Visit our Popular Forums

J. Morgan · 01-12-2016, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

My curiosity is will it be assembled at Jackson Center, or another Thor facility and labeled as an Airstream to capitalize the iconic name. A fake.

I say likely the second option.

Brevi tempore!

Tomzstream · 01-12-2016, 05:29 PM

I'll reserve judgment until the specs are out. I for one have been critical of the lack of progress in weight reduction, even with the advancement of high tech materials that airstream has been reluctant to adopt. Its OLD TECH through and through, including the electrical systems and the batteries for chissakes. Call it fake if you want, but any improvement in weight reduction and durability (yes the two can coexist) is welcome IMO. It doesn't have to be a cheap knockoff of a Casita either. There have been some interesting ventures offering composite materials, and I for one would welcome it. How about an aluminum frame? And get rid of the crappy wood floors... And how about something that is energy efficient? The lack of insulation and the fact that aluminum is a conductor of heat makes the design about as bad as you can get in terms of designing a habitable space. There are endless possibilities. Its funny... how many personal aircraft are manufactured with aluminum skins anymore? We can make spaceships (ala Scaled Composites) with modern material.s.. why not travel trailers? Cars today are more lightweight by far AND more capable these days. Why do Airstreamers persist with supporting a bigger and heavier is better philosophy, particularly when it comes to Tow Vehicles? Europe is way ahead of us in that regard.

J. Morgan · 01-12-2016, 06:35 PM

Not exactly true, modern cars are BRICKS.

A new V6 Camaro outweighs my 55 Lincoln by a couple hundred pounds.

Imo, plywood is a great floor material so long as it is kept dry.

Brevi tempore!

cameront120 · 01-12-2016, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Imo, plywood is a great floor material so long as it is kept dry.

Hard to do when the body is full of holes and produces a good bit of condensation that finds its way to the floor.

NHAir · 01-13-2016, 03:07 AM

When you read through all the views expressed regarding the current design and construction of an Airstream travel trailer, you quickly begin to create a "wishlist" of what you hope to find. As a member of this Forum who is listed as "currently searching", I have found the information to be very helpful if not concerning.

I do like the concept of a TT which is both durable and easy to maintain. That way I have more time to enjoy camping. I like a TT which allows me to camp along the ocean and be comfortable camping in cold weather here in New England. I also like a manufacturing facility which understands quality control and continuous quality improvement using state of the art materials and techniques. For me, the TT should be an all season camper, a true off grid TT, be capable of off road camping, be chock-full of electronics to accommodate a home based work force, be easy to tow without a WDH, have 16" Michelin tires, utilize a bank of four AGM batteries, have two 30lb propane tanks, etc, etc. and allow for customization of the interior design both in layout and finishes.

I know that sounds like a long wishlist and I guess it is. Surprisingly, an Oliver Elite II meets all my requirements listed above and is currently being built for me in Tennessee.

I suspect Airstream will learn from companies like Oliver and what they learn will benefit all future Airstream owners. For me, I could not wait. 2016 should be a great year to enjoy camping!

NHAir

J. Morgan · 01-13-2016, 06:59 AM

I don't know, the plywood floor in my trailer served it for forty years, and 85% of the original floor is still serving.

These things don't rot away by getting a wet once or twice, but by long term leaks that are not addressed.

Imo, built in complexity via lots of built in gadgetry is not necessarily a positive thing. I mostly went the other way when building our trailer, trying to make the trailer as simple as possible, and the components few, accessible, and easily serviceable.

Brevi tempore!

Denis4x4 · 01-13-2016, 08:52 AM

Nobody has mentioned the possibility of a unit made off shore (or Mexico) yet. Sailors here may remember that Yamaha had a line of sailboats in the seventies that were very innovative for the time. At one time, one of the largest sailboat manufacturers in the US explored the possibilities of building a line of boats in China. In as much as Gen-X'ers and millennials have no problems buying cars made in Korea, Japan, etc., the possibility of an offshore TT is not so far-fetched. If this were to happen, it also reinforces my theory that Thor continues to prostitute the Airstream brand.

mefly2 · 01-13-2016, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

My curiosity is will it be assembled at Jackson Center, or another Thor facility and labeled as an Airstream to capitalize the iconic name. A fake.

Yep ...

dkottum · 01-13-2016, 09:20 AM

Hmmm, we looked at Oliver trailers and they convinced us to buy our Airstream. Not sure if was the plastic everything inside or the tiny peekaboo windows, but I don't think Airstream has much to learn from them.

Steel frames provide strength, aluminum shells long-term durability, and plywood floors are light, strong and flexible. Like anything, a decent routine inspection and maintenance program will ensure you have a sound camper to pass on to your grandchildren.

We can wish for a good, inexpensive Airstream and I think they were on track with the Sport models. The Sport is very good, they will last forever if cared for. Maybe that's as close as they will ever get.

m.hony · 01-13-2016, 09:43 AM

I think Airstream can learn from Oliver!
Storage, batteries, converter, Wi-Fi, etc...

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

n2916s · 01-13-2016, 10:10 AM

My trailer is 30 years old this year. It is not near as shiny as it was when the first owner picked it up. But, I still roll around the country some seven or eight thousand miles in it every year.

I don't need to plug it into my laptop to trouble shoot it. A medium size tool bag holds everything I need to fix anything that needs fixing. The systems are dead simple and remarkably rugged.

Personally, I like it that way. We have internet through our Verizon smartphone, I have satellite tv with my Directv receiver from home and my King Quest antenna. I have SiriusXM radio by popping the receiver out of the TV and into the trailer. All of which were easy to install, are easy to replace and, better still, easy to upgrade.

I can't think of any other RV that, when properly cared for, has anything remotely like the durability of an Airstream. Unless I hit the Powerball tonight, I plan another 20 years with my old, aluminum friend.

Mike

switz · 01-13-2016, 10:33 AM

Interesting specs on the Oliver Legacy Elite II. The first one is the overall width is 7'0" which is narrower that the narrowest Airstream , the 22 Bambi at 7' 3.5" while the other "narrow" body units are 8' wide and the wide body units (over 25') are 8' 5.5". The literature shows the Oliver unit as 9' 7"high to the top of the Satellite dish while Airstream is 9' 6" to the top of the Airconditioner.

The size is comparable to the 23D which has a literature empty weight of 4,761 pounds whereas the Oliver with two 20# tanks has a empty weight of 4,600 pounds. The huge difference is the payload of the Oliver with a 7,000 pound GVW is nearly 2,400 pounds where the airstream has a 6,000 pound GVW. The much lower Oliver tongue weight of around 420 pounds could make it towing friendly to much smaller tow vehicles than the 23D tongue weight of 720 pounds.

The base price of the 2016 23D International Serenity is close to $75,300. I wonder what the starting price of the Olive is? They have an extensive options list that might bring price parity to the Airstream. I was unable to get a live person at Oliver today.

NHAir · 01-13-2016, 11:39 AM

In ordered my Oliver Elite II with 16 options since I need cold weather dry camping. I plan to encourage my daughter, who works via the Internet, to use the Ollie. So she benefits from the high tech options. Even with all these options, I saved many thousands over the 23D. I understand now why it might appeal to younger campers.

dkottum · 01-13-2016, 12:02 PM

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." - John Keats

After viewing both inside and outside, that was enough reason for us to choose Airstream over Oliver. Spec's and gadgets didn't matter.

I hope Airstream understands this in their new less expensive Airstream.

rostam · 01-13-2016, 12:20 PM

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

I personally like Aluminium trailers, but it seems more than 99% of RVers prefer non-aluminum trailers.

field & stream · 01-13-2016, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rostam

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

I personally like Aluminium trailers, but it seems more than 99% of RVers prefer non-aluminum trailers.

Both statements are true, but I think way more fiberglass trailers are sold because of the price advantages. In a beauty contest between white plastic and aluminum, a betting man would be wise to put his money on aluminum.

dkottum · 01-13-2016, 03:28 PM

That 99% must be the ones that stop by to tell us how nice our Airstream looks all the time. We would return the favor but they would know we were lying.

m.hony · 01-13-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rostam

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

I personally like Aluminium trailers, but it seems more than 99% of RVers prefer non-aluminum trailers.

...because 99% of RV'ers prefer to not pay $80,000 for a trailer...

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

m.hony · 01-13-2016, 04:47 PM

Actually, the metal corrugated siding on the very lowest priced trailers, easily 1/4-1/3 of all trailers, is aluminum...

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Piggy Bank · 01-13-2016, 06:44 PM

Well I still think that although it is true that Airstreams don't come cheaply, that their total cost of ownership over 10 years is not all that different than most SOB units.

Cost paid, vs residual value after 10 years is quite close to the cost paid for many SOB units with a (IMHO) residual value after 10 years of $0.

Your towing, storage, hitch, supplies, fees are going to be the same.
Your property tax with the AS may be higher.

But all in all, I would never buy an SOB at age 50 and expect to pass it down to my children. But our daughter already has claimed our AS when we are too old to roll! Hopefully she will be older than 50 by the time that day comes!