Member Age Demographic Study

[Matthew]

I tend to lean that the poll is a bit more representative of the forum rather than A/S owners. While I am 37 years old, I attended the Mardi Gras rally where the average age was quite a bit older...but that did not stop them from having a ball!

[darin]

Holy ****, I am 33 and own an airstream. Does this mean I am old for my age or maybe just wise? Anyway I think of my trailer as a great toy project for a hip dude of any age.

cheers

[bredlo]

First thought: "Wow, 46% of Airstream owners are between 30 and 50!"

Second thought: "Hmm, many Airstream owners probably aren't sitting on the internet, they're out using their trailers!"

Final thought: "All these numbers prove is that people 30 to 50 are most likely to be interested in answering polls."

[maxandgeorgia]

Tiki, we are 62 and 64 and just bought our first Airstream and, like you, we cannot wait to be able to get out on the road and meet some other Airstreamers! Isn't that the great thing about this Forum and the company we meet on it! We are all ages; look at the poll. However, that common bond of loving camping/travel and our trailers and MHs makes it all a "family," as I've seen others refer to it. To me, the poll confirms what I've already determined about this group

[mtpalms]

Just realized that this was a zombie thread, never mind.

[maxandgeorgia]

I've tried several interpretations of the comment above, and somehow, I missi it. Maybe I should! Please explain.

[ALANSD]

I think the results are skewed by the fact that many over 60's don't do the computer thing. If they do, they don't do much more than email. Case in point a gentleman with 2 AS motorhomes for sale who does not do the internet, and had his friend, a member here post them for sale.

[mtpalms]

Originally Posted by mtpalms

Just realized that this was a zombie thread, never mind.

Originally Posted by maxandgeorgia

I've tried several interpretations of the comment above, and somehow, I missi it. Maybe I should! Please explain.

I wrote a lengthy post about how I usually miss polls, and how I got in on this one, because it was being rerun, then I realized that the last 2 dates before mine were 12/31/03 and 4/23/04. 7/27/03 before that. When a thread is old and someone "reawakens" it, it is known as a zombie thread. I was actually responding to a post from almost 2 years ago, thinking it was new. After I submitted my post, I realized I was a bit, erm, tardy, so I deleted it.

I'm not used to the polls on these forums, obviously. Sorry for the inconvenience, folks.

[maxandgeorgia]

Thanks, mtpalms! Just when I think I've caught on to the forum, up pops something new. A zombie thread! See, I'm one of those "oldies" you all talk about who is using the computer! Give me credit for trying!

[Peter&Denise]

Well zombie thread or not, I still voted. Gotta roll the odds in favour of us young folks and try to break the stereotype that all Airstream owners are old geezers ! P.

[jrkeef]

I am generally not big on polls either, but some of the comments (zombie or not) got my attention. My wife and I are in our mid fifties, still working and are avid Airstreamers. If the rallies we have attended over the last couple of years are any indication, your poll is skewed young by internet users. We are always the youngest at all of the rallies we attend and we hardly ever miss our clubs rallies or even those of the other clubs near us. Young is a state of mind. Our favorite "steamin" buddies are 20 years our elder and still know how to have a great time. Down here in South Louisana it is all about good food, good drink and good times.........

Jay & Marilyn
Acadiana Unit
Lafayette, LA

[muddy_hollow]

I took a poll from the first rally this year and the results were very interesting since I believe they are representative of our club. I would be curious to know how these stats hold up against the WBCCI nationally.

Ages
6% 30-40s
45% 40-50s
36% 50-60s
13% 60 or more
Retired 22%
Attends Rallies with Children 31%
Ages of children range between 4 an 6 years old
Travel Trailers 86%
Motor Homes 14%
Average Age of Trailer/Motorhome 1988
Oldest Unit 1955
Newest Unit 2005
Years Owning an Airstream & years in WBCCI (came out the same)
56% 1-3 years
18% 4-7 years
4% 8-12 years
18% 12-20 years
4% 20 or more years


Here's my thoughts about the airstreaming in general (I fully expect to get flamed on a couple of these)

- Airstream, as well as the RV industry, are experiencing a renaissance. Look at the sales (not the stock price) of THOR industries. All are very positive.

- Young professionals, young families, recent retired, and empty nesters make up the bulk of new purchases for Airstream. +70 years old, IMO, are unlikely to be prospects for Airstreams. It is the aforementioned group that will fuel Airstream and the WBCCI going forward.

- Second hand units and vintage units are in hot demand. Why? Because they provide a cheaper means of airstreaming. (and cooler )There's loads of other reasons, but considering that once you by an airstream you are more likely to stick with the brand when you upsize later (IMO). Airstream are missing the boat with the VAC community.

- Average retiree is computer savy. Uses the web, GPS, email, and some even blog. General stereotype of retirees using just email is outdated. Good example is one member who is 70+ and heading out for a multi-month, multi-caravan uses a cellular modem full time to collect email and surf the web. He's considering blogging to cut down on the number of repeat emails!

- The older community is what built this club. They should be respected and admired for building such a great club. In the same vein, the older community should be keep an open mind about change. To attract younger members and the club has to be open to new ideas. Unfortunately, I see divisions forming and the old and young are on opposite sides at times. Hopefully happy common ground can be found with both communities. Olive branches all around. (heck in 20 years... we'll be the old timers HAA! )

Sorry for the rant.

Mud

[LuminumTraila]

[quote=muddy_hollow]
- Airstream, as well as the RV industry, are experiencing a renaissance. Look at the sales (not the stock price) of THOR industries. All are very positive. /QUOTE]

Muddy Hollow - Thanks for the stats. I agree with your take on the age demographics. And Airstream's renaissance won't hurt its stock either. I just read this in a Thor Industries press release. "Fortune Magazine (July 11, 2005) named Thor one of 40 stocks to buy now. Thor was rated as a 'deep value' stock, as 'Boomers are increasingly hitting the road in its Airstream and Dutchmen RVs.'"

[smily]

It is very safe to say that this poll is isolated to this forum.

I know of MANY Airstream owners who visit this site but do not participate because they cannot get past the sign up process.

There are probably many more times as many that do not even have a PC much less participate in this poll.

And even a few more dont even have access to the internet, they are full timing and traveling the USA. Man I so wish that I could not have to access the internet and still survive.
It is like I always say to my wife who subscribes to perfection and "the book" on raising babies or whatever... My answer to her is, well how did mankind live so long if we were eating a little dirt on our food.

Get this one.... My wife, (and I by default), had to pay for a root canal on a baby tooth, Yes a baby tooth!
The Dentist told my wife that we had to preserve the baby tooth so that the adult teeth would come in straight. Now talk about quakery.................We paid the bill