We need an Airstream reality show

[blickcd]

If you have satellite TV you know there are many reality shows featuring people that buy, sell, restore, and build hot rods, classic cars, and custom motorcycles. There is also Rock My RV, with Bret Michaels customizing worn out motorhomes.

It only makes sense that an American icon like the Airstream trailer deserves some sort of TV show. I'm throwing down the challenge to any repair shop or person who collects and restores Airstreams. Even if you just put together a series of youtube videos it would be a start.

[Splinter]

I volunteer our 68. Some day would like bunk and front dinette and wood floor added and wouldn't it be awesome to see it polished???

[damonbeals]

TV 101 says to sell a show you have to sell it to a advertiser? Because it's not about the show it's about selling ads. So for this to happen you need to find a major sponsor, and I don't think Airstream would pony up the funds. There is a show on DAM (Discover America) called Buying RV's that follows a couple looking to buy a RV, they look at three different models and then pick the one they like. It's well done, and it's not promoting a single manufacturer.

Damon
#4827

[idroba]

We sure as hell don't need more pressure on the vintage price market, driving it even higher. As it is now people with old aluminum shells think they are gold.

[Wayne&Sam]

We don't ned ANY reality shows. None of them are reality.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

We don't ned ANY reality shows. None of them are reality.

Ay-men to that! Better to call them "amateur actor" shows. I imagine there are so many because the folks on screen are all amateurs, i.e. don't belong to the Screen Actor's Guild, and so they work cheap.

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

We don't ned ANY reality shows. None of them are reality.

Yep. Anyway, this was already done a few years back - DIY's Classic Rides restored a 1970 trailer around 2004-2005. You can find that on YouTube.

I do think that a dedicated AS shop could do a better job than was done back then, but there's a lot of tedious and messy bits to doing a proper job. Those aren't so TV friendly.

Part of me feels bad for the people who are left with dealing with the super-quickly-built "extreme" renovations; can't imagine quality control is 100%.

Tom

[blickcd]

I have to agree with idroba. Periodically I search craigslist in my area to see what people are asking for which models, years, and condition. I've seen plenty of gutted shells priced the same as a trailer that is intact and ready for use.

[PhilipKS]

I also agree with idroba. A local RV consignment shop has a '74 Ambassador listed for $15K. It is not made of gold, more likely held together by mold. I could smell rot when I walked in. Rear Bath model; spongy back there. Needs a renovation. Original is not so great in the 70's, haha. By contrast, they have a mid 80's triple axle Avion listed (also rear bath, unfortunately) listed for $8500. I like the front living floor plan! not crazy about rear bath.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I imagine there are so many because the folks on screen are all amateurs, i.e. don't belong to the Screen Actor's Guild, and so they work cheap.

BINGO! They took off when they needed programming during the SAG strike a few years back.

[Skatiero]

Whenever people meet up with us (the two of us, our seven kids in 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, and grandma and her dog) camping in our 29 foot Airstream, we almost always hear the remark that we need to be on a reality show! We'd volunteer for sure if one approached us!