Airstream Scout Concept Vehicle

[Airstream Marketing]

Dear AIR Forums Members,

It's with great pleasure that we look to the future, especially in times like these where technological changes are not only allowing us to build lighter trailers but also allowing us to communicate with you all through the forums and collect information through web based surveys. We are please to announce the Scout concept trailer and would like to hear your thoughts on this product in our survey located at this link. This is an excellent opportunity weigh in on product development, we look forward to your feedback.
Meet Airstream's latest innovation…the Scout concept trailer.

Highly advanced design tools, liberal use of advanced composites and assembly methods have fused to create a vision of the RV of the future. The result of a collaboration with noted automotive designer Bryan Thompson, the Scout is an experiment in pushing the boundaries of lightweight design while showcasing Airstream's signature style and cutting edge engineering.

Tipping the scales at just over 2,000 pounds, the Scout concept is the first travel trailer of its kind to achieve a truly breakthrough lightness without sacrificing the full feature amenities typically eliminated by other so-called "lightweights".

Learn more about the Scout and take a survey please visit this page on the Airstream website.

Regards,

Airstream Marketing

[Andy R]

That's exciting, we appreciate Airstream, Inc. coming to the forums to get feedback on this new innovative product. I know I can speak for most of our members that we appreciate your soliciting our input. I'd like to encourage all our members to take a few moments to fill in the survey (link). This is our chance to give back to the Mother Ship on new product development, go take the survey today!

[Minnie's Mate]

In these days of Greener being the buzz word and with the President announcing yesterday that GM would begin making lighter, more fuel efficient vehicles and the requirements for higher C.A.F.E. standards looming overhead resulting in less powerful tow vehicles, it is wonderful to see the RV industry, I speak specifically to our mother ship Airstream in this, is willing to take a proactive approach to the future need for lighter towables.

I had the distinct pleasure of touring a fully restored 1955 Wally Byam Holiday two weeks ago at a forums rally in N. Georgia and thought the trailer was an excellent example of Wally's dedication to quality and desire to produce an entry level travel trailer with as many of the comforts that Airstream is/was known for at the time as possible. I commend Airstream for revisiting the past and looking at the same kind of concept again. Having said all of this, I must say that, while the Scout looks a lot like the Wally Byam Holiday, it doesn't really look like an Airstream and any one not familiar with Airstreams and Airstream's rich history in the first place wouldn't have a clue that this was an Airstream product if they saw it in the campsite next to them. I'd love to see this thinking carried over to a "Silver Bullet" trailer, but I don't think there is going to be much of a market for the Scout in this "canned ham" version as there was a very limited production run of the Wally Byam Holiday and, while hundreds more were sold, there was a somewhat limited market for the Argosys of the '70's and 80's. If these techniques could be transferred effectively to the traditionally shaped Airstream, you would be improving on an already classic design that has had a reputation for economic towing (the shape that reduces drag and need for horse power by 30% per Airstream marketing for the last 40 or so years) and would further cement Airstream's status as the most green RV available in the U.S. Also, should Airstream ever wish to get back into the drivable market, a hybrid power plant would be a good place to start.

Kudos for thinking ahead and producing a concept to explore ways a travel trailer can be made lighter using state of the art and readily available products and materials, but unless it looks like a iconic silver bullet, I am afraid it will be like the Base Camp with a too small of a market to justify production.

[REDNAX]

What's the frontal area measurement in sq/ft? Also, description of suspension/brakes would be appreciated.

It is a very good-looking trailer.

[BIGED52]

*****Wow! What a design! Lightweight and forward thinking design are included in this new concept! Great to see that Airstream is looking to the future with new ideas and based on historic lessons in use and function. A real great looking coach. Ed

[Jim & Susan]

I just took your survey. There a couple of functions that don't seem to work right. Check the "other outdoor activities" portion.

The (really) good: Way cool design. Looks good and hopefully the systems are tight. Lightweight is great. Glad to see Airstream here on these forums. This is the biggest thing on the internet Airstream related.

The (not so) bad: Too pricey. I would think that Airstream could come up with a design that costs less than the vehicle intended to tow it. Who is your target demographic? It sleeps only two adults, right? Understandable for the size, but that takes me back to price. "Green" and "technologically advanced" don't mean much if you can't afford to buy it. Remember, it's a camper, not a fighter jet.

Just my 2 cents.

[redstart]

how much is it?

it's perfect for us - two adults, one kid. i'd like to see a pic of the 'bench' at the front they mention. but... i really really love my 3/4 ton truck, can i tow it with that?

[Aage]

I chuckled to myself when I looked at the picture and read the press release: why does the future look so much like the distant past?

This is the type of trailer ("stick and tin") that Wally left behind when he brought out his now-famous shape in trailers, isn't it?

Sorry, unless there's a lot I missing, I just don't get it.

[Janet]

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.

[Gen Disarray]

I wonder if they wouldn't be better off pulling out some of the designs from the old narrow bodies out and re-issue some of them updated with newer components. The vintage units are light and they have the distinctive Airstream look- that thing has a distinctive Hormel look.

If they could put out a new model of, say the Trade Wind, in the $30K range, I think they might do some good.

[Lumatic]

Cool Beans. I'm not going to ask how much as I enjoy the challenge of rebuilding (I'm cheap and lower middle class) But if I bought new this one would be in the running. Other design throwbacks would be cool, no doubt. But I kind of like Hormel anyway. SPAM lives forever.

[redwords]

One of my favorite floor plans is the 16' CCD with the permanent
rear bed and front dinette. This allows someone to relax ( napping or
TV watching ) while anyone can be at the dinette. Separate areas day or
night. Just like home.

[SteSpot]

Nice to see you are thinking outside the box or maybe the bullet....is it possible to put the insides into a traditional Airstream shape at that weight? pj

[overlander64]

My immediate reaction was that this coach combines two earlier approaches to mid-priced entry level coaches -- the basic economy possible with the "canned ham" construction methodologies (Byam Holiday) and the use of selected sophisticated materials to save weight (Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre). I do, however, wonder whether there would be enough of an audience in the likely price range to secure a market spot -- as a "niche" vehicle, it is attractive, but how many would be ready to pay the entry premium?

Kevin