Things I like to see on New Airstreams

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Tomy

First thing that came to mind is someone hooking up the AS to the TV, and then hooking up a boat trailer to the AS. I guess it would be okay until the first time you had to back up. :-)

I like to think that anyone that can afford an AS is reasonably intelligent, but you never know. To avoid lawsuits, I think AS would have to put so many permanent stickers on the outside it would mar the beauty of the AS.

I don't think the Airstream's frame would stand up to anything other than perhaps an aluminum row boat. However there are states in the US where pulling a boat behind a 5th wheel or travel trailer is not only legal, but some people even do it. I'm guessing that they must have to drop the boat when they have to back up.

Ken

[Tomy]

Originally Posted by Ag&Au

However there are states in the US where pulling a boat behind a 5th wheel or travel trailer is not only legal, but some people even do it.

Wow, did not know that. I'm picturing an accident with that configuration.

[switz]

I think a welded piece of rebar in a half circle on the end of the frame member on each side at the back would be nice so one could pass a generator security cable through it or even bicycle locking chains when parked. Would save on marring the aluminum wheels passing a chain through them...

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by Tomy

Wow, did not know that. I'm picturing an accident with that configuration.

Lots of people here do that. If it isn't a boat, it's a golf cart trailer or motorcycle trailer. Not unsafe. Not likely to have an accident, but it is impossible to back up. The boat/jet ski/golf cart/motorcycle must be unhitched first before backing into a campsite or they get a pull-through.
Very common around here. If I still had my sob I would be towing a motorcycle trailer behind my travel trailer. The man who bought my sob towed a boat behind it.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by switz

I think a welded piece of rebar in a half circle on the end of the frame member on each side at the back would be nice so one could pass a generator security cable through it or even bicycle locking chains when parked. Would save on marring the aluminum wheels passing a chain through them...

That would be really easy to have a welding shop do.

[m.hony]

You probably just gave Z another idea for his PanAmerica if he hasn't thought about it already.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

The proximity to a Service facility can be a huge problem for many customers or potential customers of Airstream. In my case, the closest Service is about 2,000 km away. So one does not just make that trip on a lark. You NEED to know well in advance what the issue is and that the service people have both the skill and parts to fix the issue on the first trip. As a second trip because somebody did not have the parts is just NOT practical.
(Actually, making the first trip is also not Practical.....lol)

Airstream would love to have more dealers.

They however, are very choosey, and rarely make a mistake.

But, being in business is a give and take thing.

Unfortunately, all to many dealers like to take, but dislike giving.

And, there are a couple of Airstream dealers like that, who from me, will remain nameless.

Andy

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by switz

I think a welded piece of rebar in a half circle on the end of the frame member on each side at the back would be nice so one could pass a generator security cable through it or even bicycle locking chains when parked. Would save on marring the aluminum wheels passing a chain through them...

I carry a few of these.

9ft SKS Cable | Yakima

They use the same key as the racks on the TV.

They come in different lengths and won't scratch wheels.

I imagine other manufacturers make similar.

Ken

[Jim Flower]

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

The proximity to a Service facility can be a huge problem for many customers or potential customers of Airstream. In my case, the closest Service is about 2,000 km away. So one does not just make that trip on a lark. You NEED to know well in advance what the issue is and that the service people have both the skill and parts to fix the issue on the first trip. As a second trip because somebody did not have the parts is just NOT practical.
(Actually, making the first trip is also not Practical.....lol)

One would think that with all the cash swirling around Saskatoon, an Airstream dealer would make sense. Maybe not with the crowd towing a 5th wheel with a boat attached, but the guys that have finally been able to put some cash in their jeans and are heading off to Arizona. Jim


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[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by Jim Flower

One would think that with all the cash swirling around Saskatoon, an Airstream dealer would make sense. Maybe not with the crowd towing a 5th wheel with a boat attached, but the guys that have finally been able to put some cash in their jeans and are heading off to Arizona. Jim


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Hi Jim - Yes there is a buck or two kicking around the Prairies (not that I have any of it). They really like the 5th wheel thing as it allows them to bing the complete house with them...

A friend of mine runs a 40+ 5th wheel and he scales in at around 23,000. That's just nuts as far as I'm concerned. Mind you he tows it to Yuma in the fall and tows it home again in the spring. So a thing that size allows him to basically move his house from the farm and park it in AZ for the winter.

Oh sorry did I forget to mention he is another one of these poor farmers living the "Triple-A" lifestyle. (April, August and Arizona)....

Cheers
Doug

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by Tomy

I've been reflecting on some my own comments, ...

It's still pretty much a niche product. They are doing fantastic with the designs of the interiors for younger generations of owners. They maybe lag on the things the Internet generation wants. I don't need blu-ray, I have an AppleTV and Netflix. I don't need cable, cable will eventually be obsolete. I don't need radio. I only want to listen to KEXP, and I can stream them online. My only need is connectivity, inside and out, and big amp hours and massive solar wattage to recharge.

... The only place a I struck up a conversation with was another couple checking out an Airstream.


Maybe a big sign in the factory, and in the CEO's office, should say "You're not building a product, you're building an heirloom."

Yes, we found the same to be true in talking to the folks at RV shows looking at the enormous 5th wheelers! It is a mind set. Although AS definitely has many QC issues, they are still the only ball game in town offering a "paint mixer" that will hold up for more than just a few years.

We would like to see buyer specified storage `a la FC overhead bins in an EB ...rather than International sliders.

You have a great dealer right there in Covington ... we have made the trip several times to get what we wanted there when other dealers did not take our buying request seriously... or wanted to retire after maximizing profit on our one sale.

[Skatiero]

One thing we would love to see Airstream offer is something many people have mentioned to us. The Airstream bunkhouse is so cool, but why not offer a version for bigger families with quad bunks in the front where the queen is, and the rear full/queen next to the bath for the parents? (Or keep the upper bunk too and bigger families like ours could put kids at both ends and sleep in the middle on the gaucho...) Here are the bunks in our custom bunkhouse--- full of kids, as usual-- and the tables we built to accommodate everyone. We have bunks in thecrear and the side, and a permanent front bed for us parents. The tables fold up and hinge down, disappearing under the arms of the 9' long sofa, which turns into a queen bed for guests. I'd love to see Airstream add some more cool bunk options!

[cwf]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Lots of people here do that. If it isn't a boat, it's a golf cart trailer or motorcycle trailer. ......The man who bought my sob towed a boat behind it.

I promise to NOT tell my bride about towing a Golf Cart.. she soooooooo wants one to have a way to tour the larger parks... (back issues)... but I keep telling her we 'can't' and 'shouldn't' .... that it will cause issues with the AS... (at least until we rebuild the frame... not likely)

Ok.. returning you to thread cohesiveness...

[m.hony]

My wife wants a golf cart, too. If we get one, we will have to take 2 cars and 2 trailers when we go to Grenada, the closest campground. She wants a street legal one so she can ride it to work. I keep putting her off. I just don't want nothin' to do with all that. I think a Vespa scooter would be better.

[moosetags]

We have had the new 2015 25FB for about a month now. New Lucy is just about set-up with all of our personalization.

There are two new deign features that I would like to see Airstream change.

1. Bring back the 12 volt DC outlets. Set up was a pain without them.

2. Bring back the articulating arm mount for the television. The new static mount creates issues for accessing the back of the television.

Brian

[ghatfield]

We have a 2006 Bambi and the build quality is much, much worse than our former 2003 25' classic. Of course the latter is a "classic" and I'd expect some differences. But the Bambi is a mass of particle board and staples, relative to the classic. Where ever 2 cents could be saved, the cheaper route was taken. Given the cost of a new AS, build quality should be a given. After a lot of effort, I'm finally getting the Bambi in shape, but it should have come that way from the factory!

George

[BoldAdventure]

Power locks. I know, seems silly. But I want a key fob.

[Wayne&Sam]

I want a keypad lock like I've seen on some Fords. No key to carry.

[Rocinante]

I want a lock that never mysteriously locks itself when I close the door.

[moosetags]

I like the combination lock, also.

Brian