Re: [VAC] Newbie needs help with first Airstream

["terry tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Jay,

If you are "about to buy" it and tow it 200 miles,

that sounds like you've made the decision and 
only have enough time to get there, do the 
paper work, mate the trailer to you truck and
roll. Four hundred miles in one day means you 
aren't going to be tinkering around very much.

The important things needing your full attention
before you roll are making sure you have brakes,
running lights, directionals and tires that'll 
last 200 miles.
 
It wouldn't hurt to lift both wheels, spin 
the tires and listen/feel for dry bearings. 
If they're questionable, pop the grease cap 
and inspect. Have bearing grease handy (and 
all the other stuff) in case you have to do 
the deed, plus re-adjust the brakes.

The business of adjusting and/or matching 
the hitch and wiring to your tow truck mean 
you need to bring the electrical tool box
and the big one.

If the heater, refrigerator and stove top work 
and you don't smell propane, put a checkmark.
If they don't, do the math, deduct the cost 
from your offer and fix that when you get home.

If the your get water from a faucet, the hot 
water heater works and you don't see or hear 
water leaking anywhere, put a checkmark. If
there's a problem, do the math, deduct the 
cost from your offer and fix that when you
get home. 

It sounds like too late in the game for a formal
checklist ("I am about to buy.."), so ordinary
thinking (by categories) might be your best bet 
for a checklist. Be ready for spontaneous
renegotiating before settling on the price. 

Rust and corrosion on a 25 year old Airstream is
common and all of us deal with it. Look for it
if you want, but there are more important things
needing your attention.

If this is too brief and if you'll have plenty 
of time to putz around, inspect and check, then
take a look at Tom Patterson's archives. I know
many of us have discussed this concept in much 
greater detail. Go to:
http://www.tompatterson.com/Streamline/Airstreamli
st

Keep us posted,
Terry