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12-15-2008, 02:11 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Shasta is Back... sort of
I was at a local RV store yesterday looking for an inline water filter and and there right up front were three Shastas. I said to myself, self I said... I think they stopped making those years ago. I even noticed the Shasta Wing was on these.
So curious, I trotted over. Tapity Tapity go the fingernails on the side... close look... OK it's fiberglass not aluminum. The wing - mother of plastic. Checked the lock, it was open so I stepped inside. Overwhelmed with how CHEAP it looked - fake bamboo floor if you'll believe it. But you know if you look hard enough you'll find something to like. It had a wetbath - not bad size up front and a little bench? just inside the door. (Too small to be a sofa and the seat curved to allow access to the door. If that folds to a single bed, it will block the door and in a fire - BAD news - though you could probably just punch your way through the sides. No oven, no stove, just a small microwave, and a small round sink with a faucet that folds down and is then covered with a hinged glass cover. Cute yes, practical.. not really. I really wouldn't want to cook in anything that small so the lack of burners or stove doesn't bother me that much. The table was on two pedistals and could be slid backwards and forwards so that people could get in and out of the dinette. I didn't figure how to lower it, but that obviously happens somehow. The refrigerator was a dorm size dometic that would keep 2 cartons of milk and a head of lettuce cold. Cabinetry, was fiberboard held together with staples and chewing gum. Upholstery - bet it will fall apart in a year.
In short it looks like a canned ham Shasta, feels like dreck, and the off-gassing is still making me blink.
Paula
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Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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12-15-2008, 02:19 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
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It looks like Coachmen has revived the Shasta:
Coachmen RV - Travel Trailers - Shasta
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
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12-15-2008, 03:38 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Pittsfield
, Maine
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,108
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Shasta has a very devoted group of affectionados, similar to Airstream - or at least they used to. I would like to know how much Coachmen's "retro" Shasta costs. I'll bet it blows a hole in $20,000!
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Cracker
2003 GMC 3500 D/A, CC, LB, 4x4 and 2000 Airstream Excella 30. WBCCI 7074
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12-15-2008, 03:45 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2022 25' International
Savage
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 753
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I got started in one....an Airstream would never have happened without it, so they are kinda cute, but just not as good looking as an AS. Since we all like pictures:
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12-15-2008, 04:27 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
La Center
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 75
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I dunno... I like the Tada (T@da), or have you checked the Euro Airstreams?
I wasn't aware of this trailer when I purchased my AS, and I probably would still have gone for the AS because... well... you know.
The other one that appeared to be very well-made was the Oliver travel trailer, but I really didn't like the molded fiber glass effect... it looked like a giant tub-surround.
But MAN-OH-MAN check out the beautiful European Airstreams, a bit smaller, a LOT lighter, and some very nice internal appointments. Why can't we buy those here!?
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12-15-2008, 04:33 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Cute...but I think I'd go with a true retro old one ~
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cracker
Shasta has a very devoted group of affectionados, similar to Airstream - or at least they used to.
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I wonder what they think of it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cracker
I would like to know how much Coachmen's "retro" Shasta costs. I'll bet it blows a hole in $20,000!
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Yep...website says "MSRP Starting at $20,300"
Shari
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12-15-2008, 04:34 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2005 30' Safari
Houston Texas
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 480
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Shasta Interiors..
Even though the interior may have looked cheap to some, I can see in the pics 20 items that are out of the Airstream Safari parts bin, If the rig is less than 20k it would be a cool alternative to a Casita.
I wonder what the bodys frame is made of, aluminum or 2x wood?
Anyhow, cool to see retro make a comeback!!
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12-15-2008, 04:39 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
Central
, Connecticut
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by longdog
But MAN-OH-MAN check out the beautiful European Airstreams, a bit smaller, a LOT lighter, and some very nice internal appointments. Why can't we buy those here!?
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I'm with you. Airstream built 20' Argosy Minuets back in the 70s that weighed under 2500 lbs. I'd happily give up the modern widebody and have arcylic windows. (Indeed, if I could find a nice Minuet in these parts....)
Since I recently bought an used T@B, I was kinda interested in the Shasta as an eventual step up. We finally looked at one last week. I'm not as negative as the original poster - the layout is pretty nice, with a big bed and roomy kitchen. It's a trailer for 2, but then again, that's how many we are. The front lounge doesn't fold out into anything; it's not exactly useful. I like the "cherry" cabinets and the bamboo-look laminate floor.
What bugged me was that quality control was lousy. The microwave was suspended in the cabinet by a piece of 3/8" plywood; the workers didn't bother to even yank off the shards left from the rough cutting. Lots of edging looked bad, with big gaps. The cushions were thin.
I'm also not keen on having no propane - the dealer said that 2010 will bring a bigger model with propane. MSRP was over $20k. That's a lot, but my T@B would have been $17k new (I bought used and saved a lot), and this is bigger. Manufacturers charge a premium for small stylish trailers, a mantra that sounds familiar....
That said, last week we also visited a giant AS dealer in Florida. I can't say that workmanship was perfect on them either, with poorly finished edges and messy sealing outside. Maybe there is something to buying vintage (starting cheap) and putting in the level of finish you want....
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12-15-2008, 04:41 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
Central
, Connecticut
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SafariSS
If the rig is less than 20k it would be a cool alternative to a Casita.
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The Casita I looked at was a brick poophouse (in a good way) compared to this Shasta, and you got a much more livable trailer for the same weight.
If only they didn't line the walls, ceiling, and cabinets with thick pile carpet, I'd own one.
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12-15-2008, 04:49 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2005 30' Safari
Houston Texas
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 480
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Casita...
The Casitas and Scamps are built well, built to last with minimal work. I definately agree with the shag carpet! I think if you kept one waxed it would last better than 20 yrs at least. The only negative on the exterior is the fiberglass wheel wells do not offer any protection from rocks.
My brother in law bought one, the Patriot 17 I belive and it is very comfortable, tows well behind a small SUV and only cost 17k loaded.
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12-15-2008, 05:23 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2011 25' FB Flying Cloud
Anywhere &
, Everywhere
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,090
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Well let me tell you folks something about Casita you might not want to hear. No other RV on the market - including Airstream - holds its value as well as a Casita. The factory tells you to only depreciate a Casita 500 bucks a year - a Airstream depreciates 10 times that when you drive it off the lot and most other RVs even more. And not only that if you keep a Casita in good condition you will sell it almost immediately at that 500 per year depreciation. I had a Casita for 6 1/2 years and loved it. No it wasn't perfect but I had virtually no problems with it as compared to my Airstream. The Casita is a fine trailer and if I hadn't gone fulltime and wanted something a bit larger I'd still have one.
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12-15-2008, 05:54 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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My dad's first leap to a TT in the late 60's was to a 16' Shasta in cream and yellow which he towed with a 6cyl 1958 Ford Fairlane.
He got the bug and then had an RV dealership for 5 years. He always commented that the light weight Shasta was the best towing TT he ever towed. Wonder how well the new ones tow.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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12-15-2008, 07:21 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
Central
, Connecticut
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al - K4GLU
The factory tells you to only depreciate a Casita 500 bucks a year - a Airstream depreciates 10 times that when you drive it off the lot and most other RVs even more. And not only that if you keep a Casita in good condition you will sell it almost immediately at that 500 per year depreciation.
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My experience isn't far off. I found - which took some doing - an used 1998 17' Casita in Vermont. It looked almost new underneath and everywhere else, a marked difference from a rotting 2001 Bambi 16' I had looked at a few weeks earlier. It wasn't cheap - around $9000, IIRC - but looked well worth the money.
Again, if it wasn't for that "mouse fur" lining the insides, and my wife's immediate dislike for said carpet, I'd be thrilled with one. But from what I've seen, among fiberglass "egg" shaped trailers, only Oliver Trailers seem to be moving towards more stylish interiors. (Same complaint did in the Aliners and Chalets we considered.) Too bad....
One more Shasta gripe - the windows only opened for a tiny slot on the bottom, and there was no front window. I like having windows on at least 3 sides of a trailer....
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12-15-2008, 08:21 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2007 23' International CCD
Lapeer
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,082
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Well if Coachman is bringing back Shasta and Airstream is bringing back the Holiday, sort of, I wonder if many rv manufacturers will be going small to keep the market going. Pretty cool looks, retro but not vintage.
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12-15-2008, 08:45 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1967 20' Globetrotter
Sauquoit
, New York
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 638
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Airstream is still the best
We recently saw the Holiday(Wally Barnum) loved it. And then we located a FAN that reminded us of a Holiday. In our opinion....the Airstream has it.
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06-13-2009, 01:40 PM
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#16
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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06-13-2009, 02:48 PM
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#17
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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If cute sold TTs, the highways would be awash in 'em right now.
But cute really isn't enough, is it? It has to be practical, too, right?
My main carp about all these units is that the inside is made only for folks 5' 2" tall.
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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06-13-2009, 02:58 PM
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#18
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
If cute sold TTs, the highways would be awash in 'em right now.
But cute really isn't enough, is it? It has to be practical, too, right?
My main carp about all these units is that the inside is made only for folks 5' 2" tall.
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Spec sheet for the new shasta says 77 inches. That's 6' 5" where we come from.
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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06-13-2009, 07:05 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 343
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Too bad they eliminated the ribbed aluminum exterior. That's what made it look cool!
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06-13-2009, 07:23 PM
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#20
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin245
Spec sheet for the new shasta says 77 inches. That's 6' 5" where we come from.
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Well that should work for me, I'm only 5' 17" tall.
Funny, the one I saw at the Toronto Show in January was NOT that tall inside. Mind you, I didn't check the closets...
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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