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Deerhunter1 · 02-23-2015, 10:51 AM

Good morning-

Does anyone knows if the manufacture can make an airstream with a slide?

Al - K4GLU · 02-23-2015, 10:53 AM

No. Slideouts were discontinued some years ago. Only way to get one is buy used.

SteveH · 02-23-2015, 11:06 AM

The last slide out made was the 34' in '09.

SeeMore · 02-23-2015, 11:55 AM

Since you are listed as "looking" with minimal posts, I assume your question is based on the potential of acquiring a slide. Airstream built slides from 2002-2009. Rumor has it that ~84-85 were made during those years in three lengths: 28, 30, & 34. Used slides appear infrequently and seem to be around 5-6 a year in the ads.

The slides have been quite popular in the used market the past few years and premium priced based on recent sales of slides versus like non-slides. Most slides sell with a week of post date unless there is a significant issue. Remodeled older units (new fabrics, flooring & equipment upgrades) are listing in the mid $40k+ range and well maintained units in the mid $30s; even higher for late model units.

As an owner of one of the original units I can attest to my slide's durability and "over engineering." All of the other trailer components have the same issues as other trailers.

paiceman · 02-23-2015, 12:13 PM

As noted slides were available for only a few years. We have had slides on SOB MoHo and had issues, we have noted that many times people with slides in their units, SOB, have issues to the point of having to stay over an extra day or so to get them closed. Not interested. Like the lines and no slides of our AS.

Echelon73 · 02-23-2015, 12:27 PM

We were at our local Airstream dealer (North Carolina) the other day. They have a 2000 model with a slide and some nice upgrades. Here is a link to it: 2000 Airstream 34 LIMITED S/O - Out of Doors Mart

pappy19 · 02-23-2015, 12:44 PM

Our slide-out Classic is a 2002, and never had any issues at all. I have run into a number of other "sliders" and no one has indicated that they are disappointed in or sorry they bought an AS with a slide. On the other hand if you want to go by how many owners of SOB's with slides have problems, why stop with slide issues? Almost every other SOB have issues, that's one reason I went with an AS slider, since I know they would be over engineered. I love our slider and wouldn't trade it for another.

SeeMore · 02-23-2015, 12:53 PM

I am always tickled by the posts recanting SOB slides that deter some people. They read like, "I have a friend who bought a Yugo and it was nothing but trouble so I'll never buy a Mercedes!"

TinShack · 02-23-2015, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deerhunter1

Good morning-

Does anyone knows if the manufacture can make an airstream with a slide?

Here's a pic of one with a slide. We bought it new 10 years ago and the slide has been problem free. We like it because it gives us that extra bit of space needed to house us and two 100lb Labs.

pappy19 · 02-23-2015, 02:50 PM

Perfect answer SeeMore, thanks.

AWCHIEF · 02-23-2015, 02:55 PM

You can file this under useless information because it will likely do you no good. Airstream still has the jigs for making the slide outs at Jackson Center. Who knows offer them enough money and they just might build you one. It would take extensive modification of your existing trailer. I would imagine just the labor cost along would be prohibitive to most people.

pappy19 · 02-23-2015, 03:15 PM

I would guess that the '28 slide is the rarest of the bunch. Probably more 30-31 footers then 34' with the 28's being the least built. It would be interesting to know how many of each were made per year of the total 84 built.

BAB · 02-23-2015, 05:45 PM

And, FYI, last year at Alumapalooza (held at the Airstream factory), one of the VP's asked the assembled multitude of owners (us!) for a show of hands regarding whether or not we would like Airstream to build trailers with slides. No more than 6 people raised their hands. Obviously not a scientific sample of all owners, but there were no follow-up questions on the subject.

**GCinSC2** · 02-23-2015, 06:24 PM

Barry,

Make your new one a slider and you'll have the rarest of the never built!

Got our 30' S/O w/o knowing much at all of the rest of the story about 'em.

Gary

BAB · 02-23-2015, 06:29 PM

Hmmmm, I wonder if I should fabricate a slide for my new Classic, Gary? Think of the challenge. Funny story. Summer before last I pulled into a campground in West Texas. This "good old boy" comes up to me while I'm doing the "just pulled into the campground setting up routine" and says, "that's sure a purty trailer ya got there, how many slides you got?" I said, "none." He gives me this strange look. I said, "this is a TRAVEL trailer, not a 'park at the lake for the summer' variety." He shakes his head and walks away. 'Nuff said.

Bigventure · 02-23-2015, 06:35 PM

I thought the issue with slides was the tongue weight. I had heard the weights are very heavy. True or false?

SteveH · 02-23-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigventure

I thought the issue with slides was the tongue weight. I had heard the weights are very heavy. True or false?

They are heavier, and I've heard it estimated about 800lbs heavier, but don't know if that's accurate.

Jim & Susan · 02-23-2015, 07:08 PM

Here's one for sale in North Carolina.

2000 Airstream 34 LIMITED S/O - Out of Doors Mart

When I spoke to them about a month ago, they were asking around $40,000 for it. I can't vouch for the shape/condition of the trailer, but OODM does enjoy a good reputation here on these forums. Nice Airstream, tho.

Jim

SeeMore · 02-23-2015, 11:30 PM

@Bigventure - tongue weight on my 28' unit is 980 making it only a couple hundred pounds more than most. The bigger units run upwards to ~1,100 pounds but those are the 34' Classics with all the bells and whistles and either office or kitchen cabinetry in the front layout. Again, cautionary posts by non-slide owners are mostly hearsay stories that grow overtime.

Since my first post in this thread I've learned of two 2000 year units which moves the first manufacturing date to an earlier year than I mentioned. My 28' Safari model was built in October 2002 and is titled a 2003. The forum model selection does not offer that choice so I clicked on 2004 SO. At thirteen, it sure has held up well with ~30,000 miles and close to 1,000 nights on the road.

I tow with a 2500 4x4 diesel with exhaust brake and the combination is a very easy, non-tiring tow. My longest one-day drive was a 725 mile/14 hour run from Bangor, ME to Winchester, VA running from a snowy artic blast that threatened to trap me in New England. We have been to 41 states so far and anticipate a Canadian Rockies trip soon.

Like CA Streamer, we like the added floor space for our two Great Danes who have traveled every trip with us. They are 150 & 165 pounds so the added 14 square feet the slide provides in the 'living room' is mandatory for a pet free bed.

Gary (GCinSC) has a beauty, his '07 30' Classic is the sweet spot model and in superior condition, but I doubt he'll part with it :'(

SteveH · 02-24-2015, 06:05 AM

I have weighed the tongue of my trailer with a Sherline scale at 1150 pounds (We only have a couch in the front of our '08 couch slide out), and have weighed the tongue of a friends '00 34' couch S/O with cabinetry, big TV, and a fireplace in the front at 1300 pounds on the same Sherline.

I tow with a 3/4 ton and my friend tows with a 1 ton pickup.