Airstream Scout Concept Vehicle

[user497]

65GT beat me to it! Working for a company that puts great emphasis on brands, I think that the Scout should fall under a different brand under the Thor umbrella. The Scout is much more reminiscent of something Earthbound RV (Earthbound RV | Earth Friendly, Lightweight & Innovative Recreational Vehicles | Middlebury Indiana) would build than an Airstream. You can play with the shape a little bit but I would still preserve the feel of an Airstream if you are going to name it an Airstream.

I also share CrawfordGene’s concern over quality. As someone who was planning on buying new until I found out about the quality issues, I can tell you that we are real and you are really losing business. The good news for me is that I will still end up with a nice vintage Airsteam. The bad news for you is that my money will be going into someone else’s pockets.

That being said, I echo everyone else’s comments praising you for asking the feedback from such a dedicated owner (and potential owner) group.

[Road Ruler]

Looks nice, retro. Some folks will like the traditional design.

The light weight of 2,000lbs (with the traditional frontal area) will probably not tow as well as a heavier, longer, aerodynamic Airstream.


Side note..... Apache made a small camping trailer in the late 50's named "Scout".

[till]

Cool looking coach, but not an Airstream. I have to echo "bring back the older narrow body and floor plans.." The light weight and minimal approach worked. I think that is why there is such a large "vintage" following. Heck if I can scrape the money together I will jump on a brand new addition of my Overlander.

[flackfizer]

AIR Forums Members,
Thanks for all the feedback you've definitely given some great feedback!
We'll look into the radial button issue that was mentioned.

Thanks!

Airstream Marketing.

[mandolindave]

Call it the Holiday. Go retro. That might stop the "It's not an Airstream " I am an Airstreamaholic. But I am looking for a canned ham to use as a guest house. I really like the retro design.

While you are at it, How about an Airstream teardrop? Way under 1000lbs
Way under ten grand. My reasoning is that there might be more people like me. I really only sleep in my trailer, and I cook outside. And I really can't afford a trailer at $40 K. I am considering a teardrop for a long distance road trip. It would be nice for quick overnighters as well.

I think RVs are like tools. You don't just own a hammer. You need a saw,
screw driver, pliers as well. BTW, I have an Argosy 20'. I ( actally my better half) would like a motorhome, a canned ham, and a teardrop to round out my stable. A 34' would be great to park down south for the winter.
I realize that Airstream doesn't want to build product that doesn't sell.

[Aerowood]

Its a cute trailer for sure, but I think it will go the way of the Basecamp. IMHO airstream should produce something in the size and shape of the Wee Wind that weighs in the 2K range or less and can be pulled with a smaller tow vehicle. Any new design needs to maintain the "Classic Airstream" aluminum construction using the 2024-T3 alloy with fay surface sealed seams. Airstream should look back to the past to survive the future.

Kip

[mandolindave]

You might want to look at the threads here on the basecamp.
My posts on the basecamp went something like this.

The Basecamp is very very cool. But you could customize a utility trailer
for less than half of the price of a basecamp.

The Basecamp weighs almost as much as my Argosy 20' but it doesn't have a shower, heater, etc.

The Basecamp is very very cool. But it's not a great utility trailer. It's not a great camper. and if you put pontoons on it, it would make a not so great boat. (But I sure would like an Airstream Patio Boat )

[rseagle]

I would like to see Airstream really downsize a trailer to include just a two facing sofas that fold together for a bed, a wardrobe and a small front kitchen with a burner, wash basin and ice chest. No bathroom. Weight < 1000#. Possible light enough to be towed by a Harley Tri-Glide.

I saw this home-made example awhile back on this Forum and thought this would be popular if mass produced. I love this little thing! With Airstream's Hydro-Form process, these shapes could easily be duplicated.

OK Airstream engineers. Here's your challenge : How small and light weight can you guys design a basic bare-boned Silver Bullet for 2 adults? List options (dealer installed) and weights separate for customers who want a little more.

I know you can do it!

[mandolindave]

"I would like to see Airstream really downsize a trailer " Me too!
Hey Bob, thanks for the pictures of the tiny trailer.

I am concerned that the Airstream Marketing guy (that didn't leave his name), may come to have second thoughts about his decision to journey into Forumland. But it is fun to have access to an Airstream ear So,
Welcome , who ever you are. Dave

[Airhog1]

[quote=mandolindave;705060
I am concerned that the Airstream Marketing guy (that didn't leave his name), may come to have second thoughts about his decision to journey into Forumland.
[/quote]

LOL..you might be right...just got this in from the mothership...some folks must have thought the word "Concept" meant to call and order one TODAY!!!!

"It has come to our attention that the meaning of the word “concept” was not fully understood to mean “not in production.” As a result there have been inquiries into the availability of the product and that you might have been caught unawares."


Please Note: The Scout is currently not in production and no date has been announced as to when or if there will be a production model.

G

[adonh]

I agree with others, why introduce a new trailer that does not look like an Airstream. Even the Cisita Rv trailer looks more like an Airstream than this. Airstream and aluminum just go together.

my thoughts,

Don

Casita Travel Trailers - Changes

[rseagle]

I hope Airstream will reconsider making it. People are downsizing and looking for value. Gas prices are going back up. Smaller tow vehicles might soon be the norm. A smaller sized Scout with lavish styling and materials and a hefty price tag might not be what people are interested it. The Teardrop manufacturers can't build their trailers fast enough. If I were a trailer manufacturer, I'd be looking at a smaller design that could be towed behind a small car, motorcycle or trike. There are alot of those little trailers on the road now. Big RVs are sitting on the sales lot and their companies are bankrupt and out of business.

Airstream is moving in the right direction investigating smaller trailers. I just don't think they are all the way there yet.

[Airslide]

New Shasta!

My buddy just bought this cute little Shasta. She's an 09'. This unit features electric only with no gas appliances. He seems to love it.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by vlamica

New Shasta!

My buddy just bought this cute little Shasta. She's an 09'. This unit features electric only with no gas appliances. He seems to love it.

I toured one of these at the '09 RV show in Atlanta. It was nice, well designed, and seemed well made, but even with its retro styling, it was not an Airstream.

[OnSafari]

When I saw the photos and information about the Scout on AirForums several months ago, http://www.airforums.com/forums/f224...ype-48205.html, I commented how similar it is to Thor's TAB. This has a few more bells and whistles, but very similar indeed.

Tricia

[Road Ruler]

The Safari Condo Alto from Quebec is a very innovative concept with a top quality build. http://www.safaricondo.com/alto/indexeng.php

[Bluto]

Originally Posted by Aage

I chuckled to myself when I looked at the picture and read the press release: why does the future look so much like the distant past?

This is the type of trailer ("stick and tin") that Wally left behind when he brought out his now-famous shape in trailers, isn't it?

Sorry, unless there's a lot I missing, I just don't get it.

I'm with you on this, seems like a step backwards to me.

[xrvr]

Sometimes a step backwards? as a concept vehical can appear to be, allows one to reevaluate a product to plot a course forward. It appears AS has accomplished its goal for feedback from the masses. Interesting, using an apparently old design to get feedback on new ideas! jim

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

Sometimes a step backwards? as a concept vehical can appear to be, allows one to reevaluate a product to plot a course forward. It appears AS has accomplished its goal for feedback from the masses. Interesting, using an apparently old design to get feedback on new ideas! jim

Airstream is doing a couple of things really REALLY right with the Scout prototype... first is that it's a prototype. It was built to explore what they can do. It is apparently aimed not at the "silver bullet" market that most of us here live in, but more at the new "canned ham/teardrop" market that a few posts have alluded to in this thread so far. I'd guess that their feedback would be very different and undoubtedly overwhelmingly positive if their marketing department had posted this on one of the sites aimed at that style of trailer.

Second, they're actually using the prototype to gain consumer feedback here and find out where their target audience for buyers would most likely lie. Their attempts to market the Basecamp, and all of their more traditional RV-market offerings have been to increase market share in the larger RV market, not merely to throw new products at their existing silver-bullet base with the expectation that we'll all rush in to buy their new stuff that is obviously not their traditional Airstream fare... remember that the painted Argosy line was widely panned by silver traditionalists for many years as being "non-Airstream" too. Each design has a market... the market for this trailer just may not be the traditional "silver bullet" buyer... but that doesn't make the feedback from them any less valuable.

I think that the feedback here so far will prove valuable for them to continue to evaluate if they want to go into production with the Scout, and if so, how best to market it and to what audience to market it.

Again, Kudos to the mothership for putting this out to our members here for feedback!

Roger

[xrvr]

I think some of the new design features can and will be used in a more traditional AS design. What you see on the outside can sometimes hide what a mfg is really interested in getting feedback about. jim