Advice needed...

[parzam21]

Greetings,
Hope all is well. I'm in need of advise from longer term streamers, especially those that spend a significant amount of time in there airstream.
In April, I will be starting a 2 year internship that will have me crisscrossing across America. Instead having to find and switching residence every 2 to 3 months, I was considering purchasing a used Airstream and living out of it for the next two years.
I have found a used 2006 26' but wanted to reach out to the community for you input.
My questions range from living comfort year round in an airstream to what I need to look out for when purchasing the airstream; Campsite vs trailer parks; insurance; warranty etc etc etc...
Any all and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

[SteveH]

I see this is your first post, so welcome to the forum.

You have asked for so much data, I doubt I'll be able to give you all your answers, but I'll try to start you off.

The first thing I would advise is you really don't want to live in an Airstream, or most any other RV for that matter, where it gets really cold in the winter.

If you are going to be in a location for more than a couple of days, you will want hook ups for all your utilities, so probably an RV park. Also, if you are traveling between work locations, the travel time might also be a consideration for you, as you cannot make as good time pulling a trailer as driving a car solo. Then there's the tow vehicle....will the vehicle that will comfortably and safely tow the trailer be one that you want to drive daily?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[moosetags]

Welcome to the forums. We're glad to have you with us.

What you are proposing is quite doable. North Dakota in the winter would be tough, but still possible. Campground is probably best for full time living for the hook-ups.

Over the past nine years, we have spent over 1,500 nights in our Airstream. We have had two 25 FB's and a 23FB. The situation is very livable for two people.

By the way, there is no 2006 26. There is a 25 and a 27.

Brian

[dbj216]

Welcome parzam21. You have found the best sight to get your questions answered. There are many Airstream experts on these Forums. Unfortunately for you, I ain't one of them. But here are my first thoughts on your idea of living full time in an Airstream.

There are many variables, but living full time in an Airstream will likely cost more than renting a studio apartment. I would not think an Airstream is a money saver. But it might be more fun!

Airstreams get darn cold below freezing. Water and sewer connections are a problem below freezing. I couldn't recommend living full time in an Airstream in a Minnesota winter. And I won't pull mine in snow or icy conditions. Too dangerous.

RV parks and trailer parks are tightly packed and sometimes crowded. Trailers are sometimes 10' apart. Privacy isn't a strong suit. We pull the curtains and move on first thing in the morning. I wouldn't enjoy a long term stay in most of them.

Have any Airstream you might be considering inspected carefully. There are folks on these Forums who volunteer to inspect Airstreams for free. Mid 2000 Airstreams are darn good, but there have been problems with rear floor rot due to poor sealing of the body to the floor at the rear, and there have been problems with unsightly aluminum "filiform" corrosion. I've even heard about some CCD models with frame problems. Bottom line, get an expert independent inspection so you know what your getting.

On the other hand, many people live full time in their Airstreams and love it. If you don't have to be in cold climates during the winter, your idea may work given enough money.

David

[parzam21]

Do I still need an inspection even if I am buying from an Airstream Dealer?
And what about safety living in an airstream by myself. Has anyone had any problems and issues?
Apologies if my questions are asinine.
Do I get warranty from the deal? If I remember correctly, some have posted here previously that the warranty is worthless...

[SteveH]

If you are buying used from a dealer, there probably will be no warranty. New, yes, but probably not on a used trailer.

We've been traveling with a trailer for more years than I'd like to admit, and have never had a problem with security. Sometimes some folks we would rather not be around, but no real issues. But, we like to stay in nicer parks if not in state and national parks. If you stay in an RV park for a month or more, there is usually a discounted monthly rate.

You will find campgrounds, RV parks, and trailer parks. Get yourself a Good Sam or a Woodall's reference book and they will tell you the ratings and amenities of most all parks.

You asked about insurance, and we get insurance from the same company that provides our vehicle insurance, but not all do. I've been told that USAA will not sell RV insurance and will refer you to Progressive.

[cwf]

Dealer may not be important if you are 'traveling'. I would bring an 'inspector' with me to help spot things needing attention... and that I may not know what to look for.

Have you ever travelled by or camped at all in any kind of trailer?

[parzam21]

@CWF... I have camped many times in tents and a handful of times in motorhomes. I can save thousands going with a motorhome or other brand trailers, but as i mentioned, I will be living in this for the next 2 years and will need as close to a 4 season trailer as possible. I've been told nothing is built quite like an airstream.

[cwf]

what areas will you be travelling to? will you be in cold weather.. as in freezing? Cold is not bad.. Freezing.. yes...

There are some 'SOB' (some other brand) which havegreat cold weather capability. Wish there was a 'quick list' for you to review. Maybe a good idea would be to contact a local Airstream group... maybe you could visit with them?

[parzam21]

@cwf... Ohio in April, followed by Maryland in August, then NYC & back to Ohio. I will be there during winter season, which mean freezing weather. The rig I'm contemplating purchasing is a 2006 27' from an airstream dealer in SoCal. He is raves about the 4 season capability of the airstream. But I am wary of all dealers.

[rmkrum]

We've used our 22' airstream in sub freezing weather. Its doable with hookups for power and keeping propane tanks full. Our International has tank heaters to keep water tanks unfrozen, and if its too cold we run on our fresh water tank after disconnecting the water supply line. Insulated skirting around the botom of the trailer also helps--we did not need it. We're also in the SoCal area. Our winter shot was in far northern Alabama, and it got below freezing regularly on that trip. Wife, daughter, 4 smallish doggies and myself was more a space issue than a heating issue. YMMV.

There are lots of threads on the forums about low temperature camping in an AS. with a little preparation it can be done. My son lived in our AS for over a year in San Antonio, and it was not bad. He did stay in a compground and used the campground shower facilities as much as possible on that trip. We've since upgraded the AS to have a tankless water heater, better battery charger, and bigger batteries, but if you are in an improved campground (rather than boon docking) you can do fine. PM me if you need more local advice...

[cwf]

You 'can' ... but... will require a lot of careful use.

Maybe someone here will post about living FT (full-time) in harsh winter weather like you are planning.

[ROBERT CROSS]

As noted above....without a LOT of preparation, an Airstream in not the best option for Winters in the NE US of A.


Much easier here....



Lived there back in the day when it was mostly trailers....


Bob

[rodsterinfl]

There is another thread where someone, like you was asking the questions regarding Airstream as a 3 or 4 season trailer. They conclude that no trailer is that good for temps in the teens or below; however, one of the better options is the Arctic Fox. Here is the thread. Note how they discuss the lifestyle of living in a trailer in COLD temps, venting, dripping water, using water sparingly, etc.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f462...ing-36906.html

[kb0zke]

Also check out Open Range, especially the Journeyer models. If you are able to handle a 5'er, check out the DRV coaches. They have 3.5" walls, so more insulation than the normal 2" on others.

As far as cold weather, we've been living in our Foretravel MH for a year now in SW Missouri and central Oklahoma. We have 50A service, so we run a couple of electric heaters for most of the heat. Remember that 50A service is two 50A legs, for a total of 12,000W, while 30A service is one 30A leg for 3600W.

Since you will be staying in one place for 2-3 months at a time, a towable is a better choice than a MH. As was pointed out above, you won't be able to drive as far or as fast with a coach in tow as you can in just a car, so keep that in mind.

Many campgrounds offer a weekly or monthly rate that is considerably cheaper than the daily rate. You may or may not save money using a coach vs renting someplace, but you may find campgrounds to be easier to find than a 2-3 month lease on an apartment.

[Justin Case]

Rent, 1st and last, security deposit, furnished, unfurnished, background/credit check, what's available, when? Not gonna commit to a 1 year lease, stay at a hotel.

Land Yacht, stay in the parking lot till asked to leave.