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Old 04-19-2021, 10:31 PM   #1
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2021 16' Caravel
Woodland Hills , California
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 13
We’re new to Airstream—Caravel 16RB

Hello Everyone!

We picked up our trailer after a 4 month waiting period. It was delayed so we almost had to cancel our first camping trip to visit our daughter for her birthday. It was a trial by fire type of experience for a couple of newbies. Everything went well, but it was exhausting. Neither of us has experience towing trailers. So that added a ton of stress.

We’re towing our Caravel 16RB with a 2019 Chevy Tahoe. We don’t have the brake controller module installed so that’s under way. We ordered the new module and will have it installed before our longer trip coming up in a few weeks.

I joined this forum to help us with our Airstream learning curve.

Hopefully I’ve attached a photo correctly.
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Old 04-20-2021, 04:32 AM   #2
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2021 20' Caravel
Plaistow , New Hampshire
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You're good on the photo. Congrats and enjoy. How was the quality ?
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Old 04-20-2021, 05:03 AM   #3
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2020 16' Caravel
Garland , Texas
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 109
Images: 2
Congratulations. We've been home for a couple of weeks getting our last covid vac. Out on the road again this Sunday! Happy camping!
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Old 04-20-2021, 06:26 AM   #4
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2021 16' Caravel
Smithville , Tn
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We picked up our ‘21 Caravel 16 a few weeks ago. She’s a beaut.
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Old 04-20-2021, 06:42 AM   #5
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. You'll get the hang of it. RVing has a learning curve, but it's not difficult.

Brian
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Old 04-20-2021, 06:49 AM   #6
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2019 22' Sport
Carlsbad , California
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The adventures ahead will be worth every effort. Enjoy!
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Old 04-20-2021, 07:05 AM   #7
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Evergreen , Colorado
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Congrats and welcome! You’ll love your new Airstream.
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Old 04-20-2021, 07:40 AM   #8
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2021 16' Caravel
Woodland Hills , California
Join Date: Apr 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Saluda372 View Post
You're good on the photo. Congrats and enjoy. How was the quality ?
Hard to say because we were pretty overwhelmed by it all. The Airstream was so easy to hook up and unhook. Any time we ran into an issue, we pulled out the manuals and figured things out. The orientation guy gave us his cell number to ask questions so he also helped out.

The campground was friendly and easy to navigate (Temecula, KOA/Lake Vail). We had really nice neighbors who helped us out with newbie questions. Like, where should we park our trailer? How close? What’s the best way to back in? They told us to pull through since the other space was unoccupied. Stuff like that.

For our first trailer camping experience , I’d say the quality was pretty darn good.

Exciting experience for sure. Can’t wait for the next one.
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Old 04-20-2021, 07:42 AM   #9
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2021 16' Caravel
Woodland Hills , California
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Originally Posted by Bhmack View Post
We picked up our ‘21 Caravel 16 a few weeks ago. She’s a beaut.
Did you get the pillows that were shown in the brochure? They look really retro with a sort of wine glass pattern to them. They go well with the privacy curtain. I think our dealer gave us the wrong ones. I’m hoping they send the right ones to us.
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Old 04-20-2021, 09:05 AM   #10
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1964 30' Sovereign
Ione , CA
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Congratulations on your new trailer and a successful first trip. You'll get it - - Practice makes perfect.
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Old 04-20-2021, 09:15 AM   #11
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2021 16' Bambi
San Diego , California
Join Date: Oct 2020
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Blue Ox Sway Control Hitch

Congrats on 16RB; we’re 3 months in to our 16RB Bambi (2021). Unfortunately, already experiencing a water leak with the On Demand Hot Water tank. Warranty will replace, but service is slow since high demand.
Highly recommend getting the Blue Ox Sway Control hitch; game changer in towing stress. $750-$1k installed and worth every cent.
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Old 04-20-2021, 09:35 AM   #12
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2018 16' Sport
Goldens Bridge , NY
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You might look at the Curt Echo wireless brake controller. No running wires or install costs. You can use it on any tow vehicle with a 7-pin. Worked out well with our Toyota Highlander and Sport.
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Old 04-20-2021, 09:45 AM   #13
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2019 22' Sport
Carlsbad , California
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I’ll add to the last two comments. 100% agree that the Curt Echo is a great option that is absurdly simple to use. Also, for a weight distribution hitch and sway control, I’d advise you look at the Andersen. Super easy to install and use (6 bolts to install, that’s it), and is plenty for the combo you have.
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Old 04-20-2021, 10:23 AM   #14
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2021 16' Caravel
Woodland Hills , California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SBRogersNY View Post
You might look at the Curt Echo wireless brake controller. No running wires or install costs. You can use it on any tow vehicle with a 7-pin. Worked out well with our Toyota Highlander and Sport.
My car is already wired for a brake controller and I have the toggle switches on my shift lever. I just need to have the module installed. So it’s been ordered.
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Old 04-20-2021, 10:25 AM   #15
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2021 16' Caravel
Woodland Hills , California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prettygood View Post
I’ll add to the last two comments. 100% agree that the Curt Echo is a great option that is absurdly simple to use. Also, for a weight distribution hitch and sway control, I’d advise you look at the Andersen. Super easy to install and use (6 bolts to install, that’s it), and is plenty for the combo you have.
I have the stabilizer bars. Is that the same thing? There’s no sway. We’re just so new to towing that it was a little stressful. There were no issues other than my anxiety.
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Old 04-20-2021, 10:50 AM   #16
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2021 22' Caravel
SEATTLE , WA
Join Date: Oct 2020
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Just take it slow, you're going to do great.

Before your next trip, spend an afternoon reading through the Airstream manual for your Caravel and Rich Luhr's "Newbie's Guide to Airstreaming" which has everything you need to know. Both of those have so much great information and can be read in a couple of hours.

Read the forums - but don't read the forums too much : )
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Old 04-20-2021, 11:19 AM   #17
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2020 16' Caravel
Dayton , Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2020
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Welcome to the Caravel 16RB family!

We got ours in June 2020 and have loved every trip in it once we figured out the systems like where the fresh water tank portal really is, etc.
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Old 04-20-2021, 10:52 PM   #18
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2021 16' Caravel
Woodland Hills , California
Join Date: Apr 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcheever View Post
Just take it slow, you're going to do great.

Before your next trip, spend an afternoon reading through the Airstream manual for your Caravel and Rich Luhr's "Newbie's Guide to Airstreaming" which has everything you need to know. Both of those have so much great information and can be read in a couple of hours.

Read the forums - but don't read the forums too much : )
Thank you! Will do!
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Old 04-25-2021, 04:02 PM   #19
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2019 22' Sport
Carlsbad , California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chamelisa View Post
I have the stabilizer bars. Is that the same thing? There’s no sway. We’re just so new to towing that it was a little stressful. There were no issues other than my anxiety.

A sway bar is a good option, and is what I used for the first 18 months of owning my 22’ Sport. Over time and leaning about towing, you may want something with more capability. Just stay at or below 60mph, and enjoy the drives!
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Old 05-06-2021, 06:41 AM   #20
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2020 16' Caravel
PERRY , UT
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 48
Nice picture! Hope you are liking it.

I have a 16RB on order, pretty much the same as yours. Airstream willing I should have it soon.

My question is what should we be looking for when it arrives at the dealer, did you have problems that needed fixed? Always easier to get these taken care of before paying.

Enjoy!
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