New less expensive Airstream

[Foiled Again]

Ah - the AMF Harley - that brings back memories (nightmares).

I remember the jokes about the early 70's Harley's even those still made in the USA

"Buy two! You'll need one for spare parts".
"Nothing on a Harley you can't fix with a crescent wrench, a straight screwdriver, a ball peen hammer and a can of Locktite. Use all of them - every time you get on it."

Thanks for the memory.

Here's your Airstream Nightmare

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/40602834114244951/

[switz]

Because of the complexity of the Airstream body construction and the nature of working with Aluminum, Airstream has a dealer network basically to support the shell. All the appliances, axles, brakes, shock absorbers, jack and frame, lights etc are third party parts that could be and are serviced by any flavor RV service guy.

If the aluminum is removed from the new proposed "economy" box, it will be basically no different than the existing choices of smaller units but with an Airstream decal.

If the effort to create this (other than buying some other company) new tinker toy were expended on training the current workforce on how to do the job correctly every time and provide the incentives to do that, then the exorbitant current Airstream prices might be justifiable.

As a point, there have been two new owners that have recently posted on this forum there was an inch gap in the fitment of the main door. Now how did those two units ever leaver the factory? And even more telling, there had to be NO PDI ( the dealers are paid to do this) actually done by someone actually looking at the trailer.

Airstream's management team has to be laughing on the way to the bank to deposit bonus checks for sales because no one can possibly be getting bonus funds in the quality control department.

[Ray Eklund]

Having warranty work on our 2006 Safari in 2008, there were some "European only Airstreams" parked in the back lot. They had what appeared to be 13 inch or smaller wheels and narrow enough to navigate the narrow roads through European towns. What happened to those?

Anyone who has been to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania... will see mostly smaller trailers. It is only a secret here that some countries do not have the heavy and large trailer's available. Most would not fit on their roads, nor in a "garage". Their tow vehicles are miniatures of USA tow vehicles as well.

I have to agree with switz. You have an assortment of interior and exterior options to fit a plan. They can be laid out on the factory floor within an outline of a smaller more efficient miniStream. Some things you cannot miniaturize. To reduce weight and size... something has to be removed. How small can a toilet become? A bed? Plastic faucets. Plastic sinks. Plastic windows. Lighter axles. Smaller wheels/tires. Lighter frame.

As you leave the dealer's lot, these plastic parts begin to vibrate loose and fall off to reduce the weight even more. Sounds more like the 1960's and 1970's USA made vehicles that created the Japanese to offer an option to the 12 month / 12,000 mile "warranty".

[mutcth]

Wow. Is it just instinctual to veer towards negativity with this? It's like there's this paranoia that a new trailer would immediately scuttle the value of all of the aluminum and rivets parked in our driveways.

Not every brand extension has to be the Cadillac Cimarron or an AMF-era Harley. Think about the modern Mini Cooper, and what it's done for BMW. The Interstate has done really well for Airstream, and doesn't sully the brand.

It is possible for Airstream to design something that would look cool and modern, yet still be distinctively upscale and "Airstream." The Basecamp was a fabulous design (done partly with help by Nissan's design studio) but just fell short in the value proposition.

It's easy to say that a non-aluminium Airstream would be just like all of the inexpensive smaller trailers out there. But the marketplace has a hole in it; there are very few modern-styled small trailers out there, especially with a nationwide dealer network. Olivers are expensive, T@B has its niche, and Safari Condo isn't sold here. Otherwise, there's just a bunch of $15,000 17-foot trailers with the same kitschy curtains and oak-look interiors.

OK. I do admit that it's odd to think of Airstream/Thor spending heavily in R&D to develop something entirely new, when the most radical thing they've done in 10 years is to install ductless air conditioning and use the Wilsonart catalog to pick out more modern cabinet laminates. Still, one can hope...

[BoldAdventure]

Maybe they're working on a way to replace workers. We always hear a lot about jobs going over sea's but the reality is more jobs have actually been replaced by robots.

I read about a company recently that replaced 80 welders with two 200K robots. The robots we're cheaper than the expense of 80 humans and can work twice as fast while doing the same amount of work it used to take 80 people.

If Airstream could replace humans with machines, they could cut costs. And probably improve quality since humans are sloppy and inconsistent. A robot will place a rivet the same way every time a million times. A human will never do that.

[BoldAdventure]

Edit, I got my story wrong. 3 $150k robots replaced 60 workers.

Three $150k robots replaced 60 welders: how Cox Industries keeps making mowers in Queensland

Point being, they could replace humans with robots, keep being American Made and cut costs.

[PKI]

Yes, AS/Thor could produce a fantastic new design. Going to be interesting to see if they do. Several have mentioned carbon fiber, aluminum auto bodies assembled with adhesives, modular construction and other ideas for design improvement. Not sure how they all fit into a design that supports the "it will still be recognizable as an AS" comment. Example - the Interstate is an AS product, but to me it is recognizable as a Mercedes. So, maybe the first question is "What is an AS?" But maybe it's just easier to wait and see. Not too long to wait. Surprised there are not spy photos available. Pat

[xrvr]

Depending on the badging some of the original Interstates were recognized as Dodges or Freightliners. A lot if us bought MB badges and grill to make it appear a MB. They were all MB but were badged diferently.

[AWCHIEF]

Old joke, how could you tell a Harley (or VW bug) had been parked somewhere? You could tell by the grease puddle.

[Foiled Again]

BONDED Aluminum and endcaps of steel or fiberglass.

HOW many rivets on an ARGOSY? Lots fewer than on an Airstream.

"NEW AND IMPROVED" (English Translation - it's the same old thing recycled).

you know you're old when you go into an antique shop and start saying "I had one of those when I was a kid" over and over.

[switz]

One might have a light bulb go of in their head thinking about the trim lines in Airstream. The same skin panel is typically used on both the Flying cloud and the International series of the same size and floor plan. The same thoughts apply to the end caps.

So when looking at the Flying Cloud or the International Signature/Serenity, a valid question is where is that additional five or six thousand dollars difference? I would wager that since the cabinets are covered with laminate, the costs would be nearly identical. All the mechanical components are the same between the same floor plan. A small counter top does not cost that much more in Corian over Formica.

The factory has quite a few programmable machines to cut our the various cabinet parts from sheets of cabinet material with very little waste. At least the cabinet component pieces are uniform. If they are properly assembled and installed is another issue.

There is a lot of competition for workers in the JC area because of other large employers. So, Airstream is trying to increase the production rate and what we are seeing is more QC issues from several hundred untrained workers trying to learn their job on the fly.

While I watched the folks working on my unit, it was more a Laural and Hardy film clip chaos than a thought out process. The men were climbing over one another and getting in each other's way. The timer was trying to speed the work up and the errors just got compounded.

This points more to an acquisition by Airstream than bringing a completely new product into a capacity maxed out facility where quality is still degraded. If a new product line comes out with the chronic issues we are still seeing in the Aluminum Airstreams, I would expect it would flop.

While many off the competitors lack a dealer network, really only the body shell is unique since all the appliances, frame, axles, tires and wheels etc are common to every trailer and can be easily be serviced locally. The quality resides in the attention to detail and fitment as the parts are installed and double checking before the finished unit departs the premises.

[SteveSueMac]

There is too much in your post to agree with, Switz! 😄

[J. Morgan]

Which is why I think the new model will be component assembled in jigs.




Brevi tempore!

[AWCHIEF]

Possibly just another dumbed down Thor product with Airstream signage ala GM, Ford, Chrysler. I hope it's not another clorex bottle design with Airstream logos.

[Tater]

Please not a Chinese Airstream.

[Ted S.]

Originally Posted by Tater

Please not a Chinese Airstream.

Lo meinstream

Slips brought the air like a wet noodle.

[Tater]

That is funny. Now we know the name.

[mandolindave]

Sometimes companies are secretive about secrets. Usually it's because they don't want people to know, or maybe they don't want anyone to find out.

I can't tell you how I know, and don't tell anyone.

[AtomicNo13]

This is like saying Bugatti is releasing a budget minded Veyron.
What's the point?

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

"NEW AND IMPROVED" (English Translation - it's the same old thing recycled).

My favourite translation: Recreating its corporate virginity - sans memory or common sense.