Announcing The 2013 Bowlus Road Chief

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by mutcth

I wonder if the Bowlus would feel quite a bit more narrow than a 23FB. And as excited as I am about this, mainly due to its craftsmanship and ability to tow with almost anything - $100k would buy both a new leftover 25FB and a new Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel...

The original Bowlus trailers were only 6 feet wide, compared to your modern Airstream's 8 1/2 foot width. I couldn't find any dimensions on their web site except for height. The specified 6 ' 4" interior height is a little taller than the original; don't know about the width.
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[JDS]

Originally Posted by Nuvite-F

The original Bowlus trailers were only 6 feet wide, compared to your modern Airstream's 8 1/2 foot width. I couldn't find any dimensions on their web site except for height. The specified 6 ' 4" interior height is a little taller than the original; don't know about the width.
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If you look at the video, it shows it being towed by a Saab convertible and it doesn't look too awfully narrow.

JOhn S.

[mutcth]

The website says it's "wider" than the original, but I don't see max width specs either. Also remember that a 23FB is only 8' wide - the 25+ foot AS gain the extra half foot.

Anywho, I look forward to hearing from JDS after he gets to take a look.

Tom

[Wazbro]

The thing I don't like is there doesn't seem to be any stabilizers. If you have less then 200lb tongue weight and put 400lbs of people in the rear beds, whats going to keep the tongue on the ground?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by JDS

If you look at the video, it shows it being towed by a Saab convertible and it doesn't look too awfully narrow.

JOhn S.

The 9-3 is just over 70" wide, so eyeballing it I'd guess the Road chief is just over 7' wide outside... maybe 7'6" at most.

[JDS]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

The 9-3 is just over 70" wide, so eyeballing it I'd guess the Road chief is just over 7' wide outside... maybe 7'6" at most.

My 23' Int'l. is 8' wide, so it may be in the ball park.

John S.

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by JDS

I called the company and will be trying to arrange an in person visit. I need to see if it can work for us and can't really tell from the pictures.

A personal visit and look at the prototype trailer would certainly be prudent before putting down any money. Where are they, by the way? The "about us" page of their web site doesn't give any location.
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[JDS]

Originally Posted by Nuvite-F

A personal visit and look at the prototype trailer would certainly be prudent before putting down any money. Where are they, by the way? The "about us" page of their web site doesn't give any location.
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They're outside of Malibu, CA. The trailers are currently being built in Toronto, Canada (they're originally from Canada) but the production will transition soon to their location near Malibu (I think it's Oxnard). Helena mentioned that they will be in the New York Times this week and I think I recall that she said they may appear on Good Morning America or something like it. She said that the level of interest has been quite high.

John S.

[rodsterinfl]

They sound really nice but steep in price. I read through the site and watched the video. There is a perception that this is as some already mentioned, exclusive and meant to be so with such wording as "limited production" but I must admit that it is appealing. Anyone who is an Airstreamer would have to recognize the critical elements - 2024 grade alclad aluminum, aluminum frame and all the niceties of a modern trailer - LED, AC, electronics, etc., plus the fact that it can be towed by a regular higher mpg vehicle and is storable in a regular sized garage. Those are major benefits. Oh, what about that door that lets you store things inside like the kayak- great idea.

How different though than Wally's idea. Not too long ago I read the Airstream Story. He wanted to build an "affordable" trailer for people.

I don't know but perhaps it is only my bank account that says it is out of reach. I choke at the Airstream prices new let alone $30-40K more. I wonder how it will effect Airstream? Hope they take notes!

[newroswell]

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

I wonder how it will effect Airstream? Hope they take notes!

Airstream has a secret weapon! Arctic Dijon and Obsidian Violet colored floors. No Joke!

Airstream, Inc :: Photos & Decor

[slowmover]

One of Andrew Thomsons musings about the potentially highest mpg TV -- a 3-series BMW sedan, IIRC -- would sure make a great pair with this.

I've always admired the aero work this TT represents, at least in the trailing section . . and am gratified to read of the quality of the interior appointments! I wish them the best of luck, and I really hope to see one someday.

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[JDS]

It appears that it will be late spring until the prototype gets out my way - patience is not exactly my long suit!

John S.

[newroswell]

We've seen a couple Road Chief's and my wild guesstimate is the 2013 model must be 30% to 60% bigger. I hope they sell a bunch of them. When they have one to see I'm sure we will make a day trip down to Malibu. Next time someone calls them, ask when can we expect the Papoose model.

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by JDS

They're outside of Malibu, CA. The trailers are currently being built in Toronto, Canada (they're originally from Canada) but the production will transition soon to their location near Malibu (I think it's Oxnard). Helena mentioned that they will be in the New York Times this week and I think I recall that she said they may appear on Good Morning America or something like it. She said that the level of interest has been quite high.

John S.

Malibu? I'm only 45 minutes away! You can count on my seeing it in person in a couple months. My better half is working a crazy schedule right now and if I went without her.... well... I wouldn't be left with any ability to report back to you all on what I found. Maybe they'll let me do a video tour for the Airforums.

[AirsDream]

... and I really like those interior lash points for bringing along (easily) toys such as bikes or a kayak. Are you listening, Airstream?

[Mike91208]

Reminds me of an old girlfriend of mine. Pretty to look at on the outside, but missing a lot on the inside. I'll keep my Airstream.

[M2HB]

I think that they are really cool, but too expensive. I wonder what they will sell for on the used market.

[slowmover]

The price isn't so expensive as that Americans no longer take home their share of the national income in re rising productivity coupled to rising incomes. Americans are simply poorer than they used to be once this connection was broken 30+years ago. By between 50 & 80% in annual wages over present.

An all-aluminum, aerodynamic TT is potentially a lifelong acquisition. The typical American, employed full-time, will waste far more than this amount in depreciation on personal vehicles sold or traded long before the economic value is depleted in the course of his working lifetime.

Better choices in one area can underwrite others. Same for a fixed annual vehicle fuel budget . . learn to use it better and completely underwrite vacation travel on the same amount of $$.

There are quite a few ways to consider a TT of this type (including a generic new Airstream), and to make it work.

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[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by AirsDream

... and I really like those interior lash points for bringing along (easily) toys such as bikes or a kayak. Are you listening, Airstream?

To give the Bowlus its due, that is one advantage of the front door arrangement--you can put a long skinny object like a kayak inside the trailer. Couldn't get most kayaks into most Airstreams (except for those built as toy haulers) on account of the side door.

If the feature proves popular, it wouldn't be too hard for Airstream to add a hatch in one end for that purpose. I think I would prefer a rear loading door. That way it would be fully accessible when the trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle.
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[newroswell]

So once you load the kayak through the front door, where do you put it? And, tie it down?