Stop me before I SOB!

[Silvertwinky]

From a 3-time Airstream owner I can say that over time our needs and desires changed. We needed more room; the A/S simply didn’t give us that. We are now on our second SOB and are really enjoying it. Probably the biggest thing I miss about the A/S is the way the walls are constructed. Delamination to me is the biggest concern in owning a different brand. Although we haven’t had any problems with the one we have, the walls of the A/S could be repaired much easier if needed. I do believe there are good units available in other brands.

I still drop in here occasionally to watch the postings simply because of the knowledge base here and the people we have met along the way.

Hope you make the right decision for your needs.

It has been about 3 years since our A/S and we have no regrets!

[overlander63]

Michelle, we've struggled with those issues ourselves. There are other alternatives to buying an SOB. In no particular order, you can:
Get a small Rubbermaid outdoor storage shed. We've done this, the shed holds our generator, fuel for it, as well as tools and spare parts for the trailer, truck, and car. When you move, you can break the building down in a few minutes, stow it on the floor of the trailer, and load the "stuff" in either the trailer or truck.
You can call a mover to haul the excess from where you are, to where you'll be. In the past, I've even used freight shippers, and Greyhound, depending on what I'm sending.
There are companies that are bonded and insured to ship your motorcycle, you can use one of them to get your bike to wherever you want to end up. The Waggoners and Horseless Carriage are two companies I've used, both the Rolls-Royce and the '32 Cadillac came through unscathed.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by richinny

i'll say it before lew gets here.

get a sprinter!

YA BEAT ME TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The new Sprinter 3500 dually has over 4000lb load capacity and an additional 7500 lb. tow capacity. Ride your bike right in!!!!!!!!!!! Hitch up and you're GONE!!!!!

I take my V-Strom (565lb) right inside my Sprinter, along with all of the tools, roll-a-ways and everything else I have when I'm on the road.

IT WORKS FOR ME!

[safari62]

1.Sprinter
2.box van
3. stake body cab over.
4. Also Airstream's prototype 34' toy hauler. I know they made at least one.
Sell the motorcycle, get a bicycle

[Pop Rivet]

1/2 mil here - 1/2 mill there - might as well get the best

[nohillgrish]

I fully understand your dilemma but, being the Airstream person I feel you are, I would look at the tow vehicle options. A cheaper option than trading might be to look at a custom fabricator for a different bed on your present truck.

[85MH325]

Michelle, as you know, I defected. While I still enjoy Airstreams as rolling art, there are some SOBs out there that offer things AS doesn't. My molded fiberglass shell Bigfoot 25' offers hail resistance, true four season ability with dual thermopane windows and heated tanks, and weighs about 1,500 lbs less than the a similar 25' AS, and has no seams. It also cost only half as much and is of similar quality, with the interior somewhere between the Safari and Classic. The penalty I pay is frontal air resistance as it's taller and more square.

I'm not a fan of sandwich core walls with roof seams, but SOB manufacturers have made great strides in the past few years overcoming many of the shortcomings of the old stick-built trailers.

There is no doubt that Airstream has its limitations. They're like a BMW motorcycle. They're eccentric, and you either fit them or you don't. As long as your needs work inside what they offer, they're superb. When you want to do something other than what they can do for you, it's time to look elsewhere.

If you really, REALLY enjoy your Airstream, I'd echo the advice to start looking for a box van tow vehicle, and I'd probably get either an F450 with a custom fiberglass B+ van body (14,000 lb GVWR and 20,000 lb tow capacity) or a Sprinter similarly equipped. The Sprinter's capacities aren't as high, but they're certainly adequate and will probably give you significantly better fuel mileage.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Roger

[BillTex]

Hi Michelle, I don't know...I agree look at alternative TV's. HD Van or sprinter may be the way to go, but I think both Ford and Chevy sell deezul vans...

We have had SOB's and truth is after 7-8 yrs they start to fall apart, leak, etc.
I have wondered; what if?
Could I ever go back to an SOB?

In all honesty, I could not see it happening.
I would like a TC some day for backwoods exploring, but would keep the AS.

The quality of the AS is incomparable (unfortunatley). I don't see any alternatives to meet the durability of an AS.
Spoiled, I guess...

Bill

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by janetb

Michelle! Snap out of it!

Oh wait it must have been that new medication! No seriously. I am loking at the posibility that I may be in a trailer long past two years. The currently is getting a little small and with my recent acquisition I am having to re-evaluate everything.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, have Inland Andy customize your trailer to have a rear, center, hatch door and have BMW tie downs near the center; Then you can have it all and one of a kind. Lots of options.

No airplane, no Airstream, did you find a cure for Aluminitus?

I have not found a cure yet. I suspect there will be serious withdrawl and much therapy if I give up the AS as well.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

"Your cheating heart will make you weep
You'll cry and cry and try to sleep..."

and remember those SOBs are just

"little boxes on the hillside and they're all made out of ticky-tack and they all look just the same."

You're not just whistling Dixie, are you?

Nope I am serious. I am looking at posibilies. The only One I see working right now is a toy hauler.

Originally Posted by wheel interested

I saw a 2004 SkyDeck for sale for 150, I think at Colonial...now pull the base camp or vintage Bambi with your bike in it and you could really do the racing circuit up right and still look down on 'em. (OK, so that last is a joke folks! You know we Airstreamers have that reputation.)

I would love to have skydeck. do you know hwere I can get that $1,000,000/yr job so I can afford one? A little base camp behind would be just the ticket. I am not sure the BMW will fit.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Pop Rivet

1/2 mil here - 1/2 mill there - might as well get the best

I could read the bmp file type.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Janet

Michelle - consider the cat! You may be able to find an sob in a storm but the cat will be confused. Go for a BIG truck.

I am sure poor Sarah would figure it out evenutally. Right now she has a home in the hangar. Only problem with big truck/van. I have not paid off my truck yet.....

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by TIMEMACHINE

Michelle,

Keep your AS and change your TV.

Take a look at the 4500 Dodge Cab Chassis with the Cummins and 6 spd auto trans. The exhaust brake makes for easy mountain driving. Kind of a cross between Michael's Big Box Ford and Lew's Sprinter Van. I have seen them with built-in ramps for easy bike loading.

Drive one before you say no.

time

Ok so I will go to the local Dodge dealer and inquire but the truck is as much as the toy haulers I am looking at.