What Airstream Design Improvements are Needed?

[Acheron2010]

You find yourself in a bar with a nice beverage and the two folks next to you introduce themselves as the lead design engineer and the production manager for Airstream.
You buy them a round of drinks, and politely suggest the most important design change they should consider for new Airstreams.

I'll start. Place high strength swivel wheels on the back end of the chassis to reduce grounding events in uneven surfaces.

[pt.reyesfan]

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

You find yourself in a bar with a nice beverage and the two folks next to you introduce themselves as the lead design engineer and the production manager for Airstream.

You buy them a round of drinks, and politely suggest the most important design change they should consider for new Airstreams.



I'll start. Place high strength swivel wheels on the back end of the chassis to reduce grounding events in uneven surfaces.

Waterproof synthetic flooring material versus plywood.

Switch for 100% battery “cut-off.”

Aluminum Frame

Built-in water leak detection system.

[AWCHIEF]

Use of more light weight composites thru out. Full sized refrigerator. Modular Air Conditioner/heater where the main compressor unit is isolated from the interior. Ergonomic seating.

[CRH]

X2 on waterproof floor and aluminum frame.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

I'll start. Place high strength swivel wheels on the back end of the chassis to reduce grounding events in uneven surfaces.

Devil's Advocate: Swivel wheels will reduce ground clearance, make grounding events more likely as a result, and concentrate the force on the wheel locations instead of spreading the force more-or-less evenly across a wider grounding surface, thus increasing the chance of frame damage.

Suggest that sacrificial (bolt-on, replaceable) skid plates be used instead.

[Paprika]

What a great idea for a tread, Acheron! Here's my contribution.

1. Better workmanship. (It's a shame that this even has to be on the wish list, but judging by my experience and that of others, it's badly needed.)
2. Disk brakes and 16" wheels standard.
3. Waterproof floor substrate.
4. 200 watts of solar panels with MPPT charging controller standard; 400 watts optional.
5. 225 amp-hours of AGM batteries standard; 400 or more Ah of lithium batteries optional
6. 12 V compressor refrigerator (e.g., Vitrifrigo, Isotherm, et al.) standard.
7. ProPride antisway/weight distributing hitch optional.

[SteveSueMac]

An emergency exit DOOR (not window) on all double axle and larger ASes straight from the factory.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...od-149123.html

[Protagonist]

3M Crystalline window film standard on all windows and skylights in trailers, and on all windows behind the B-pillars on all Interstate and Atlas motorhomes. Helps block heat transfer through windows, to keep heat out in the summer and keep heat in in the winter.

[Isuzusweet]

Yes, I do sound like a broken record on this:

Coosa Bluewater 26 for a subfloor; 40% lighter than what AS is currently using and for all intents and purposes, waterproof. Non-organic, so won't promote the growth of mold or fungus. Bugs don't like it either.

If not an aluminum frame (wouldn't be much lighter as you'd have to build it out of thicker stock), at least Rhino line or Line-X the steel you use.

Dual heating source with coolant radiators and low consumption muffin/computer fans; sent heated coolant from the insta-hot, hot water heater. Some sort of in floor heat source would be nice while on shore power.

The option of a painted Airstream would be nice for those of us with busy days.

Electric assist motors on the hubs and regenerative braking that could work in conjugation with an electric tow vehicle to ease the strain. (maybe in conjugation with Coosa and other composites in a light weight model?)

Lighter LED wiring, and fibre optical wiring.

Cheers
Tony

[28totow]

Heavy duty drawer glides on ALL drawers.

No screws less than 3/4" used anywhere in trailer.

No more mouse fur ... EVER.

Twice the number of self taping screws currently used to secure all storage cabinets suspended from ceiling.

50 amp service standard for all Airstream products.

This thread needs to be sent directly to JS. Great idea Acheron!

[KelloggKid]

Originally Posted by pt.reyesfan

Waterproof synthetic flooring material versus plywood.

Switch for 100% battery “cut-off.”

Aluminum Frame

Built-in water leak detection system.

I second all 4 of these and add one more......

Install LED lights that are a warmer color instead of the harsh bright white.

[Countryboy59]

Bring back the Argosy.

[dbj216]

The frame rails need to be more than adequate for the load and "g" forces they experience on a rough old Interstate at 65 mph. The trailer can't shake apart.

The frame, subfloor, and body need to be strong enough so the trailer can be towed by a 1 ton pickup without worry about body stress cracks and the like.

Bring back the front and rear body mounting plates welded to the frame.

Everyone knows the subfloor is inadequate in plywood.

The frame ought to have a perimeter steel member for better body mounting instead of just mounting the body to the outriggers.

The frame should be e-coated to prevent rust. Many ag machinery producers do this.

Airstream needs to figure out how to prevent exterior seam leaks given the body flexes while towing and then gets cooked in the sun and frozen in the winter. Not easy, but marine and aviation do it.

Improve the rear body to frame seal so it never leaks.

The trailer needs some miracle insulation to counteract the thermo transfer of all that aluminum. Airstreams are hard to cool, and hard to heat. They need to be "four season" trailers.

Give consideration to easy maintenance access for items like dump valves, fresh water drain valves, holding tank vent pipes, batteries, fresh water plumbing and the like.

Think about how to stop mouse infestations.

Bring back the "lifetime warranty" for the frame, subfloor, body, plumbing, electrical and cabinetry. The appliances are limited to the manufacturer's warranty. No one warrants abuse or damage. Airstream ought to have such confidence in what they design and build that they will stand behind the original purchaser for a "lifetime". Maybe it is transferable when the trailer is sold.

David

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Devil's Advocate: Swivel wheels will reduce ground clearance, make grounding events more likely as a result, and concentrate the force on the wheel locations instead of spreading the force more-or-less evenly across a wider grounding surface, thus increasing the chance of frame damage.

Suggest that sacrificial (bolt-on, replaceable) skid plates be used instead.

Absolutely ccorrect. Similar to the damage caused to a g'zillion C6 Corvettes when their owners put little "rollers" under the radiator supports. Bad idea... It's hard to argue with physics !

[Jim J]

I would like to see a one piece aluminum front and rear top piece that eliminates a few hundred rivets.

I think the wood floor is good but it needs better sealing at the belt line, especially in the rear.

No fiberglass insulation that can hold moisture, only polystyrene

Maxim Skylights

Brass fresh water tank drain that does not use the short piece of vinyl tubing and is easy to get to either from inside or a portal outside instead of behind the wheel.

Back up lights and sounder.

Hitch shock absorber to improve the ride and keep rivets from popping inside.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Jim J

Hitch shock absorber to improve the ride and keep rivets from popping inside.

How exactly would that work with weight distribution/sway control? Not criticizing; I'm genuinely curious.

[Piggy Bank]

How about a better location for opening the low point drains that don't involve me on the ground with my head between 2 tires?

Could the overhead lockers over the stove be just 2 inches deeper? That would fit in so much more.

And maybe roll outs under the twin beds?

[pt.reyesfan]

See this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...ns-165925.html

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by Paprika

What a great idea for a tread, Acheron! Here's my contribution.

1. Better workmanship. (It's a shame that this even has to be on the wish list, but judging by my experience and that of others, it's badly needed.)
2. Disk brakes and 16" wheels standard.
3. Waterproof floor substrate.
4. 200 watts of solar panels with MPPT charging controller standard; 400 watts optional.
5. 225 amp-hours of AGM batteries standard; 400 or more Ah of lithium batteries optional
6. 12 V compressor refrigerator (e.g., Vitrifrigo, Isotherm, et al.) standard.
7. ProPride antisway/weight distributing hitch optional.

X2

Dan

[CRH]

I would like an onboard 5 to 10 gallon tank that holds RV antifreeze, then a valve to turn so you can turn on the pump and draw antifreeze just like you do fresh water and winterize anywhere, anytime in minutes.