A Match Made in Heaven
Let us tell you a little bit about why we chose an Airstream. On June 1, 2024, we visited Walmart to pick up a few items. The store shares a parking lot with the Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. While there, we noticed the Expo Center was hosting an RV camping show featuring a variety of unique campers. They were unlike any we’d seen at an Expo show before.
For over a year, we had been considering purchasing a camper or RV. Despite attending numerous other camper expos in the past, nothing pushed us into a purchase. We decided to go check out these campers we had not looked at before. We assumed we would only be there for a few minutes and then get back to our day, as we usually did after visiting a camper expo show. We walked through and looked at all of the Airstream campers.
The first thing that caught our attention was their sleek, shiny silver exterior—it was truly captivating. Next, we noticed the exceptional craftsmanship. The quality stood out, far surpassing other brands we had considered. It was clear that these campers were built to last, and we immediately knew this was the kind of camper we could envision ourselves in.
However, when we saw the prices, we were ready to walk away. They were significantly higher than what we had planned to spend that day. Thankfully, a friendly salesman convinced us to stay a bit longer, sharing the story of Airstream and explaining why the cost reflected the value. After some convincing and taking a closer look, we ended up finding the perfect 25-foot Flying Cloud.
After finding a camper we loved, we decided we wouldn’t commit unless we could get a fair price. After a lot of back-and-forth negotiations, we finally agreed to purchase the camper of our dreams. However, we were informed that the purchase wouldn’t be finalized that day and that we’d need to schedule a pick-up appointment at the dealership to complete the process. While we were thrilled with the camper, an uneasy feeling lingered throughout the week as we waited for the appointment. It was such a significant decision for us—a major financial commitment for something neither of us had any prior experience with. The stress of it all nearly led us to back out of the deal.
Our scheduled pick-up date was June 6, 2024. The dealership, located near Richmond, Virginia, was about a two-hour drive from home. As we made the trip, excitement and nervous anticipation filled the air. Upon arrival, we sat down with the finance department to finalize negotiations. Once the paperwork was completed, an Airstream technician gave us a comprehensive tour of our new RV.
During the tour, the dealership team worked on installing the necessary towing equipment onto our Chevy Tahoe. The technician was incredibly thorough, patiently walking us through every detail and ensuring we understood how everything worked. He even encouraged us to record the walkthrough, giving us a valuable resource to reference later. His explanations were clear and professional, making the process much easier to grasp.
By the time the tour wrapped up, our Tahoe was ready and parked beside the camper. The staff took the time to thoroughly demonstrate how to hook up and disconnect the RV, making sure we felt confident in handling the setup on our own. Once we officially took ownership of our Airstream, we decided to swing by Camping World to pick up a few essentials before hitting the road.
The saleswoman at Camping World was very helpful in pointing out the most important items to consider. However, she moved quickly through the store, tossing items in our cart, so we put a few things back until another time. We picked up a sewer hose with its components, as well as plugs and leveling blocks.
We were in a bit of a rush since a nasty storm was rolling in, and we still had a two-hour drive home on I-95. Charles took the wheel and drove the camper through pouring rain for most of the trip. The camper handled the rain and highway speeds exceptionally well, and Charles did a fantastic job driving it—especially considering it was his first time towing a camper. Earlier in the week, we had practiced parking with a U-Haul trailer to make sure we’d be able to park it next to our house. That preparation definitely paid off because he was able to park the camper with no problem.
When we brought our Airstream home, we were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new information we needed to absorb. To navigate this unfamiliar territory, we joined Facebook groups and an Airstream owner forum, both of which became invaluable resources. There were countless questions to answer and challenges to figure out, and it took us a few weeks just to grasp the basics. We meticulously read through every owner’s manual—sometimes multiple times—focusing on areas where we felt uncertain.
Our first camping trip with the Airstream was a turning point. The hands-on experience gave us the confidence we needed, and although those first few weeks were nerve-wracking, over time, we settled into a rhythm and began to truly enjoy our new adventure. Now, we’re absolutely in love with our Airstream and the incredible memories we’ve created along the way.
We Chose An Airstream!
Great choice on your Airstream purchase. We love our Airstream too. They are built well.
Such cute dogs! I love reading the stories about your trips. The merchandise is nice too. Happy Camping!
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