Why did YOU choose Airstream over the others?

[chaseav]

Originally Posted by klattu

The old class C was falling apart faster than I could repair.

Went looking for a GMC, I liked their looks.

Then discovered that Airstream made a motorhome.

Liked the classic look, and one I could fix up and it would be worth it.

No history of Airstreams in my passed, wanted something different and cool looking.

Those awnings are AWESOME!

[FollySteve]

That is a sweet looking MH. Beautiful job. Any inside pix?

[flyncloud]

klattu,
That Airstream is Soooooo cool. I wish they still made them,would love to have one.

The window awnings are even cooler.

[m.hony]

Every time I see the username klatuu I think of a seventies song, "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft"-


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[flyncloud]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Every time I see the username klatuu I think of a seventies song, "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft"-


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No, that's Klaatu. Good tune though.

Sorry for the thread drift.

[klattu]

Wow...thanks for all the positive vibes.

So many photos here...they banned me from adding any more

The old Class C...she was a good girl.








Older photos...is about same now
Of course NASA was my inspiration...just took off from there.

[chaseav]

Very cool. We did NASA stripes on ours too. Don't have a rear awning but would love to do one in the colors.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Add to that:
I know that all but the Eddie Bauer and new Classic have crumby tires!

Taaa daaa ! One of the reason we went to the EB ...

[chaseav]

Can we define crumby? They're Goodyears...

[m.hony]

Hmm...
Marathon is a good name-
Good for 26 miles-
Puff-up-athon or Swollen-up-athon would be more appropriate names-
3 or 4 years is about all I have ever been able to get out of ST trailer tires. The tires apparently can't really handle the weight or speed or heat, although they were always inflated to proper pressure and never exceeded 65 mph.
The tires are just no good.
There is a reason 16" Michelin tires come on the Eddie Bauer and 2015 and up Classic and are optional on all trailers over 25 or 27 feet.


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[m.hony]

I really hope you were being sarcastic.


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[chaseav]

I was not... I have 5000 miles on them so far and no issues. I routinely exceed 65mph when able and my OAT's are usually in excess of 85 degrees. From what it sounds like you are telling me, the tires that I thought would last 6 years and cost $800-1000 all around only last 4-5 years compared with the presumably significantly more expensive ones on the EB and Classics. So boiled off, my annual tire budget is actually 5-10% higher than I expected. Within the margin of error for sure but I'll take note and add that $100 line item. Unless of course the more expensive tires last for significantly longer.

[paiceman]

Ordered Michelin 16" from factory on our 2015 30' FC. Just completed 10,000 miles out west in seven weeks. No issues, took trailer into dealer for some minor warranty work and they said, tires don't even looked used. Tires held at 72 pounds entire trip, from Ocean level to 9,600 feet and from 28 degrees F to 108 degrees F.

We like them, had no issues on previous two AS Goodyears as long as we had them, but changed both ourselves over to Michelins.

[Rocinante]

<sarcastic>
Oh goody, another tire thread!
</sarcastic>

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by chaseav

I was not... I have 5000 miles on them so far and no issues. I routinely exceed 65mph when able and my OAT's are usually in excess of 85 degrees. From what it sounds like you are telling me, the tires that I thought would last 6 years and cost $800-1000 all around only last 4-5 years compared with the presumably significantly more expensive ones on the EB and Classics. So boiled off, my annual tire budget is actually 5-10% higher than I expected. Within the margin of error for sure but I'll take note and add that $100 line item. Unless of course the more expensive tires last for significantly longer.

Just wait 3-4 years and about 20,000 miles-
There are 2 types of people in the world:
Those who have had trouble with ST tires-
Those who WILL have trouble with ST tires-
Now back to the thread topic- Why did you choose Airstream?


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[Jacob D]

I inherited mine 27 years ago. You could call it a "family heirloom". It has been our "beach house", "mountain cabin", "roadside picnic shelter" and among other things, my hobby to maintain. Because of my uncles's experience with it for 21 years before us, we never considered anything else. Yes, it has a few dings, scratches and isn't as shiny as it once was but it is still a conversation piece where ever we take it.

[rodsterinfl]

Shiny things are nice and all these helpful people.

[Twinke58]

I choose my Airstream because I love going camping and I have an old VW Bus and I love vintage things. If something that is 50 plus years is still on the road and still going it's worth buying.


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[jcanavera]

I guess I chose an Airstream because after 40 years of camping I know that quality items last longer and in the end have higher resale values. My evidence goes all the way back to tent camping in the early 70's. I owned a 20 x 10 two room Coleman tent which rewarded me over and over in all kinds of weather and conditions that this was a great product. Never had a problem and issue and after 5 years of use, I sold it to a friend for almost the same price I paid for it.

I wanted to have a towable and after looking at many different brands of pop ups's I went with a Coleman (at that time they were still truly a Coleman product). Fit and finish was excellent, where other pop ups used velcro strips to connect the canvas to the door, Coleman had a rubber gasket channel in the door arrangement. I was in a storm so bad one night that had hoped open the velcro in other campers. My Coleman stayed tight and dry. I sold that pop up after 4 years of use for $300 less than what I paid.

From there I bought a Hi-Lo travel trailer. That vehicle was a real tank with a steel framing, a once piece aluminum roof. Inside the steel framing was foam insulation which gave those thick walls a great R factor. It actually was the quietest trailer I have ever owned. I kept that trailer for 14 years. I paid $8,200 for it new back in '82. I sold it for $5,700. Not a bad return for a 14 year old trailer. I stored it under cover and it looked like new.

From the Hi-Lo I got careless and bought a 30' Thor built Electra trailer. It was aluminum framed. In retrospect it wasn't really quality and started leaking from day one of ownership. While we were able to find the source of the leaks, it would seem to develop new ones. I always felt that the trailer with its aluminum frame flexed so much that screws and other areas would just either start working their way up or would brake the sealant. After 3 years I knew the trailer probably wouldn't last more than 10 years.

From that I did a lot more looking and decided that if I wanted something that would last, an Airstream was going to most likely be in my future. We've now passed 10 years on my Classic and in all honestly this will be the last RV I will ever own. I feel that while I paid a price premium, I will get that back in useful service and eventually a good return when it comes time for me to hang up my camping days.

Jack

[carl2591]

what you going to do if you get a longer unit.. ?? that 23 looks like it fills, length wise, the space. i guess you can extend the concrete but the top might be tough.

very nice place nonetheless.

Originally Posted by FollySteve

A few more pix of finished carport. Attachment 246646Attachment 246647Attachment 246648