New less expensive Airstream

[khollister]

I think if a Vantage with mod interior sells, it will sell because buyers want a small trailer with a mod interior, not because they want an Airstream. In other words, I don't see much upside to branding it an Airstream.

[wvstreamer]

I think if it says Airstream, it should be an Airstream. Period.

[switz]

In the 50s and 60s, GM made a range of vehicle models. The perception was that a Chevy with the lower price point was not the same quality as the Caddy. Over the years, each model lost their uniqueness sharing common motors and transmissions and at one point, the only difference was the front and rear 6" of plastic but the prices still ranged from low to very high for plastic glitz.

So, in my opinion, an Airstream branded econobox will serve to decrease the perceived value of the entire product line.

Historically, many folks never swap out their Airstream for a newer one and hand the one they originally purchased down through the family. The GM thought process of upgrading Chevy>Buick>Cadillac has not applied to Airstreams.

Thor already has dozens of models at nearly every price point in their other brands, I wonder why they would want to destroy the mystique of the Airstream?

Of course many of us have now experienced with our new units the lack of quality control at both the factory and the dealerships from their attempt to make Airstreams a cookie cutter item and their use of the cheapest available components.

I wonder if the quality control test will be - can the econobox can make it to the dealership lot before it falls apart?

[Foiled Again]

I've got an Avion being upgraded in Baltimore by Frank Yensan. Why? Honestly, because after 3 Airstreams the "mystique" of the brand has become the "mistake" in my perception.

I really cannot and should not speak for Frank, but he's remarked that he's been impressed by the build of the Avion (mine was his "first") and that it's sad to think that several other brands of curved aluminum trailers have gone out of business while Airstream persists - and persists with rotten floors, a host of leaks, etc.

A big part of this IN MY OPINION is advertising. Wally "pimped his brand" pretty darned effectively - and even today his fans - me included - are really FANS which is a word that was born when fanatics was shortened to FANS.
Airstream has always looked a little sleeker and has always had brand recognition that other trailers don't have. When I was dragging my newly purchased AVION from Ohio to Frank's shop in Baltimore I used 3 different rest stops on the PA turnpike - because the porpoising wore me out! At two of them people walked up and wanted to ask me about my Airstream - noting they'd never seen one exactly like it in the past. Uh duh! There is the story in a nutshell. "Aspirin" was a brand name that became the generic name for the drug. Other than Airstream owners and experienced RV dealers/repair people, if it's aluminum and has curved endcaps it's a lower case "airstream" not a Silver Streak, a Streamline or any of half a dozen other brands.

Wheeler et al would be very well advised to remember that fashions CHANGE and that the next new thing could easily knock Airstream on it's overpriced, under built behind. By the time my 10 meter unit is done, I'll have less than $50 K in it..... Compare that to the 2016 Classic that's five feet shorter.

Paula

[Airtandem]

Thor does/did own T@B or the larger Tada. Why not incorporate the interior and functions of it into the looks of the Basecamp. It would have heat, ac, toilet and shower,plus the frig and stove. Or one could take the Bambi 16 and use the looks of the Basecamp.

Mike

[mandolindave]

"Not aluminum, Unmistakably AIRSTREAM"


Couldn't they use the shell of an airstream to make the mold, for a Casita style trailer.

[Royce]

My guess: Steel frame, wood floor, molded plastic exterior and interior sandwich with steel tube between layers for the structure. Rivet heads as part of the exterior look, painted silver. Interior cabinets molded and entire system glued together.

[Denis4x4]

I've owned a T@B and an Avion. Both far superior in QC than an Airstream.

[J. Morgan]

The other side of that equation is that Airstream is still in production.


Brevi tempore!

[xrvr]

Quality costs money. Making something if highest quality involves selling at a quality price and that can sometimes price you out of the mkt.

[Piggy Bank]

True but there is a long-term market strategy to perhaps capture young customers and foster brand loyalty and future purchases that would be more lucrative

That is why they have "entry level" luxury cars.

[Denis4x4]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

The other side of that equation is that Airstream is still in production.


Brevi tempore!

Just goes to show you that there are lots of people out there that drink the Kool-Aid.

[Ted S.]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Quality costs money. Making something if highest quality involves selling at a quality price and that can sometimes price you out of the mkt.

Excactly.

[TWaugh]

Back to the original posting on this thread.....

Remember the Scout Prototype Airstream rolled out a couple of years ago. I thought it was kind of cool. Maybe they are considering going with this retro style.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...49374158502515

[Piggy Bank]

Baby Moons on a silver canned ham white box is not an Airstream

[TWaugh]

Canned Ham not an Airstream??
What about the Byam Holiday from the fifties?

[xrvr]

There ya go! Lots of AS owners memories only go back a few years.

[Piggy Bank]

My personal opinion is that that is a vintage trailer, but not an airstream.

My opinion is that the curved, silver bullet shape is essential.

[PaulnGina]

I think AS would sell the heck out of a traditionally-built, aluminum-skinned canned ham. They could add some last-forever features to keep floors and walls from rotting. Other than that, add a nice AS interior to it and be done. Maybe 2 or 3 lengths....16', 18', 20'? Maybe an option of a retro-looking interior or a more modern one.

I can see it now....

[mandolindave]

Originally Posted by PaulnGina

I think AS would sell the heck out of a traditionally-built, aluminum-skinned canned ham. They could add some last-forever features to keep floors and walls from rotting. Other than that, add a nice AS interior to it and be done. Maybe 2 or 3 lengths....16', 18', 20'? Maybe an option of a retro-looking interior or a more modern one.

I can see it now....

I would love to have an Airstream canned ham, OR a Basecamp for that matter. I just don't think they are gonna sell the heck out a product that costs $10K more than a similar product.