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RichC · 07-18-2011, 12:10 AM

I am looking for advice on which airstream to buy.

I want to ask general questions like,,, is there a model or year that is more desirable?,,,

What would be the best part of the forum to ask these kinds of questions.

Thank you

TBRich · 07-18-2011, 01:56 AM

Hey Rich... You can use this thread you've started to ask your questions and get advice...

If you can give folks a little more information about how you want to use your Airstream, how many people it needs to accommodate, if you have any specific wants/needs in terms of your Airstream, older or newer...and so on... it will help us give you suggestions and get the discussion going to lead you to the right Airstream.

RichC · 07-18-2011, 04:15 AM

OK, that's great.

Well, I know I want something small.
25' or less. Preferably less.

Our old 1982 Mercedes diesel wagon needs to be able to tow it.
It has the self leveling suspension, and a 3 liter diesel engine.
I have modified the rear self leveling suspension to carry a good deal more weight.
And the engine is from an 85 Mercedes that produces near 120 HP.

The trailer only needs to accommodate two people.
And maybe a motorcycle. Haven't figured out how to fit the bike.
But i can do metal fabrication, and other work, to make it work.
Maybe a rear trailer bumper shelf, not sure...

I know from my work with old cars that some models are more desirable.
I am not interested in looks, or fashion, or designer names.
I want dependability and excellent craftsmanship, good engineering.
That is why I picked Airstream.

Probably an older trailer would be best.

I want very environmental friendly materials.
And a toxin free environment.
Basically nothing in the trailer that I could not sit down and eat a bowl full of.

I plan to use the old marmolium or cork flooring.
Organic cotton materials, and down stuffing.
Solid woods I will be harvesting from a friends property.
Linsead and toung oils for sealing surfaces.

All dc power.
Solar and diesel generator run on veggie oil.
Rainwater capture.
Graywater recycling.
Solar distillation.
Blackwater composing.
Biogas collection and use.

Very self contained.
Very energy efficient.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

ROBERT CROSS · 07-18-2011, 05:42 AM

"Very self contained..
Very energy self sufficient"
Streams are already that right from the git-go..

Use the search function above to research others experience with some of your requirements. Plenty of relevant info there.

Good luck in your new endeavor!!

FreshAir · 07-18-2011, 08:44 AM

Go small, 120 hp isn't much. Don't consider placing anything on the back bumper.
Neil.

RichC · 07-18-2011, 08:58 PM

Is there a year or model of Airstream that is generally considered "better" than others ?

**DKB_SATX** · 07-18-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC

Is there a year or model of Airstream that is generally considered "better" than others ?

Heh... you really know how to get a "discussion" going!

I think there are pluses and minuses to every size and year. If you're looking toward a trailer, except for an issue with the frame on early 22' Sport models (2002ish I think, but I don't know for sure without looking it up) the small models fare pretty well because the frames are shorter, less weight on the axles, yadda yadda yadda.

Smaller ones are also more desirable in the market and command higher prices at a given level of quality than the big trailers.

Does your 300D have a manual or automatic? And are you running the stock CVs or does someone make stronger ones? In the W123 sedan we had from the early 80s into the late '90s, those CVs were the only problem we had besides electric window lifts and high mileage making the old beast hard to start around 220k miles, and Mom wasn't towing anything with it. I don't know if the 300 has different ones than the 240, but I doubt it.

Is the '85 the turbocharged 5-cyl? Or still the normally-aspirated one? The 240's acceleration was... leisurely. It would trundle along about 80 all day long once you got it wound up, but as I recall it took about 17 seconds to get to 60 carrying just a teenager behind the wheel and half a tank of diesel.

aluminomad · 07-18-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC

I want very environmental friendly materials.
And a toxin free environment.
Basically nothing in the trailer that I could not sit down and eat a bowl full of.

I plan to use the old marmolium or cork flooring.
Organic cotton materials, and down stuffing.
Solid woods I will be harvesting from a friends property.
Linsead and toung oils for sealing surfaces.

All dc power.
Solar and diesel generator run on veggie oil.
Rainwater capture.
Graywater recycling.
Solar distillation.
Blackwater composing.
Biogas collection and use.

Very self contained.
Very energy efficient.

*wish*
this is our dream, but we had to move into ours while we are fixing her... so nice to hear others wanting to shrink their carbon footprint

ROBERT CROSS · 07-18-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aluminomad

*wish*
this is our dream, but we had to move into ours while we are fixing her... so nice to hear others wanting to shrink their carbon footprint

an aluminum trailer, one of the most environmentally unfriendly metals ever produced, kind'a of ironic.

But i admire your enthusiasm, good luck to you!!!

Holzarbeiter · 07-19-2011, 08:17 AM

I would start with a budget.
Are you planing on spending 5k or 50k?
Give yourself a weight limit.
Do you have a time limit?
Your towing capacity for the 300d is limited and since you are able to do your own metal work I would consider an old basket case 22' and under, pre wide body. In my opinion, the craftsmanship of the 50's and 60's was better. Thicker skins, better furnishings etc. These units will not have gray tanks, depending on whats been done to them might have questionable materials in them (aspestos, lead based paints etc.). 70's are the leightest of the bunch, have gray tanks, questionable interior quality. Airstreams are not able to handle any weight on the rear bumper, so a frame modification would be in order to accomidate the motorcycle, there was somebody years ago that streatched the tung to carry the motorcycle but that starts affecting tung weight.

aluminomad · 07-19-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

an aluminum trailer, one of the most environmentally unfriendly metals ever produced, kind'a of ironic.

But i admire your enthusiasm, good luck to you!!!

I look at it this way (my rationalization)... by keeping a Vintage on the rd... I keep all this aluminum from being in a ground fill by some means... or what ever they do w/aluminum trash... yeah ok... that just makes me feel better

Gringo · 07-19-2011, 09:39 AM

don't even think about the ten tires and three lead acid batteries, and how much fuel it takes to move this conglomeration down the road, or how much energy used by plugging into power instead of camping in a tent with a bicycle....

hey i said DONT EVEN THINK about it...!!

Randy Gates · 07-19-2011, 09:50 AM

Hi,
When my wife and I began to get serious we talked to folks and found that the longer the unit, the less campground access was available to us. Having to park a long trailer is not easily possible in many state park campgrounds. Spots are usually in busy areas, not more remote or quiet areas. We settled on a 20ft vintage Globetrotter. We saw the ease of parking it right away on our 1st outing. Plus a vintage has been a blast to rebuild and make our own. Also in the $10K range, affordable. Safari's or Bambi's fall in this category. Just a thought.
Randy

aluminomad · 07-19-2011, 10:15 AM

since you are planning on doing so many modifications... you might want to think of the look/style of the older models & find a good solid frame/shell... for us... we love the look of the 60's models... depending on what needs replacing... we want to go as green as possible... solar panels & a compost toilet... right now we just have electricity... waters from a well that we get from our aunt... but it's our home (we are FT)... we will be traveling cross country when we move to AZ for winter... but no camping until 2012 when we hope to do a rally & then eventually be able to boondock... I'll prolly have to rid myself of more personal stuff

happy hunting

ROBERT CROSS · 07-19-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aluminomad

I look at it this way (my rationalization)... by keeping a Vintage on the rd... I keep all this aluminum from being in a ground fill by some means... or what ever they do w/aluminum trash... yeah ok... that just makes me feel better

It's not really a rationalization...Al is one of the most commonly re-cycled metals.

Again, good luck, we applaud your enthusiasm

aluminomad · 07-19-2011, 10:20 AM

I'm just happy to have such a groovy looking house

Gringo · 07-19-2011, 02:35 PM

Buy the trailer that speaks to your heart.

RichC · 06-28-2013, 04:11 AM

The wife and I have found a trailer here in the classifieds section.

2005 AIRSTREAM SAFARI LS 25 FEET--1 OWNER - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstream Trailers For Sale

It is a 2005 Safari. But it has a lot of hail damage.
We are worried that the roof has leaks. And that it will take a lot of time and effort to seal it back up.

We dont really mind the dents, just means we will not be the first ones to dent the camper. But dont want the leaks to become a huge problem.
And since we dont know much about these campers we wanted to ask you guys what you thought.

It is an insurance salvage, so we would get a salvage title.

We would be willing to pay someone near the Houston, TX area where it is located to go and check it out for us.
We live about 5 hours away.

Would appreciate any suggestions you guys may have.
Thanks a bunch.
Rich and Tracy.

**blmitch5** · 06-28-2013, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC

The wife and I have found a trailer here in the classifieds section.

2005 AIRSTREAM SAFARI LS 25 FEET--1 OWNER - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstream Trailers For Sale

It is a 2005 Safari. But it has a lot of hail damage.
We are worried that the roof has leaks. And that it will take a lot of time and effort to seal it back up.

We dont really mind the dents, just means we will not be the first ones to dent the camper. But dont want the leaks to become a huge problem.
And since we dont know much about these campers we wanted to ask you guys what you thought.

It is an insurance salvage, so we would get a salvage title.

We would be willing to pay someone near the Houston, TX area where it is located to go and check it out for us.
We live about 5 hours away.

Would appreciate any suggestions you guys may have.
Thanks a bunch.
Rich and Tracy.

I'd be worried about some of those large dents and a salvage title has some major disadvantages as well. Go to the portal (home page) of Air Forums and scroll down toward the bottom and check out the inspectors list and PM some of the Houston members for help inspecting the trailer. Good luck but be careful.