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m.hony · 06-20-2014, 08:40 PM

Harleys are the same way-
I prefer my 2006 Road King Classic to the 2013 Electraglide Ultra Classic Limited I rode Monday and Thursday.
The routing of the pipes and bigger motor get your right leg hotter quicker. The fairing and fairing lowers make the wind blast your knees.
Makes me appreciate what I've got.
I always tour every trailer I get a chance to- every decade- 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's, and new. They all have good qualities to admire.

GAStreamin · 06-20-2014, 09:21 PM

I agree! There are things I like much more about my 1978 Sovereign. The 30+ year old windows were much better than my 2000 Safari or 2012 FC. Each one has features I like more than the others. I wish I could put all the things I like in one perfect trailer.

Msmoto · 06-21-2014, 03:30 AM

Every Airstream carries the heritage of Wally Byam. Changes are made, hopefully improvements, but to own any Airstream requires a certain appreciation for the uniqueness of the design. On my third Airstream, all recent, I still look longingly at the older units with the beauty only acquired through years of use and miles of travel.
For me, moving into the geriatric crowd....LOL.... I find am better suited with some conveniences of the newer units. But, upgrade means to simply move from SOB to Airstream, any vintage, new or used without regards to a particular model or year.
I may be a bit snobby about this, but I now can walk by the big fifth wheels and motorhomes and be thankful I am in what I consider the elite of the camping set, life in an Airstream!

wahoonc · 06-21-2014, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondockdad

I enjoy sarcasm as much as the next guy.. right?

3 stage converter, inverter, separate grey, microwave, flat screen, cable, solar and PEX were most definitely not available on a "better" '74 model.

Separate grey tanks were available as an option in 1974...

Not sure about inverters.

Aaron

xrvr · 06-21-2014, 05:37 AM

A restored vintage can have almost everything a new one has. All personal preference. Only thing is, you cannot build character into new AS, but you can make a vintage as useable as a new one. Jim

AWCHIEF · 06-21-2014, 06:10 AM

As the owner of a vintage 1964 Bambi II Airstream I I look forward to being able to "upgrading" to a newer and larger trailer. I really like the new Airstreams but will never be able to afford one. A mid 2000s 23/25 footer would be my ideal upgrade.

Luigi123 · 06-23-2014, 06:37 AM

Grass is always greener--hey just owning one, is a win win. So stop it

m.hony · 06-23-2014, 07:00 AM

I like the "banded" windows of the older models.
Seems like leaving the aluminum band off the windows is cutting corners.
Some older models have a nice extruded aluminum lid for the bumper storage. Newer ones have a sheet metal lid.

switz · 06-23-2014, 08:47 AM

The aluminum lid would last. The sheet metal lid will rust and have to be replaced. Which version brings more revenue into the pockets of Thor Industries?

We have a dead light fixture after nine nights of camping and all the ceiling light fixture lenses are already cracking. During the modifications to our trailer, I swapped out a defective power outlet. They are so cheap they make the least expensive outlet at a discount store look like a military spec outlet.

I plan to replace all the high use outlets this year with better quality units.

m.hony · 06-23-2014, 09:22 AM

Those cracked light covers...

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

switz · 06-24-2014, 07:10 AM

Remember the Betty Furness add for Westinghouse? "The quality goes in before the name goes on. You can be sure if it is Westinghouse."

Since Westinghouse is a major polluter and infamous now for creating "Super Fund" clean up sites nation wide from the PCBs they installed into their equipment (along with General Electric), the add copy might be modified to read "If it says Westinghouse, your health is at risk".

Airstream fortunately does not claim to be trouble free nor the best in the market place. They are riding on a folk lore belief that their trailers are greater than sliced bread.

Fortunately, the basic design of the shell can last if maintained, just like the Douglas DC-3 aircraft built in the 1930s are still flying in parts of the world. Thankfully, they did not put wood floors in the airplanes......

So, as a retired person, my new career is taking care of the Airstream and that appears to be a full time activity.

Thanks to all those on the forum that post their solutions to problems for others of us to implement in similar issues. We all do not individually have to recreate the wheel.

At least the big bonus is meeting the great folks that own these projects of love when on the road.

J. Morgan · 06-24-2014, 07:42 AM

I was overtly mocked last summer by a man pulling a newish Bambi with his green Honda Pilot last summer as I was leaving on my first trip out.... By yelling across the fuel island.....

I hadn't done anything to the outside of the trailer at this point so it was a little ugly..... I knew it was ugly outside but I didn't much care that I. Was pulling an ugly trailer. My guess is that this guy wouldn't be caught dead pulling an ugly trailer. My trailer was quite comfortable inside, that is what mattered to me.

I wonder if this guy is a forum member?

My observation is that in general, that the new AS people and the old AS people are cut from different cloth. If one is better than the other, well this depends on the individual not their choice in the vintage of trailers.

Anyway IMO a big factor in whether the AS made today will live to get old will be impeded by the needless complexity that will be difficult to maintain. I.e. electric toilets, computer controlled appliances, etc. Does your oven really need a computer?

J. Morgan · 06-24-2014, 07:46 AM

In all fairness, PCBs were not identified as harmful until they had been used for decades.

Likewise many things known (or believed to be) hazardous today.

John&Vicki · 06-24-2014, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I was overtly mocked last summer by a man pulling a newish Bambi with his green Honda Pilot last summer as I was leaving on my first trip out.... By yelling across the fuel island.....

I hadn't done anything to the outside of the trailer at this point so it was a little ugly..... I knew it was ugly outside but I didn't much care that I. Was pulling an ugly trailer. My guess is that this guy wouldn't be caught dead pulling an ugly trailer. My trailer was quite comfortable inside, that is what mattered to me.

I wonder if this guy is a forum member?

My observation is that in general, that the new AS people and the old AS people are cut from different cloth. If one is better than the other, well this depends on the individual not their choice in the vintage of trailers.

Anyway IMO a big factor in whether the AS made today will live to get old will be impeded by the needless complexity that will be difficult to maintain. I.e. electric toilets, computer controlled appliances, etc. Does your oven really need a computer?

The new Airstream owner (I won't refer to him as an Airstreamer) was suffering from that disease endemic to our culture - status. He had lost sight of the point that Airstreams are for camping and that you were fellow travelers. Your "ugly" (doubt it was actually ugly) trailer was reality imposing on his fantasy. Status is a drug and you were harshing his mellow.

Poppy

mutcth · 06-24-2014, 08:53 AM

Need to say this - it's entirely possible that in this thread's initial conversation, the newer-trailer owner didn't mean to insult anyone by referring to it as an "upgrade." (The guy yelling across the fuel island sounds like a different case.)

There are advantages to newer trailers. There are also functional advantages to trailers like Poppy's.

I've happily owned vintage. But I learned from owning it that I prefer newer stuff, because I don't have the skills/patience/money to bring vintage to just-out-of-showroom condition. (The need for shiny and near-perfect stuff was a product from my dad and his funeral director occupation, forcing meticulousness on everything he did.)

I guess the moral of my post is: there's so much crankiness and division in the world. And I know that it's fun to promote the vintage vs. new debate. But who needs it? Enjoy your own ride and all of that.

Tom

dznf0g · 06-24-2014, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I was overtly mocked last summer by a man pulling a newish Bambi with his green Honda Pilot last summer as I was leaving on my first trip out.... By yelling across the fuel island.....

I hadn't done anything to the outside of the trailer at this point so it was a little ugly..... I knew it was ugly outside but I didn't much care that I. Was pulling an ugly trailer. My guess is that this guy wouldn't be caught dead pulling an ugly trailer. My trailer was quite comfortable inside, that is what mattered to me.

I wonder if this guy is a forum member?

My observation is that in general, that the new AS people and the old AS people are cut from different cloth. If one is better than the other, well this depends on the individual not their choice in the vintage of trailers.

Anyway IMO a big factor in whether the AS made today will live to get old will be impeded by the needless complexity that will be difficult to maintain. I.e. electric toilets, computer controlled appliances, etc. Does your oven really need a computer?

I don't think your observation is necessarily true, although there are snobs in every kind of ownership endeavor , be it classic cars or boats or whatever. I guess I would still be classified as a newer owner???? I bought near new as I am not retired, and time is short for any kind of reno or resto. The unit I have will be my go to travel AS for the remainder of my days as I have a solid beginning to work with and maintain. I would love to resto a smaller AS after retirement...more as a hobby and weekend camper. However, while now working with a financial planner in a serious manner, I wonder if my dream of a rural home with shop and cash for my planned hobbies will become a reality.
What I gots is probably what I gots. So when does my unit not become
looked upon by the "vintage crowd" as a "newer" unit and I as a snob? And what will have changed....me you your perception?

Streampunk · 06-24-2014, 09:20 AM

I never met an airstream I didn't like

John&Vicki · 06-24-2014, 09:57 AM

Rich...

I hung the snob label on the guy not because he owned a newer AS but because he denigrated the owner of an older one. I don't for a minute think most owners of newer Airstreams are snobs. In fact, one of my favorite things about the Airstream community and this forum, and RVing generally, is the culture of egalitarianism.

I sure run into a lot of the snob stuff in one of my other worlds though - the Porsche community.

I'll say it again... I *like* new Airstreams, I like 'em a lot. I bought an older one primarily to stay within a budget of $20K as it was my first RV of any kind. I have since discovered that I'm content with my old trailer and therefore don't consider a new one to be an "upgrade", at least for me personally. Which doesn't surprise me because I like 50 year old Porsches better than new ones.

Poppy

BoldAdventure · 06-24-2014, 10:09 AM

Technically an upgrade is anything that has been approved upon. So newer is an upgrade.

Weather you feel it's an "upgrade" or not is invalid to the premise. Is the upgrade really worth it, and is it truly an improvement over the original? Now there is a debatable topic!

Upgrade as defined: "raise (something) to a higher standard, in particular improve (equipment or machinery) by adding or replacing components: the cost of upgrading each workstation is around $300 | (as adj. upgraded) : upgraded computers."

dznf0g · 06-24-2014, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdmaestro

Rich...

I hung the snob label on the guy not because he owned a newer AS but because he denigrated the owner of an older one. I don't for a minute think most owners of newer Airstreams are snobs. In fact, one of my favorite things about the Airstream community and this forum, and RVing generally, is the culture of egalitarianism.

I sure run into a lot of the snob stuff in one of my other worlds though - the Porsche community.

I'll say it again... I *like* new Airstreams, I like 'em a lot. I bought an older one primarily to stay within a budget of $20K as it was my first RV of any kind. I have since discovered that I'm content with my old trailer and therefore don't consider a new one to be an "upgrade", at least for me personally. Which doesn't surprise me because I like 50 year old Porsches better than new ones.

Poppy

Oh, I get it, Poppy. My comments are more generic than specific. There are folks here who border on "looking down" on new unit owners. As a wrench and loving the pride that generates out of a finished product of my own hands' doing, I understand how and why that is. But pride-fullness is pride-fullness regardless from where it comes. It's all about perspective and appreciation for others. I get embarrassed when an owner of a high dollar unit stops by to chat while ignoring other campers. I also get embarrassed when campers don't chat when I feel that they think I am somehow above them because I have an AS. Maybe that's partly my problem, but I've experienced it and sometimes by comments made by both categories of neighbors.

All of it bothers me....so I get another beer and put it all away.