some AS factory comments

[dukester]

We're leaving tomorrow but have spent the last week at the factory for warranty work. We were forced in earlier than anticipated due to some brake issues. The upside was that we had plenty of time to take the tour (highly recommended) and get a real appreciation for the factory, AS history and some of the fine people working here. Had no idea what an adventurer Wally was in both spirit and real life. With plenty of time to read all the AS books laying around the lobby, we have a new respect for the history behind this "moveable real estate" as Wally would say. Also pleasantly surprised that camping and lobby cappuccino were freebies. What more can you ask for when you're waiting around for work!?

Hats off to the factory as we had a huge laundry list of fixes that they patiently and meticulously addressed. All in all, an incredibly painless experience. If you find yourself here, check out the Inn Between restaurant down the road. Good food.

[StingrayL82]

We can't wait to go there next year, to have some work done on ours. I really want to see Wally's gold-anodized trailer.

[5T5]

It concerns me when you state that you had brake issues and a huge list of fixes. Why is the quality of these trailers so poor?
Kim

[SilverRanger]

We also had a great time there at the end of July. We didn't need any work done, but decided to stop by on our way back from Kansas City. We liked Jackson Center so much we decided to stay for two days just to explore the town and surrounding area, and take to the tour. Everyone we met there was very nice. We were parked next to the Airstream Marketing Director, who was living in a 34 footer at the Terra Port, We had an interesting conversation, ranging from the future of Airstream, restaurants in Jackson Center, living in a small town, to Marathon tires.

Frederic,
We got some great pictures of Wally's gold Airstream, but we had to sneak through some neighbor's back yards, and shoot through a chain link fence in order to get close enough. For some reason, they have it parked about as far away from any public access as possible. During the tour you will get inside the fence, but are still about 300+ yards away. Our guide (a 50* year employee of AS) was fantastic.

[StingrayL82]

Oh wow, from the looks of the pictures I'd seen, it always seemed to me that Wally's trailer and Old Granddad were in an area accessible to the public...what a shame...still kinda cloak and dagger cool that you were sneaking through other peoples yards to get a pic of it.

I wonder, do they periodically bring the trailers in to maintain them, or do they just let them sit?

[Ganglin]

When I was up there this week I asked about the gold one. They said they had off the lot for renovations,

[SilverRanger]

"When I was up there this week I asked about the gold one. They said they had off the lot for renovations, "

Really glad to hear that. We mentioned the gold trailer to our tour guide, and he didn't know when they were going to do anything. He was very disappointed they hadn't done anything to date.


Here are some pictures. Maybe the next time we see it, it will be restored:
1 - Inside the compound, with telephoto lens.
2 - Outside, through the chain link fence.
3 - My wife (trespassing) outside the fence.

[StingrayL82]

Jesus. It looks like it's in terrible shape...the worst thing you can do to any vehicle is just let it sit, especially out in the open like that. JC should build an indoor museum for all of those pieces of history.

[pilgrim]

When we visited JC a year ago, the gold one was sitting in the front parking lot. You could walk around it and look through the windows but the door was locked. Perhaps it has been moved as they get ready to do some restorative work - don't we all hope?? It is certainly in need of such work - it is a shame that it isn't inside where all can walk through it, tough it and really look at it - in "like new" condition. Perhaps one day.......