Airstream Scout Concept Vehicle

[Gene]

Some of the ideas for a small trailer remind me of the sheep camp. This is a wagon with the basics that sheepherders lived in while out on the range. They are still made, though now with rubber tires, and still lived in. Many had cloth sides and a wood stove.

There is a company in Utah making modern ones with gas appliances, A/C, and other things we take for granted in an RV. See: SheepCamp.net, Ogden range & sheep camps

Here's some photos from early 20th century Wyoming:

[Minnie's Mate]

Come to think of it... I might start looking for a cheap 70's 'Stream, gut it, shorten it, put it on a stronger frame and build a hatch on the back.

That's been done at least a half-dozen times. Check out past issues of Airstream Life. I don't remember which issue and don't have my archive handy to look for the right issue off the cuff. But there was one even made to haul a small car, IIRC. Great idea though.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Some of the ideas for a small trailer remind me of the sheep camp. This is a wagon with the basics that sheepherders lived in while out on the range. They are still made, though now with rubber tires, and still lived in. Many had cloth sides and a wood stove.

There is a company in Utah making modern ones with gas appliances, A/C, and other things we take for granted in an RV. See: SheepCamp.net, Ogden range & sheep camps

Here's some photos from early 20th century Wyoming:

Based on the website, the Scout would be cheaper and is better looking.

$30,000 for a 16' sheep camp, $30,000 or so for a Scout. Hmmm, no contest.

Sheep camp is for really roughing it when you go boondocking.

[mandolindave]

( because it's not an Airstream ) ( for the record I like the look )

The first Airstream in 1936, The Silver Cloud was a canned ham. ( The 1936 Clipper was not a canned ham of course )

In the 50s Airstream made two canned hams. the Byam Holiday and the bigger Byam Traveler. ( I am not sure they were stamped with the Airstream name though)

Back off topic ( sorry Andy ..how often do we get to be heard by Airstream ) A few people mentioned interest in a very small Airstream.
I would think that Airstream might want to cater to the large number of people who don't have big trucks to tow with. A small tear drop Airstream might do well with gas prices going who knows where.

[tphan]

I think Airstream might sell a Scout or 2 at $30k, as long as Asia remains conspicuously out of the world RV/trailer market. The minute they enter it, like Japan did in the auto market in the '60's and '70's, all bets will be off. I personally think re-introducing the canned ham style is cool, but I have to believe that they can be made and sold for a LOT less. I hope it's a US company that does it.

[Denis4x4]

Based on the website, the Scout would be cheaper and is better looking.

$30,000 for a 16' sheep camp, $30,000 or so for a Scout. Hmmm, no contest.

Sheep camp is for really roughing it when you go boondocking.
__________________
This is a Wilson Sheep camp made in Midway UT. This was custom made to my specs and cost $13,000 seven years ago.

[pageclot]

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

__________________
This is a Wilson Sheep camp made in Midway UT. This was custom made to my specs and cost $13,000 seven years ago.

Looks nice. A nice fishing camp-type trailer. I wonder if you could hook it up to an ATV type 4X4 and take it over some real rough roads.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Well....the step's are kool.

Interior, not so much, not for us.

[Silverwanabe]

Sheep Camps look plain for 30k.
Do they have the RVIA seal ?

[85MH325]

This has been posted before, but Airstream experimented with a four-wheeled trailer in the early '80s. This one was sold several years ago... I believe it was an empty shell and just used for towing trials. It is the "sheep camp" concept. I like to think of it as a monocoque-construction hay-rack!

Roger

[Silvertwinkie]

You know, the more I think about it, the more I think this is a really neat niche product, but my thoughts are if one is looking for an entry level Airstream, perhaps the resurrection of the Argosy line would be a far better thing. The shape has brand recognition, it was from my understanding the first real attempt at shedding weight. Perhaps Argosy could be the new "entry" level Airstream....again.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

Perhaps Argosy could be the new "entry" level Airstream....again.

I'd have to think that there would certainly be a market for the Minuet line, and at least the 20' front dinette, and the 22' rear door. They were light-weight and really did have their own appeal that continues today with downsized tow vehicles. With updated interiors and construction materials including something similar to the honeycomb floor, I'd think they'd be pretty hot in today's market.

Roger

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

I'd have to think that there would certainly be a market for the Minuet line, and at least the 20' front dinette, and the 22' rear door. They were light-weight and really did have their own appeal that continues today with downsized tow vehicles. With updated interiors and construction materials including something similar to the honeycomb floor, I'd think they'd be pretty hot in today's market.

Roger

Wholeheartedly agree.

If you read that thread "report from Jackson Center":

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...ter-51149.html

You'll see the scout is discussed. They spent about $45k building the prototype. With the Argosy line, they could still build a prototype, but it would cost less (since they already have a lot of what they need) and it may just be a bit more aerodynamic than the scout. I hear the name Airstream, I immediately think about a "twinkie" shaped vehicle. I saw this and thought at first what SOB builder is thinking about this....until I realized yes it's Airstream doing this. Scout is a cute concept, but I would hope that Airstream would remain true to it's core and not build these boxy looking things. I was very glad when they stopped building the box mohos. Interstates are cool, but they just don't have the same thing as an Airstream....an Argosy could once again achieve both lightweight and the iconic traditional look, feel and touch of the icon and still meet the needs and goals being tried for with things like the Scout....of course these are just my opinions. I had opinions in October 2003 when I asked to pay extra for the "Classic" style windows in my Safari that I custom ordered. I was told by the factory and the dealer flatly, no, no way, not a chance. Six months later the Safari SE lines came out that was a blend between CCD and standard Safari interiors, and yes, you guessed it, with the Classic style windows. Another example, 15k BTU A/C units. Few, if any Safaris had it back in October of 2003. I requested it and was given a bit of flack from the dealer about how it would cycle and I also had a few conversations with the factory about it (just like the windows). My take was that a 25' Classic (which the 15k unit was an option) is dimensionally the same as a 25' Safari. For a upcharge it was finally installed. Guess what, I looked at Colonial Airstream's site in the coming model years after I bought mine, Airstream of Arkansas site and a lot of other dealers and you see the 15k unit on many 25' units that are not Classics......who really knows what Airstream will do with the Argosy line, if anything. If they do come out with it, I want cut this time around!

[mistral blue]

I think Airstream could sell lots of these if priced and marketed properly.
It has all the bells and whistles you'd expect in an Airstream and comes in at @1000 lbs.

It also has the added benefit of actually looking like an Airstream!

(I dig Argosys too. )

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

I think Airstream could sell lots of these if priced and marketed properly.
It has all the bells and whistles you'd expect in an Airstream and comes in at @1000 lbs.

It also has the added benefit of actually looking like an Airstream!

(I dig Argosys too. )

Yeah, but how do you get into the thing!

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

I had opinions in October 2003 when I asked to pay extra for the "Classic" style windows in my Safari that I custom ordered. I was told by the factory and the dealer flatly, no, no way, not a chance. Six months later the Safari SE lines came out that was a blend between CCD and standard Safari interiors, and yes, you guessed it, with the Classic style windows. Another example, 15k BTU A/C units. Few, if any Safaris had it back in October of 2003.

You aren't the only one. I tried for over a year to get Airstream to build our 30' Bunk with the Classic style windows and they said no because they wanted to protect the investment of their Classic and International customers. Then, they came out with the 25' in the "International Safari" just a six months later. I requested the 30' in the International or "Special Edition" as it later became and I was told that they were adding the SE one model at a time to the Safari line and the 30' was coming. All of this is documented in emails I exchanged with Vicki L at Airstream. Then in 2006 after not seeing it on dealers' lots or hearing from Vicki L, I again wrote to find out when it would show up in the 30' Bunk and was finally told by someone else in Customer Service that they had discontinued the 30' Bunk model and I would have to chose from dealer stock. Not a "happy camper" here.

You weren't the only one that wanted the Classic windows in the Safari. I guess they had enough request to make it worth while to market the "SE" and it was successful enough to make it a separate line. Unfortunately for my family, they never included the 30' Bunk in that model line.

[mistral blue]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

Yeah, but how do you get into the thing!

Through the rear barn doors.

[tallytwo1994]

[quote=Airstream Marketing;705412]Guy or gal....what does it matter? It's a department.

Let me guess. Just as there were several Number Two's -there are several Airstream Marketing Guy's and Gals?

By the way, it's a cute trailer, just a little pricey if you ask me and even at 2000 lbs not quite light enough to pull behind my car.

Carol

[Gene]

Remember when AM was going to reply to our concerns on another thread? Was it a month ago? More?

Gene

[BIGED52]

I think they said it would take a while to get answers and videos set up to make available here. IIRC, Happy Trails, Ed