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04-03-2012, 08:27 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Blacksburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
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Future Airstreamer here to learn
Hi everyone! I hope you'll forgive a wannabe among your ranks, but I hope to own an Airstream one day and have begun researching my options in the meantime. I have also chosen Airstream renovation and restoration as a topic of research for one of my current college courses (second degree, not that young I'm afraid) as another excuse to do so. I'm fascinated by the different approaches to restoration and how diverse Airstream owners (and their trailers) are and hope to learn from your stories. I also hope to be on the road in an Airstream sooner than later!
Incidentally, does anyone know what happened with Steve Hingtgen's 56 Caravanner? His blog is a great resource, but ends in a cliffhanger at 2008. I want to know what she looks like!
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04-03-2012, 08:31 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2008 19' Safari SE
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 950
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Welcome to the forums! We've lots of wannabes here, and lots of ex-wannabes as well!
You could cover a lot of ground with Airstreams. From American design to American business to traffic and infrastructure and how these things move into the lives of every day people, AS covers a wide range of subjects.
__________________
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." - Catherine Aird
Blog: 300 Miles or 3:00
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04-03-2012, 08:32 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1997 34' Limited
1970 27' Overlander
South of Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,709
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Welcome, and good luck in your hunt.
__________________
Craig and Carol
1997 34' Excella 1000
1970 27' Overlander, International
2009 Ford F150 5.4L
ProPride hitch with 1400# bars
AIR 41028
TAC GA-8
WBCCI 10199
Past President Southeastern Camping Unit (12)
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04-03-2012, 08:43 PM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Blacksburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I am and art history student pursuing a masters degree in Material Culture, aka "the study of stuff", and have always been in love with Airstreams.
In the world of interior restoration and in regard to my personal/academic research, I find them to be a bit unique.
With old buildings and homes, most restorers aim to exactly replicate the original interior, and in general, to do any less is near sacrilege. I've found vintage Airstream owners are a bit more flexible with their interiors and dramatic changes are a little more accepted. Is this true?
I should probably move this to the restoration forum- I'm sure I'll have more nerdy questions.
Anyway, thanks again for the welcome!
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04-03-2012, 08:57 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,226
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Bluerider
We were all wannabes once; so no apologies needed.
Welcome to the group.
Sounds like an interesting subject to study- Airstream, not perfect, but the best travel trailer in the world!
I have a 66 Tradewind that is mostly original. I think it is one of the best looking trailers that Airstream has ever made (but I am biased). I only make changes if it will make it better. If not I leave it alone.
Dan
Dan
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04-03-2012, 11:44 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2008 19' Safari SE
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 950
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Material Culture is perfect.
__________________
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." - Catherine Aird
Blog: 300 Miles or 3:00
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04-04-2012, 07:03 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1972 27' Overlander
Penokee
, Kansas
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 339
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Sit back and lean!
Hello Bluerider and welcome,,,
I was on a search for 5 years until a 72 Overlander came home with us a few months ago.. The group here opened my eyes to lean what too look for good and bad.. We are not the type of folks with money to burn so our budget was slim to enter the Airstream world.. Gave up on the idea more times than I care to count.. Even got a SOB 5th wheel and was so glad to see it hauled off when it sold the joy I cant explain in less than 10,000 words..
What pushed me over the edge was a RV show we saw in Kansas City the end of January 2012.. Sticks and staple wonders.. All will be with a 3 or 5 owner in less than 10 years.. We walked into a new 2012 Airstream on display and it was a game over to look anywhere else but for an Airstream of any age.
The Overlander we got had issues,, mostly from the PO who did not fully understand them but did work on it anyway.. No major damage but was a reason to be able to discount its value to make the deal..
So yes there are some improvements or upgrades one can make that will add value,, but just random cutting and drilling holes without the wisdom given here can get you in trouble and down grade your investment value real fast..
Ask questions,, and be open to lean and some day we will see pictures of your new alum baby..
Sodbust
__________________
2012 Ram 1500 Tradesman Hemi, 4x4, 6 speed
20mpg empty, 14 mpg with 27' Overlander.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
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04-04-2012, 07:06 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
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And the search tool here on the web is your best friend!
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
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04-04-2012, 08:40 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2011 31' Classic
Nellysford
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,067
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blue . . .
Like you, we we're wannabe's about this time last year. This forum is The Most Helpful place on the planet. I know you will enjoy exploring all the data in here. The people are First Class.
You are also perceptive about the diversity of AS owners. I'm proud to be part of such a bunch of neat people. Welcome from another Virginian. Get yourself to several AS rally events, even without an AS, to ask people to share their stories with you. Feel free to contact us if you are adventuring 2 hours north one day.
__________________
Greg Heuer, Spirit of Virginia Airstream Club
2011 31' Classic Ltd. - The Silver Otter III
2013 GMC Denali 2500HD 6.6 DuraMax - Sierra Blanca
TAC VA-18 | Life Mbr ACI 1927 - Spirit of Virginia Club | AIR 53869
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04-05-2012, 12:06 PM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Blacksburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
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Thanks guys! I will definitely check out some rallies in VA.
I think before I look at Airstreams I should look at another tow vehicle. I have a Honda Element, which I love, but is the complete opposite of aerodynamic. I would feel like I was flipping Wally the bird by towing one of the most meticulously designed aerodynamic structures of the 20th century with a Lego.
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04-06-2012, 07:49 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2011 31' Classic
Nellysford
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,067
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Blue . . .
Yep, we also decided to upgrade our TV after we got the 30-footer, loaded her up, and hit the road in the old GMC 1500. That's OK. There are dozens of threads about TVs and hundreds of opinions. Work on finding the right "fit" so as not to over-buy or under-buy when the time is right.
__________________
Greg Heuer, Spirit of Virginia Airstream Club
2011 31' Classic Ltd. - The Silver Otter III
2013 GMC Denali 2500HD 6.6 DuraMax - Sierra Blanca
TAC VA-18 | Life Mbr ACI 1927 - Spirit of Virginia Club | AIR 53869
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04-06-2012, 08:16 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluerider79
I would feel like I was flipping Wally the bird by towing one of the most meticulously designed aerodynamic structures of the 20th century with a Lego.
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That made me smile; it's not often you see that sentiment expressed here as the aerodynamic properties of the tow vehicle are so often lost in a fog of acronyms, weights and ratings.
I like to think that part of my consideration of a tow vehicle was that it should be reasonably slippery in the air, not just for the aesthetic effect, important though that is, but also for the ease of towing and the improved gas mileage.
Good luck with your research!
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