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08-28-2018, 09:10 AM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
Jim Thorpe
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 11
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Advice - Buying our first Airstream - 19' 1999 Bambi
We are picking it up on Friday and off for the weekend camping. Any tips for our first time with this model. Are there any must do's or don'ts for our maiden voyage?
We really like the feedback on this forum!
Jack
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08-28-2018, 09:36 AM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
2016 28' International
2015 28' International
2013 28' International
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 234
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Have fun, if things go wrong don't let it get you down! You are going on an adventure!
Just have fun!
And remember to take along every tool and every part you may need-Bwahahaha
Take along a notepad and jot down questions and issues, and then return here to get your answers-maybe.
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08-28-2018, 09:59 AM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
Jim Thorpe
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 11
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@vintagemotor - Thanks! That really is good advice!
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08-28-2018, 11:39 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2008 19' International
Lincoln
, Nebraska
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 192
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Welcome. We have a 2008 19' and love it. Have fun
Remember to raise the stabilizers (by the way they are NOT levelers) before raising or lowering the tongue jack.
Happy trails,
Mike
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08-28-2018, 12:03 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,567
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Your 1999 probably has a small blackwater tank just like our 2002, so you may want to make sure you don't get it too full. Easy to see the level, just look down the toilet with the valve open.
Tim
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08-29-2018, 09:32 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2018 25' International
chino hills
, California
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 154
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Congratulations and enjoy your first trip. Please do join one of the Airstream clubs. If you’re not sure about that you can also join as an associate to one that’s in your area. Of course you want to join the international Wally’s group. The magazine we get each month gives us a plethora of great information I have to say those folks answered all questions on our first trip to years ago. We even had their cell phone number should we have a problem arise no matter what the hour. We sent have become full members and are enjoying being with all of our new Airstream Friend on a few caravans & local trips. Many have been Airstream mean for a few decades and know every trick in the book, and know all about the in’s and outs of our beautiful Airstream‘s . You have just open the door to great adventures and roads less traveled. Enjoy yourself
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08-29-2018, 10:14 AM
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#7
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,740
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Hi
Welcome !!!!
You are running a trailer that's almost old enough to vote. It may have been lovingly cared for by a single owner who never changed anything. It also might have been owned part of the time by some guy named Bob . Download the manuals from the Airstream site and look through them. Start off with the assumption that the trailer is "as built" but verify things as you go along .....
Getting out and going camping *is* the best way to do things !!!
Bob
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08-29-2018, 10:48 AM
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#8
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Clipper and Tug
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 29
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If you did not get a check-list with your Bambi, start one and use it on every adventure.
Congrats on the Bambi - we love our 2002 19' Bambi we call thumper.
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08-29-2018, 01:41 PM
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#9
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1 Rivet Member
San Jose
, California
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 7
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19 footer
Hi Jack,
I have a 2017 19 footer and would tell you it’s super fun and I am glad I bought small. Make sure you check tires and pressure. Would recommend you get a tire pressure and temp monitor. I find the gray water tank is the weakness with mine. It’s the first resource that gets used up every trip. Black water has plenty of room.
Read up on the switches and modes. Takes time to understand it all.
You should join the Airstream 19’ers on Facebook. Others post about things they are up to.
Enjoy your first trip!
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08-29-2018, 03:17 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2008 19' Bambi
2012 23' Flying Cloud
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Bandera
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 786
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All great responses that I can't add to. We started with a 19' for 5 years and it was great. Go with a great attitude and enjoy!
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08-29-2018, 04:33 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2022 20' Basecamp
1968 17' Caravel
Los Osos
, California
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 613
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If you haven't already replaced the tires, I would seriously consider determining the age of the tires by looking at their DOT code date. ST (dedicated) trailer tires should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, even if the "look" good. This is especially important on a single axle trailer.
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08-30-2018, 06:51 AM
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#12
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,740
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverWind
If you haven't already replaced the tires, I would seriously consider determining the age of the tires by looking at their DOT code date. ST (dedicated) trailer tires should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, even if the "look" good. This is especially important on a single axle trailer.
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Hi
Tires and battery(s) are generally on the short list of things to replace. Pulling the wheels to check the brakes and hubs is also a *really* good idea.
On a trailer that has halogen lighting, I'd start replacing them with LED's. Your batteries will appreciate the change . Having lights that don't burn out is also a plus.
Flushing the water system and running a bit of bleach + water mix through it is well worth the time *if* you will be drinking the trailer water or cooking with it.
None of this should be taken as a knock on the original owner. They may have done all of this already. There's no reason to replace one year old tires or six month old batteries. It's simply a *guess* that there are some checks needed. A lot of trailers spend a few years "in storage" before they are sold ....
Bob
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08-30-2018, 09:37 AM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
Jim Thorpe
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 11
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Thanks to everyone for the replies! Seriously appreciate all the comments.
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08-30-2018, 10:12 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2016 16' Sport
West Bend
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 33
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I was really stressing my first time out because I was going on a journey, not just an outing. I think I would have been more at ease if my first trip out was just an hour away or so. You probably have your trip already planned, but if you don't, well, just consider a short one to build up your confidence.
Also, less is more. Don't over pack (clothes, food, stuff) but bring plenty of paper towels and a few old rags. I'm not into paper plates but they come in handy when you're not in the mood to wash dishes.
Always check your air pressure. There's a lot of nails and garbage out on the open road.
Relax.
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08-31-2018, 08:33 AM
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#15
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,740
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Hi
Our first couple "trips" were relatively short, close to shopping, and not horribly far from home. That helped with the "forgot this and that" sort of issues.
Of course, that is in no way to say that those issues totally go away after you settle in to doing this. Our first trip this year ... hmmm.... did you close the garage? ... though you closed it ... let's check the camera ... looks open to me ... back home we go
Bob
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08-31-2018, 09:57 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Used to refer to this syndrome as "Departure loop-the-loops" before we got better at doing the checklist...took at least three tries to get under way.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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09-02-2018, 07:30 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SanJoe
Hi Jack,
I have a 2017 19 footer and would tell you it’s super fun and I am glad I bought small. Make sure you check tires and pressure. Would recommend you get a tire pressure and temp monitor. I find the gray water tank is the weakness with mine. It’s the first resource that gets used up every trip. Black water has plenty of room.
Read up on the switches and modes. Takes time to understand it all.
You should join the Airstream 19’ers on Facebook. Others post about things they are up to.
Enjoy your first trip!
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Not findinding the Facebook forum, more info? Thanks
Oh and we just returned from 9 days in our 19fc with 6 days in the same spot with no hook ups, 100 watt portable solar kept us at full charge and we never needed to dump although we did use the campground bathrooms some.
We are frugal campers and as someone here says "your mileage may vary".
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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