the european unit is designed into the right direction, if you look at our enviromental changes concerning fuel economy and lighter towing cars/SUV/trucks. Fuel consumption is all we have to think about in the next years... seems like this in no point in france... Yes, the euro Airstreams are narrower (more like the old 60's trailers and I think the Argosys (not sure on that one!)), they have euro appliances, like cassete toilets (which can be converted to a blackwater tank toilet by an adapter, as long as they are from thetford), they have a hotwater heating system installed (which is way better then the old-fashioned hot-air system), they are light weight and have a low hitchweight and (yes!) a surge brake system, which works great over here... As on the argument of american icon... unless you take the frame from germany (which is way better than the old steelframe (for these units!)) everything else is american made/assembled... so where is the point???
I think the Euro Stream shows which way the future goes, not because it is european, but made for future markets... I would already have bought one, but they are way way way to expensive for me... So I'll stick with my 1971 Ambassador, I love him, but for travelling I would prefer a larger Euro Airstream... BTW, I heard of plans for a wider version, hope that one will come, as my win in the lottery :-)
CU
Bjoern
__________________ Björn H. Adam
Wolfenbuettel, Germany
AirstreamForumsMember No. AIR 5535
Proud Owner of a 1971 Ambassador 29' called "Dave"
-A stranger is a friend you just haven´t met before!-
unknown irish
As popular as the '63 Bambi is I don't know why Airstream just doesn't make it again, with updated appliances and a small grey water tank. That Bambi can be towed by small cars, has the advantages of the smaller fiberglass trailers, but has better head room.
As popular as the '63 Bambi is I don't know why Airstream just doesn't make it again, with updated appliances and a small grey water tank. That Bambi can be towed by small cars, has the advantages of the smaller fiberglass trailers, but has better head room.
...and is way better looking than a fiberglas trailer...
good point!!
Bjoern
__________________ Björn H. Adam
Wolfenbuettel, Germany
AirstreamForumsMember No. AIR 5535
Proud Owner of a 1971 Ambassador 29' called "Dave"
-A stranger is a friend you just haven´t met before!-
unknown irish
I think that what is the interest in the EURO Airstream is the size, the interior upgrades, and the over all feel that is (not to mis quote) lacking in the standard American Airstreams....
If you are realy interested in a euro airstream to the USA.
First come over here and hire a trailer and a TV.
So you experiance towing with surge brakes and a real low tonque weight.
I'm happy with the electrick brakes and the 800 pount tonque weight.
We still need to learn a lot overhere I find the US system a lot saver and easyer to tow.
I actually DID purchase the Safari Sport and Love it. Its lightweight and looks as good as any of the Regular Airstreams out there and certainly gets loads of attention wherever I go camping.I think what I really like about the European models are that the smaller trailers still have large double beds , a great bathroom layout with AWESOME shower enclosures that are easier to access and great fittings throughout. Do yourselves all a favour and go take a look at the European Airstream site and see what I'm talking about. I'm a young Airstreamer, living the Californian and LA lifestyle , but also a Foreign born (South African) citizen who grew up 'caravanning" as we call it in SA and in other parts of the world. I think in the US we have a different idea about "camping".Here its about having all the luxuries with you no matter where you are, whereas overseas, the whole camping experience is a lot more rustic and rudementary therefore the need for huge trailers/caravans just really does not exist. Take that into account as well as the fact that the roads are a lot smaller/narrow, and cars are a lot smaller too than the huge tracks and SUV's we (myself included) drive.
A few other posters have mentioned the whole 'green' side of things too and I feel that most of us treasure the environment more so that the regular guy in the street who does not go camping and therefore we should be more conscious of petroleum/gasoline consumption and opt for ANY options that are more friendly to our environment. I hope Airstream is taking note of this posting and realising that there are MANY of us here who want more energy efficient legendary trailers that retain all that which makes Airstream unique, yet sets the trend when it comes to Stylish interiors, lightweight (not flimsy) construction and energy efficient systems.
I for one would buy Such and Airstream in a Heartbeat...hence the fact that I bought the Safari Sport shortly after it was released and have had no regrets yet (apart from the corrosion issue I mentioned in another post). I really do appreciate all the input here and the contributions from the Airstream guy as well.
I would be rather interested in a lighter AS here. While I'm lucky enough to be able to borrow a stouter tow vehicle than my wife's Honda Odyssey, it bugs me that there really isn't a product in AS's line that can be towed "wet" within its weight limitations. (Keep in mind, this is a 4400 lb, 240hp, stability control equipped tow vehicle - not exactly a shrinking violet. Same with the glut of Nissan Muranos, older Toyota Highlanders, etc out there.)
After shopping and reading the forum and others for about four months, I'm pretty much down to two choices: an Argosy Minuet or a T@B teardrop. Making the decision between vintage (roomy, but lots of things to update or replace, floor rot?) and new T@B (cute, easy to deal with, but much smaller inside and no bathroom) or T@DA is something I've been wrestling with.
While I understand that European ASs have different technologies, that Argosy Minuet had common-to-the-US stuff and weighed under 2500 lbs. From what I can gather, they sold pretty well in the late-70s. I'm not sure why something like that couldn't be built today. It's not like trailers need all of the airbags/crumple zones/increased structure and sound deadening that has made cars progressively heavier.
I can't quite put a finger on it, but the current Safari Sport 17' just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it's the non-CCD interior, or the lack of front wrap windows (which I see they've added), or the monolithic-ness of the bathroom wall across the back of a small trailer. To each their own, of course.
The way I see it, the RV market demands lots of different solutions to different needs and (let's face it) wants. The market for a very light yet upscale trailer seems to be unfilled. (I've looked at Casitas and Aliners, and they don't have the same appeal.)
A friend has just taken delivery of a European spec Airstream - beautiful machine. The furniture is even better looking that on the web (he has the twin bed version) - much lighter inside than any we have seen in the US. We have always loved the outside of Airstreams but not the inside - now we can have the best of both worlds. They really are very well built and designed and boy oh boy do they look good inside and out. Certainly has persuaded us to look at purchasing one. Biggest problem is that there is quite a waiting list for them (especially the one we want the 534, 22 ft version) and the price, our friend paid about UK Sterling 54,000 for his, the 534 works out at about UK Sterling 42,000 (think that is roughly US dollar 64,500 - don't know how that compares with US prices.
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