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08-10-2014, 05:27 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Limited
Wichita
, Kansas
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 817
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Are Silver Bullets Making a Comeback
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08-10-2014, 05:46 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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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.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-10-2014, 05:59 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Are Silver Bullets Making a Comeback
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.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-10-2014, 06:07 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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I think this is just a marketing ploy more than anything real.
Perry
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08-10-2014, 06:15 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Snoqualmie
, Washington
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 21
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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!
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08-10-2014, 06:22 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Holly Lake Ranch
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,794
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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
__________________
Dana and Olga
2006 Safari 23
2011 Tundra Double Cab
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08-10-2014, 07:04 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Quote:
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
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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.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-10-2014, 07:09 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Holly Lake Ranch
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,794
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Thanks just wondered. Wasn't doubting your numbers.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Dana and Olga
2006 Safari 23
2011 Tundra Double Cab
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08-15-2014, 06:06 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2002 31' Classic
Currently Looking...
Monroe
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 649
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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.
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08-15-2014, 07:11 PM
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#10
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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I think they are attracting a new generation too. Which is always a good thing for a good product.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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08-17-2014, 04:29 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
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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.
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
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