I'm a newbie planning to buy my first Airstream. My question is; What do the large 3 or 4 digit numbers on the front of older Airstreams signify? Are they serial numbers? When did they start and stop? Is there any collector value to units with these numbers?
Not sure if this is the best topic to post under, but I didn't see a general forum. Thanks
Welcome to the forums, robnicol.
The numbers you refer to are membership numbers for the WBCCI (Wally Byam Caravan Club International) and are not assigned by Airstream.
Click HERE to see a thread with lots of info on the numbers.
Best of luck in your quest for your first Airstream. Actually, it may turn out to be your first and only because of the longevity these units are built for.
robnicol, you're missing the point. Not all Airstream trailers and/or owners are WBCCI members. Whether a trailer has those numbers on it or not has absolutely nothing to do with the value or condition of the unit.
Many AS owners elect to join the WBCCI and apply those number decals to their unit while other owners do not.
Membership in the WBCCI is an option and should have no bearing on your search for a trailer that is in good condition and within your budget.
You can decide whether or not to join the WBCCI after you've acquired your trailer.
I hope you have a better understanding now. If not, feel free to ask any and all questions you may have. That's what these forums are all about.
My trailer had a five digit number on it, and when I joined the club I got a four digit number. Turns out the club is going back through and reissuing numbers that are no longer current, so new members are receivng four digit numbers again.
Of course technically it still has five digit numbers on it until I get around to polishing off the stickum so I can put my new numbers on.
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I bought a trailer with a four digit number that was in use by someone else. So, when I joined WBCCI I negotiated to get another four digit number that was only one digit off from the old number.
Okay, I think I got it now. There was something on another forum about getting WBCCI to reissue a number if you buy a trailer from another member, but it sounds like that's not the only way...
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