Are Silver Bullets Making a Comeback

[Steve Bryant]

Here's an interesting story about the resurgence of Airstreams. What do you think?

Steve

[AWCHIEF]

I was at the mother ship a couple of weeks ago. Was told that Airstream is 1000 units behind on travel trailers and 400 behind on B vans. It takes 9 days and 300 man hours to build a TT. They are rolling out 41 units a week. They had one Diesel Pusher Sky Deck in production and three more on order. All the Sky Decks are ordered by NASCAR teams. They also had 4 Food Cart Bambi's and 5 European spec Bambi's on the line. They are only working one shift a day. If I was Thor I would consider putting on another shift to catch up with the demand. Additionally the are Booked up for 2 months in the repair shop.

Making a comeback, sounds like that to me.

[J. Morgan]

Another shift would exasperate quality issues as their skilled labor and experienced supervisors would need to be spread over two shifts.

There are a lot of considerations that would have to be made. They would also need to see doubled production from their outside vendors, creating possibly more quality issues.

Adding a shift would be a huge investment in HR that would need to be weighed against an increased supply that may tend to push unit pricing, and profit per unit down.

[perryg114]

I think this is just a marketing ploy more than anything real.

Perry

[jweathe1974]

Great article! Recently we were approached by a company that wanted to follow are restoration progress. Flipping RV's is the name of the show. An entire film crew flew up from LA to film our airstream being polished. The series will air in September. We see the value of our trailer going up & up! BTW, we used an amazing company called Flyte Camp, located in Bend OR. If your interested in full restoration, these are you guys. Attention to detail is superb !! I've posted photos on my profile for anyone to see. Enjoy!

[Goal15]

I wonder where the 1000 travel trailers behind metric comes from. I keep reading on here about people seeing their units on the assembly line. At 41units per week that's about 6
months behind. Are people waiting 6 months to get a new AS?


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Goal15

I wonder where the 1000 travel trailers behind metric comes from. I keep reading on here about people seeing their units on the assembly line. At 41units per week that's about 6
months behind. Are people waiting 6 months to get a new AS?


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

In my case the numbers came from Don (I think I have the name right) the tour guide and long time retired employee. One couple in my group did see their new trailer. It was a couple of days from completion. I do not know about 6 months wait time, but it seems normal to wait 3 to 4 months.

[Goal15]

Thanks just wondered. Wasn't doubting your numbers.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[terryV]

I am seeing more Airstreams on the road these days, but they never completely disappeared.

I loved the story, and I agree with the notion that we are only custodians while we have these lovely pieces of rolling art. But that's true of most of the finer things in life.

[BoldAdventure]

I think they are attracting a new generation too. Which is always a good thing for a good product.

[JFScheck]

For the price, I really hope they can improve the product before really ramping up production above today's levels.

This is in comparing my 2009 25FB Classic with disc brakes to my 2011 30 Classic with drums and my 2013 27FB Serenity, again with drums...

I think ducted A/C is a start as well as gaskets between exterior light covers against skin, but there is so much more they need to improve, in particular, corrosion of parts on Airstream leaving factory is big one, belt line, window install, etc.