Airstream marketing and support for older units

[AYRSTRM2]

Originally Posted by Action

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A manufacturer has to always consider the limitations when building a product. I would think Airstream would consider 10 to 20 years as an acceptable life span for the product they make. (axles included) I don't know that for sure and any manufacture wants the consumer to come back for a more recent offering. For those of us that have vintage units (as defined by VAC) it would be my opinion that Airstream doesn't even care for those units. In fact those units probably compete for sales in the newer box trailers. I know I decided a VAC defined A/S was a better choice for me than a newer box type. A newer (less than 5 years old) Airstream was not even on the radar screen when I was buying. ....... however I am off the topic now so I will stop.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

You know, Action, my wife and I had this conversation last summer. She's in PR and marketing and knows a thing or two. At the time we felt that actually, it behooves AS to support us vintage owners, to help us fix our coaches and restore them. Why? Easy, when I outgrow my skinny, non-grey tank holdin, no permanent bedroom '66'er (god bless my trailer, by the way!), what will I want to buy? Another Airstream, of course...and thus, it's in their best interest to make vintage unit owners happy. We likely won't ALWAYS have our vintage units and just may someday buy a new one. And the better they are to us, the more likely we'll pay the rather excessive price of a new Airstream. Just our thinking. I wish AS would work a little harder at the tech service for us vintage owners, sure would be nice to have a large company helping us sometimes (i.e. help me fix my dead bolt/travel lock).

John

[Action]

This was moved from and axle thread .......


Ayrstrm2. Most compmanies do not or can not support everything they built from years gone past. However it would be awesome if they did or if the molds and such were available and were sold to someone that would put out parts. However, Airstream has been sold a number of times since the 60's. The old manufacturing process and from were likely sold to generate cash at a time when things were a little short. Now to go back would be difficult.

And not sure I agree with your thought that many of us would move into the new market. I paid under $1800 for my trailer. I use it twice a year. It serves an awesome purpose for what I do. To pay $50,000 for a new unit, doesn't make much sense for me. May be the retired couple that wants to travel lots or when I retire. I just don't see it in my future, so it is hard for me to see it for others. If I do retiure with an RV it will be a trawler. I have a 27' boat now, a 42' would be worth spending some cash. However, I am sure it's gonna be more than the cost of the largest Airstream.

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[SafeHarbor]

Can I wade into this one, too? After having this Excella for 10 months now, I've decided that my NEXT Airstream will be a triple axle job, and if I can afford it, less than ten years old. (I want to be able to separate my living space and my office space.) This is obviously looking way down the road, but if Airstream wants to make any money from me, they'd better do what they've been doing - selling me parts and accessories. I don't think I'll ever want to plunk down the cash for a new one, but somebody maybe today or yesterday has just bought the Airstream that I'll own next.

I've owned an Airstream product since 1992, and I've never needed a part that my local Airstream dealer or hardware dealer couldn't provide. I'm impressed that Airstream will still sell us WINDOWS for a 70s model.

Lamar

[AYRSTRM2]

You wouldn't be as impressed if you owned a '60's vintage, with curved glass and all the other goodies we have!

John

[Action]

There are other items too.

Like waste water tanks, overhead light difusers, water heaters, refer parts. and ??? Yeah some of these are available as aftermarket, however they do not fit perfectly. And most of all of those parts are made by vendors to Airstream. Airstream does not make the part so when Airstream no longer places orders the parts molds or patterns are discarded.

And frankly if I was Airstream I would do the same. It does not make biz sense to keep the patterns around for a lot of things. It takes up space. The universe of units that need those parts are ever decreasing and become satisfied with recycled parts (ie wrecking yards)

However when renewed interest becomes a thing the market does not get satisfied as easily. An example ..... the Ford Model A. 5 million of them were made and that stopped in 1931. However the demand to restore them started picking up some interest in the 50's such that today one could most likely create a whole car if you had a frame. All the parts are being made by reproduction vendors because there is a need that Ford Motor Company is not and does not want to address for a car that they manufactured. The Model A is an extreme example and there were lots of units built to start.

Airstream is becoming another type of classic interest thing. It becomes no longer a depreciating asset but an appreciating asset.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Action]

Originally Posted by 65GT

I can feel for the '66+ crowd though -- those windows are slick, but it's gotta hurt to have to replace them! Ouch!

The Corning windows were made for 3 years. Not only are they nice looking, thet are strong too. For as thin as they are, I was sure one would have broken when the pot metal supports broke. I am on my third support, with no broken glass. Man those windows slam down when the support breaks.

Knock on metal, I will never have to look for a window.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.Action