LA, CA for $28k. Been emailing with the private seller/owner and he seems legit and very nice. Just not sure I want one several years old like that for my first rig.

[Carl n Lynn]

We too are new to RVing. That was a big part of choosing new. We didn’t want someone else’s problems. We paid about 20% less than list. So consider that when looking at preowned newer models. New really can be less than late model used. That said, we have friends who bought a 2 year old from Colonial in NJ and are very happy.

[drbrick]

Your F-150 is a perfect size for the 16-foot Bambi I wouldn't worry about the truck, the trucks good to go. Enjoy!

[jeffmc306]

Doomstar, welcome to the forums!

We’re just south of the WI border and bought two Airstreams from Ewald’s. The first was a FC23FB off their lot then traded it for our current 27’ Globetrotter which we ordered. Check with George or Paul to see what they have incoming if you don’t see what you’re looking for.

You could also check with Airstream of Chicago which is in Naperville, a suburb outside Chicago. We found them to be very knowledgeable and had a beautiful indoor showroom.

Discounts will be higher on last year’s model so finding one off a lot will be a better buy. Also, Airstream tends to increase prices twice a year; we signed our deal last December to avoid a $4000 bump. Discounts will vary but 20% is common.

We ended up financing through Ewald’s this time with Huntington Bank because they offered longer terms. Turns out to be a good move because there’s a bank branch less than a mile from us. We just refinanced since rates dropped and we cut the term length. We shopped insurance and ended up with Progressive.

Good luck with your search!
-Jeff & Caryle