Our first travel trailer adventure began with an Airstream last summer. We have spent more than we had planned on upgrades plus a capable towing vehicle, but we are enjoying it more than we had thought as well. We have no regrets.
I see that I'm way in the minority, paying over $50,000 for our bucket of...
well, let's just say that after 3 years of ownership it was a LOT more than it ever was, or ever will be, worth.
John
Another member of the "Over 50" club. It's just money John, just remember the memories and dream of the future...you will feel better...kinda..
John
__________________ Travel is in my blood, adventure is my passport, aluminum is my favorite construction medium, and therefore, an Airstream was my destiny.
Reading about a NEW AS or a VINTAGE AS is a lot like talking with boaters - fiberglass or wood. Fiberglass - all the cost is up front with minimum annual upkeep costs (until it gets to be vintage). With a wooden boat, the up front cost is much less but it will cost 10% of that cost annually to keep her up. In the long run, which is the better? That is very personal and varies by owner. We had a wooden boat - heavier with a much smoother ride. I would have been happy with a 10% annual cost - it was a lot more than that. But, boy was it ever fun!!
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2007 25' Airstream International SS OB
2004 Nissan Armada
Equalizer Hitch
Prodigy Brake control
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool
Than to open it and remove all doubt."
We paid $3000 for our 1974 Tade Wind Land Yacht in August, 2006.
$331 for new tires, $150 to repack the bearings, $500 for gas to pick it up in Olympia, Washington.
$500 for new aluminum propane tanks, $150 for the door light assembly, vent/light covers, rub rail and beltline trim. $500 for upholstery and upholstery labor once we got "Sweetpea" home.
Another $500 in dishes, lounge chairs and doo hickies.
So we're into it at least for $5631 and we haven't even begun the polishing process or replacing the long lost awnings.
We've gone on three trips since we bought her-so let's see-it's averaging almost $2000 a trip not including gas!
We bought an 87 34' 2 years ago, and have put at least as much in upgrades as we paid for the trailer. Approx $30K at this point total cost and upgrades. We love it more than we ever imagined. We are planning hardwood floors, sponge painting the vinyl walls and corian counter tops. We have already reupholstered, new curtains, satelitte dome with flat screen TV, new tow vehicle, and we plan to have P and S refinish the exterior and add solar for dry camping.
I realize that I have more in that I could sell it for, however I don't plan to sell it ever and we love customizes it to suit ourselves. While I'm still working as I enjoy what I do, I can work remotely with internet connections. We plan to spend more time in the AS as time goes on. PS! I would not want anything other than the 34' for enjoyability. It tows great with the right TV also.
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