How do you justify the cost?

[errol108]

Interesting comments. We're also contemplating a retirement lifestyle in a 28' AS, travelling California's west coast. Have looked at many TT, and still educating ourselves. Seems the quality of AS is unsurpassed, unless we missed something, and paying that extra in our opinion is worth it, if you can afford it of course.

[Msmoto]

Relative to a box type trailer, the AS quality is superb, the overall aluminum semi- monocoque being the big factor. But if Honda made a similar unit, like they do airplanes, this would be "unsurpassed" quality, but the price would be about $200,000, unsurpassed as well.

What costs so much about the AS, is no doubt the primary construction, but the actual quality, when compared to many automobiles has some serious areas of concern.


Ms. Tommie Lauer
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[lbdesign]

I agree with Tommie, you need to grade trailer quality on a curve. It's all relative, and none are trouble free.
Have you looked at DRV Mobile Suites?

[CRH]

I have read all of the replies. They are as varied as we are. I am still working and probably a decade or more younger than the average AS owner. I could have afforded a new AS if I wanted payments. I choose to pay cash. I could have bought a new SOB for what I paid for a used AS. I simply wanted an Airstream. My other hobbies take up much of my time and money. I like Airstreaming, but am not over the top consumed with it. At this point in my life I am not able to take weeks long trips. I do take several week long trips thru the year, but they aren't with a RV. I couldn't justify a new AS sitting unused much of the year and depreciating. I could justify a used one sitting idle, though. I don't regret my AS decision.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by lbdesign

I agree with Tommie, you need to grade trailer quality on a curve. It's all relative, and none are trouble free.
Have you looked at DRV Mobile Suites?

Mobile Suites 5th wheels are nice, but still an sob.
An AIrstream has much more style than a 5th wheel.
Why has Airstream never made a silver aluminum 5th wheel?


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[mayco]

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[m.hony]

Is it aluminum or painted fiberglass?
I reckon they did make a "Squarestream" 5th wheel.
So-
Let me ask the same question with modification:
Why didn't Airstream make a silver aluminum 5th wheel which resembles my trailer- what people think of when they hear the word Airstream?
I know about Integrity fiberglass box 5th wheels and Avion white box 5th wheels.






Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[m.hony]

That is a really good looking Squarestrem 5th wheel.
Didn't they only make them in '88 and '89?



Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[BoldAdventure]

How does one justify not spending money on themselves?

[errol108]

[errol108]

Introducing 'Valentine'. Our 2001 30' Excella. Leaving shortly on our maiden voyage, any advice!

[carl2591]

Originally Posted by errol108

Introducing 'Valentine'. Our 2001 30' Excella. Leaving shortly on our maiden voyage, any advice!

I know when we took our "maiden" voyage make sure you are close to places, walmart target etc, to buy stuff you will figure you need on the unit. I would suggest a nice FHU place closeish to home..

Our first trip was a 3hr away event to near Boone NC so we got to pull the 3 mile 8% grade up to Blue Ridge Parkway entrance on HWY 421. (that was fun )

If you have not practiced backing up find you a parking lot, set up some cones,etc and learn how to go backwards. I have some walkie talkies and that helps.

one bit of advise on backing... us your mirrors. I see a lot of folks that want to turn around and watch the action. learn to use mirrors and you will be a better backerupper. I learned driving an 18 wheeler and you could not look through the back window, sleeper model, so mirrors was all you had. Once you learn it easy plus now with remote control mirrors you can move them to see better which I did not have on my OTR tractor.

Most important advise.. HAVE FUN.. and remember you are special,, why,, easy..

You will most likely be the ONLY airstream in the park..unless you are at a WBCCI event then you will be around a bunch of them.. (you are a wbcci member right?? )

enjoy..!!

[MontyV]

We don't. We are careful with things that are investments. RVs, boats, planes are not investments. We make sure we are comfortable with the price on this type of purchase. We make sure it is what we want and then just write the check. AND then enjoy.

[nickclifford]

Full timing ? I'd move into a 27-30' model in a heart beat. The smaller ones look cute and great for weekenders but couldn't imagine actually living in one ! Buy used though !

[tvketchum]

Justification: we have to live somewhere. Might as well be a tiny house we call pull to where we want to go. Sold the sticks and bricks, no grass to mow, no snow to shovel. If we don't like our neighbor's, we can move. If we want to see a different view from the window, we can move. Can't do those easily in a traditional house. Bought a used30' 08 Classic in 2013, so the previous owner paid the depreciation, and we get the dividend. Yes, there are maintenance costs, but so do traditional houses.

Very easy to justify....


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Tom
TVKetchum

[Msmoto]

I love these discussions which deal with our psychological issues. For me, and I am speaking only for myself, I can justify a lot of things which are in fact highly impulsive emotional decisions. Even after due diligence, the purchase of almost anything has so many unconscious emotional factors affecting the decision making process, I usually ask others for their opinion.

Now, the other factor is that I can be so intimidating that most of those I ask will agree with me. Or, as it is not their money, they encourage me to spend whatever i want to.

Maybe the best "justification" is that in my case I spent a lot of years working extensive hours, having very little time for myself, and now that I have the time, I want to spend it playing as much as I can. Not working does bring one other fact into play, no income, so each purchase must be looked at in terms of how it affects the overall budget for living out my days.

At present, I am considering selling my current 30RB Serenity and Dodge truck, with the purchase of a used Interstate for my traveling. But, this will be done only if I can do this with a minimal cash outlay, and will not be carried out unless the numbers work out as I have planned.

Anyway, I hope everyone who has an Airstream can be free from the need to justify the purchase and instead just get out and enjoy the experience.

[m.hony]

Who needs justification?
Is justification for our own rationalization?
"Because I want to" is all the justification I need.
Others outside of my household need no justification from me. They aren't paying my bills.

[toastie]

Justifying is very easy, Airstream biggest competition is Airstreams. All Airstreams that have been build, over 60% are still being used, they hold there value. I'm seeing Airstreams in the 50's going for over $50,000.

toastie

[m.hony]

Some of the vintage Airstreams sell for more than they cost new, but I didn't buy it as an investment.
I bought it to go camping/traveling in a piece of Americana.
Justification?
Maybe?
I bought what I wanted.

[Ray Eklund]

I can be buried in a fancy pine box
OR
buried in an Airstream.

I wanted the better view. You decide which view you want.