Buying an Airstream?

[Nisire]

Morning‘
I am considering buying an airstream. I do sheepherding with my four Border Collie‘s and I’m on the road a lot. I want something that will not shake apart in a couple of years. I have been traveling in a 1999 Scamp for the last 10 years, I just sold her on Thursday. Question? Are airstreams worth the money? I do camp in farm fields and mostly boondock. The farm fields are nothing horrible to drive in, mostly level fields. I have been looking at all types of campers, just very concerned with other brands of campers as they seem to be so mass manufactured at this point and I am concerned about the quality/quality control. Even with looking at the new ones, I find major things wrong while they are just sitting on the lot. I definitely want a double axle as I had a blowout on the expressway with my single axle three weeks ago. All‘s well that ends well and it ended well, but I do want a double axle. I pull with the 2016 suburban. Any help/information would be greatly appreciate it as I will be making my decision soon
Thanks!
Nisi in Ky

[Countryboy59]

They’re all mass produced, even airstreams. You’re gonna find things wrong.

A dual axle won’t protect you from blowouts. Only good tires and maintenance will.

Suburban will pull most airstreams just fine.

[Zardoz]

Check out Escape Trailer Industries. Very high quality; I’ve had two.

[GettinAway]

Going across a lot of open ground, I’d be concerned about ground clearance. You can usually go to a larger wheel and tire (depending on AS model you choose). Plus there are lift kits available for an additional 3” of clearance. Some models have the dump valves hanging pretty close to the ground behind the rear axle.
I’ve also read more than a few posts about cabinets and wardrobes falling off the walls or coming apart. We’ve had good luck with ours, once again I think it’s model dependent, and of course how fast you go through the rough stuff. I certainly wouldn’t put AS in the “indestructible” or way out there adventure ready category.

[Nisire]

With a double axle though, I have three other tires to rely on. I am looking at a 25 foot flying cloud. I can tell 7500, it is 5500. Thoughts?

[Nisire]

I have, I am in Kentucky and there is nothing on the eastern side of the continent. Everything is on the western side and to get one I would have to drive out there and bring it back. If they bring it it is three dollars a mile !!!!!

[Wayne&Sam]

I've driven my 20' and 25' FC on farm fields with no problem. Common sense rules.

BTW, We just brought this boy home from Montana a couple of weeks ago

[AtomicNo13]

You have already answered your question, just sitting there on the lot!

[Acheron2010]

If it was me, I would look at Nash travel trailers. Very well built and designed for a bit of off-road use, affordable and long lasting.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Price a lift kit into the cost of the Airstream if you go that way. It'll give you another couple inches clearance without much in the way of downside.

I have driven a very much stock 30' Classic through a (harvested) corn field. It worked fine and noting was damaged. There was a bit of mud to wash off. There are also a lot of rally held at grass fields. People seem to still go to them.... As noted above, common sense rules. Scope things out before you get in trouble.

Bob

[Foiled Again]

Suggest you also look at Oliver. Double hulled fiberglass. 22 footer is dual axle.

Manufactured in Tennessee. Very boondock friendly. Repairing a serious ding on an Airstream? Hideously expensive and very few places that can do it right. Fiberglass repair? Find a marina, or a surfboard shop, or a bathtub/shower repair place.

Airstreams are glampers. Do they cost too much? Does dating a supermodel cost too much or is it worth whatever it costs?

[MikeandCarol]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Suggest you also look at Oliver. Double hulled fiberglass. 22 footer is dual axle.

Manufactured in Tennessee. Very boondock friendly. Repairing a serious ding on an Airstream? Hideously expensive and very few places that can do it right. Fiberglass repair? Find a marina, or a surfboard shop, or a bathtub/shower repair place.

Many Oliver owners do extensive boondocking in back country areas. They are rugged and would do fine being towed across a field. For fiberglass they are expensive, but if you can afford a new Airstream you could also afford an Oliver. They are mad in Hohenwald Tennessee, just south of Nashville.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Four BC's...do they have their own trailer? 😍

We have Shown & Water Trial'd one PWD at a time for 30+ yrs. The most consistent concern...cleaning the AS after the show. Especially if the grounds were less that ideal.

We are retired now...so we have more time for cleaning. 😂


If your mind is made up about an AS, at least get one of the shiny interior models, probably much easier to wipe down with a wet towel. 🥴

Sweet Streams...

Bob
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