Question on our first AS.

[huck55]

Purchased a new 2019 25' FC RBT this past week our first RV. Really excited for when spring rolls around.

Many threads are about an initial "shake down" trip.

How long and what should I look for?

Shout out to Nick Lenzo from Colonial for a great deal.

[jeffmc306]

Huck55, congratulations on your new Airstream and welcome to the community!

I’m sure you’ll get several replies with things to test. You should have gotten a pouch with your trailer that has the Owner’s Manual and a Newbie’s guidebook. Start by familiarizing yourself with both; everything you learn going forward will build on those.

You can break down the delivery process by the obvious visual inspection inside and out. Check all the exterior and interior lights, fridge, range, furnace and heat pump (you may have to wait to test Air Conditioning until it’s warmer but if the heat pump works, the AC should be fine). Check the entry door deadbolt and door locks and the screen door latch. We’ve had to get them adjusted.

Remember, you have a 3 year warranty so don’t sweat missing some stuff. You can test stuff in your driveway too once you are home.

Enjoy your new trailer!
Jeff

[Hans627]

Congrats on your new AS. The 25' FC RBT is a nice model.

As Jeff mentioned the owners manual and the Newbie's Guide are great resources. As is this forum as you have already determined.

One thing I might add is to look up the local unit of the Airstream Club. You will be invited to attend a few rallies to see if you would like to join. There you will find first hand answers to your questions and others who have been thru the learning curve.

Wishing you all the best!

[BayouBiker]

Great advice and though this is often suggested, I will repeat; have the dealer fully charge and equalize the batteries and then witness a test with a hydrometer. Each cell fully charged must be close to 1.265 @ 80F +/-0.004 for each 10F difference from 80. If any single cell deviates significantly from that, insist on a replacement. i don't know anyone who says they wish they had a damaged battery while camping.

[SYC2Vette]

Highly recommend you do a weekend at the closest to home RV campground with full hookups. Our new AS had several minor annoying issues that were easy to fix but would have been a pain further from home. Use everything in your shakedown run. The obvious problems we had are why we will never return to our selling dealer.

[Captnkirk54]

Our first trip was in the drive way easy to get to plenty of backup equipment and a safe learning environment. Have fun

[Goin camping]

First trip. Driveway or back yard.

Camping is always a comedy of errors and omissions so do the first one at home where everything is and just experiment with your systems and features.

[Acheron2010]

IF Colonial gave you their traditional walkthrough and briefing, then just go for it. The shakedown happened in the back of their lot. You could not get a better send off.
I second the recommendation to find a local WBCCI chapter and go camping with them. You may not have any issues with your trailer, but I always learn something from rallies and meetups, from checklists to where to put those 3M hangers to cooking gadgets to tools to flamingo lawn decorations. Congrats.