Shaving weight: Can I strip a 2010 Bambi to 2,000 lbs?

[amm3824]

Has anyone gone through the exercise of trying to minimize the weight of a modern Airstream, via creative mods? Currently towing my 2010 Bambi (approx 3,260 lbs) with a vehicle that has a 4k tow rating but would like to to with a vehicle with 2k rating.

Not interested in a thread about why would you ruin your Airstream. I realize that by undoing a lot of things, you're undoing a lot of what makes the Airstream what it is. I get that, and understand this could be one of those penny-wise-pound-foolish things, and that even if you get to 2k lbs you still need to add cargo. That said... I'd like to find out weights of the subsystems and components, and think about a radical customization in the interest of saving weight. So how do you bring a 16' Bambi to 2,000 lbs? Shaving 1,260 lbs is a pretty tall order.

Possibilities include

- carry only 1 propane bottle instead of 2
- travel dry and fill water at campsite (no savings if factory spec is w/o water)
- strip stereo, TV, air conditioner
- replace electric tongue jack with manual one
- replace rear bed with smaller one, lighter mattress
- replace fridge with cooler
- replace cabinets with simple wireframe shelving
- remove corner bench/storage at dinette (keep 1 bench over water tank)
- etc

Retain the wet bath, furnace, HW heater, range.

Another approach: What's the weight of the 2010 Bambi rolling frame, shell, floor, and other basics, before trimming it out?

[Bigventure]

You could redo all the cabnets. Make them like the old trailers, out of 1/4 luan plywood.

[Landrum]

Tow vehicles can be a quite a controversial subject. You might want to reach out to Andy at Can Am RV in Ontario Canada. Depending upon your desired TV you might receive some advice/thoughts on TV setup in lieu of striping the Airstream.

[kscherzi]

My old Coleman popup weighed more than 2k.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Airstream Forums mobile app

[robert claus]

An interesting proposition. You may want to study the differences between modern and vintage Airstreams to see what has caused the weight increases. A 1963 16' Bambi weighed under 2000#-your target. So, it can, and has, been done! I'd imagine the body, frame, and windows don't weigh much more today than they did before. So, that leaves interior fixtures as the culprit. I'd be interested in seeing what you could achieve.

[nilesrob]

I think you are on the right path. If you have ever backpacked (which I would guess you have), everything is about weight! This will be interesting to follow!

[truckasaurus]

I think the Bolus Road Chief is close to that weight so I'd take a peek at their site and scope out the differences. IIRC it has an aluminum chassis and lighter cabinetry for a start. Other than that maybe an aluminum smaller propane tank over steel.

[Road Ruler]

What is your proposed tow vehicle?

[perryg114]

You would probably have to put an aluminum frame on it just to get the shell and the body down to that. You might call Airstream and ask them what an empty shell on frame would weigh. For what you would loose in the value of the trailer you could buy a new tow vehicle. You must really be in love with your tow vehicle. There maybe someone on here rebuilding an older trailer who could weigh their shell on frame for you to give you some idea of what the base weight is. To make the trailer other than an aluminum tent you would have to do things like an aluminum frame and maybe even composite honeycomb aluminum floors.

Perry

[r carl]

I think you should sell your new bambi and buy an old light weight one.

[jcl]

Maybe a Basecamp? 1965 lbs dry weight on one chart.

[jdalrymple]

By the time one removes the items mentioned, it might as well be an empty shell and a blow up mattress.

My question is why keep the trailer, if no amenities is one's idea of fun?


Regards,

JD

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

What is your proposed tow vehicle?

Target tow rig is a Jeep JK 2-door with 2,000 lbs rating and 3.6L Pentastar motor. Current TV is a 4-door JKU is 3,500 rating with 3.6L Pentastar. Big improvement over the previous 3.8L (I towed the same 16' Bambi with that). Currently using a weight-distributing hitch (Reese) which, especially on the Jeep, is a must-have and I will never again tow the Bambi without it.

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by nilesrob

I think you are on the right path. If you have ever backpacked (which I would guess you have), everything is about weight! This will be interesting to follow!

Funny, as I was writing my original post, I was thinking of exactly that - the backpacking/hiking scenario, in which every ounce matters. I'm a hiker wannabe, have never really done it seriously, but admire those who do it and understand that their obsession about weight savings is real.

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by perryg114

You must really be in love with your tow vehicle. Perry

You got it Perry. The TV isn't just some generic TV; the Jeep is as big a part of my happiness as is the 16-foot Bambi International. Part of the goal here is simplicity - so a second vehicle is something I do not want. I expect that what I'm asking for may not be achievable, but planning/hoping is free, and fun.

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by jcl

Maybe a Basecamp? 1965 lbs dry weight on one chart.

Considered it. However, I love love love my 2010 Bambi. I'd rather strip out the things I don't ever use (TV, stereo, etc.) than wish I had things that I do currently use (wet bath, furnace, etc.). Basecamp looks great but Bambi is better suited for my purposes (local trips, max 1 overnight).

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by amm3824

Has anyone gone through the exercise of trying to minimize the weight of a modern Airstream, via creative mods? Currently towing my 2010 Bambi (approx 3,260 lbs) with a vehicle that has a 4k tow rating but would like to to with a vehicle with 2k rating.

Not interested in a thread about why would you ruin your Airstream. I realize that by undoing a lot of things, you're undoing a lot of what makes the Airstream what it is. I get that, and understand this could be one of those penny-wise-pound-foolish things, and that even if you get to 2k lbs you still need to add cargo. That said... I'd like to find out weights of the subsystems and components, and think about a radical customization in the interest of saving weight. So how do you bring a 16' Bambi to 2,000 lbs? Shaving 1,260 lbs is a pretty tall order.

Possibilities include

- carry only 1 propane bottle instead of 2
- travel dry and fill water at campsite (no savings if factory spec is w/o water)
- strip stereo, TV, air conditioner
- replace electric tongue jack with manual one
- replace rear bed with smaller one, lighter mattress
- replace fridge with cooler
- replace cabinets with simple wireframe shelving
- remove corner bench/storage at dinette (keep 1 bench over water tank)
- etc

Retain the wet bath, furnace, HW heater, range.

Another approach: What's the weight of the 2010 Bambi rolling frame, shell, floor, and other basics, before trimming it out?

I don't think you'll ever take enough out of this trailer & get it down to 2000 lbs & still be usable, as more than just an aluminum tent.
I'm in the process of rebuilding a 46 Mobilglide 15' aluminum trailer. It weighed 860 lbs with the interior gutted. I have done pretty much everything I can do in order to keep it light, & expect it to be around 1200 lbs when complete.
The main difference between this trailer & yours is that the Bambi has .040" thick skin, while the Mobilglide is .025" thick. I also installed the lighter duty torsion axle with 7" brakes, 195/75-14 tires & wheels. The frame is 2" X 2" X 1/8" square tube as well. Basically, everything going into this trailer was designed & built with "light" in mind. Virtually all of the cabinetry will be aluminum as well.

Although many still think this, current Airstream production is not designed to be truly light.
Every decade of Airstream production has become heavier for a given size. Why not start with something that was light to begin with, then add modern technology, to end up comfortable & light?
We are in the process of producing interior & exterior 13 panel end cap kits that theoretically enable people to create their dream ultra light Airstream-esk trailer.

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

By the time one removes the items mentioned, it might as well be an empty shell and a blow up mattress.

My question is why keep the trailer, if no amenities is one's idea of fun?
JD

Great point, *almost* right. Based on my actual usage and habits, I don't use the TV, don't mind manually cranking the tongue jack, can live without broadcast antenna, don't need full-width mattress, etc... but definitely want Airstream quality, panoramic rear window (now discontinued in 16' International!), etc.

What it comes down to is that I LOVE what I have and I'm very lucky to have it, and it's here to stay. I just want to see if it's possible to mate it to a tow vehicle that I love just as passionately. If you understand the love for your Airstream, you understand my love for the tow vehicle. Now imagine the two together.

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by r carl

I think you should sell your new bambi and buy an old light weight one.

Nope, no way, no how. One thing I know, what I have stays. That's one part of this exercise that won't vary.

[perryg114]

Get a 4x4 truck with a light weight pop up slide in. You can't get more portable than that. You could also pull something behind that like your jeep if you must take it with you or a boat or motorcycle. I think you need a different platform than a modern Airstream. There is a company that makes small all aluminum trailers. I am not sure what the total weight is though.

Perry