RE: [A/S] Bought Used Airstream-What Should We Look For?

[Jim Whitworth <jim_whitworth@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

	Carl - Congratulations neighbor. You're gonna love her.
	Before the first nickel leaves your hand, INSIST on seeing the
trailer's title, make sure the names of owner/seller are right, make
sure the Serial Number on the title matches that on the trailer (usually
lower front of the street side). There is a fair amount of theft &
resale in this business. Protect yourself!! I won't tell you (or anyone
else) how much I lost on my first Airstream, only by believing the story
told to me by this camper/trailer dealer with a huge facility & new &
used stock on I-45 in Houston. 
	But it amounted to thousands!!!!!

	Some of the first things to think about will probably need to
be:
	Tires - they deteriorate, even when stored. They'll look ok
tread wise, but you shouldn't take the chance on the damage blown out
tires can do to the body of the trailer as they come apart.
	Brakes - You'll be using a lot of brake power with a rig that
big. Get them checked by someone knowledgeable AND get a good quality
brake controller for inside your tow vehicle (I just switched out to a
Prodigy).
	Hitch - You'll need some kind of weight distributing /
equalizing hitch. According to some, the Hensley is the only way to go,
but cost quite a bit. There are several others that also have very good
reputations (Equalizer, etc.). Check them out, but this is mucho
important for safe towing!!
	Battery - Get a good test. With the time your trailer was stored
you mentioned, you'll probably need a new battery.
	You'll want to get your propane tanks filled up (U-Haul's are
easy to find & they fill tanks), then
	You'll want to plug the trailer in somewhere, to a 30 amp
outlet, and let it sit overnight. You need to test the fridge & freezer,
the airconditioner, heater, the stove & oven, the microwave, the water
heater & pump, and all the lights & fans, etc.  These can cost a really
large chunk of change to replace.

	Demontrond (yes, the car dealer) just south of you on I-45 is
the Airstream dealer for the Houston area. I've never used them, don't
know of any who have. I've heard others highly recommend a man over in
south Houston - Bob Jones is all I know. The Central Texas dealer is up
in Buda, just a few miles south of Austin. Good work & Airstream
knowledgeable folks. They are also an Airstream unit sponsor.

	Get you some GOOD exterior towing mirrors. It's sorta nice to
know what's behind you. 
	Lots of Airstreamer's use a CB radio (I know, you only just
threw your old one out, just last year) to stay in touch while on the
road, or offer assistance to an Airstreamer you might see or pass on the
road. And I learned last night that Radio Shack does not sell/support
CB's anymore. I ended up at a Flying J Truck Stop for mine, for a good
price.

	Look for soft spots under the carpet - a sign of rotted wood,
usually from water leaks. 
	Look for water stains on the curtains - water leaks somewhere.
	Look for rust on any steel parts (the tongue or undercarriage).

	When you've recovered from all that, your gonna love your
trailer. None better. Also, you came to a great resource (this
website)for just the things you'll want & need to know. You'll get a lot
of good help & advise here.

	Good luck & Happy Streamin -

	Jim Whitworth