|
09-14-2014, 10:07 AM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
BEND
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
|
CONFUSED, confounded, but curious
Good morning all!
It's a glorious AM in the Pacific Northwest, no forest fires locally, and looking forward to a drive from our place in Bend, Oregon to our place on the Oregon coast where it appears to be having great weather as well!
TO THE POINT!...... My wife and I are about to start looking into Airstream Interstates and I thought I might save some time and headaches by involving the forum and their cumulative wisdom! We are not sure whether to go new or preowned. I have been looking at the threads on the forum for the past week or so but I still have some questions, some easy, some unanswerable except by divine intervention and since it's Sunday that is appropriate!
A little about us. We are a retired couple married 45 years, one German shepherd puppy. We had a MB 206D 1975 Westfalia van purchased new in Germany when we were stationed there, 4 years, great rig! US gov't wouldn't let us bring it back for BS reasons then started importing the " same chassis" the next year! Go figure! But I digress!
1. Are there different AS interstate manufactures or does AS do it all?
2. Are there favorite years and features to look for and avoid?
3. Are these units front or rear wheeled drive?
4. AWD a possibility yet, 2015?
That's enough for now, THANKS!
|
|
|
09-14-2014, 11:12 AM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
|
aS mfg all Interstates, other mfg make class b vans on sprinter chassis. Jim
|
|
|
09-14-2014, 11:17 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 666
|
1) not quite sure of the question. Airstream takes different componets from different suppliers and builds the Airstream Interstate at it's factory in Ohio.
2) newer models seem to have more features. Some like the simplicity of the older models and easier on the pocketbook.
3) Rear wheel drive
4) mercedes sprinters will be built with a 4 wheel drive option. Doubt if Airstream will use them on their builds. If you want 4 wheel drive may have to look to Advanced RV or another builder.
|
|
|
09-14-2014, 04:44 PM
|
#4
|
2 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
BEND
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
|
Thanks for the responses! I saw an Sprinter van conversion that said both Airstream and Westfalia! ???? Hence the question. How about ideas about the different floor plans?? Thanks,
|
|
|
09-14-2014, 04:47 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
|
AS sold a Westfalia conversion for a couple of years. Great vehicle but relatively rare to find one. Jim
|
|
|
09-14-2014, 05:20 PM
|
#6
|
Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by call-me-al
Thanks for the responses! I saw an Sprinter van conversion that said both Airstream and Westfalia! ???? Hence the question. How about ideas about the different floor plans?? Thanks,
|
One of the ladies in my WBCCI Unit owns an Airstream Westphalia. It's a Chevy van conversion (I think), with a fiberglass cap in place of the original roof. There is a bed over the driver's and front passenger's seats, and a completely different interior layout. Fewer amenities, but very spacious compared to an Interstate, even though the Interstate is a larger vehicle.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
|
|
|
09-14-2014, 08:12 PM
|
#7
|
3 Rivet Member
2005 22' Interstate
Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 177
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
One of the ladies in my WBCCI Unit owns an Airstream Westphalia. It's a Chevy van conversion (I think)
|
Nope, Westies were Sprinter-based (short wheelbase version). Fascinating vehicles. When we bought our Interstate in 2005, the dealer had one Interstate and one Westy and was asking exactly the same price. My wife and I spent a whole afternoon going back and forth between them before deciding to go with the Interstate.
__________________
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (2500 T1N)
Now: 2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (3500 NCV3)
|
|
|
09-14-2014, 09:16 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,867
|
Back in 1990's and early 2000's Airstream also made the 190 B-van on Ford E-350 with a large fiberglass top cap.
http://b190.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=544
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
|
|
|
09-15-2014, 04:09 AM
|
#9
|
Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxster1971
|
That must be what I mistook for a Westphalia.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 06:51 AM
|
#10
|
4 Rivet Member
2020 27' Globetrotter
2019 Interstate Lounge Ext
Jackson Hole - Tetons
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 406
|
We just returned from Bend (Pronghorn) and the Oregon Coast, where we spent a couple weeks touring.
Models - we opted for the 2014.5 MB/Airstream because we wanted the new features offered by MB incl the new style front end, wood-look floor, bi-xenon lights, lane keeping, etc. But it's all about your budget and preferences.
Here's a couple images from your targeted travel region which you might find inspiring. The trailer is a Legend Aluminum trailer, which is nicely designed and crafted trailer (unfortunately it's sold by a dishonest dealer, Becks Trailer in Michigan).
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 07:06 AM
|
#11
|
2 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
BEND
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
|
Thanks Scott, The coast picture is about 5 miles south of our place which you drove by in the 10 mile area of the Oregon coast! Most people are impressed with Pronghorn and I hope you got to play both courses! How did the van do on the Teton pass? (Jackson hole). What do you carry in the trailer? (just curious)
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 12:02 PM
|
#12
|
4 Rivet Member
2020 27' Globetrotter
2019 Interstate Lounge Ext
Jackson Hole - Tetons
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 406
|
Hello
Teton Pass power... Van performs fine with speeds of 45mph in the steepest areas.
Trailer
This trip we brought four kayaks, four bikes and kids camping gear (tent's etc).
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 03:54 PM
|
#13
|
3 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 114
|
Scott,
Can you tell me about your satellite TV set up? Is that an HD receiver antenna in the rear and in motion satellite in the front?
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 10:10 PM
|
#14
|
4 Rivet Member
2020 27' Globetrotter
2019 Interstate Lounge Ext
Jackson Hole - Tetons
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 406
|
Scott,
Can you tell me about your satellite TV set up? Is that an HD receiver antenna in the rear and in motion satellite in the front?
In-Motion HD (Direct TV) in front and the standard analog antenna in the rear.
Scott
www.CirrusVillage.com
Scott
www.CirrusVillage.com
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 01:55 PM
|
#15
|
1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Rochester Hills
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 10
|
You mention that your in motion Directv receiver is HD. I have been told that for Directv only standard definition is available for in motion and that for HD, it cannot be in motion. Could you explain your set up further. Thanks.
|
|
|
09-20-2014, 01:53 PM
|
#16
|
4 Rivet Member
2020 27' Globetrotter
2019 Interstate Lounge Ext
Jackson Hole - Tetons
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 406
|
HD Dish Network
That's a really good question :-)
I've never even tried the dish system, since my kids watch the TV while traveling.
Our dealer (Boise, Airstream Northwest) told us we had only one HD in-motion option, and that's Dish Network. We wanted Direct TV since we use this system (Direct) at our home.
Perhaps I should go over to the airport today, open the hangar door, pull the van out and fire it up?
Scott
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|