factory new shell- 2007 Classic?

[boondockdad]

is it possible to buy a factory new 31' classic, without any interior?
anyone done this for custom fit-out?

[Minnie's Mate]

Andy of Inland RV reports that Airstream will no longer sell shells to individuals, even through dealers, because of liability issues. Per Andy, only customizers such as his firm with established relationships with Airstream can purchase them. My understanding is that Airstream, Inc. never has sold direct to the individual, only through their dealer network.

[Airhog1]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

Andy of Inland RV reports that Airstream will no longer sell shells to individuals, even through dealers, because of liability issues. Per Andy, only customizers such as his firm with established relationships with Airstream can purchase them. My understanding is that Airstream, Inc. never has sold direct to the individual, only through their dealer network.

That is correct...we also as a dealer have to go throught the commercial division to get one of these units...the labor rate goes up quite a bit because it is not made on the assembly line from what I've been told.

G

[Silvertwinkie]

What has been posted is 110% correct. A shell cannont be had directly or even in most cases through a dealer.

I have been at the custom shop right next to the repair center and it's a small crew of folks making the magic happen.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

What has been posted is 110% correct. A shell cannont be had directly or even in most cases through a dealer.

I have been at the custom shop right next to the repair center and it's a small crew of folks making the magic happen.

Originally Posted by gmorris

That is correct...we also as a dealer have to go throught the commercial division to get one of these units...the labor rate goes up quite a bit because it is not made on the assembly line from what I've been told.

G

Silvertwinkie and G, I understand an up charge for a custom order, but it seems they would ultimately charge less because you don't get the kitchen and bathroom and other furniture. I would think they would just pull the unit before anything goes in rather than have a custom shop build the identical unit without the interior furnishings. If they customize the interior, that's different, but I don't see what's so customized about no interior other than it doesn't have one!

At that rate, finalcutjoe would be better off buying a holdover unit on a dealer's lot in the length he wants and take all of the interior out himself and sell the individual pieces he doesn't want to use in his custom interior on e-bay.

[Airhog1]

My thoughts exactly!

G

[Jim & Susan]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

.....At that rate, finalcutjoe would be better off buying a holdover unit on a dealer's lot in the length he wants and take all of the interior out himself and sell the individual pieces he doesn't want to use in his custom interior on e-bay.

And he would have a captive audience right here on this forum for his left over bits and pieces!

Jim

[Anon]

I want all of the PEX plumbing!

[Silvertwinkie]

I think the issue is simply boils down to liability. No automaker or other RV builder will give you a shell that I'm aware of either.....

[Stefrobrts]

How could selling a shell be a liability issue? If you fit it out poorly and it doesn't tow right, that would be your own fault. All they have to do is guarentee the unit tows as delivered, everything else is the owner's problem. Crying about liability is just a cop out.

[Silvertwinkie]

I read or was told that there are building codes for RVs just like houses. If you bought a shell, built it poorly and something happened, there may be some level of liability on the company. Sure it sounds crazy, but in the lawsuit happy world, everybody wants something for nothing and litigation lawyers chase emergancy vehicles for a living. In that type of world you can understand why it's no longer done.

Back in the day Airstream use to do it, before the lawyers got out of the asylum.....

[Airhog1]

Maybe they could start selling the "Kits" again!

G

[2airishuman]

sorry g...

they never actually sold kits...

just plans.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/249815-post89.html

cheers
2air'

[boondockdad]

It seems more likely, to me, that it’s simply A/S not wanting a fit-out trend developing with their product. Liability just doesn’t hold water. Even if you’re talking ‘RV building codes’, private use and ownership supersedes any of that.

It appears a semi-custom fit-out is about the most feasible thing, since I can’t get a shell. I think I would take a beating on attempting a parting out of the interior.

One of the tools that is employed in what I do for a living is HDS (high definition scanning), this is where an existing building/structure/anything is scanned with a laser, and a three-dimensional model is generated with accuracy to .0001”. I then use the HDS model to generate a fully custom interior model- complete with materials, colors, lighting, etc…
Fabrication of the custom interior components can be done in large part by going directly to CNC. Complete visualization of design to perfect fit and installation.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

It seems more likely, to me, that it’s simply A/S not wanting a fit-out trend developing with their product. Liability just doesn’t hold water. Even if you’re talking ‘RV building codes’, private use and ownership supersedes any of that.

It appears a semi-custom fit-out is about the most feasible thing, since I can’t get a shell. I think I would take a beating on attempting a parting out of the interior.

One of the tools that is employed in what I do for a living is HDS (high definition scanning), this is where an existing building/structure/anything is scanned with a laser, and a three-dimensional model is generated with accuracy to .0001”. I then use the HDS model to generate a fully custom interior model- complete with materials, colors, lighting, etc…
Fabrication of the custom interior components can be done in large part by going directly to CNC. Complete visualization of design to perfect fit and installation.

This is EXACTLY the technique that the Prevost upfitters use when they design an interior for the $1million + custom bus-based MoHos they produce. The shell comes in from Prevost Canada with NOTHING on the inside, not even a steering wheel (it goes back with the delivery driver).

Then the owner sits down with a team of CAD/CAM people and designs the interior and chooses materials. All this is fed to several large CNC controlled mills that cut EVERYTHING going into the shell. Both windshields are removed to get everything in, and assembly begins. As you can imagine, everything is a PERFECT fit!

Airstream would do very well to adopt this as a manufacturing technique, as would most other RV manufacturers. Fit/finish issues would all but dissapear!!!

[boondockdad]

Originally Posted by lewster

This is EXACTLY the technique that the Prevost upfitters use when they design an interior for the $1million + custom bus-based MoHos they produce. The shell comes in from Prevost Canada with NOTHING on the inside, not even a steering wheel (it goes back with the delivery driver).

Then the owner sits down with a team of CAD/CAM people and designs the interior and chooses materials. All this is fed to several large CNC controlled mills that cut EVERYTHING going into the shell. Both windshields are removed to get everything in, and assembly begins. As you can imagine, everything is a PERFECT fit!

Airstream would do very well to adopt this as a manufacturing technique, as would most other RV manufacturers. Fit/finish issues would all but dissapear!!!

i'm currently in the early stages of converting a '76 sovereign into a mobile sleeper and a/v studio using this workflow. my client was actually the one to suggest possibly getting a factory new shell....
million dollar plus, eh... maybe i should up my fee....

[Minnie's Mate]

Even if Airstream would sell a shell only, why would they sell it cheaper than a completed unit? Where's the profit in that?

You wouldn't expect Cadillac to sell a shell of an Escalade to the guys at West Coast Whatever on Pimp My Ride fame so they could pimp it up for one of Hollywood's elite would you? The client would have to go to a dealer, purchase the Escalade of their choice, take it to the custom shop, and eat the cost of the interior finishes and upholstery, etc. You'd just have to tell your client he/she has to do the same. I think that is reasonable.

My earlier rhetorical question about it should be cheaper to do it from the regular production line had more to do with why have a second line to run shells only for Airstream's commercial division to outfit instead of pulling one off the line before it is fitted with the traditional interior components that you find on the dealer's lot. Seems that savings would be taken by Airstream instead of bearing the cost of running a separate line to build a shell when that same shell could be built on the line and turned over to the commercial division.

[flitzwhopper]

I don't intend to hijack this thread by my comment...
I have observed that the longer units of a recent manufacture are selling for a pittance compared to their smaller relatives. Wouldn't it make sense to buy a unit that is a couple of years old and demo what you don't like and keep what works?

[Kent415]

how can I contact them? sounds perfect for my needs....
thx
K.