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redeagle313 · 03-15-2005, 03:39 PM

Congratulations on your purchase! Enjoy!

We will probably get our new Airstream in the next couple weeks, it is being built this week.

rseagle · 03-15-2005, 04:02 PM

My first trailer was a 2002 Jayco KIWI 21C Hybrid (foldout canvas bunk ends). It was manufactured for me in August 2001. I unloaded it in January 2004 when I got my Airstream. It was starting to show its wear, even though I took good care of it. I expect it is practically worthless pricewise today and will be on the scrape heap in the next 10 years or so. I'm sure my CCD will be around for my chilren to enjoy after I've gone to the "Great Campground in the Sky" (an Airstream Park, I hope).

Big Dee · 03-15-2005, 04:14 PM

Congrats, Scott!!! You picked the best floorplan ....but then I am more than a little biased. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

PS: I am jealous of the disk brakes.

Porky Pig · 03-15-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Hopkin

... Same with motorcycles, had several that became outdated before I broke down and bought a BMW. That was 18 years and 124,000 miles ago and I still have no intention of buying a new one.

Scott ... when it comes to RVs and motorcycles ... we have a lot in common!

Here's a a shot of me and my very last motorcycle project. I sold it just a few days before taking off on our fulltime adventure.

gutsgolf · 10-15-2006, 09:47 AM

Scott,
i have had my 31' sovereign for only 3 weeks, i have had 4 people on the highway give a thumbs up and two people ask to look inside. this is a blast, it is exciting to see another one on the road. what a great experience, hope you join the group

terryV · 07-10-2014, 08:32 AM

Back in the late 60's my wife and I bought a little Scotty (12 ft) camper trailer. We travelled and camped in it for a year, and decided we needed something a little bigger.

We found and bought a '63 Bambi. Wow, it had a fridge that made ice from water, instead of an ice box! We loved that little Airstream, but with a toddler, we needed a bit more space.

So, we bought a 23 ft Caravaner, I think it was called. Lots of room for a small trailer, and it had that Airstream quality we had grown to love. We used that little trailer right up into the '80s. Then we were seduced by the dark side and went to motorhomes.

I will admit that motorhomes are great when you have kids. However, we are now empty nesters. Last year I gave the 35 ft Southwind to my youngest daughter. When my wife asked "what are we going to do now?", I told her I was going to buy another Airstream.

We looked and looked. We drove all over the country, looking for just the right one. We started thinking a 23 footer would be the size, but soon found that 23 ft was WAY too small for us.

I finally found a 2002 31 ft Classic down in Springfield, MO that was perfect. It was easy to see that this unit had been loved and was in great shape.

So, after 30 some years with the dark side we are back! It feels SO good to be home again. I can attest to the fact that Airstreams are better. I can give you all kinds of examples to prove it.

However, the real advantage to owning an Airstream, is not the quality, or the better gas mileage, or the ease of towing. The real advantage of owning the world's most recognized trailer is Airstream People. You have "family" everywhere you go.

Good luck with your decision. All of us here would love to welcome a new Airstreamer to the family.

DanB · 07-10-2014, 09:53 AM

Holy thread resurrection!

Nice story and welcome home!

KJRitchie · 07-10-2014, 10:52 AM

The original poster hasn't posted since 2006. I wonder if he still has an AS.

gypsydad · 07-10-2014, 11:58 AM

You guys caught the date of this original post also....wonder if there is a picture of the happy camper with his new AS and family....wonder if he still owns and would be interesting to hear his experience's since that purchase ....

terryV · 07-10-2014, 04:49 PM

Sorry Guys, I totally spaced out on this one. I didn't notice the date on it until AFTER I made a fool of myself. I will pay attention from now on.

featherbedder · 07-10-2014, 05:36 PM

AS for structual build I rolled a 30 ft. in 1967 back onto wheels when I went back to look at it only damage I could see was gap at bottom of door that was still closed no windows broken out side skin including roof was not damaged but when I went in food etc. was on ceiling walls so I knew it rolled, it was complete loss as AS dealer didn't want to est. I bad mouth them but after 6 AS I like them but new ones I can not afford for 4 or 5 outings a yr. plus I like my 76 31ft. Resale value is within $2000.00 of pur. price that I pur. new in 1977, but buy what is best 4 you & use.

Lily&Me · 07-10-2014, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terryV

Sorry Guys, I totally spaced out on this one. I didn't notice the date on it until AFTER I made a fool of myself. I will pay attention from now on.

Not to worry.....happens all the time.

Welcome back.

Maggie

OilnH2o · 07-10-2014, 05:41 PM

Don't feel bad, Terry!

Think of how many hijacked threads where you realize after about the 10th page the "OP" hasn't posted since back at the beginning! Nothing you said wasn't true, for you anyway, and for many of us. So, the only way it might have been better is if you had begun your post by stating... "Having given this considerable thought, I thought I'd tell you my story..."

Well, I appreciated your tale and I'm sure so have many others. I'll bet it, with slight variations, are similar experiences for many of us.

terryV · 07-11-2014, 06:52 AM

Thanks Guys, you are too kind.

mefly2 · 07-11-2014, 01:40 PM

So, what did you conclude ...are they that much better???

terryV · 07-13-2014, 11:36 AM

Absolutely!

rodsterinfl · 07-13-2014, 12:39 PM

it was interesting to read. Besides, I bet someone in 2014 has the same question!

Kenmar2 · 07-13-2014, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

it was interesting to read. Besides, I bet someone in 2014 has the same question!

Same question in 2014!! We recently retired & have been 'campers' for years ... Tents, pop ups, HR travel trailer & a park model. Now we'd like to travel. We'd like this to be our last change. The thought of buying a huge gas guzzling pick up & 5th Wheeler is a bit intimidating. I have trouble backing up a lawn mower; my hubby is not a retired semi driver. We didn't actually tow our 30' HR much and definitely would like something smaller & more nimble. We could probably hook up a 16' AS to our Nisson Murano BUT ... Will we be wishing we went to 25' Flying Cloud next year?? Some TT owners tell us the little 16 footers are harder to tow than 23' - 25' lengths. So many questions??? Thanks, in advance, for suggestions!

dkottum · 07-13-2014, 02:53 PM

Kenmar2, we retired and bought a 20' Airstream. Loved to travel with it but too small for extended trips. We do 6-7 months every winter around the country settling in the Southwest for much of the winter.

Traded for a 25' because it is the smallest of the large Airstreams with the larger storage tanks, axles, brakes and wheels. Same width as the largest Airstreams. We converted our dinette to recliner chairs with foldup table. Queen bed, large bath, useable kitchen. A good match to a half-ton truck or large SUV which makes for a decent daily driver on our extended trips.

We have been coast-to-coast and border-to-border several times without any discomforts.

terryV · 07-27-2014, 10:29 AM

We were looking for a 25' with the right (for us, anyway) floor plan. It seems that there was always something wrong with everything we looked at. I didn't want to buy one and re do the interior. Finally, we decided to go for a 27 or 28 foot model.

I wanted a queen bed with walk around, large bath, no dinette (dinettes are a waste of space, as far as I'm concerned), and kitchen with oven, large fridge, and microwave, and at least some counter top. Opps, that' a 31 foot trailer. My dad had 31' Airstreams back in the day. Oh no, I've turned into my father!

I found and bought a gently used '02 31' Classic that had just the floor plan I wanted. Perfect! Now, I have to be able to tow that monster. I drove my '05 Chevy all wheel steer pick up down to Reliable RV in Springfield MO to pick it up. (Those guys are wonderful, BTW)

They put a hitch on, adjusted it all up, and away I went, very slowly at first. Scared to death! Know what? It wasn't that bad. First thing you know, I was running along at 65 and 70 mph, and that "monster" behind me was following along like a meek little puppy.

When I got back to the Des Moines area I encountered my second big fear... backing it up. Another big surprise... nothing to it. Long trailers turn slowly when backing up! They slowly go right where you point them! I got this! I can do it!!! (Just remember to steer with the bottom of the wheel when backing.)

Now, after two little week end trips, we are ready to go on vacation, with confidence.