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yardleymoon · 08-10-2021, 12:19 PM

Brand new here. picking up our first airstream. Very excited. We are leaving Nashville and heading to Tucson . about 1600 mi for the first shake down trip Any tips for places to stop (or to miss) would be great. any other advice for us newbies would be great. thanks . Hope to see ya on the road.

jondrew55 · 08-10-2021, 01:01 PM

My first bit of advice would be do a couple of shorter trips. There's always something you don't catch during pick up inspection or fails shortly after you take it home. It'll be tough getting service these days and your best bet is from the dealer you bought it from.

yardleymoon · 08-10-2021, 01:09 PM

thanks. wish we could take it out on a shorter shakedown. bought it from a couple who rehabbed it during yr 1 of Covid. taking it home to AZ from TN. Hope bugs have been worked out prior to pick up. fingers crossed.
btw ,what is a "3 rivet member"?

jondrew55 · 08-10-2021, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yardleymoon

thanks. wish we could take it out on a shorter shakedown. bought it from a couple who rehabbed it during yr 1 of Covid. taking it home to AZ from TN. Hope bugs have been worked out prior to pick up. fingers crossed.
btw ,what is a "3 rivet member"?

I think rivet number is based on how many posts you put out. I like to yak a lot. Possibly a dubious recognition?

**Hans627** · 08-10-2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yardleymoon

thanks. wish we could take it out on a shorter shakedown. bought it from a couple who rehabbed it during yr 1 of Covid. taking it home to AZ from TN. Hope bugs have been worked out prior to pick up. fingers crossed.
btw ,what is a "3 rivet member"?

It would be nice to have a few more details about your new AS in order to give advice. Like what year and model? What length (could be helpful to know as to getting into certain national parks)? Single or dual axle?

How long do you have planned for the trip?

Best regards!

mojo · 08-10-2021, 01:32 PM

Allow yourself extra time to enjoy the trip. Since you didn't say how old the trailer is, or what the "rehab" included, be prepared to take time to make any adjustments before leaving. Have you had anyone inspect it for you? Tires, hitch, etc.? Spend some time in Nashville to test all systems so if problems, you can negotiate them with the seller on site.

yardleymoon · 08-10-2021, 01:39 PM

what are your thoughts on a Hensley hitch?

jondrew55 · 08-10-2021, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yardleymoon

what are your thoughts on a Hensley hitch?

lol... noooooo!

Sorry. Much heated debate on those. Yes, details on trailer and tow vehicle would help.

Acheron2010 · 08-10-2021, 01:42 PM

Stop in Oklahoma City, visit the Cowboy Museum.
If you have the time, take a detour in New Mexico to Albuquerque, visit the Very Large Array and the Nuclear Museum.
While in one campground, disconnect from shore power, and go about your normal evening activities. You will quickly learn the limitations of your batteries - good info to know. Best of luck on ur new Airstream and future travels.

mikeinca · 08-10-2021, 01:44 PM

Congrats!

Are you newbies to towing/RVing or just new to Airstreams? If the former, there's way too much to cover in a thread post. If the latter, assuming an owners manual is included with your AS, give it a good read through to familiarize yourself ahead of time with some of the stuff that is particular to Airstreams.

Welcome, and safe travels.

1StreamDream · 08-10-2021, 01:46 PM

That’s a pretty long road trip, and your mention of rehab suggests an older trailer. First thing that comes to my mind are the brakes/wheel bearings/tires, I would be certain I knew the status of all those before taking that trip. Even if the tread looks good, tires have an expiration date (rubber will age and crack). I think the common rule of thumb amongst this community is don’t go longer than 5 yrs on a set of trailer tires. Be sure your spare tire is good and you have a jack for the trailer (just in case).

yardleymoon · 08-10-2021, 01:47 PM

1998 excella 1000 .31 ft double axle. new tires, new el jack ,Hensley hitch, 2 new Ac units, new dometic fridge, new flooring,all windows sealed,new:toilet,sinks faucets. new counter tops,rockler bed with underneath storage. tow vechile 2013 2500 GMC denali with the big diesel.

jondrew55 · 08-10-2021, 02:40 PM

I'd say you most likely be fine. That's a lot of trailer for a 2500 and the hitch will help. It needs to be correctly set up for your vehicle. Try and pack light as I have no idea how close to the payload limit of your tow vehicle you are. Keep an eye on the tire pressures. It's wise to check them before you leave each day, especially if you'll be going long distances. When you start off, drive for a little bit, then pull into a safe place like a parking lot and recheck your tow hitch connections. Learn as you go.

Fungus · 08-10-2021, 03:26 PM

My cousin was hitching up a big toy-hauler at the family farm one day to start a trip from central Texas to New Jersey. I happened to be there working on something.

After some chit chat the conversation went something like this…

Cuzz: “Any advice.”
Me: “The tires are your biggest risk. How old are they?”
Cuzz: “Plenty of tread.”
Me (again): “How old are they?”
Cuzz: “I don’t know.”
Me (after looking at the tires): “They’re nine-year-old Goodyear Marathons. They are about to explode.”

I’m a relative noob too.

I described the aftereffects of a blow-out. About an hour later I got a text from them saying that they stopped at Discount Tire for a new set after I scared them. A couple of the tires had the beginnings of tread separation. You could see the cord.

SeeMore · 08-10-2021, 05:34 PM

Just an FYI if you had heard otherwise and were considering/planning alternative routes around Memphis. If you are heading west on I-40 when you leave Nashville be aware that the I-40 (Hernando-Desoto) bridge over the Mississippi just reopened on August 4th for west bound traffic.

If this is your new baby, it sure is attractive!
https://www.airstreamclassifieds.com...nnessee-362828

On another topic... Here is a fairly complete reference for manuals and fix-it info for RV appliances which may come in handy should you encounter operational issues and are a DIY oriented repair person.

https://myrvworks.com/manuals/

Boondocker · 08-10-2021, 05:48 PM

1. Slow is fast. Take your time. 60MPH is an excellent speed.

2. Two lanes are better than four. Every single mile of interstate is identical. Every mile of two lane is seeing America. Map it out, investigate and plan-this is half the fun of travel.

3. Especially as newer campers, keep your daily mileage down- 250 is optimal.

4. Travel with full fresh water or none. Sloshing water in the tanks is not your friend.
5. Try to stay in state parks- enjoy the camping.

Fungus · 08-10-2021, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boondocker

1. Slow is fast. Take your time. 60MPH is an excellent speed.

2. Two lanes are better than four. Every single mile of interstate is identical. Every mile of two lane is seeing America. Map it out, investigate and plan-this is half the fun of travel.

3. Especially as newer campers, keep your daily mileage down- 250 is optimal.

4. Travel with full fresh water or none. Sloshing water in the tanks is not your friend.
5. Try to stay in state parks- enjoy the camping.

^1

6. Add at least 50% to the travel time Google maps tells you.

jondrew55 · 08-10-2021, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungus

^1

6. Add at least 50% to the travel time Google maps tells you.

Waze is pretty spot on unless you cross time zones. For some reason it can’t figure that out. I’ve gotten very comfortable towing at 70 (assuming a 70 mph speed limit). With rest stops for us and the dogs and a fuel stop we’re doing an average of just under 50 MPH. Of course that includes the requisite extra 60 minutes of stalled traffic due to rubbernecking on Florida’s I-75

ROBERT CROSS · 08-11-2021, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yardleymoon

what are your thoughts on a Hensley hitch?

A pivot point projection hitch, (Hensley or ProPride) is the best sway control/wd hitch design on the market. Period.

Disclaimer...non users and those who never took the time to learn how to hitch them will not agree...it ain't roket sience.

With a 1998 unit, if not already replaced, new axles will top the safety/comfort list.

Bob
🇺🇸

Not enough tire & wheel visible....our first a '63' Safari.

yardleymoon · 08-11-2021, 07:52 AM

New Axles? How many of you have done this? What is the reason(s) for this? How much to expect to spend on duel axle change out? Life expectancy of axles? Do I get these from AS? Are after market axles as good/worse? This is one that kind of blindsided me. Thanks for putting in my todo list. Thanks to you all for responding. Lots of great ideas from folks who have been there. BTW SeeMore.. that is the one we picked out. Picking up the AS in 2 more days.
Update.. wheels packed in 2019 4 trips taken 2020. brakes checked 2019 and "looked good" . I will get brakes checked prior to trip. It has a spare but no jack..added to list to pick up. New tires 2019. tires covered when at rest. The owners gave me a sm laist of things to pick up..water:hose/regulator/filter. and 50 amp surge protector.