From tent to Airstream

[Papa smurf]

I would like to hear about people who used to camp in tent before owning an Airstream. I have always camped in a tent but I am now considering an Airstream as retirement time approach. At this point I can only see advantages, indoor plumbing being one of thembut I might be missing something. Do you think you lost something in the process and are there occasions where you would rather be in a tent.

[rmkrum]

Comfort. Climate control. Instant setup. Handy toilet wherever I go. Easy cooking. And face it, the airstream just plain tows well and looks very cool.


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[JDS]

Originally Posted by Papa smurf

I would like to hear about people who used to camp in tent before owning an Airstream. I have always camped in a tent but I am now considering an Airstream as retirement time approach. At this point I can only see advantages, indoor plumbing being one of thembut I might be missing something. Do you think you lost something in the process and are there occasions where you would rather be in a tent.

After 30-40 years of tent camping we bought an AS and had zero regrets. Would never go back to a tent, spoiled for life!

John S.

[peetoe]

I've slowly moved up the food chain. tent, Popup trailer, and now 25' Airstream. I have a small family. Wife and a six year old son. Since we've owned the Airstream we camp 2-3 times more often. The only time I'll tent camp is if it's a must for the activity, backpacking, climbing ext. The Airstream is one of the best things I've bought for the family we simply love it.

[urnmor]

Papa Smurf
Like you I had alays tent camp but at age 68 I went from tent caming to an Airstream. Why? Because I said to myself I no longer needed to sleep on the ground,or an air mattress or a cot. Do I miss the tent not at all. I have grown to love the comforts an AS provides, dry clothes, heat, refrigerator, indoor toilet especially at night and the stove, especially in the morning to make the coffee. It has alot of other creature comforts such as tv bluetooth, radio, DVD player that I seldom use however my wife and grand children enjoy them.

If one loses something by having an AS it is not much as we still sit outside, have a campfire, cook most meals outside, roast marshmallow and meet and enjoy fellow campers.

I only wish I had done it sooner. My opinion go for it you will not regret it.

John

[Bruce B]

We are sailors first but we did do some tent camping before we bought our Airstream. I liked getting out there when we were tenting but I love the Bambi!

My wife will sometimes whine about how, when we were in the tent, we spent more time outside. I point out that she can go out any time she likes...I usually wait for a cold evening or a rainy day to remind her. I also offered to bring a tent along in case she really begins pining for the old days. So far he has not taken me up on the offer...

Truthfully, it is a difference experience but I really, really love our Airstream and would not trade it for anything.

Here is a picture of our last camping trip at Ft DeSoto before we purchased our Airstream.

Bruce

[Oregon Ms]

I like being able to lock the door at night.

[Papa smurf]

Thank you all for your feedback. I was thinking the same but having the opinions of people who have been doing this for such a long time reassure me.

[BassCan]

Tent camped for thirty years. The ground just got harder. Still love to camp

[rmkrum]

Downside is you can't go deep into narrow trails with the airstream. But you can base out of it and day hike.

I'm too old and crunchy to tent camp anymore, and wife won't put up with it anymore.

It's also super easy to travel with dogs in a trailer. I have a crew cab tow vehicle and the dogs (in crates in back seat) love to travel.


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[mandolindave]

I don't guess that you will find many folks here that want to go back to tents

[AWCHIEF]

I tent camped for most of 60 years. Got tired of being cold, hot, wet and eaten by bugs. At 60 years old I jumped directly to an Airstream Bambi II 17 footer. In July of this year decided I wanted a little more room. Sold thbBambi and bought a 2006 Safari 23 footer. Perfect size for me. It has an L couch, real bed, good sized frig and a real shower. I am certainly not roughing it. Life is certainly good in an Airstream.

[jcanavera]

We've been camping about 45 years. Started in a '66 VW bus sleeping on the floor with the center seat removed. Then we went to a 2 room tent, and 2 pop up campers. Our first travel trailer was a Hi-Lo which we bought in the fall of 1981 in preparation of going to the Worlds Fair in Knoxville Tn. My wife wanted a bathroom of our own. Then after 14 years we bought a SOB trailer which was not good quality. We then went to our first Airstream Safari, and bought the Classic Slideout 3 years later. Each step along the way, from the VW bus to the current Classic brought us amenities that never gave us thoughts of going back. We loved everything we have ever camped in but go back? Nope….

Jack

[waltb]

We camped for 40 years in a tent and then bought our first Airstream, a 20' Flying Cloud for our 40th anniversary. We enjoyed our camping, but it sure is nice to have a bed, refrigerator (no more floating cheese in the cooler), shower, and bathroom. For our 45 Anniversary this year we bought some more room in a 25' Flying Cloud and really love it! Camping in a tent is still fun, but we spend a lot more time camping in our Airstream!


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[Someday'59]

You can have a tent and a trailer. They're not mutually exclusive.
We keep a tent in our trailer and have used it on a few occasions.
Most recently,we used it at White Sands National Monument. (No RV camping there.)
In 2011 we just happened to need a tent.
In 2010 we took a tent to Hawaii. (Cost prohibitive to get our Airstream there.)

[waltb]

That's right. We still use our tent when we bicycle tour. 😊


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[PaulnGina]

Since I got my Avion, I'm hoping the tents stay in the attic!!

[dkottum]

Wally Byam started Airstream to provide all the comforts of home while away from home. Fabulous concept that tent camping does not provide.

[SeeMore]

Have experience with both, but have yet to figure out how to take my 'stream to the top when mountain climbing so my tent is restricted to that venue.

[slowmover]

Although I'm third generation on this trailer type since the 1950's I've done my share of tent camping. Adding a screen room under the awning (and they can be more fully enclosed) gives much of what appeals to me about a nice tent setup. Turn off the trailer so to speak.

There are plenty around here who never leave home without Coleman lantern, stove and Dutch Oven. In fact I recommend you search out those threads.