Airstream sightings

[Skatiero]

So sad! That happened right where I grew up.

[OB Bambi]

It would appear that the Airstream took the hardest hit. Let's hope that it was sacrificed for human life. That looks like a nasty one.

[switz]

That accident sure makes secondary roads look appealing. Since Airstreams are "campers" which would imply vacation use, the journey is just as important as the destination. When driving at interstate speeds and not towing, I am concentrating on the road ahead and my mirrors for traffic. I usually miss out on the scenery. This is even more true when riding my motorcycles at interstate speeds.

Since many folks on the RV forums report they drive in the 55 to 62 mph range which is below interstate speed limits, perhaps we would all be safer avoiding the high speed chase whenever possible.

Every hour on the interstate, I have folks close to within 15' of my rear bumper before moving out to pass. If I hit the brakes because of a tire tread in my lane, I will get rear ended because there is no way that driver can respond and brake being that close to me. Since I lack a rear view camera on the back of the Airstream, I often wonder how close folks are following me there as well.

[dkrug]

Yikes! I hope everyone was OK.
Switz, secondary roads are no guarantee of safety. We almost got taken out by a guy coming at us on a two lane highway in a rural area. He was towing an sob and the trailer was out of control. He pulled out of our lane seconds before hitting us (and our trailer) and went the other way, hit a road sign and ended up upside down in a ditch with the trailer at 45 degree angle to the truck. I am thinking dirt roads are looking good about now.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by switz

That accident sure makes secondary roads look appealing. Since Airstreams are "campers" which would imply vacation use, the journey is just as important as the destination. When driving at interstate speeds and not towing, I am concentrating on the road ahead and my mirrors for traffic. I usually miss out on the scenery. This is even more true when riding my motorcycles at interstate speeds.

Since many folks on the RV forums report they drive in the 55 to 62 mph range which is below interstate speed limits, perhaps we would all be safer avoiding the high speed chase whenever possible.

Every hour on the interstate, I have folks close to within 15' of my rear bumper before moving out to pass. If I hit the brakes because of a tire tread in my lane, I will get rear ended because there is no way that driver can respond and brake being that close to me. Since I lack a rear view camera on the back of the Airstream, I often wonder how close folks are following me there as well.

That stretch of I-81 is particularly nasty; I wouldn't draw too many general conclusions from it. There are too many vehicles (trucks and cars), hills, and plenty of aggressive drivers.

In my experience, the issue with the non-limited-access roads is that they tend to go through every little town with a bunch of traffic lights. For example, you're more likely to have someone pull out in front of you on a road like that, so it's not like they're automatically safer. Thinking about my scariest incidents with the campers, they're about evenly split - one accident and a near double-accident on the interstates, and several times people have pulled out in front of me from the side of the road, requiring hard braking and/or maneuvering to avoid.

The real issue is people are idiots behind the wheel.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, this is a very good reason to NOT be riding in a trailer.

[Journalist]

Spotted a polished early 60s model headed west on I-26 near thee intersection of I-20 this afternoon around 3:45.

[CMSmith]

I saw the same 60's polished one an hour and half earlier as I was headed towards Myrtle Beach on 501 while pulling mine to Huntington St. Park. I gave him the headlights and a wave and he waved back. The timing works out pretty well for it to be the same one.

[Journalist]

Originally Posted by CMSmith

I saw the same 60's polished one an hour and half earlier as I was headed towards Myrtle Beach on 501 while pulling mine to Huntington St. Park. I gave him the headlights and a wave and he waved back. The timing works out pretty well for it to be the same one.

Yep, that's about perfect timing. I gave him a thumbs up, but wasn't towing at the time.

[DavidsonOverlander]

Drove to Ottawa yesterday and home today, but without the trailer. Saw three Airstreams in the westbound lanes of the 401 on the way down, but only got a picture of this one.

One of the others was an Excella pulled by a black F-150

Saw two Airstreams on the way back today. The only one I got a good look at was an Excella 1000 going westbound on the 401 through Toronto. It was being pulled by a minivan with a canoe on the roof. I'm sure you were as happy as I was to get through that traffic jam!

[CMSmith]

Sitting here at Huntington State Park (coast of SC) there is a '94 Airstream two sites down (owner came and said hello) and when we got back from a trip to town earlier tonight there is another newer Airstream about 29' right across from the other. I have not me them yet.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by DavidsonOverlander

Drove to Ottawa yesterday and home today, but without the trailer. Saw three Airstreams in the westbound lanes of the 401 on the way down, but only got a picture of this one.

One of the others was an Excella pulled by a black F-150

Saw two Airstreams on the way back today. The only one I got a good look at was an Excella 1000 going westbound on the 401 through Toronto. It was being pulled by a minivan with a canoe on the roof. I'm sure you were as happy as I was to get through that traffic jam!

Can you get the picture bigger? It looks like me - red minvan with a 28' International. I was westbound on 401 yesterday coming from Quebec City and going to the Ivy Lea KOA near Gananoque.

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

Can you get the picture bigger? It looks like me - red minvan with a 28' International. I was westbound on 401 yesterday coming from Quebec City and going to the Ivy Lea KOA near Gananoque.

This is a bit better. It's a small part cropped from a large image, so I think that's a big as it gets. The trailer was pulling out of one of the Enroute service centres and I just grabbed the camera and started shooting. The picture was taken at 5:08 pm on Aug. 15 if that helps.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by DavidsonOverlander

This is a bit better. It's a small part cropped from a large image, so I think that's a big as it gets. The trailer was pulling out of one of the Enroute service centres and I just grabbed the camera and started shooting.

Yes, that's us. We'd stopped for an urgent comfort break and were only twenty Kms short of our destination. It's nice to see us "on the move". Thanks for blowing that up

We were into a wicked head wind all day that made the drive a little less pleasant than usual and, of course, screwed the gas mileage in a big way.

[2 Cowboys]

Today we start the process/task of dismantlement in preparation for an EARLY departure tomorrow morning. Cow & I have been here 3 weeks. Aside from the continuous sorting, streamlining & keep/donate/toss out chores, it's been fun. This resort is nice & it rates a strong 7 on my friendliness scale (of 1-10). We didn't participate in a lot of the campground activities that I had hoped we would, but that's no one's fault but our own. And DON'TCHYAKNOW... as we're rolling out of the front gate yesterday to spend the day in Huntsville, another Airstream was rolling in!! I lowered the window & gave 'em a proper "Howdy" but it was too late/dark to do any socializing by the time we returned from Huntsville & finished walkin' the Pups. They parked relatively near us, so perhaps we'll get to visit w/them at some point today.

[OldVwHunters]

Hour north of KCI. Belongs to a VW acquaintance of mine, don't know what price he has on it. I was thinking he said it was a 1983 but not for sure. Just shot some photos in case somebody would be interested.

[ZoominC6]

On an island in Maine!

[Gilmurr]

While Campground Host at Kejimikujik National Park in Nova Scotia, we saw a 1999 Safari Caravanner in with a Toyota Tacoma, and on the way home we met an vintage Airstream...too quick to get a good look...but did get our first Airstream Salute!! Heres a photo from our week there.

[cwf]

Near Fredericksburg, Texas.

[IanPoulin]

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

On an island in Maine!

... and now ... we see the airstream in it's natural habitat. It's antenna raised, it flashes reflected sunlight in all directions as it hunts for it's mate....