I would like to see Airstream really downsize a trailer to include just a two facing sofas that fold together for a bed, a wardrobe and a small front kitchen with a burner, wash basin and ice chest. No bathroom. Weight < 1000#. Possible light enough to be towed by a Harley Tri-Glide.
I saw this home-made example awhile back on this Forum and thought this would be popular if mass produced. I love this little thing! With Airstream's Hydro-Form process, these shapes could easily be duplicated.
OK Airstream engineers. Here's your challenge : How small and light weight can you guys design a basic bare-boned Silver Bullet for 2 adults? List options (dealer installed) and weights separate for customers who want a little more.
I know you can do it!
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Bob
--------------- "THE BAUXITE BUNGALOW"
2004 22' CCD
1997 F-150 WBCCI#1430 AIR# 4749
"I would like to see Airstream really downsize a trailer " Me too!
Hey Bob, thanks for the pictures of the tiny trailer.
I am concerned that the Airstream Marketing guy (that didn't leave his name), may come to have second thoughts about his decision to journey into Forumland. But it is fun to have access to an Airstream ear So,
Welcome , who ever you are. Dave
[quote=mandolindave;705060
I am concerned that the Airstream Marketing guy (that didn't leave his name), may come to have second thoughts about his decision to journey into Forumland.
[/quote]
LOL..you might be right...just got this in from the mothership...some folks must have thought the word "Concept" meant to call and order one TODAY!!!!
"It has come to our attention that the meaning of the word “concept” was not fully understood to mean “not in production.” As a result there have been inquiries into the availability of the product and that you might have been caught unawares."
Please Note: The Scout is currently not in production and no date has been announced as to when or if there will be a production model.
I agree with others, why introduce a new trailer that does not look like an Airstream. Even the Cisita Rv trailer looks more like an Airstream than this. Airstream and aluminum just go together.
I hope Airstream will reconsider making it. People are downsizing and looking for value. Gas prices are going back up. Smaller tow vehicles might soon be the norm. A smaller sized Scout with lavish styling and materials and a hefty price tag might not be what people are interested it. The Teardrop manufacturers can't build their trailers fast enough. If I were a trailer manufacturer, I'd be looking at a smaller design that could be towed behind a small car, motorcycle or trike. There are alot of those little trailers on the road now. Big RVs are sitting on the sales lot and their companies are bankrupt and out of business.
Airstream is moving in the right direction investigating smaller trailers. I just don't think they are all the way there yet.
__________________
Bob
--------------- "THE BAUXITE BUNGALOW"
2004 22' CCD
1997 F-150 WBCCI#1430 AIR# 4749
My buddy just bought this cute little Shasta. She's an 09'. This unit features electric only with no gas appliances. He seems to love it.
I toured one of these at the '09 RV show in Atlanta. It was nice, well designed, and seemed well made, but even with its retro styling, it was not an Airstream.
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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
When I saw the photos and information about the Scout on AirForums several months ago, Airstream Scout Prototype, I commented how similar it is to Thor's TAB. This has a few more bells and whistles, but very similar indeed.
Tricia
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Mike & Tricia 2008 Safari Sport 17'
Sometimes a step backwards? as a concept vehical can appear to be, allows one to reevaluate a product to plot a course forward. It appears AS has accomplished its goal for feedback from the masses. Interesting, using an apparently old design to get feedback on new ideas! jim
Sometimes a step backwards? as a concept vehical can appear to be, allows one to reevaluate a product to plot a course forward. It appears AS has accomplished its goal for feedback from the masses. Interesting, using an apparently old design to get feedback on new ideas! jim
Airstream is doing a couple of things really REALLY right with the Scout prototype... first is that it's a prototype. It was built to explore what they can do. It is apparently aimed not at the "silver bullet" market that most of us here live in, but more at the new "canned ham/teardrop" market that a few posts have alluded to in this thread so far. I'd guess that their feedback would be very different and undoubtedly overwhelmingly positive if their marketing department had posted this on one of the sites aimed at that style of trailer.
Second, they're actually using the prototype to gain consumer feedback here and find out where their target audience for buyers would most likely lie. Their attempts to market the Basecamp, and all of their more traditional RV-market offerings have been to increase market share in the larger RV market, not merely to throw new products at their existing silver-bullet base with the expectation that we'll all rush in to buy their new stuff that is obviously not their traditional Airstream fare... remember that the painted Argosy line was widely panned by silver traditionalists for many years as being "non-Airstream" too. Each design has a market... the market for this trailer just may not be the traditional "silver bullet" buyer... but that doesn't make the feedback from them any less valuable.
I think that the feedback here so far will prove valuable for them to continue to evaluate if they want to go into production with the Scout, and if so, how best to market it and to what audience to market it.
Again, Kudos to the mothership for putting this out to our members here for feedback!
I think some of the new design features can and will be used in a more traditional AS design. What you see on the outside can sometimes hide what a mfg is really interested in getting feedback about. jim
There is yet another company that manufactured a luxurious aluminum canned ham. ( Star ....something )
People aren't buying nessesities like cars and winter coats, even if they still have their jobs. Our great country will bounce back, perhap less reliant on petrolium, perhaps with much better batteries. The Scout, which I will call the Holiday, might be a perfect medium for a trailer with an entire roof made out of solar panels. Maybe a built in telescopic mounting pole for a wind turbine. While I am on a roll. How about an exterior propane line for an outside grill, with a quick release connector. Those are just MY visions of the future, as I only boondock. Notice, that was one of the questions on the Airstream survey. ( Do you dry camp or go to campgrounds ? )
I believe the Basecamp was an attempt to tap into the younger market, ( age was another question on the survey) who don't have much money, and who don't mind sleeping in the back of a truck, or in a tent.
Is Airstream Marketing guy ( who didn't leave his name ) thinking about today, or the future? If he is thinking about today, I might suggest manufacturing an Airstream greenhouse, as my people are staying home more ( how often do you camp was another question on the survey) and growing their own food. Look at the jump in seed sales.
I wonder if the Airstream Marketing guy ( who didn't leave his name )
is rolling his eyes, over my naivete'. On the other hand, he may want a mandolin playing consultant. By the way, I will require my own campsite at the Ohio plant. Dave
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