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**moosetags** · 04-01-2016, 08:32 PM

I just did some research on the Nest Caravan. It looks pretty cool. I was a little surprised to find that it had a starting price of $35,000.

Brian

switz · 04-01-2016, 09:20 PM

A real quick adding of the desirable options showed about $11,000 to be added to the $30,000 base price. This unit is even narrower that the 22FB sport which is the Airstream frame and shell used for Europe.

This design could be easily modified for the European market as the weight is low enough for the European legally required surge brake system and non-weight distribution hitches.

I think this small size will appeal for two younger folks for weekender trips since all the tank capacities are very modest and a combo shower/toilet area can become a challenge for extended camping. A smaller tow vehicle like our 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI diesel would not hardly notice this unit behind it (currently it is pulling a 2015 23D International Serenity at 6,085 pounds camping ready).

I am very familiar with the Truma instant on water heater, Vitrifrigo refrigerators and Marmoleum flooring as we have these brands in our two Airstreams. Quality components are shown in the options listing.

The shell being basically all one piece means the leak patrol could retire. Perhaps an annual wax job to provide some UV protection could be the major exterior maintenance.

The height without an air-conditioner of 8' 2" means that even a 9' garage door would be a close fit and a 10' door would be needed if the optional air conditioner were installed. So most home garages would lack the height in the garage door opening to store this unit inside at home. Annual storage fees of 5% of the base price could be expected which might surprise potential buyers.

field & stream · 04-01-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCabin

I guess that this is the new lower cost AS:

http://www.rvbusiness.com/2016/04/ai...ravans-buyout/

or is it another April Fools?

Coincidence? The Nest Caravan was designed by Bryan Thompson, the same person who designed the Basecamp while at Nissan Design, and still does design work for Airstream

Check this out: http://www.bryanthompsondesign.com/

bolerama · 04-01-2016, 11:01 PM

I'm impressed. I've been following Nest Caravans since, well, the first eggs were in the nest! Of all the fiberglass eggs, this one is the most appealing to me. Good move! Now, can I find room in my yard for 2 fiberglass eggs and my Airstream?

Lisa

HeadWest · 04-01-2016, 11:41 PM

Very cool trailer. I hope Airstream doesn't screw up the clean design.

AWCHIEF · 04-02-2016, 06:00 AM

Would be a heck of a down grade from my 2006 23 Safari. Looks ok but if I was looking for a new plastic trailer I would be looking at the Oliver.

D Greene · 04-02-2016, 06:36 AM

I followed the development of the Nest on Fiberglass RV forum from the very beginning design phase. There are lots of good photos and discussions with the designer. An innovative way to mount the axles makes for a lighter design. Worth checking out.

SteveSueMac · 04-02-2016, 06:41 AM

I think there's definitely a market for it. Wouldn't be my choice (wouldn't fit my needs) but some cool and funky stuff for some subset of the population.

dkottum · 04-02-2016, 09:32 AM

If you look at other plastic offerings such as Oliver (which visually never lets you forget it's plastic in and out, and feels extremely enclosed with its tiny windows), I think many would favor the Airstream name on the shell, for the money. They don't give those others away either.

We had a Scamp for a few years, it was simple and pretty much trouble-free. Fiberglass works okay in the small trailers if you can put large windows in it and improve the plastic interior appearance. Maybe Airstream can do it.

**moosetags** · 04-02-2016, 09:50 AM

The Nest Caravan has tall modern look that is distinctive and quite pleasing. I'm not sure that I like the back entrance, but it's OK. s far as overall look goes, I think that I prefer the general configuration of Casita/Scamp and the Oliver.

Brian

D Greene · 04-02-2016, 10:14 AM

If we could have found a quality molded Fiberglass trailer with a wood-free floor AND the same dimensions, layout, and window placement as our Sport 16 Bambi we would have bought it.

**Rocinante** · 04-02-2016, 10:37 AM

It's definitely a cool, small, travel trailer. Not the right size for us I'm afraid, but I like it. Then again, I'm also in love with the Bowlus Road Chief - also a little too small for us, I suspect.

This will be an interesting addition to the Airstream family. Assuming they're going to slap The "Airstream" logo on the front & back, I look forward to hearing from new owners right here on AirForums.

**DKB_SATX** · 04-02-2016, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCabin

I guess that this is the new lower cost AS:

http://www.rvbusiness.com/2016/04/ai...ravans-buyout/

or is it another April Fools?

I note that the publication date is 2 April, so hopefully NOT an April Fool's. Interesting. Someday my 28' Argosy will be road-ready and I've fantasized about selling the 24' and getting a solo-sized trailer for the more-than-50% of trips I take on my own. As new prices have climbed and the used market remains red-hot for small trailer that has seemed more of a remote possibility.

If Airstream brands it unequivocally as an Airstream rather than "Nest, division of Airstream Inc." or something that gives cover to excluding it from WBCCI events, and if it's not $50k+ with air conditioning, this could be wish fulfillment for me.

**Rocinante** · 04-02-2016, 01:46 PM

It would be a doggone shame if they didn't brand it Airstream. If Thor just wanted to sell a smaller cheaper trailer without that logo, they already had plenty of options. A sub-sub brand doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but perhaps that's why I'm not in marketing.

**Rocinante** · 04-02-2016, 02:16 PM

BTW, to be clear about this acquisition, Airstream is acquiring "the assets" of Nest. This isn't quite the same thing as acquiring "the company." The latter would normally include the employees, including their founder - at least initially. It will be interesting to see what happens.

**moosetags** · 04-02-2016, 02:16 PM

I agree that WBCCI will have a cow if this new little plastic trailer is conspicuously branded as an Airstream. They won't know what to do. They'll be scrambling for some stupid excuse not to admit them to the club.

Brian

AWCHIEF · 04-02-2016, 02:19 PM

Not this WBCCI member. I have a feeling I am not alone in that. If it says Airstream on it is an Airstream. Heck they let Mercedes built vans in. 😜

TheCabin · 04-02-2016, 02:23 PM

I think that it will be more the case that the WBCCI will have to adjust with the times to remain viable.

SteveSueMac · 04-02-2016, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

I agree that WBCCI will have a cow if this new little plastic trailer is conspicuously branded as an Airstream. They won't know what to do. They'll be scrambling for some stupid excuse not to admit them to the club.

Brian

You know the old saying - every square is a rectangle but not every rectangle is a square? I'm thinking every Airstream is "currently" a Thor, but not every Thor is an Airstream. I think that's really the WBCCI issue. A Thor motor home that's not an AS brand is not an AS and should not (in my opinion) be part of the club. A Mercedes built Interstate motor home that is branded an Airstream absolutely should be welcomed in to the club - and so should this new trailer if branded an AS.

But I digress 😀

**DKB_SATX** · 04-02-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

I agree that WBCCI will have a cow if this new little plastic trailer is conspicuously branded as an Airstream. They won't know what to do. They'll be scrambling for some stupid excuse not to admit them to the club.

Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

You know the old saying - every square is a rectangle but not every rectangle is a square? I'm thinking every Airstream is "currently" a Thor, but not every Thor is an Airstream. I think that's really the WBCCI issue. A Thor motor home that's not an AS brand is not an AS and should not (in my opinion) be part of the club. A Mercedes built Interstate motor home that is branded an Airstream absolutely should be welcomed in to the club - and so should this new trailer if branded an AS.

But I digress ��

It just depends on the person being asked. The only negative thing anyone's really said about my Argosy was at a Region 9 rally... we had a "vintage row" (mostly members of my unit, actually) and did an open house one of the days. I was sitting in a camp chair under my awning when a woman who looked like she might've already been a WBCCI member for years by the time I got my driver's license (in 1980) turned to her husband and said "they never should've let those ugly painted trailers in the club" while she wasn't 6 feet from me. If it had been before I'd had coffee I might've said something about her manners, forgetting my own.

I'd bet you a mortgage payment (trailer payment?) SOMEONE will be bent out of shape if they brand these as Airstreams and thereby qualify for membership. Hopefully they'll just quit instead of dragging the club backwards.