First Year of 34'? / Limited?

[robandzoe]

I have two questions. When was the first year of production of the 34' models? When did the Limited models first appear?

[85MH325]

Rob, I think '83 was the first year for the 34', at least I can't remember seeing any for sale that are older than that... and I don't know when the first Limiteds were produced, but I don't recall seeing any older than '89... until I looked at your signature and see that you have an '85... so I guess I'm not much help there!

Roger

[SilverToy]

Hello all -

Just back from a whirlwind 4238.4 mile trip accross the US and back to ABQ. The WHOLE trip a only saw 2 triples to "match mine" as my daughter says. They really seem to be a rare bird even among the rarified athmosphere of ASin'. Do either of you have similar experiences when you are out and about with your units?

Just curious.

Axel

[smily]

83 was first year.

[dinoburb]

Hi Gang,

I believe the first year of the 34 footer was 1982 and the limited edition started then, too, for the 34' at least as, I'm sure you'll never guess, but that's my trailer's year and trim level!!

Hope that is of some help.

Take care,

[smily]

Burb,
You are correct
See here

http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p.../weights-1.pdf

[dinoburb]

This might be slightly askew from the topic but if you need to know what your VIN means or just want to know what configurations AS has made in their various trailers take a look at the link below:

http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...e/docs/vin.pdf

Hope this is of some interest.

Take care,

[Porky Pig]

Originally Posted by SilverToy

They really seem to be a rare bird even among the rarified athmosphere of ASin'. Do either of you have similar experiences when you are out and about with your units?

We rarely see 34s on the road ... and never see them (new ones) at dealerships. While staying at the Washington Land Yacht Harbor last year during the Salmon Rally ... we saw quite a few ... most of the owners being fulltimers.

[Pick]

I see quite a few down here in Florida, at CG's and on the road.

[Tarheel]

We have 50 units in our club they include 14-34', 1 Integrity 5th wheel, 9-31's, 1-30, 1-29,1-28,2-27, 6-25', 1-21, 1-19, 1-18, 1-34.5 classic MH, 2-30' land yacht MH, 1-33' land yacht MH, 1-33' land yacht MH Diesel, 1-35' land yacht MH Diesel. I thought this was an interesting breakdown as I thought that the 25' was the most popular unit in our club.

[GStephens]

As you've been advised, 1982 was the first year for both. I have a 1982 Limited 31'. It has the original 1982 sales brochure still with it that announced the birth of both the Limited and the 34' length.

GStephens

[85MH325]

Well there ya go! '82 is IT! I learn something new every day! And my experience is that there are lots of 34's out there... you just don't see them on the road very often or in packs.

Roger

[Janssvt]

I believe that the Limited actually came out in 1980-81 and had a brown stripe all the way around it. It was previously named the Excella 500 which was the top of the line Airstream from about 70-71 to 1979. It was only made in a 31 footer and came with many add ons and very few options, awnings were optional. Jan

[GStephens]

JANSSVT

I was somewhat surprised to see a thread from July 2005 reopened concerning the origins of the LIMITED model designation. Hope this information helps to clarify the issue.

Model and sub model trim designations have always been somewhat ambiguous with Airstream production, but 1982 was the first year for the LIMITED as a model designation. In 1981, Airstream did offer what was referred to as the Excella II Limited. It was offered in a 27’ and two 31’ configurations. In the 1981 Excella II model, the term Limited represented a trim level for the Excella II. It was not used as a model designation as it was used in 1982 and later. The very first 34’ trailer was also produced in 1982. Again, I have the original 1982 Airstream sales brochure which announces these facts: 1) the introduction of the new Limited model in 31' and 34' configurations and 2) the introduction of the 34‘ configuration).

If you follow the link in Ken Smillie’s post #6 (which is a listing of all models, lengths and weights of Airstream models produced from 1954 through 2003) the LIMITED model designation remained in production in various configurations through 2001. In some of those years the LIMITED was available only in 34’ lengths. In other years buyers had the choice of 31’ or 34’ models. During a few of those years it was available in 32’ and 34’ models and in 1998 there were 30’, 31’ and 34’ options in various configurations.

For the most part you are correct concerning the wood grain or brown stripe as you refer to it, but not all LIMITEDS were produced with that accent. I own one of two LIMITED units that were produced in 1982 with the blue accent stripe and awnings. Through the years, Airstream seemingly was always pretty much willing to allow buyers to custom order their rigs in various configurations for the most part. My trailer also has several other options unique to my individual trailer such as the bedroom closet configuration that was installed by Airstream and did not necessarily appear on any other 31' Airstream LIMITED produced. I am sure that over the years, there were many, many others whose trailers were custom ordered through Airstream so that fact makes it sort of difficult to categorize the various model configurations with any degree of certainty.

GStephens

[Kainer]

I got a 82 34' and it has wood trim on the outside, like a lynolyum.

[otek800]

I to just bought a 1982 34' Limited with the brown wood trim. This one cam with a lot of extra's Ice maker / blender/juicer/meat grinder/ We are still finding new things out about it ever day. It came with almost all the book ////just not the owner book. Does any one have one?