I'd like to see a future historian's take on the metamorphosis of Airstream models and lengths. There was a time when a nameplate (Safari) dictated the length of an Airstream and "International" would dictate a level of trim.
2Air has it right -- it would have been more appropriate to name the Sport a Flying Cloud -- a return to lighter weight trailers. But this whole naming convention got screwed up long ago by somebody that wasn't paying attention at to how things were done, and what an Airstream always was. Hmm...
But by comparison, the name probably does fit. Todays Flying Cloud is, well, a bit more puffy than its predecessor. Or maybe I really meant bloated?
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I'd like to see a future historian's take on the metamorphosis of Airstream models and lengths. There was a time when a nameplate (Safari) dictated the length of an Airstream and "International" would dictate a level of trim.
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That naming convention changed with Thor's ownership. I believe that my 1979 Safari is the last Safari which means 23'.
Bill
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... " Flying Cloud" What a pathetic disappointment. At least they could have done the 13 panels. Something to make it stand out and be different. Oh ... wait a minute, that would have required some real creativity and a little more work. Nothing new here.
Different? As in 26 panels to chase down leaks? YIKES! I agree that the name change/no real value-added "improvements" is pathetic, but with the "quality control" seen in the models of the past few years, I wouldn't trust J/C to do a 13 segment end cap.
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Bob Fowler
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Different? As in 26 panels to chase down leaks? YIKES! I agree that the name change/no real value-added "improvements" is pathetic, but with the "quality control" seen in the models of the past few years, I wouldn't trust J/C to do a 13 segment end cap.
I'd rather see a silver-painted, galvanized steel end cap that has no seams to leak. I think they may have tried that in the 1970's with an experimental line of trailers. I'm not sure how that turned out...
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Terry Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
AIR#2611
I'd rather see a silver-painted, galvanized steel end cap that has no seams to leak. I think they may have tried that in the 1970's with an experimental line of trailers. I'm not sure how that turned out...
Really? Hmmm... I wonder whatever became of that idea...
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Bob Fowler
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
I'd rather see a silver-painted, galvanized steel end cap that has no seams to leak. I think they may have tried that in the 1970's with an experimental line of trailers. I'm not sure how that turned out...
Hi, why can't they just stamp out a one piece Aluminum cap; And rivit a few support ribs to it to look like more pieces and of course give it support. If they want to change the name, they should make something unique to that trailer.
Wait, safari62 just gave me an idea; If they don't improve the quality on this trailer above and beyond the trailer it is replacing, maybe they should have named it "Storm Cloud".
Hi, why can't they just stamp out a one piece Aluminum cap; And rivit a few support ribs to it to look like more pieces and of course give it support. If they want to change the name, they should make something unique to that trailer.
Wait, safari62 just gave me an idea; If they don't improve the quality on this trailer above and beyond the trailer it is replacing, maybe they should have named it "Storm Cloud".
I think there is a reason to do with stress cracking that keeps them from doing this. One machine making one stamp is cheaper than 3 machines each stamping out one third of the end cap, so I'm sure if it could be done, it would be done.
And yes, they could name it "rain cloud", drain cloud", "Titanic", "Exxon Valdez", or any number of things that mean "big leak".
I once owned a mobile home whose brand name was "Great Lakes". It should have been "Great Leaks".
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Terry Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
AIR#2611
The galvanized front and rear caps were tried on the Argosy back in the 70's --they rusted. A one piece end cap could be done through a process that would have been used on the new classic motorhome. Let's see, what would it cost to have to replace the entire end cap vs. a segment?
The galvanized front and rear caps were tried on the Argosy back in the 70's --they rusted. A one piece end cap could be done through a process that would have been used on the new classic motorhome. Let's see, what would it cost to have to replace the entire end cap vs. a segment?
My Argosy had some surface rust on her end caps, but nothing fatal. OK, the galvanized end caps aren't available new anymore, but they have one great advantage over aluminum segments - they can be repaired! Unless you REALLY trash the end cap, conventional dent repair techniques would be able to restore the shape. It might get spendy (lots of labor), but it is do-able.
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Bob Fowler
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Heck, I'd take a rusty end cap any day of the week, mostly cause of what has been said...it's able to be repaired, compared to my corroding 2004 Airstream, to which if there are any cures, none of them are really all that great. I would assume the 2009 Flying Clouds, unless the factory has finally solved this issue, could also fall prey to this problem.....
As for the naming scheme, I agree, it's not all that great. I think the only one that works well is the "Classic" out of this year's lineup. But hey, the only constant is change.
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2. <snipped> Add Safari Sport line with three cheap windows, toxic fabric walls and discount a few thousand for entry level buyers.
The only thing toxic in the Safari Sport is me after some excessive barbecue and beer consumption!
I certainly understand the concerns over puzzling corporate decisions, but it just means we're going to be relying on your serious A/S historians for years, when it comes to understanding this complex lineage. I'm really enjoying the lessons.
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With the reintroduction of the Flying Cloud name and what seems to be the end of the Safari model line for now, what I cannot figure out is why there are still models that have TWO model names? Colonial Airstream NJ - 2009 Airstream Flying Cloud 19' Bambi
Is this the Dealers attempt to label the trailer to with the new name and add the popular Bambi name to imply smaller and lighter for sales purposes? Or is this the Airstream companies idea to use two names?
I mentioned in an earlier post that I actually have seen a trailer labeled Safari/Bambi right on the side and thought that to be strange.
All 16' and 19' units are known as Bambi...whether it is a Safari, International, Flying Cloud or any other name that you might want to put in front of it. Not a dealer ploy.
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Hi, why can't they just stamp out a one piece Aluminum cap; And rivit a few support ribs to it to look like more pieces and of course give it support. If they want to change the name, they should make something unique to that trailer. 
Wait, safari62 just gave me an idea; If they don't improve the quality on this trailer above and beyond the trailer it is replacing, maybe they should have named it "Storm Cloud". 
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