Some of the ideas for a small trailer remind me of the sheep camp. This is a wagon with the basics that sheepherders lived in while out on the range. They are still made, though now with rubber tires, and still lived in. Many had cloth sides and a wood stove.
There is a company in Utah making modern ones with gas appliances, A/C, and other things we take for granted in an RV. See: SheepCamp.net, Ogden range & sheep camps
Here's some photos from early 20th century Wyoming:
Come to think of it... I might start looking for a cheap 70's 'Stream, gut it, shorten it, put it on a stronger frame and build a hatch on the back.
That's been done at least a half-dozen times. Check out past issues of Airstream Life. I don't remember which issue and don't have my archive handy to look for the right issue off the cuff. But there was one even made to haul a small car, IIRC. Great idea though.
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2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
Family of Disney Fanatics
WBCCI# 4821 streamin across america
Some of the ideas for a small trailer remind me of the sheep camp. This is a wagon with the basics that sheepherders lived in while out on the range. They are still made, though now with rubber tires, and still lived in. Many had cloth sides and a wood stove.
There is a company in Utah making modern ones with gas appliances, A/C, and other things we take for granted in an RV. See: SheepCamp.net, Ogden range & sheep camps
Here's some photos from early 20th century Wyoming:
Based on the website, the Scout would be cheaper and is better looking.
$30,000 for a 16' sheep camp, $30,000 or so for a Scout. Hmmm, no contest.
Sheep camp is for really roughing it when you go boondocking.
__________________
2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
Family of Disney Fanatics
WBCCI# 4821 streamin across america
( because it's not an Airstream ) ( for the record I like the look )
The first Airstream in 1936, The Silver Cloud was a canned ham. ( The 1936 Clipper was not a canned ham of course )
In the 50s Airstream made two canned hams. the Byam Holiday and the bigger Byam Traveler. ( I am not sure they were stamped with the Airstream name though)
Back off topic ( sorry Andy ..how often do we get to be heard by Airstream ) A few people mentioned interest in a very small Airstream.
I would think that Airstream might want to cater to the large number of people who don't have big trucks to tow with. A small tear drop Airstream might do well with gas prices going who knows where.
I think Airstream might sell a Scout or 2 at $30k, as long as Asia remains conspicuously out of the world RV/trailer market. The minute they enter it, like Japan did in the auto market in the '60's and '70's, all bets will be off. I personally think re-introducing the canned ham style is cool, but I have to believe that they can be made and sold for a LOT less. I hope it's a US company that does it.
Based on the website, the Scout would be cheaper and is better looking.
$30,000 for a 16' sheep camp, $30,000 or so for a Scout. Hmmm, no contest.
Sheep camp is for really roughing it when you go boondocking.
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This is a Wilson Sheep camp made in Midway UT. This was custom made to my specs and cost $13,000 seven years ago.
This has been posted before, but Airstream experimented with a four-wheeled trailer in the early '80s. This one was sold several years ago... I believe it was an empty shell and just used for towing trials. It is the "sheep camp" concept. I like to think of it as a monocoque-construction hay-rack!
Roger
__________________ AIR 2053 “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” Robert Heinlein 1994 Airstream B190 & 2006 Bigfoot 25B25RQ
You know, the more I think about it, the more I think this is a really neat niche product, but my thoughts are if one is looking for an entry level Airstream, perhaps the resurrection of the Argosy line would be a far better thing. The shape has brand recognition, it was from my understanding the first real attempt at shedding weight. Perhaps Argosy could be the new "entry" level Airstream....again.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
Perhaps Argosy could be the new "entry" level Airstream....again.
I'd have to think that there would certainly be a market for the Minuet line, and at least the 20' front dinette, and the 22' rear door. They were light-weight and really did have their own appeal that continues today with downsized tow vehicles. With updated interiors and construction materials including something similar to the honeycomb floor, I'd think they'd be pretty hot in today's market.
Roger
__________________ AIR 2053 “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” Robert Heinlein 1994 Airstream B190 & 2006 Bigfoot 25B25RQ
I'd have to think that there would certainly be a market for the Minuet line, and at least the 20' front dinette, and the 22' rear door. They were light-weight and really did have their own appeal that continues today with downsized tow vehicles. With updated interiors and construction materials including something similar to the honeycomb floor, I'd think they'd be pretty hot in today's market.
Roger
Wholeheartedly agree.
If you read that thread "report from Jackson Center":
You'll see the scout is discussed. They spent about $45k building the prototype. With the Argosy line, they could still build a prototype, but it would cost less (since they already have a lot of what they need) and it may just be a bit more aerodynamic than the scout. I hear the name Airstream, I immediately think about a "twinkie" shaped vehicle. I saw this and thought at first what SOB builder is thinking about this....until I realized yes it's Airstream doing this. Scout is a cute concept, but I would hope that Airstream would remain true to it's core and not build these boxy looking things. I was very glad when they stopped building the box mohos. Interstates are cool, but they just don't have the same thing as an Airstream....an Argosy could once again achieve both lightweight and the iconic traditional look, feel and touch of the icon and still meet the needs and goals being tried for with things like the Scout....of course these are just my opinions. I had opinions in October 2003 when I asked to pay extra for the "Classic" style windows in my Safari that I custom ordered. I was told by the factory and the dealer flatly, no, no way, not a chance. Six months later the Safari SE lines came out that was a blend between CCD and standard Safari interiors, and yes, you guessed it, with the Classic style windows. Another example, 15k BTU A/C units. Few, if any Safaris had it back in October of 2003. I requested it and was given a bit of flack from the dealer about how it would cycle and I also had a few conversations with the factory about it (just like the windows). My take was that a 25' Classic (which the 15k unit was an option) is dimensionally the same as a 25' Safari. For a upcharge it was finally installed. Guess what, I looked at Colonial Airstream's site in the coming model years after I bought mine, Airstream of Arkansas site and a lot of other dealers and you see the 15k unit on many 25' units that are not Classics......who really knows what Airstream will do with the Argosy line, if anything. If they do come out with it, I want cut this time around!
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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