Why did YOU choose Airstream over the others?

[Zybane]

Hello all, looking to get some thoughts on AS versus the competition.

I've been contemplating a full-time choice in something like a new 27FB or 30 Classic versus a "traditional" type travel trailer like an Arctic Fox.

Some pro's/con's off the top of my head when comparing:

1. AS of course iconic, very good looking and who doesn't like shiny aluminum?
2. No slides. Less space, but less maintenance/headache?
3. Not really "lighter" than the competition despite aluminum skin and frame...
4. Fairly high cost. It appears around twice as much for a "nice" new AS versus something like an Arctic Fox of similar length. Of course with slides the AF will have much more room.
5. Longevity is a big one for me. Would the AS last decades? I understand the frame/shell will but how good is the interior really? I understand that something like an Arctic Fox wouldn't have the longevity of an Airstream inside and out..
6. While not a huge factor for me, resale value. Both are depreciating assets, but the AS maybe less so?
7. Being a "traditional" box with slides etc the AF would have quite a bit more storage. Limited storage options in the AS.
8. AF could have laundry and dishwasher. AS neither. How does that affect you guys?
9. Ratings mediocre at best for AS? According to this web site AS only get's a 60 out of 75:

RV Rating - Customer Survey of RV Makes and Models -- Airstream

while Arctic Fox gets a 68 out of 75:

RV Rating - Customer Survey of RV Makes and Models -- Arctic Fox

Anyone have thoughts as to why the AS isn't rated too well? The AS has sub par numbers in "maintenance costs", "reliability", "support from manufacturer and dealers", "overall quality and value".

10. 4-seasons really do-able in a AS? I've noticed that with AS wall cross-sections that the outside skin is directly riveted to the metal wall/frame stud and then the inside skin is directly riveted to the same metal stud. Seems like an easy conduit in the whole structure for thermal conductivity. Would heating/cooling energy costs be much higher than in something with "Traditional build and insulation" like a so-called "4-seasons" Arctic Fox? The AS does have less cubic feet of airspace to cool and heat, mainly due to not having any slides. But then again the AF has slides and associated weatherstripping to deal with insulating.
11. Larger appliances and far more storage in the AF versus AS.
12. Taller ceilings in the AF but may hinder smaller parking spots versus the shorter AS?
13. Obviously the AS has better aerodynamics and lower center of gravity which is a plus. No debate there.
14. Is it not possible to get an AS with double pane/thermal type windows?
15. You can get a "fireplace" in most traditional types of travel trailers, as far as I know you cannot in an AS.
16. I understand RV appliances are pretty crappy quality be it in an AS or any other.

Seriously interested in any points or concerns that I didn't hit upon. Why did you go with an AS over a more traditional travel trailer? Was it the look? Was it the aluminum? Was it the ease of towing? Was it the name?

A more traditional trailer seems to give you more room, more amenities, more insulation, all for a comparable weight and quite a bit less cost.

Please let me know why you selected AS over the "others".

[dkottum]

Airstream is the "traditional" travel trailer. And travel is it's greatest asset. If you are a traveler it can't be beat. If you like hauling toys, watching tv outside with the mosquitos, lots of gadgets, cheap-looking interiors, sitting out windy days rather than being on the road, the latest gadget, soon-to-be-out-of-style styling, it's not for you.

It needs good maintenance, leak inspections and corrosion control on a regular basis. If anything breaks or rots or gets smashed over the years, it always repairable and one of the few worth the effort and expense.

Use the heck out of it, maintain it very well, fix what breaks, and your grandchildren will still be loving it 50 - 60 years from now.

It'll still be in style and the traditional travel trailer.

[Sbb]

I travel with mine, 160 nights a year. I was just in Elkhart getting my blinker repaired, two RV mfg employees were at the shop. Said they really make Sob to last a good three years, I think that is not 100 % accurate, point is all rv's shake rattle and roll inside as we drive along,mand you have to use ur gut feeling for what is best for you. The IN guys were shocked my AS was 9 years old.

[Blueliner]

Our decision was simple; get an Airstream and understand that nothing's perfect, or get SOB and still dream of getting in an Airstream someday.

If you have the itch, there's only one way to scratch it.....

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Zybane

Anyone have thoughts as to why the AS isn't rated too well? The AS has sub par numbers in "maintenance costs", "reliability", "support from manufacturer and dealers", "overall quality and value".

Customer ratings are subjective, and not everyone who owns an RV even bothers to rate it. Besides, who even cares what other people think of a particular brand? They're not you, and what's important to them isn't necessarily what's important to you. Ratings and reviews are just a guide, not received gospel, so don't treat them as gospel.

4-seasons really do-able in a AS?

Four seasons is certainly doable in an Airstream, because you're mobile and don't have to stay where it's cold; you can go down south where campgrounds are open year-round and the number of days you have to winterize is measured in single digits rather than triple digits. But if you want to live like an Eskimo in the winter, no trailer is really designed for that, because plumbing obeys the laws of thermodynamics no matter what kind of trailer it's installed in.

Please let me know why you selected AS over the "others".

For the best reason of all— because I could! It was an emotional decision, not a pros and cons trade-off. I like to think the pros outweigh the cons, but I never sat down and listed them to see if that's true.

[nrgtrakr]

We decided we needed an RV to facilitate our lifestyle for the next few years. We looked at many brands and styles. One thing stood out, the number of Airstreams still in use. Part of that is attributable to initial quality, part to the fact repair parts are available, part to the people who keep them going both owners and techs. They've been around since 1935.

In todays throw away world we like ours. Once it leaves the showroom floor it will never be new again. Things will always break or wear out and need to be repaired or replaced, but show me where that doesn't happen.

We bought a 1975 Overlander 27' that the PO claimed everything worked. The Mrs liked it so I didn't care that the PO didn't have it hooked up to prove his claims nor did he know what the hose connection for fresh water was for (honest, I asked him directly and he said he didn't know), or how to use the equalizer hitch. We brought it home and because I know how to fix most everything, that's exactly what I've been doing; sort of a hobby in my retirement.

Sure we could have bought a new one for a little more money, but it would be irrepairable trash in 5-10 years.

I have lived year round full time in the Mojave in summer as well as the Colorado mountains where the nights would go down to -20F and only 0F during the day for a week at a time; it's doable no matter the climate. For the Mrs this will be a new experience.

[moosetags]

We are long time (10 years), high use (1,600 nights/140,000 miles) Airstreamers. Our first RV was a 2005 Safari 25FB. We had decided to go with an Airstream travel trailer after extensive research. We camped in this Airstream for about eight years. It wasn't perfect, but we really enjoyed our camping experience.

A couple of years ago, we decided that we wanted to downsize. After much soul searching and research, we decided to go with an Airstream 23FB. We used this smaller unit for a year and spent 150 nights in it before we decided that our downsizing plan was not our greatest idea.

Again we soul searched and researched. Our ultimate decision was to back to an Airstream 25FB. We traded for a 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB.

I relate this story to give a little background of our camping/RVing experience. At each juncture of our RVing life, we considered the type of RV that we wanted. In each case we stuck with a travel trailer as being the best course for our camping style. We also shopped all of the travel trailers out there. We looked at virtually every brand offered.

When all was said and done, we decided to go Airstream. Airstreams are iconic and never go out of style. There is not another item that I can think that has consistently remained in style for the past eighty years. I don't consider myself a slave to style, but it is nice to have an RV that always looks current.

As far as utility and service goes, I have always been very satisfied with the camping performance of our Airstreams. Are they perfect? No. Are they expensive? Yes. Are they worth the money? Absolutely.

In my opinion, all other travel trailers pale in comparison.

Brian

[Gsmblue]

Since I was a child in the UK I was fascinated with airstreams. In more recent years I regularly would get drunk and tell my wife of the dream "A Range Rover pulling an Airstream touring the west coast and the mountains".

Last year we were finally able buy the airstream!

I never considered anything else.

My wife wanted to go to an RV show earlier this year, so we did. We poked around trailers, pop-ups, motor homes.... After all day at the show, we went to the airstream stand, sat in an identical model to what we had at home and my wife just said "I understand now why nothing other than an airstream would do."

We spent half an hour talking to people in there about the pros and cons we had experienced. I swear we are responsible for a few sales that day!

Our target is 70 nights a year in our Airstream. We are at 28 so far in 2015.

Different strokes for different folks, your mileage may vary... Good luck!

[kb0zke]

An Airstream travel trailer isn't necessarily the best coach for everyone. Airstream itself has offered a fiberglass version (Argosy), motor homes, and even a 5'er. They have experimented with slides. If one wants to stick to the Airstream brand something is available to meet most desires.

When comparing an Airstream to something else, be sure you are comparing apples to apples. A new Airstream is going to be several thousand dollars more than any other travel trailer out there. Now look at a five-year-old Airstream and a five-year-old SOB. Compare the used price to the new price. Which one held value better? Do the same for 10 and 15 years old. The SOB wasn't even around then? What does that tell you?

The last five years or so has been really rough on the RV industry. Many old brands are gone. Airstream is still here. What does that tell you?

[paiceman]

Two reasons, my parents had one when I was in the service. They put over 200,000 miles on it and aside from normal repairs my father did nothing. Did not even wash it, "that is what rain is for".

Other reason, we've had two other Airstreams, loved them both. In between we had "top of the line Motorhome, and another TT. Neither one was as nice or as easy to tow as the Airstreams, simple. Plus don't care what others think or rate the AS at.

[John&Vicki]

In my opinion the Artic Fox is far more practical: much more roomy with square sides and sliders; honest to goodness 4-season living; much lower cost. I had dinner with some friends in their Artic Fox at Cape Blanco SP here in Oregon last week and I was astounded at roomy it was. And the quality looked pretty good to me, although I didn't examine things closely.

Of course I would never own anything but an Airstream. I'm a sucker for stylish icons.

Cheers,
John

[TWA640316]

We chose a Oliver (Olivertraveltrailers.com) over Airstream, after reading this forum and tracking used trailers for over a year. Our decision was based on price and quality. We got a new trailer for about half the cost of a Airstream and it should have the same durability as a Airstream. It's a really nice unit and we like it.

Stan

[AStreamNerds]

My wife wanted a popup camper so we got one a few years ago. She grew up camping in popups and that is just what she wanted. After using that and discovering that we really enjoyed camping together I admitted that I was not very comfortable in the popup. Her comment was the only other camper she would ever consider buying other than what we had was an Airstream. As far as quality, longevity and all of the other pros that come with the Airstream brand I was sold because it would look bada$$ being pulled down the road by my Raptor (I know...shallow huh?).

As it turns out after looking at them in person I love the comfort of the Airstream as much as the head turning factor - everything seems solid to me which I like. Now that we have had it for a few months I could not think of owning any other brand. Sometimes but not always a brand name is worth the extra money.

[ZBoater]

The only reason I've found why I should pay twice as much for an AS vs the competition is longevity. If you plan on buying an new trailer ever few years, any trailer will do. But if you plan to keep it for a couple of decades, an AS seems like a better choice.

IMHO.

[slowmover]

Bigfoot and Oliver only contemporary competitors in those sizes.

An AF is good relative to other boxes. But as they are terrible -- in every way that matters (road performance and longevity) -- it isnt much to say.

A ten year old A/S isn't old. An AF at ten years is on its last legs.

Value is not dollars spent. Nor is new the best deal. Design and production quality matter most.

I'd take a twenty year old Airstream any day over a brand new box. And I don't even like Airstream that much. Instead I have one of its better built competitors from decades ago.

And a pickup isn't or shouldn't be the default tow vehicle. A far better match can be made in that area.

Much depends on how you use it. Use it hard and trade every six years with no genuine concern over road performance, and any box will serve.

My folks bought their trailer and kept it 27-years. No repairs of note.

If one wants longest life, greatest reliability and lowest operating cost as a result, then this TT type is the one to have. Or the ones in the opening sentence may also work out over the decades.

The boxes don't

[drboyd]

My Airstream is 37 years old. How many BWB (Boring White Box) trailers do you know of that are 37 years old?

[ghaynes755]

Zybane the landscape is littered with 5-10-15 year trailers that are not an AS. As mentioned a 3 year lifecyle for the others might be the norm. That said the first Airstream was in 1929. There are lots of AS units on the road that are 10-15-20-25-30 years old. Like a home if you don't update the furniture it will have old style furniture. Things wear out and need to be replace. Yet the shell of the unit, frame, window, the primary structure with normal wear and tear will still be solid.

And resale AS is better than most. You can't go by something like NADA. You need to research on the Classified section hear or RVTrader. NADA has historically been low on Airstreams since they use the the same formula for all brands. Which tells you a lot about the value of a 5 year old other brand.

Finally you just have to chose your lifestyle. If you must have a washer/dryer, fireplace, hot tub then buy what you need. If you want something that will last buy and AS.

[Dexterpix]

When we decided to by a TT we shopped for a new trailer by looking at used ones. We went to RV lots and looked at as many 5-10yr old units as we could. We wanted to see what these TT looked like after someone used them.

Hardest thing was finding used AS for sale. That told us something. It seemed the more used TT there were on the lot of a particular brand the lest quality. People just wanted to get ride of them ASAP.

Wear and tear is one thing but when you look at 5-10 yr old units that have just broke down many had to have all the screws in the cabinets replaced or glued in because the particle board cabinet could no longer hold them. The AS we could find to look at had wear/tear issued, some had leaks, but all of them still were solid. Hinges/doors seals still had a solid feel. Try looking at AF or other SOB's that are used not brand new. Everything looks good new.

Good Luck, in the end by what makes you happy.

Joe D

[duncans]

My nephew bought a used AF. He then sppent a lot of money, and 2 years, replacing all of the rooted wood framing. (He hasn't yet looked at the flooring). Yikes!

[Bill M.]

The reason we own a Airstream is so that we can go on the WBCCI Airstream caravans.