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leeloo1119 · 09-06-2018, 02:44 PM

Hello everyone,

My name is Ashley and I'm excitedly awaiting the arrival of my 2006 19 ft. bambi with bunk. It's arriving in two days all the way from California to Texas. We'll be squeezing two adults, two kids, and two dogs into our little gem and I can't wait to take her for a test drive. My husband and I are in our mid 30's and our kids are 8 and 10. We've decided to name our airstream Charro because she's tiny and spicy!

With the crazy west Texas weather around here (hail, crazy wind, lots of dirt) I'm trying to figure out what the best way to store her. We've talked about building a wooden covering for her in the backyard on a concrete pad so we can use her as a guest casita and pet her once in a while, but I'm wondering if finding a storage unit where she can be truly indoors would be better. We talked about covering her but after a cursory search the answer from the community was a resounding NO. (For other newbs, apparently it scratches the aluminum and people will yell at you if you try it. Haha)

Another aspect of storage I'm struggling with is interior storage. Since our trailer has a bunk there's no cabinets over the bed at all, so we're going to have to be extra creative! Any tips and tricks would be much appreciated! For example, where does a person fit a trash can??

rmkrum · 09-06-2018, 02:50 PM

For a lot of ideas about inside the Airstream storage, etc, have a look at the "Small Space Living" thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...ml#post2152617

Lots of good information on a rather extensive thread.

For storage of the AS itself, many have put up pole barns with partial walls to allow good ventilation while keeping flying and falling 'stuff' off them. Poke around and try a forum search using the blue box at the top with "Airforums" already clicked in it. Try a search for 'pole barns' for example.

Welcome to the Air Forums!

Steven62 · 09-06-2018, 02:58 PM

2 Adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs how about the Class A you pull it with! Wife say’s that’s mean. Pull it with a pickup so you can put all the extra supplies and trash in the bed. Get lots of plastic bins.

You don’t need to shelter an Airstream it’s aluminum, cover the tires.

Wrangler · 09-06-2018, 03:08 PM

I built a 20’ x 40’ building before I retired. It was sized to store our boat, collector cars and our 19’ Scamp. Our 19’ Bambi conveniently fits the same space as the Scamp.

I believe that if you live in the middle of the country, it is important to protect your stuff from the elements. In the case of the Airstream especially hail.

ROBERT CROSS · 09-06-2018, 03:19 PM

Our 2003 Classic...still looking pretty good.
Keep it clean and waxed/sealed and enjoy.

Bob
🇺🇸

CRH · 09-06-2018, 03:20 PM

I back it in my backyard that's surrounded by a privacy fence. Its level and convenient to an electrical outlet.

majorairhead · 09-06-2018, 04:32 PM

If I had the ability I'd build a full structure, if not a full structure, I'd build a roof over pad and be fine with that. Either one of those, for me, would be preferable to sitting exposed to the elements.

I'd consider wiring 30 or 50 amp service if possible.

I'm lucky to have this right next to our home...

GMFL · 09-06-2018, 04:33 PM

Mine sleeps at home only steps away from my street side door.
ITS A CURSE...... Because I’m always playing with it

Full hookups right at home.

pcskier · 09-06-2018, 05:12 PM

I store in a private covered storage unit which also holds my related camping stuff, but it's $140 a month and there is no choice since HOA won't allow storage at home. I'd opt for the concrete pad with hookups (now if you can or just add later if cost is an issue) with a roof (again, now or later) like you suggested and Ronnie (gmfl) has. Once you're past the initial cost, then it's free, you have a guest house, and it's right there to work on, get ready for trips, just 'hang out' in (oh believe me, you will!) and protected from the evils of the sky (sun and hail in your case). 2nd choice would be to store at home uncovered like Robert does. I have friends with a 2007 and you can't tell it apart from mine, and they kept theirs outside in a mountain environment (summer sun/winter ice and snow) with no problems.

SpinWhite · 09-06-2018, 05:35 PM

30 amps, water and septic dump.

Utah Man · 09-06-2018, 05:37 PM

FWIW - we went the pole barn route (picture below) but bigger than what was needed for just the AS. I started a thread on this type of structure to gain insights from forum users. Lots of good ideas but we held back on some suggestions. Probably more than you had in mind but we are happy with it - nice setting too.

Click image for larger version

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Regards - Ron

SpinWhite · 09-06-2018, 05:42 PM

30 amps, water and septic dump.

uncle_bob · 09-06-2018, 05:58 PM

Hi

We store ours at an indoor storage facility. It runs us $100 a month. It's un-heated and there is no electric. It's just a big barn to park it in.

Why store under cover:

1) The trailer is *mostly* aluminum. There are various things poking out here and there. The gap between the trailer and the "thing" gets sealed with a sealant. That stuff has a finite life. How long ... who knows. Maybe three years maybe five years. It goes quicker in the sun / ice / rain / snow than "indoors". Cost to strip and re-seal is not on the "cheap" end of things. Tires do have issues as mentioned above.

2) No matter where you live, hail happens. It does not happen often. It rarely happens big enough to do damage to an AS. Better to not have to worry about it.

3) If you are out in the wide open, wind blown "stuff" can happen. Yes, this assumes a few things about where you are. Having a chunk of tree blow into (or fall down on) the trailer isn't going to do it any good. Again, how common is this? ... again, better not to have to worry.

4) Security is a highly variable sort of thing. If you are a mile off the nearest road, parking in the front yard won't attract much of anybody. If you are parked on an urban storage lot, lots of people will notice. Indoors is less likely to be noticed ....

5) If you are going to do work on the trailer (and you probably will) .... indoors is so much nicer. No worry about the rain / snow / whatever. Tear into the project and spend a few days working on it.

Obviously the downside to indoors is it costs money. The storage "thing" needs to be sturdy. Having it blow down on the AS is not good

. It also has upkeep requirements. If it "just fits" this trailer, it won't fit a larger one.

Lots of issues ....

Bob

GMFL · 09-06-2018, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Man

FWIW - we went the pole barn route (picture below) but bigger than what was needed for just the AS. I started a thread on this type of structure to gain insights from forum users. Lots of good ideas but we held back on some suggestions. Probably more than you had in mind but we are happy with it - nice setting too.
Attachment 321753
Regards - Ron

Beautiful!

runswithdogs · 09-06-2018, 07:10 PM

Ashley, we keep our new 25RB in a dedicated RV storage facility east of Atlanta. It's not cheap, but we believe it is well worth the cost. They pull the trailer for us, check the basics (water, tires) and turn on the fridge and return it to the warehouse when we return. It's plugged in while were away. We don't have to winterize, and it's 100% protected from the elements.

If we need to do a little work on it, or spend the night before an early morning departure, they have overnight spots for that purpose. It's amazingly convenient.

Even so, just as we did when we had a boat in the water, we still check on it at least every two weeks.

You can learn more at nirvc.com; they have locations in Dallas and Phoenix too.

AFTER TAXES · 09-06-2018, 07:42 PM

soooooo, worth 4.200 dollars, it thanks me everyday

Mollysdad · 09-06-2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Man

FWIW - we went the pole barn route (picture below) but bigger than what was needed for just the AS. I started a thread on this type of structure to gain insights from forum users. Lots of good ideas but we held back on some suggestions. Probably more than you had in mind but we are happy with it - nice setting too.
Attachment 321753
Regards - Ron

OMG! How lucky you are to live in that beautiful setting!

__________________________

Mine is stored in a covered facility that I had the MH in. The downside is it's 25 miles away and expensive, the upside is I have 30 amp power, concrete floor, and the Sun never shines on it. The lot has wash and dump stations and is very secure.
Rated for 120 mph wind, but if a hurricane is coming, me and Molly will scram-a-voux.

HHPJ · 09-06-2018, 09:50 PM

Gated Community...

Boone · 09-07-2018, 01:09 PM

We store ours in a "Barn" we built a couple of years ago.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/imag...attach/jpg.gif

StuartsDad · 09-07-2018, 03:46 PM

Sounds like good times ahead for you and your family with Charro. I think you have your answer that since you have the space and ability to build a roof over a concrete pad on your property for your AS, you will have a near ideal set-up. If I had the property and didn't have an HOA, I would do the same. I am responding to be the one AS owner who feels you can cover an AS with the right product and procedures. I 100% agreed you cannot slap a generic RV cover an AS, so my research led to a custom made Sunbrella cover by CalMark Covers. After a lot of correspondence with them, I decided to give it a try, and so far, very pleased. This is just my opinion from my experience with my trailer, not a recommendation for others.