Hello there!

[bc_seattle]

Hello Airstream World!

My wife and I have been pining for an airstream for a very very long time. We have two great kids, one of which heads to college in two weeks, and if all goes well the other won't be far behind.

After much obsessing between the 16' and 19' we're currently shopping new and used 19' Internationals. (Have many questions about the Net Carrying Capacity of the 19' -- or lack of I should say -- when full of fluids + solar but will post in separate forum.)

In addition to getting the Airstream, we have two obstacles we're working through:
- modifying our city garage so the 19' will fit in it (height challenged)
- getting a tow vehicle (many more questions here…)

I am thrilled to see such a vibrant online airstream community and have already gleaned a ton of valuable insights from trolling the forums.

In addition to the 19' and a good tow vehicle my perfect Airstream dream will include one or more of the following:

- surfboards (of the long variety)
- bicycles
- skis
- a motorcycle (maybe with a surf rack) (any adv rider members out there?)
- running shoes/hiking boots
- a camera
- quality instrument to start a campfire
- proper liquids for a proper happy hour
- friends old and new to share our airstream-adventures-to-be
- family time

Have really enjoyed reading about restoring old Airstreams as well as getting them off the grid (solar, composting toilets, etc). Not ready for a restoration but love reading your postings.

You all are all living the dream! Look forward to joining you all in the not-to-distant future.

bc_seattle
Seattle, WA

[StreamRollin]

Welcome BC, that's a long list of gear to fit into an Airstream, but if you poke around the forum long enough, you'll find a suitable solution for hauling most of your gear. Welcome aboard and happy hunting! We weren't going to "restore" or touch our 1999, but have found that we'll be 'upgrading' a couple of things just to make it ours ... you'll do the same. Revamp and renovate are two separate things enjoy your search!

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by bc_seattle

- quality instrument to start a campfire

Are you a lousy musician and plan to use a guitar as kindling?

Or do you mean a really good match?

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

Are you a lousy musician and plan to use a guitar as kindling?

Or do you mean a really good match?

A lousy piano would start a lot more fires.

Welcome to the forums, seattle.

[bc_seattle]

Thank you for the warm welcome!

StreamRollin -- I agree that is a bit of a long list of stuff, especially for someone that wants to "live small" but what's the saying... you don't choose your hobbies, they choose you.

Wayne&Sam -- yes unequivocally I am lousy musician. In fact is is dubious that I can fairly even call myself a lousy musician. I aspire to be a lousy musician. But no that wasn't what I meant by "instrument." I was thinking of upgrading from the lousy disposable lighters that I use to start a fire to one of those cool all weather refillable lighters.

VSWingfield -- I've nowhere near figured out real story on carrying capacity on the 19 footers that we're looking at but I'm pretty certain that even the lightest lousy piano would put us well over our limit.

Again -- thanks all for the welcome.

BC

PS -- would love to see any pictures of front bumper motorcycle racks on a TV pulling an AS. Am I wrong in thinking this would help balance out the TV (assuming you can handle the weight)?

[rock60]

better go with a 35 footer

[Del Gurney]

Hi BC_Seattle:
I'm in your neck of the wood's (I keep Tinbad in a barn in Ferndale; near B'ham)...and do what I do in Vancouver and Seattle.
When you mentioned the "toy's you would like to accompany you on your future "walk-abouts" it brought to mind a Pick up towing a 25' AS heading South I saw the other day on I-5.
These people had some serious toys. Get this.....a Boston Whaler boat of about 17' if I guessing properly (I'm a boat guy so I know my Whalers) on a custom rack over the bed AND the cab!! Holy Cow, I though to my self.....he HAD to have a crane to do that.
Moral of the story is if you want to carry stuff where there is a will there is a way. From the information I've gleaned from this excellent site it is considered "improper" to drill holes in your sacred trailer for roof racks and the like.
So I'd say, get a cool flatbed and give us all something to ogle and envy.
But if you don't take pictures and share with the forum,,,,well pardner..it "don't count for much here abouts". We all live vicariously at times.
PS: as for a fire starter, go to REI off I-5 just North of down town Seattle (you can see them from the high way).....they've got numerous safe and wilderness style inventions plus all the other stuff you could possibly need.
Best of luck finding your trailer
Del