Perception of Airstreamers

[Focuspuller]

Originally Posted by SilverAvion

well, i have never experienced it camping...but maybe thats because i have an Avion instead of an Airstream. Although, come to think of it, almost every person who stops to talk about the trailer assumes it is an AS.

On the other hand, its always interesting to see when the AS/Avion discussion comes up on this forum or others. definately more of the Chevy/Ford thing (or maybe i should say Chevy/AMC?)

Avion was a separate company, right? No connection to AS at all except for the aluminum skin concept, correct?

So, without starting a family fight, what was their raison d'etre? Better, cheaper, hipper than AS's? Just curious.

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by SilverAvion

well, i have never experienced it camping...but maybe thats because i have an Avion instead of an Airstream. Although, come to think of it, almost every person who stops to talk about the trailer assumes it is an AS.

On the other hand, its always interesting to see when the AS/Avion discussion comes up on this forum or others. definately more of the Chevy/Ford thing (or maybe i should say Chevy/AMC?)

We bought an Avion last year, and my SO thought it was an AS until we were discussing during last week's camping trip....

Funny how perceptions are...If you ride a cruiser most everyone assumes it's a Harley. And as far as being a BMW motorcycle owner, I can't begin to tell you how many times I've heard "Oh, I did'nt know BMW made motorcycles".

Rolling with the flow,

Kevin

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

Starbucks???

Most of the folks around here think star bucks are something you see during hunting season. "Did y'all see em star bucks come through here a while ago?"

Actually we do have one in town, and it is funny watching some deer hunters in camo, and 4WD trucks pulling through the drive-thru ordering venti, pumpkin spice, skinny, no-whip, lattes.


Regards,

Kevin

Down here known as, "four bucks"

[slowmover]

A good looking trailer is just that. An old worn A/S is just another old trailer. But a clean (maybe shiny) aluminum trailer IS in a class by itself. Adds nothing to performance, but emphasizes that it is a more roadworthy vehicle by all measures.

[AirsDream]

"What we do experience is other campers asking us for technical assistance. Some RVers think that if you are pulling an Airstream, you must be some kind of RV expert. "

I think it might just be that folks see how many tools we lug around to repair / work on / modify out trailers, and just assume that we're some sort of certified RV mechanic ... or is that just me?

I actually don't think I've ever had anyone mention the Airstream - other than a few months ago when I showed up to a reserved site at a State Park, only to find I was next to a Bambi. That was fun.

And I guess I've never asked for back-in help other than from a passenger, but a few folks have volunteered ... 'course, I think that after a few minutes of watching my back-up efforts, it became self-preservation: they didn't want me to back into their rig!

[Gene]

Originally Posted by AirsDream

I think it might just be that folks see how many tools we lug around to repair / work on / modify out trailers, and just assume that we're some sort of certified RV mechanic ... or is that just me?

I have had a few people comment on all the tools I bring when I was fixing something—which happens all too often—but they weren't foolish enough to ask me for advice.

One woman who saw me adding air to the tires with my compressor asked me if it were a generator. Showing amazing self restraint, I just explained trailer tires have a habit of losing air and it was a compressor. I was tempted to tell her the "generator" excites the electrons in the tires and boosts the air pressure so the tires will be lighter thus reducing friction and save gas (actually it does work that way, but I didn't want to let her know an Airstream secret).

Gene

[Focuspuller]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

One woman who saw me adding air to the tires with my compressor asked me if it were a generator. Showing amazing self restraint, I just explained trailer tires have a habit of losing air and it was a compressor. I was tempted to tell her the "generator" excites the electrons in the tires and boosts the air pressure so the tires will be lighter thus reducing friction and save gas (actually it does work that way, but I didn't want to let her know an Airstream secret).

Gene

That's so crazy, it just might work.

But seriously, I realize this is off my own topic, but ever give thought to filling tires with nitrogen? Supposed to reduce rubber rot and leakage.

[eubank]

We've had folks "do" us for technical expertise. The toughest I did while on the road was to take apart a family's furnace, take out the sail switch, clean it, and reinstall. It wasn't one of the "pancake" type furnaces, so not that difficult.

'Course, our own rig gave us fits and starts on the last trip. Electical hell and a solution so simple that it comletely eluded me for days. I had opened the furnace to turn on the gas cock and managed to squish one of the wires in the lid while closing it. Short city!


Lynn

[Focuspuller]

Originally Posted by AirsDream

And I guess I've never asked for back-in help other than from a passenger, but a few folks have volunteered ... 'course, I think that after a few minutes of watching my back-up efforts, it became self-preservation: they didn't want me to back into their rig!

As I contemplate the full-time Airstream life, this is actually one of my fears: Traveling alone, pulling into a campground late, tired, and having to back into a tight spot by myself.

[Focuspuller]

Copy that.

[cclarkego]

Originally Posted by Focuspuller

As I contemplate the full-time Airstream life, this is actually one of my fears: Traveling alone, pulling into a campground late, tired, and having to back into a tight spot by myself.

Just pull in front of your spot, get in the trailer and go to sleep. Someone will come along in the morning, honk, and have to help you since you are blocking the exit...

Carol

[AirsDream]

Originally Posted by Focuspuller

As I contemplate the full-time Airstream life, this is actually one of my fears: Traveling alone, pulling into a campground late, tired, and having to back into a tight spot by myself.

Um, sure ... but that backing in business is just like parallel parking or landing a plane. You have to practice it a bit to get reasonably comfortable with it. But no matter how much you do it, some times are just better than others. That's why they make passengers and back-up cameras and walkie talkies!

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by cclarkego

Just pull in front of your spot, get in the trailer and go to sleep. Someone will come along in the morning, honk, and have to help you since you are blocking the exit...

Carol

I like your style.

I have only been camping once by myself and arrived at the camp ground at 10:30 at night and no one ventured out to offer any help even though I pulled nose to nose with one Class C and spent 20 minutes getting into the dark site by myself.

[airstreamjudy]

Being 4'10" tall with white hair and alone . . . when I pull in to a campsite and back it into a tiny space . . . I get nothing but, hello - what yr is your trailer?, how do you do it by yourself?, how long have you had your a/s? Questions and more questions. Sometimes the husband sends the wife over to talk with me and she drags me back to her rig to met her husband.

Folks are interested. I love my vintage a/s but I must admit that I do give the PROVOST a second look every time I see one.

Quit waiting - go and get a silver twinkie and join in the fun.

[JimGolden]

I've never seen anyone be snooty toward me for having a silver bullet, but I have seen silver bullet owners be snooty toward white box people.

That being said, you WILL hear:
1. Do they still make these (because to the uninformed, it's hard to tell if a silver trailer is ten months old or fifty years old)

2. Does it tow easily?

3. I've always wanted to see inside one of these.... (you then give a tour)

4. My uncle Buck used to have one of these....

I had my 34 footer all shined up, thought I was King of the Road. When the Coleman popups pulled in, I held my head high.

Then the Prevost 45 footer pulled in beside me and I felt like white trash. Yeah, I'm out there like Quasi-Moto putting down the stabilizer jacks with a speed wrench. He pushes a button and "whoosh" the air suspension self levels it. Yep, pobrecito back to the 'holler

They're all good. Get what you like. If I had the money, I'd have a Prevost. Short of that, I'd look hard at a 40' Newmar 5er with tandem dual axles. But as it is, I like my '87 Avion.

Oh yeah, an Avion is very much like an Airstream, except with a much stronger frame and a shape that is boxier....very similar to what the new Airstreams look like, but not as rounded as the old ones. The old Avions didn't have enough windows in them and tended to be dark...the ones from the 80's were much brighter with bigger windows. Avions have really nice hardwood cabinets with stained glass inserts. They're heavier than the old Airstreams, but on par or maybe a tad lighter than the new ones. Ford vs. Chevy. I've owned both. I like both.

see ya on the road,

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by JimGolden

I've never seen anyone be snooty toward me for having a silver bullet, but I have seen silver bullet owners be snooty toward white box people.

That being said, you WILL hear:
1. Do they still make these (because to the uninformed, it's hard to tell if a silver trailer is ten months old or fifty years old)

2. Does it tow easily?

3. I've always wanted to see inside one of these.... (you then give a tour)

4. My uncle Buck used to have one of these....

I had my 34 footer all shined up, thought I was King of the Road. When the Coleman popups pulled in, I held my head high.

Then the Prevost 45 footer pulled in beside me and I felt like white trash. Yeah, I'm out there like Quasi-Moto putting down the stabilizer jacks with a speed wrench. He pushes a button and "whoosh" the air suspension self levels it. Yep, pobrecito back to the 'holler

They're all good. Get what you like. If I had the money, I'd have a Prevost. Short of that, I'd look hard at a 40' Newmar 5er with tandem dual axles. But as it is, I like my '87 Avion.

Oh yeah, an Avion is very much like an Airstream, except with a much stronger frame and a shape that is boxier....very similar to what the new Airstreams look like, but not as rounded as the old ones. The old Avions didn't have enough windows in them and tended to be dark...the ones from the 80's were much brighter with bigger windows. Avions have really nice hardwood cabinets with stained glass inserts. They're heavier than the old Airstreams, but on par or maybe a tad lighter than the new ones. Ford vs. Chevy. I've owned both. I like both.

see ya on the road,

Jim,

#3 is one we definately hear on a regular basis as well. When I explain to them our 76 is "Just an old trailer on the inside" they look at me funny and with a hint of dis-belief.

As for the Avion vs Airstreams, I don't think the general population knows one silver trailer from another. However we receive plenty of teasing from our AS friends when we get together. The funny thing is that once they see the inside their opinions usually change.


As Always Regards,

Kevin

[truckasaurus]

It's all in the mind, I was feeling holier than thou when I rescued my gutted '61 from it's mobile retail destiny. I lapped up the compliments from the Harley couple on route 66 and bathed in the glory whilst a few passengers leant out of SUV's on the highway to capture shots of such a beauty.

Then when I realized it looked more serial killer that design icon I had to reconsider.

Still my GF claims she's been brainwashed as last week she drove home thinking why would anyone but a cheaply made identikit white box, ah my work is done...

[sempi2]

We have only had our A/S for a year, but we have had neighbors taking a walk and commenting on the trailer. As we are usually the smallest rig in a park; we still get comments that we have the best looking unit there. The only cultist comment we received was from a RV salesperson - when we inquired if they had any A/S on their lot.
For the most part if you are friendly, your fellow camper will also be friendly as well.
Plus so far we have found that the Good Sam parks have the friendliest/helpful -back us up into a space you can get.
Happy Airstreaming, Susan

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, first off, for some Airstreamers, it just means that they have larger payments for a longer time. [compaired to SOB owners]

At one campground that we stayed at, a group of people went on a tour of the local points of interest; Then when returning to the campground some of the people asked the bus driver to stop here, [right by my trailer] where most of them wanted off of the bus, to see our trailer.

Finally at another campground, people were acting a bit strange around me. "How you doing sir?" "Nice weather today sir." "Good day sir." And as I was doing my normal walk around the campsights, [exercise] people seemed extra cautious about what they were doing. Are these people actually acting like this because I own an Airstream? Finally, I figuered it out, after a few campers came over to my trailer asked if I was the Park Ranger. Why would they think that? Just because I happened to be wearing a tan shirt, tan pants, and a tan hat that day.

I have been to a few Airstream rallies where there were a few other Airstreamers that were somewhat rude or snooty to me and my wife; I won't mention any names. [you know who you are]

Bob,

I would have just asked you to get me a beer!

[Gene]

Originally Posted by JimGolden

Then the Prevost 45 footer pulled inbeside me and I felt like white trash. Yeah, I'm out there like Quasi-Moto putting down the stabilizer jacks with a speed wrench. He pushes a button and "whoosh" the air suspension self levels it. Yep, pobrecito back to the 'holler

We know the feeling when we're boxed in between two enormous mohos who can look down into our trailer through the upper oval windows. Those automatic leveling jacks are cool, but they cost a lot too. For one Prevost or Marathon you can have 10 or 15 Airstreams. Sometimes we wonder if they ever leave their mohos because most of the time we never see anyone, though one time we could see into one through the front window and there was a 45" TV going, more than twice the size of ours.

As for backing, my intention once we brought ours home was to practice backing. I did practice for about 2 minutes—good intent does not lead to good practices. We only stayed at pull thrus for a while, but sooner or later you have to back into or out of something. For me it was a crowded gas station on a Thanksgiving weekend. There didn't seem to be enough space to go forward, at least it seemed to me. There probably was, but I didn't know how tight a turn I could make. So I backed out. I noticed a lot of people in their little cars seemed very nervous to be near me, but maybe it was because I was nervous. My wife directed me, although she has a habit of standing where I can't see her. Eventually we had to camp in a back in space and nothing got hit.

Do it slowly and eventually you get the hang of it. Sometimes you turn the wheel a lot, others not so much. Once you get the trailer turned the way you want it, straighten the wheel. Know how many turns the wheel is lock to lock—our truck has 4 complete turns, so I know how many turns to get it back straight by counting the turns when I started backing. That way you don't have to look out the window all the time to see if your wheels are straight. When you get the trailer close to where you want to aim it, it just takes slight turns of the wheel. Learn how much of a hard turn will get your tail lights too close to the propane cover. Depending on the weight distributing hitch and your tow vehicle, you may never hit the taillight, but on some combinations you might. Taillights are expensive.

Getting out and looking at where you are is often necessary for everyone. It's easy to get confused while backing, especially when you can't see obstacles. The stuff on the right side of the trailer is harder to see no matter how many mirrors you have.

Remember when people are watching, everyone of them had to learn and everyone made mistakes. From time to time you will see trailers with dents on the back—guess how that happened. Campground owners will tell you how much damage they suffer from RV's driving over water spigots, trees, electrical connections, and such. Being careful, slow, checking yourself by getting out and looking all will help you not hit anything, and if you do, you are not alone. We've towed about 15,000 miles and still haven't hit anything (well, except for that long scratch in the side from a tree branch I couldn't see in the dart, and that was driving forward!).

Gene