Would you lend out your Airstream?

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by barbara4rb

As for Mom and Dad, can you/would you sell them the trailer they've been using? We know they're careful, but if they owned it, they wouldn't have to ask permission, and you wouldn't have to worry. ???

It's not for sale...

Shari

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by clancy_boy

Shari, just a quick question ------ Does your Mom and Dad use the internet?

No...they don't have any idea this forum exists.

Originally Posted by clancy_boy

Just had to ask. They know of your interests in Airstreams, I'm sure - could they read this thread?

Although, I could send them a link to let them know how I feel ~

Yeah, no...probably not a good idea...

Ya think!?

Shari

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by SwampBillies

I know the guilt my mother can render with just a look.

Debbie, are you my sister???

Originally Posted by SwampBillies

With my mother I have found that the truth is not always the best policy, sometimes it is easier to lie to her than to upset her. Easier on me at least.

Unfortunately (huh?), I am a horrible liar...

Shari

[azflycaster]

I think you should be honest and tell them how you feel.

If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you said.....

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I think you should be honest and tell them how you feel.

You're closer...wanna do it for me Richard?

Shari

[wheel interested]

Think of it this way...you will have the opportunity to run every concern by them during their "training" period with you along side grooming them in proper diligence and reverence and lay that on AMPLY! And you are getting what you wished for and in the long run may eventuate in many a shared Airstream experience in the future if they do decide to move up to a real trailer. They have fully embraced your idea and vision and that is a good thing. Now for the rest, what is the absolute worst thing that could happen and how likely is that of happening and are they really more of a risk than any usage since they are experienced with towing and traveling and camping? They did raise you to be the careful accomplished woman you are, did you fall far from the tree? Also who better to be able to fix any boo boo or turn any mishappening into an opportunity to show and exercise your skill in rennovation or saavy in acquisition.

One other thought...take off and join them on their exteneded trip, perhaps that was all Mom's ploy from the beginning to see more of you.

Or just tell them you offered the rally plan and you don't want them to take it even if they are close to that destination. Honesty and frankness is better than cancelling or creating a cover story. It's amazing what people can understand.

[muddy_hollow]

Originally Posted by Ganglin

Sometimes there are mysterious electrical or propane problems that suddenly arise with tempermental Airstreams.

Sometimes they last long enough that thoughts of borrowing someone elses Airstream fades away.....

Garlic extract or puree left in a bag in the sun and then set in some far off space will give the odor of propane. It's either that or you have to gas them

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

...What do you guys think? Am I stingy? Should I let them use it again next year?

Just say "no". But sometimes that is hard to do.

My mother-in-law hinted around once about borrowing our Airstream. When I indicated they didn't have the right tow vehicle, my father-in-law piped up that they could use our TV. I didn't just say "no", but mumbled something to the effect that we use it all the time. That ended it there and then, thank goodness, as I was feeling the effects of what felt like a mild heart attack the entire time we were having this conversation.

[tsunami]

Loan my AS, Not NO, but, Hell NO..... I violently persuade small animals from even going near it. I've only once allowed my spouse, under close supervison, to even go inside my AS. Made her take her shoes, belt, and jewlery off to make sure she wouldn"t/couldn't scratch anything.

Oh, back to reality... But seriously, I think I couldn't loan it out. I wouldn't sleep while it's away from home.

[barbara4rb]

Golly, why am I surprised to learn that your Airstream that Mom and Dad use is not for sale???? I am attached to mine and I haven't even found it yet.

May I recommend several good links for your parental-borrowers?
Airstream Trailer & Motorhome Classifieds - Main Index - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
craigslist: san francisco bay area classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events
RV Trader Magazine Online- New and Used RVs for Sale

Then when they buy their own, they'll understand why you don't wish to let yours go out without you. :-)

[richinny]

honesty is the best policy. this is not just a vehicle but a "personal item". if something were to happen to it, (their fault or not) it would leave you with a permanent scar. once they own one, they'll understand.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Shari

Morning Shari,

My bigest question is this: how much of your concern is about them towing? If that is the big issue, then tell them upfront. If that is the issue, maybe they can sort it out, you never know. Having thought about this sort of thing I have decided that if my mom and her husband, or my brothers asked to borrow it to go camping , I will probally say OK. Will they get a massive training course? You bet. Will I sweat bullets the whole time? I'm sure. On the other hand, the trade wind is just a thing and if my loaning it to my closest family miight add a few more happy days to thier lives, then that is what is important to me.

[phoenix491]

I'm new to Airstreaming, but I've actually thought a bit about this question ... When I was in high school, my dad and I bought a classic car and worked on restoring it. Most nights, every weekend, months on end. When it was "finished" (and they never REALLY are, much like an Airstream), I never let anyone drive it. After all, they had no clue how much blood, sweat and tears had gone into it. To them, it was just a cool car. To me, however, it was much more.

Flash forward to college. My older sister was having a bad day, and asked to take her boyfriend for a drive in my car. You can imagine the rest of the story. She smashed the front fender and rear quarter panel. She felt awful, of course, but not as bas as I did. I STILL think about it. (And I still have the car.)

I would never want to go through that again, and I certainly wouldn't want to put a friend or relative through it. End of story. NO.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

My bigest question is this: how much of your concern is about them towing?

I've been pondering what my real concerns are with this whole thing. They are:

1) Insurance coverage if they are towing (we have a replacement value policy of $18,000 as a special rider) they don't
2) they want to take it to Canada (out of the country) on "their" trip
3) they're not used to towing something as big - they have a low pop-up and a small fishing boat
4) they have smaller (although adequate) truck - but plan on towing through mountains - our trip together does not involve any mountain roads
5) not sure of their hitch/sway control or brake controller set-up (this can be dealt with)
6) my mother does not tow (except in case of an emegency) and then only forward - so not much experience at it
7) General quirkiness of a vintage trailer:

• gotta turn the door handle "just so" to be sure it latches before towing - same with access doors
• the whole "old" vs "vintage" thing - a lack of general respect of vintage "irreplaceable" parts (I know my mother ..."it just broke - oh well - it was old!")

That just about covers it - except for a month of sleepless nights and dread of what could go wrong. Not to mention the "afterlife" if something does. I am generally a very giving & forgiving person - "mi casa es su casa". I'm not materialistic - it is "just a trailer" afterall - but with the sweat equity we have into it...there is a bit more sentiment attached. However, I would be sick if something happened to them or the trailer and the regrets we would all have.

Shari

[Mel]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

• the whole Old" vs "vintage" thing - a lack of general respect of vintage "irreplaceable" parts (I know my mother ..."it just broke - oh well - it was old!")

This is exactly the attitude I experienced from my mother when we had my parents tow our Caravel to a TCT rally last summer. I still have a very vivid mental picture of mom repeatedly tugging on the irreplaceable Bargman L-77 door handle, despite the fact that the door was locked.

[jdalrymple]

Originally Posted by richinny

honesty is the best policy. this is not just a vehicle but a "personal item". if something were to happen to it, (their fault or not) it would leave you with a permanent scar. once they own one, they'll understand.

Great Point. Asking to borrow my AS would be the synonymous
with asking to borrow my toothbrush. It ain't no lawn mower.

[rideair]

The fix for this problem is simple. Just go out and buy your mother an Airstream for herself! I've seen some good trailers for sale in this site for around 5-7K. Find one that you "really" like in that price range, buy, give it to her with a note, "When you die, I get it back in the will" Problem FIXED!! And you get another Airstream sometime in the future.

[LJH]

NO! Not gonna happen!! Keep Smilin LJH

[Jaxon]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Excuse me for being uninformed, but what is an SOB (besides the one commonly known?)

Some other brand
Same old box

I like the latter as it describes perfectly what all the other trailers look like.

[Becky B.]

That was from my uninformed days....like my sister & Shari's mother now!