New to Airforums - Buffalo, NY area

[Bibi]

Hi all, glad to have found you. I'm looking for my very first Airstream trailer to convert to a business. Am considering buying a 2015 but seems wasteful to rip out the bed and other components for modification. I'd love to know if anyone can recommend some master craftsmen in my area (within 200 miles of Buffalo, NY) that know Airstream inside out. Thanks and Happy New Year!

[Becky B.]

Colin Hyde is in Peru, NY and is an Airstream guru. Google him....he has a busy shop & specializes in them.

[Bibi]

This is so great, thank you Becky! I'll be sure to give Colin a shout

[AnnArborBob]

I second the Colin Hyde recommendation. He has a small shop and is busy (but it's worth working with him) so don't give up!

colinhydeairstream@gmail.com

[Mrjkq]

Hi Bebi & welcome to our group. I grew up & spent most of my pre retirement life in Orchard Park, NY. You are about 350 miles from Jackson Center, Ohio the mother ship of Airstream. They will repair or retrofit any Airstream with the factory expertise you are looking for & all parts needed along with carpentry all onsite. Enjoy & good luck with your venture.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Hello from Hoover Beach

You are well advised with Mr. Hyde.

We had no authorized AS dealers in NYS from about 2004 to 2013 until Nomad,(Hyde) and Colton RV started up several years ago.
Colton has two locations, Nia. Falls Blvd in N. Ton, and Southwestern in Hamburg, forget Hamburg, as they have never had more that one on the lot, (zero currently), NT has seven.

Bob

[andreasduess]

With the Canadian dollar as low as it is, you may wish to come north and talk to CanAm RV in London, Ontario. They do great, competent, work on Aistreams.

[moosetags]

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

[Bibi]

Thank you Bob, Joe, SuEllyn & Brian! Joe, re: the mother ship in OH I will call them today and see what they are willing to do. Bob, re: Colton - they led me to believe HQ in OH wouldn't do anything for me on any retrofit. Everything through the dealer (huh!).

AndreasDuess, yes, I've been tracking Canadian exchange and that is a great suggestion - thanks to everyone for your kind suggestions!!

[Foiled Again]

Welcome aboard.

Just two more suggestions - call your local zoning department to find out if what you want to do is legal - and what kind of inspections you have to have done to get a license. If it is legal in your area, (thinking food wagons here) talk to someone who is already doing it to get the "real world" vision of what it'll cost. Airstream repurposing DOES create a memorable image for any business, but space - or more accurately LACK thereof - may mean that a purpose built food truck is more practical.

Suggestion #2 - be prepared for sticker shock. Customizing an Airstream for business purposes isn't going to be inexpensive.

Happy trails and keep us informed.

Paula

[woodfox45]

You might want to check out pandstrailerservice.com in Helena Ohio they do conversions and may have a trailer in stock that might fit your needs ph # 419-638-6261

[Bibi]

Thank you Paula and @woodfox45! Paula - you are right, sticker shock indeed. I've been doing my research and have a few hoops to jump through I am absolutely hooked on Airstream tho, and seems well worth the effort! Happy New Year everyone - be safe out there.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Bibi

Thank you Bob, Joe, SuEllyn & Brian! snip..... Bob, re: Colton - they led me to believe HQ in OH wouldn't do anything for me on any retrofit. Everything through the dealer (huh!).!

That sure sounds like Colton alright...without a clue.
I don't even bother stopping in at the Southwestern store anymore. The lot is normally packed, with one lone 22' Sport buried out of sight.

From what I've heard on rumor line, JC has limited what they will do on the build, used to be if you wanted to pay the $$$$$ they would do quite a bit.

Bob

[Bibi]

Hey Bob - yes, raised some red flags here. I'm told Colton can/will do anything to my specification, for a pretty penny of course