It's great to see the factory interacting with probably the most focused group of Airstream product owners around... the members here! Welcome!
It's also great to see some real design innovation. It sounds like some real R&D time was spent on materials, equipment, design, and layout on the Scout prototype. Well done!
I hope many of our members give you the valuable feedback you're seeking. I already did the survey!
Roger
__________________ AIR 2053 “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” Robert Heinlein 1994 Airstream B190 & 2006 Bigfoot 25B25RQ
Nice! I love the step The return to tambour under the sink is also a very styly choice.
When we were first considering buying a trailer and looking through white box after white box, I kept asking the sales people for something like this. Kudos for putting one together.
My wife liked the steps too and wants to know how we can get a set for our coaches.
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Carl, Elaine & Bailey Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
1987 34' Excella 1000 Double Door Savannah
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed AIR #14487 WBCCI #7429
I'm not feeling it. Don't get me wrong... I think lightweight, eco-friendly, modern materials, etc., are good things. As noted here, however, the design is fairly derivative of the "canned ham" trailers. I also agree with the Base Camp observation. I just don't think the potential market for a retro-looking, "green," micro-trailer with a sticker over $30k is that big.
Welcome to the Forum. I appreciate the quest for feedback, though I'm not sure you are going to like everything you hear. I looked through the survey and noticed in the questions about what you look for in an RV, quality and reliability were not included. I consider this an indication of Airstream not being concerned with these issues, something that many Forum members are concerned with. If you follow some threads, many potential buyers have decided not to buy a new Airstream because of QC issues and will be looking for an older one or another brand.
It's nice the company is looking at a green trailer and a lightweight trailer. However, applying this technology to the classic style that has made Airstream successful would be a better way to go. Or you could simply market the European trailer—narrower, lighter, thicker window glass for bad weather, hot water heat. That would a more cost effective way to go. Composites can be used in an aluminum clad trailer—certainly better insulation practices are available now, but you continue to use fiberglass. Others are offering thermopane windows—why isn't Airstream?
This is a nice enough exterior design, but hasn't it been done over and over? That doesn't mean it can't find a market, but what sells Airstreams is the classic exterior plus the reputation for a long lasting, premium trailer. Why will people buy something that doesn't look like an Airstream? With an average or below average reliability now, the company should be working on quality control, updating interior designs (we like the aluminum interior, but the partitions look like they have contact paper on them), coping with the computer age (a place for laptop, printer, other such gear, perhaps a satellite provider for TV and computer), fixing screwy things that persist (poorly placed water pump, wires under propane cover, for ex.), owning up on corrosion. And reduce prices, not increase them.
Your core brand is the classic Airstream and that's where you are weak. Re-do that instead of wasting time and money on a different line. You would be competing with the Bambi. I wonder how that would work out? This may be as successful as the Basecamp, maybe even less so.
Humm, A quote from the Airstream website:
"The Airstream philosophy has always been and will always be, " Let's not make any changes — let's make only improvements!"
Maybe the Scout could be an improvement but I would say it qualifies as a change in shape. Don't you?
I like the sausage look over the canned ham!
Jeff
Am I missing any? I'm pretty sure that Thor has other divisions that ALL of these were better suited for, and many would have at least survived at. The Scout, under the Airstream banner, has a pre-determined destiny - it joins that list.
Why is it that Airstream is always looking to make something other than an Airstream? The Scout's future is solidly cemented in Airstreams past. Quick -- sell it to another Thor Division, and this time, give them all the glory and fame (sic)...
Even Wally knew enough to make his Holiday under a different brand. It's clearly his creation, but even Wally knew it wasn't an Airstream.
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65GT beat me to it! Working for a company that puts great emphasis on brands, I think that the Scout should fall under a different brand under the Thor umbrella. The Scout is much more reminiscent of something Earthbound RV (Earthbound RV | Earth Friendly, Lightweight & Innovative Recreational Vehicles | Middlebury Indiana) would build than an Airstream. You can play with the shape a little bit but I would still preserve the feel of an Airstream if you are going to name it an Airstream.
I also share CrawfordGene’s concern over quality. As someone who was planning on buying new until I found out about the quality issues, I can tell you that we are real and you are really losing business. The good news for me is that I will still end up with a nice vintage Airsteam. The bad news for you is that my money will be going into someone else’s pockets.
That being said, I echo everyone else’s comments praising you for asking the feedback from such a dedicated owner (and potential owner) group.
Cool looking coach, but not an Airstream. I have to echo "bring back the older narrow body and floor plans.." The light weight and minimal approach worked. I think that is why there is such a large "vintage" following. Heck if I can scrape the money together I will jump on a brand new addition of my Overlander.
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Tedd Ill
AIR#3788
1967/8 Overlander International Twin w/ bunk/s. Yes, four kids and two adults in the thing. Happy wife, happy life.
AIR Forums Members,
Thanks for all the feedback you've definitely given some great feedback!
We'll look into the radial button issue that was mentioned.
Call it the Holiday. Go retro. That might stop the "It's not an Airstream " I am an Airstreamaholic. But I am looking for a canned ham to use as a guest house. I really like the retro design.
While you are at it, How about an Airstream teardrop? Way under 1000lbs
Way under ten grand. My reasoning is that there might be more people like me. I really only sleep in my trailer, and I cook outside. And I really can't afford a trailer at $40 K. I am considering a teardrop for a long distance road trip. It would be nice for quick overnighters as well.
I think RVs are like tools. You don't just own a hammer. You need a saw,
screw driver, pliers as well. BTW, I have an Argosy 20'. I ( actally my better half) would like a motorhome, a canned ham, and a teardrop to round out my stable. A 34' would be great to park down south for the winter.
I realize that Airstream doesn't want to build product that doesn't sell.
Its a cute trailer for sure, but I think it will go the way of the Basecamp. IMHO airstream should produce something in the size and shape of the Wee Wind that weighs in the 2K range or less and can be pulled with a smaller tow vehicle. Any new design needs to maintain the "Classic Airstream" aluminum construction using the 2024-T3 alloy with fay surface sealed seams. Airstream should look back to the past to survive the future.
You might want to look at the threads here on the basecamp.
My posts on the basecamp went something like this.
The Basecamp is very very cool. But you could customize a utility trailer
for less than half of the price of a basecamp.
The Basecamp weighs almost as much as my Argosy 20' but it doesn't have a shower, heater, etc.
The Basecamp is very very cool. But it's not a great utility trailer. It's not a great camper. and if you put pontoons on it, it would make a not so great boat. (But I sure would like an Airstream Patio Boat )
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The return to tambour under the sink is also a very styly choice.
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