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switz · 06-10-2016, 06:34 AM

The thought of the hot water heater plumbing necessary to run the radiant heat and the energy necessary to keep the water circulating and hot sounds more like a maintenance nightmare. It will be interesting to watch how the system holds up in the mobile arena.

The Truma "AquaGo comfort plus" has a built in circulating pump, but the propane necessary to keep the water hot could deplete two 40 pound tanks faster than the furnace does.

If they also removed the propane powered Dometic ammonia based refrigerator for one with a Danfoss 12Vdc freon based compressor. that would also help extend the propane supply.

The 2017 Classic is turning into a gadget loaded vehicle like a fully loaded Cadillac Eldorado of the 60s. Get until the warranty runs out and all those gadgets need attention....

Gene · 06-17-2016, 09:38 AM

The European models have had hot water heat for quite some time. Whether it causes problems, I don't know. Ask a European.

Gene

GeocamperAS · 08-09-2016, 03:34 PM

I've been away for awhile. What's the latest?

AWCHIEF · 08-09-2016, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeocamperAS

I've been away for awhile. What's the latest?

From the recent dealers meeting in Jackson Center. New small sized (thank updated Basecamp), new Nest and new MOHO based on a larger MB chassis. Going to be some interesting times on the horizon for Airstream.

GeocamperAS · 08-10-2016, 05:16 AM

Wheeler said in the video in post 1 that it would look like an Airstream, smaller, priced around $33K. And I thought he said aluminum.

So it can't be the MH. The nest is fiberglass. So is it a redesigned basecamp or is there something else still coming?

AWCHIEF · 08-10-2016, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeocamperAS

Wheeler said in the video in post 1 that it would look like an Airstream, smaller, priced around $33K. And I thought he said aluminum.

So it can't be the MH. The nest is fiberglass. So is it a redesigned basecamp or is there something else still coming?

Yes, as posted apparently something else is still coming. More details have come out since the first post. Dealers were shown the new models during their recent meeting and sworn to secrecy. Leaks on the new models details are being managed and slowly coming out. Recent visitors to Jackson Center have been taking photos and posting them here and on Facebook. There is a lot across the street with several dozen of the new longer MB frames without bodies awaiting their new Airstream built bodies. Current Interstate model come from MB with MB bodies. If the latest word from Mr. Wheeler is correct the new models should be out by the first of the year or shortly after. But until then we will have to content with rumors and personal opinions.

GeocamperAS · 08-10-2016, 07:50 AM

AWCHIEF, thanks for catching me up. Like the song: "an-tic-i-pa-a-tion is making me wait. It's keeping me wa-a-a-aiting"

rodsterinfl · 08-12-2016, 04:56 AM

As mentioned earlier in the thread regarding the Casita, Oliver, etc., I believe that if a company began building say 25 foot fiberglass models with a bit more refined interiors, Airstream would have major competition. After spending time reading posts for five years now I realize that although aluminum has some advantages, fiberglass has more. Leaking, floor rot, etc is more important to address than a water heated furnace. I do not have the issues I mention, to my knowledge; however, it is troubling when I read some post about another experiencing it, especially a newer model. One thing the Internet does is spread news and, if owners are legit, then these two issues should be paramount to Airstream.

It will be interesting to see this motorhome model mentioned.

wbrisett · 08-13-2016, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

One thing the Internet does is spread news and, if owners are legit, then these two issues should be paramount to Airstream.

One other thing I've discovered about the internet. If one person has an issue, then another has the same issue, suddenly everybody says "this is a huge issue"... when in fact, it could be less than 1% of all owners seeing a particular issue. I'm not saying this is always the case, but if people are happy and don't have issues, rarely do they chime in say "wow, guess what folks? I have no issues."

I guess what I'm saying is as a former support person for a fortune 500 company who had to follow things like this, I've seen more than my fair share of mountains being made out of molehills to realize there are plenty of good things too.

I've had exactly one issue with my Airstream. That was due to faulty QC in many places. But it was taken care of and thus far everything else has been things that you kind of expect with trailers (screws coming loose).

Again, that's not to say Airstream is perfect. But my sister has a different brand trailer and while nice, they have had to take it into the repair shop for lots of things that lead me to believe it's just part of buying a product with lots of moving parts from lots of different vendors.

Wayne

mandolindave · 08-13-2016, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switz

The thought of the hot water heater plumbing necessary to run the radiant heat and the energy necessary to keep the water circulating and hot sounds more like a maintenance nightmare. It will be interesting to watch how the system holds up in the mobile arena.

The Truma "AquaGo comfort plus" has a built in circulating pump, but the propane necessary to keep the water hot could deplete two 40 pound tanks faster than the furnace does.

If they also removed the propane powered Dometic ammonia based refrigerator for one with a Danfoss 12Vdc freon based compressor. that would also help extend the propane supply.

Someone on the forum made is own furnace out of a RV water heater, a car radiator, a fantastic fan, and a low volume water pump. He said it used far less electricity for than a traditional RV furnace. I don't know how much propane it would use in comparison to a standard RV furnace…but BTUs are BTUs.

It would add some time to winterizing, and bleeding air from the loop might be a pain.

Piggy Bank · 08-13-2016, 07:05 AM

In my opinion having lived in an older home with actual boiler and radiators, and working in the HVAC profession, the issue with hot water piped heating vs blowing hot air or heating with spot heaters is latency.

What? Late-what?

Imagine situation in let's say late October in midwest where it was 68 daytime, and no heat was needed. Then the sun goes down and it begins to get cold.

If I'm cold in my AS, and turn on the propane furnace, it immediately blows hot air and the space is warmed up in a couple of minutes.

Same if I use one of those small electric heaters.

If I only have a hot water heating system, then first the water needs to be heated. "Instant" hot water heaters can make this go pretty quick, depending on how much hot water is needed. But at some point the water starts out cold and has to become hot. Then the hot water needs to be pumped through the piping system.

Then the air next to the hot pipes needs to be warmed by being next to the hot pipes. Then the water being circulated has to be continually warmed by the hot water heater because it gets cold as it circulates through the cold space. And then eventually the air in the space is all warmed up.

How cold it is when the heat is first turned on directly impacts how long it will take to get the space inside to a comfortable temperature. And this time-delay may is the latency.

And when it's all warmed up, because it's cold outside, the hot water heater will still need to come on and off to keep the water warm, in the same way that the furnace will turn off and on based on the space temperature.

To combat being uncomfortable during the latency period, you will likely still be turning on your current heat pump or furnace, just to get the air warmed up quickly.

So the advantage of the water system?

Probably quieter, depending on the power source on the water heater, may be more energy efficient, not blowing a bunch of dry hot air in your face, and it's a comfortable heat.

vintageracer · 08-13-2016, 08:06 AM

RVIA this December in Louisville should be very interesting.

Interesting to see IF the move towards designing, building and marketing smaller RV's continues as this was to "ME" the single biggest trend I saw at the 2015 RVIA show.

Airstream had a large display along with "Big Daddy Thor" and the others at the 2015 show. The smaller Airstream offerings were front and center as you entered the Airstream display with the larger units forming the perimeter of their display.

I'll bet the "Smaller is Better" theme will continue in force at RVIA 2016!

Jim & Susan · 08-13-2016, 08:21 PM

The Vap, Episode 255, Alumapalooza 7 from June of this year (Rally at the mothership).

There was a very brief statement by somebody that was attending the rally concerning the Basecamp. The statement was to the effect that the Basecamp was being revived, but with a side door.

Subject changed after that statement. Maybe I heard it wrong.

Could that be the new, cheaper Airstream?

Jim

Pawdawg · 08-13-2016, 09:40 PM

http://outsideinterests.info/article...-nest-caravan/
AIRSTREAM TO BUILD FIBERGLASS NEST CARAVAN

AWCHIEF · 08-14-2016, 06:14 AM

I know this has become a long rambling thread but it would be nice if people would at least scan it before posting. Might help in decreasing the amount of duplicate post and links.

tbaugh · 08-14-2016, 06:58 AM

I saw the new Basecamp while at the factory last week. Could not get close to it though.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-14-2016, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawdawg

http://outsideinterests.info/article...-nest-caravan/
AIRSTREAM TO BUILD FIBERGLASS NEST CARAVAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I know this has become a long rambling thread but it would be nice if people would at least scan it before posting. Might help in decreasing the amount of duplicate post and links.

Hi, this happens, but maybe it would be nicer to Welcome Pawdawg to the forum on his first post.

AWCHIEF · 08-14-2016, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, this happens, but maybe it would be nicer to Welcome Pawdawg to the forum on his first post.

Thank you for that chastisement. I am sure you intended it in the nicest way.

SilverGate · 08-14-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawdawg

http://outsideinterests.info/article...-nest-caravan/
AIRSTREAM TO BUILD FIBERGLASS NEST CARAVAN

Thanks, Pawdawg, for posting this!

Additional information and discussion on Airstream's Nest Caravan is seen in the AirForums' thread, Fans of the Airstream Nest Caravan!

Welcome to AirForums!

The prototype of the Nest Caravan that Airstream acquired is seen below:

Nest Caravan camping trailer

P.S. Please pardon the duplicate post and links!

Gene · 08-21-2016, 05:14 PM

Almost any thread that has almost 900 posts is going to repeat things. Not much more can be said until there is some news.

I have never seen a Basecamp except in photos, but wasn't it a kitchen, some storage and two cots to sit or sleep? It had two big doors in the back. If you move the door to the side, is it not a 16' Bambi? Is this confusion over the Nest and whatever Airstream is thinking about?

And the most important question—will a new Airstream MH come with a Nest as a spare?

Gene