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switz · 11-21-2016, 03:04 AM

There is a world of difference between a level smooth piece of concrete in the showroom and a lumpy non-level camp site.

While the target audience for the base camp has been mentioned as the younger crowd, those that drive a desk all week may not have the strength that those that work in manual labor have. Unfortunately, life takes the bloom of youth away over time and what I could lift and move today at 71 sure is an ever decreasing percentage of what I did without even thinking in my 20s.

One thing that folks need to do is actually lie on those thin multifunction cushions that also serve as the evening mattress. There is certainly lacking storage for a pair of mattress toppers inside the Basecamp unless they were blow-up.

The interior will be great for a minimalist single or couple, but kids would really be a challenge even with the canvas rooms on a rainy day.

bikechuck · 11-21-2016, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switz

One thing that folks need to do is actually lie on those thin multifunction cushions that also serve as the evening mattress. There is certainly lacking storage for a pair of mattress toppers inside the Basecamp unless they were blow-up.

The interior will be great for a minimalist single or couple, but kids would really be a challenge even with the canvas rooms on a rainy day.

I do think this is more of a couples than a family TT. That said my spousal unit and I are in our mid 60's and we are both "smitten" by this trailer. One thing that will help us is that we are moving up from tent camping and we have only previously known sleeping on air mattresses on the ground. On our last camping trip I upgraded my wife's air mattress to a large cushy thermarest and that will be our first attempt at a supplemental surface for the cushions in the basecamp. I think that this will work and I will likely carry the thermarests in our TV as they are so big and fat they do not roll up very easily or very small.

**Rocinante** · 11-21-2016, 10:24 AM

Yes indeed, I was just thinking that a good-sized Thermarest would be perfect on top of the basic cushions, should one be needed.

This trailer, while luxurious in some respects relative to a tent or even a pop-up camper, is still much closer to the "camping" end of the spectrum than the "glamping" we do today in our 27FB. You know what? That's cool too. I can't wait to see other folks using these babies out in the woods next time we go camping, and talking with them about their experiences.

"When people show you who they are, believe them the first time." - Maya Angelou

Ontario1 · 11-21-2016, 12:51 PM

I wished they had gone with full sized cushions, but I suppose the debate had to do with durability. Although, I have a feeling - as evidenced by the progression of this model from the more utilitarian one of old - that they may find more demand for them as time goes on.

r1alvin · 11-21-2016, 12:56 PM

I think the pads will be okay for me. 5 years in the Navy assigned to a Destroyer sleeping on a 4 inch pad inside a coffin sized rack next to 80 other stinky sailors makes the Basecamp sound like a honeymoon in vegas to me LOL. Hell, half the time we slept on deckplates on our radar rooms using our mustang jackets as a "comforter". I could even splurge and chuck a body pillow in their to help with sleep posture

r1alvin · 11-21-2016, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjk

Should be able to use a Rhino Blaster Pro to clean out the tank and hose.

Also interested in how easy it is to move by using a hand dolly.

I wouldn't count on those devices doing a good job cleaning your tank....but I suppose its better than nothing. Would have been real nice if they just installed a cleanout.

https://youtu.be/dfTd0Slt_cU

Gaël · 11-22-2016, 04:31 AM

Hi everybody,

I'm not sure if you can answer me but in europe, no one has the answer...

Do you know if the Base Camp or a similary from Airstream will be sold in europe ?

Thank you very much

RandyNH · 11-22-2016, 04:39 AM

Looks like it.

Airstream Germany

http://m.airstream-germany.de/html/wohnwagen.html

Gaël · 11-22-2016, 04:47 AM

Thank you !
I've just had an answer from Airstream France. It can be available on demand at 43.900 euros (around 50.000 USD)
The first AS begin at 85.000 euros (around 100.000 USD)

Bborzell · 11-22-2016, 08:23 AM

Possible starting point for Basecamp. Airstream Torpedo in 1930.

field & stream · 11-22-2016, 08:37 AM

Re: "Possible starting point for Basecamp. Airstream Torpedo in 1930", there is no doubt about it. The original designers (at Nissan Design) have publicly credited the Torpedo as their inspiration.

denver133 · 11-22-2016, 11:15 PM

I remember reading someone posting on here that the Basecamp doesn't have an inverter. So it can't be used off the grid. I'd go back and find the post but the site is super slow tonight.

I did download the manual for the basecamp and it seems that there is a converter onboard which allows for the USB ports to work off the battery. Am I mistaken? I don't see Airstream sending out a product like this that wouldn't work off grid. Especially if the solar is an option to charge up the batteries during the day.

We are heading to our local dealer to actually try out the bed with the two of us. I'm 6'2 and my wife is 5'10 so we want to make sure that it's got the room for us.

Anyone have anything you want us to take photos of or check out?

Bborzell · 11-22-2016, 11:15 PM

I would appreciate hearing if the lockable console to the left of the entry as you come in has a 12V cigarette lighter type outlet.

Thanks.

**Rocinante** · 11-23-2016, 11:14 AM

An inverter and the ability to camp "off-grid" are two unrelated issues. Basecamp has a converter and it has battery power. So, you can definitely camp off-grid, the only real question is how long the battery will last.

You only need an inverter if you want to turn DC power into AC power, which would be used to power things that must be plugged into a wall socket to work.

Would love to hear your impressions after you look at one!

"When people show you who they are, believe them the first time." - Maya Angelou

field & stream · 11-23-2016, 01:29 PM

[QUOTE=denver133;1879231]

We are heading to our local dealer to actually try out the bed with the two of us. I'm 6'2 and my wife is 5'10 so we want to make sure that it's got the room for us.

Hi Denver133 -- we are particularly curious about: 1) whether or not you fit in the bed crosswise, 2) how fussy is it to "construct" the bed, and 3) how tricky it may be to make the bed.

Thanks......

Bborzell · 11-24-2016, 08:43 AM

[QUOTE=field & stream;1879419]

Quote:

Originally Posted by denver133

We are heading to our local dealer to actually try out the bed with the two of us. I'm 6'2 and my wife is 5'10 so we want to make sure that it's got the room for us.

Hi Denver133 -- we are particularly curious about: 1) whether or not you fit in the bed crosswise, 2) how fussy is it to "construct" the bed, and 3) how tricky it may be to make the bed.

Thanks......

One of the dealer videos shows a fellow who says he is 6'3" lying crosswise about midships about a foot from the bathroom wall. He comments that he has adequate room in this sleeping position.

We went from dinette to bed in a minute or so. Replace the long table legs with the short ones (there is a quick release built into the base in the floor), reset the table tops, unfold two center supports toward each other and rearrange the cushions to fill in the gaps. Oh, there are two boards stored in the streetside overhead bin that come down to fill in the area immediately under the rear door.

We are not going to mess around with trying to make/unmake the bed with sheets, etc. We will use a Superbag with removable sheets.

field & stream · 11-24-2016, 09:01 AM

Bborzell -- Thanks much. Due to the unusual shape of the bed, we thought something like the Superbag (or sleeping bags) would be the way to go.

We saw that video too but to us it looked like the guys head was against the aluminum wall! The other consideration is that the body tapers in towards the back of the trailer so (like with our original Basecamp) if you are lying sideways in the trailer the bed gets shorter towards the rear.

cactusjk · 11-24-2016, 09:29 AM

Still struggling with the price. Back looking at Socal Teardrops.

field & stream · 11-24-2016, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjk

Still struggling with the price. Back looking at Socal Teardrops.

If you are comfortable with the more primitive camping of a teardrop, and attracted to the new Basecamp, then maybe the original Basecamp is the one for you. Current pricing is about $20K and not going down.

cactusjk · 11-25-2016, 08:42 AM

That is exactly the dilemma!

Quote:

Originally Posted by field & stream

If you are comfortable with the more primitive camping of a teardrop, and attracted to the new Basecamp, then maybe the original Basecamp is the one for you. Current pricing is about $20K and not going down.