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steveirving · 05-13-2013, 09:27 AM

My wife and i are the proud owners of a vintage 1959 airstream tradewind and members of the wbcci and vintage club. We enjoy running into other airstreamers on the road and are always excited when we spot another vintage model in passing or at a camp ground. To date we've only passed other vintage trailers on the road twice. This past wkd we spotted an eddie bauer edition trailer coming our way and got excited to pass "the wave" two fellow airstreamers. Traffic was slow and we passed each other at 5 mph. We were shocked when the other driver didnt ever give us a glance let alone a wave. This drove my wife and i into a discussion exploring the idea that there may be better camaraderie and pride of ownership between vintage airstream owners than "new" owners. Thoughts by any of you?

markdoane · 05-13-2013, 09:39 AM

Eddie Bauers are weird. Sending you a wave from another 59 TW.

steveirving · 05-13-2013, 09:48 AM

Sweet. Back at ya.

Zeppelinium · 05-13-2013, 10:05 AM

And a wave from a gaggle of 70s Airstreams.

I find a different pride of ownership (in general, not everyone, and maybe it's a different kind of pride) in Vintage Owners compared to people who buy new and don't have to reengineer their Airstream.

Thbbbbt, as Hobbes would say.

Zep

blickcd · 05-13-2013, 10:10 AM

Since you have a '59 you deserved a salute. Maybe Eddie Bauer was too busy texting while towing.

Protagonist · 05-13-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveirving

This drove my wife and i into a discussion exploring the idea that there may be better camaraderie and pride of ownership between vintage airstream owners than "new" owners. Thoughts by any of you?

Seems like not even fellow Airstreamers notice my Interstate on the road, despite having my Big Red Numbers™ proudly displayed front and rear. Whenever I see an Airstream on the road, I wave, if driving conditions allow me to take a hand off the wheel, but I'm universally ignored. Not one Airstreaer has ever waved back. Is it just because my Airstream isn't shiny aluminum?

On edit— I take it back. One time, a fellow Airstreamer on I-10 waved back. He was driving an Airstream Westfalia and we were in adjacent lanes in rush-hour traffic.

So I understand your concerns over the lack of cameraderie displayed by some Airstream owners. I get the same thing, in spades.

jpons · 05-13-2013, 10:25 AM

I used to ride Motorcycles and almost all motorcycle riders wave at each other, one notable exception have been riders of a famous american brand. I am not saying that they did not wave, but it seemed that less than 50% of them did.

I own a 2008 Safari and although I have only seen one or two other Airstreams on the road I have waved to them, and promise to do so for any other Airstreamer.

-J

markdoane · 05-13-2013, 12:33 PM

I wave at all Airstreams. Not sure about an Interstate. Doesn't meet my criteria.

Protagonist · 05-13-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

I wave at all Airstreams. Not sure about an Interstate. Doesn't meet my criteria.

You prove my point. All too often, the attitude is that Interstates aren't really Airstreams. How's that for cameraderie?

**Kevin245** · 05-13-2013, 01:50 PM

I've been dealing with this for a while now.

No Wave Backs - Airstream Forums

aluminitus · 05-13-2013, 02:25 PM

Hmmm...I even wave at Airstreams that are parked for winter storage! Maybe we will pass on the road some day

loudruff · 05-13-2013, 05:10 PM

Waving at you from Ohio!
Larry and I tend to wave at anything that resembles an AS or any year.....even when we aren't towing. I will bet that there are a number of folks wondering who those cuckoos were waving at them out windows etc.

We think most Airstreamers are very friendly!
Be sure and stop if you get to our neck of the woods.

Lily&Me · 05-14-2013, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

You prove my point. All too often, the attitude is that Interstates aren't really Airstreams. How's that for cameraderie?

We've noticed this, too.

We wave at all Airstreams and all Class B's.

.

Maggie

jpons · 05-14-2013, 05:33 AM

Interstates are just not as easily recognizable as regular airstream travel trailers. So it could be that most of us don't even recognize what we're seeing until it's too late to wave.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

You prove my point. All too often, the attitude is that Interstates aren't really Airstreams. How's that for cameraderie?

Skater · 05-14-2013, 05:37 AM

I got flamed last time I said this, but I'll say it again anyway: I wave when I can, traffic, attention, and other conditions permitting. We'd all prefer safety over being distracted and getting into an accident.

I've gotten waved back many times. Sometimes not. It happens. I just give them the benefit of doubt and move on with my life. I'm sure I've missed a few waves tossed in our direction. If I think of it, I usually post in the spotted thread.

Protagonist, the Sprinters are hard to distinguish as Airstreams from a distance, just like the Airstream Class A fiberglass motorhomes are. Usually we aren't sure they're an Airstream until we're pretty much right on top, and then it's often too late. The Big Red Numbers would help, but we don't see many with them. We'd definitely wave if we recognize it as an Airstream, though. (As a former B190 owner, I know what you mean about the camaraderie, although in person every Airstream owner I've chatted with has been friendly.)

louaxtjr · 05-14-2013, 07:06 AM

Maybe it is my semi-rural upbringing, or the interest I have in all things roadworthy, but ( if safety allows ) I wave to anyone looking at our TV/AS combo when my wife and I are on the road, and a lot of vehicles that just seem interesting to me. If I catch a wave back, great. If not, at least I haven't snubbed anyone. I actively wave at anyone with even a vaguely related rig.

Having gone through stages of VW enthusiasm, Audi interest, and vintage Chevy truck restoration, plus vintage SOB's while looking for the AS, I figure the friendlier I am, the better. As for the guy/gal who doesn't wave back, who knows. I've had bad days and other things on my mind, too.

Here's a wave from a beat(but slowly improving) old 66 AS and 69 Chevy owner!

Ahab · 05-14-2013, 07:31 AM

Hmmm.....We wave too but seldom get a response. thought it was because we tow with a Ridgeline.

Lily&Me · 05-14-2013, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpons

Interstates are just not as easily recognizable as regular airstream travel trailers. So it could be that most of us don't even recognize what we're seeing until it's too late to wave.

Okay, I'll choose to think that's the reason.....most of the time.

We do, however, have AIRSTREAM in big black letters on the front.

Will look for you on the road.

Maggie

louaxtjr · 05-14-2013, 08:08 AM

Nah...that's a cool rig. I know 3 people with Ridgelines, and all three are very happy with them. In fact the guy I bought my AS from has the same color as yours and everything(and I wave to him with his new pop-up SOB.)

I think many folks just don't wave to anyone. I notice fewer people waving back than I used to. Won't stop me from being friendly, though. I'd rather be part of the solution than part of the problem!

Panama Red · 05-14-2013, 08:18 AM

I wave like an idiot to every AirStream I see... even though mine's not towable at the moment. But now I'm stepping it up a notch. Not only will I wave at the AS's, but I'll start flipping off the Eddie Bauer's and the SOB's... unless they're vintage, of course.
-Red, with a great big goofy wave to everybody in this thread, and a few not in it...