Squarestream Sighting

pjtaia · 11-24-2002, 10:33 PM

We towed our Airstream along the mighty I-5 over 800 miles this weekend. We went to see Big Game in Berkeley. (CAL 30 - Stanfurd 7; Go Bears!!!) Sighted 5 Airstreams along the way - 4 newer Bambis and Safaris plus one Squarestream.

Anyone have the history and other interesting info on this unusual Airstream? When were they produced? I have never seen one up close and personal. Do they tow like a "real" Airstream?

Just curious...

Rog0525 · 11-25-2002, 12:37 AM

Here's an excerpt from Tom Patterson's website:

The Argosy production run was in two groups. The more familiar round style was
built from 1972 (as a 73 model) until 1979. Both a motorhome and travel trailer
were built during this time under the Argosy name. There are some possible 80's
models of the round style. The 1979 model year was the changeover year for the
motorhome. That year Airstream built 3 versions, the last of the Argosy's, a
painted Airstream and an Airstream "silver bullet".
The second run started as a 1986 model. It was the first of the square built
coaches. It was a metal skinned coach with a mustard and black color scheme. It
was also built in 1987. In 1988 Airstream changed to a composite fiberglass wall
construction, changed the color to gray and called it an "Airstream". Thus was
born the infamous "Squarestream". The club at the time had a fit. After the 1989
model year Airstream changed the name to Landyacht and continued to build them
into 1992. The 1988-89 time frame was also Airstream's first experiment with
fifth wheels.

**Pick** · 11-25-2002, 05:14 AM

I saw one of the fifth wheel trailers at the Service Center last week. It had the slide outs removed for some reason. From what I saw of it, it appeared to be very well built. I asked the tourguide what they were doing servicing a "Brand X", and he said look at the side, and sure enough it said "Airstream"!

pjtaia · 11-25-2002, 06:23 AM

Newstreamer:
I wasn't disagreeing that this was an Airstream; I was just trying to differentiate it from the traditional rounded styles...

Rog0525:
Thanks for the info. Any idea how they have performed over the years?

Rog0525 · 11-25-2002, 10:20 AM

I have no personal knowledge but since they were designed, engineered and built by Airstream, I imagine they perform quite well. It seems likely that their demise was mainly due to the "box" appearance and painted exterior, which caused quite an uproar from A/S purists when they were introduced.
The Ford Edsel and "new formula" Coca Cola come to mind.

caadoptees · 11-27-2002, 04:35 PM

I guess this thread has confused me. For I saw what I would consider a Squarestream today on US99 in Central CA.

It was an Airstream TT with '70th Anniversary' on the side. It was silver aluminum but it was a lot boxier than our '92 classic.

Is this what everyone is referring to? It was definitely not an Argosy.

It was like someone took a box trailer and rounded the corners 'squarer' than normal for an Airstream but it was an Airstream.

?

Pahaska · 11-27-2002, 05:04 PM

As I understand it, there have been two "profile" changes in post-WW2 Airstreams. These changes were to make the A/S roomier and to improve the storage space. I believe one of these changes occurred since your '92 was built.

I'm guessing you saw a new wide-body with the latest, more squared-off profile. The 70th anniversary was about a year or so ago.

We had a 70s model at our lasty rally and its shape really contrasted with the newer trailers.

PeterH-79MH · 11-27-2002, 05:22 PM

I saw one those squarestreams at the Anchorage RV Park in Alaska this summer. It was really square and I had to look twice to assure myself that it had the Airstream name.

LLB21 · 11-27-2002, 10:38 PM

As my memory has it I believe the "squarestreams" are from the late 1980's. In '86 and '87 they used the old "Argosy" name then in '88 and '89 they were called Airstream Land Yacht. I might be wrong about the years but they weren't around for very long.

53flyingcloud · 11-28-2002, 12:17 AM

There's a very interesting site that has the (nearly)complete history abt these units as well as, pictures..
calldon, one of our members, has a web site:
www.calldon.com/air.htm
check it out~!
ciao

Wade · 12-04-2002, 12:59 PM

We just bought an 1989 "Square" stream 32'! We had an 1976 Argosy 22' for several years, but needed more space. I have not towed it yet and I'll be glad to let everyone know how it handles as soon as we take it for it's maiden voyage!

Thanks,

Wade

**Pick** · 12-04-2002, 02:53 PM

An Airstream would be considered an SOB, because the ORIGINAL aluminum aircraft trailer design came from Bowlus. But that would be getting ridiculous.

**Pick** · 12-04-2002, 03:15 PM

Hey Wade, did you get yours via Ebay? There was a real nice one at auction there. From the pictures posted at the auction side it looked like a real sweetheart. They look like they are very well made trailers. To bad they quit makin' em!

Wade · 12-05-2002, 09:01 AM

No, I purchased mine from a RV Mall in my home town. I did see several on EBay, but I just can't bring myself to purchase something like an Airstream without getting my hands on it first!