Visit our Popular Forums

SilverGate · 05-01-2016, 05:44 PM

First designed by Robert Johans four years ago in Oregon, this lightweight, molded fiberglass trailer with an infusion-molded monocoque body will now be built by Airstream, Inc.

See: "Airstream To Build Fiberglass Nest Caravan"

The prototype model weighs about 2,000 lbs. and has a queen size bed.

See details: "Nest Caravan delivers a monocoque-built glamping adventure"

I suspect the proud and happy owners of this new trailer will enjoy the ease of towing (with a standard car!), not worrying and dealing with filiform corrosion, having fewer, if any, leaks, saving money on tow vehicle fuel, and feeling good about going green (it has an integrated solar panel!).

See: "Nest Caravans: Stylistically changing the way we travel in the great outdoors"

For updates about the Airstream Nest Caravan, see Airstream, Inc.'s webpage:

"Join us in welcoming Nest Caravan to the Airstream family"

Airline · 05-01-2016, 06:04 PM

The inside is TINY,I would like to see pics with a human inside.

also,there is no window coverings for privacy at night.

I assume they will add something ,shades,curtains,that will make it even smaller inside.

These will be $40k out the door,thats alot of $$ for a tiny trailer.

just my first impressions.

KJRitchie · 05-01-2016, 06:14 PM

Airstream Nest = more sales for Casita and Oliver.

Kelvin

AWCHIEF · 05-01-2016, 06:21 PM

Pretty much all been said, at least until they are actually in production.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...am-144000.html

Al - K4GLU · 05-01-2016, 06:21 PM

Airstream will not be able to meet Oliver quality. 40K for one of these and a bit over 50K for a fully equipped 23' Oliver. No contest - Oliver hands down. This might turn into as big a boondoggle as that silly Base Camp.

Airline · 05-01-2016, 06:30 PM

I guess my concern is that branching out like this may jeopardize Airstream in the long run,so that in the end they quit making Aluminum Travel Trailers....
I like the idea of an Airstream factory on the west coast,mainly for service for the folks that bought new Airstreams with issues,that the dealers can't handle correctly.
But that also could jeopardize aluminum trailer manufacturing in the future.
Thor could just make Airstream,Sprinters and Fiberglass Trailers.
There is only one thing Thor and their investors care about:
$$$$$$$$$$$

AWCHIEF · 05-01-2016, 06:34 PM

"Thor could just make Airstream,Sprinters and Fiberglass Trailers."

Sounds like that is what they have planned for the near future.

Airline · 05-01-2016, 06:37 PM

It might be cool to see some brand new 2017 Silver Streaks and Streamlines
; )

SilverGate · 05-01-2016, 06:46 PM

See how Robert Johans built the first Nest Caravan prototype:

"Nest Caravans - Building a new FG trailer, step by step"

AtomicNo13 · 05-01-2016, 06:47 PM

This is headed the way of Land Rover..... The Defender, formerly the Series is now gone only to be replaced with a plastic bodied whatever is next. Well se the end of a handbuilt shell in lieu of a blow molded grp shell soon after this. Afterall why keep what made you good? Mark my words... plastic is cheaper than metal and all those peaky rivets......

AWCHIEF · 05-01-2016, 08:05 PM

And more and different perspective from non-Airstream owners.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...s-74037-2.html

SilverGate · 05-01-2016, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

And more and different perspective from non-Airstream owners.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...s-74037-2.html

... which was closed and continued in the new thread:

"New fiberglass player.....Airstream!"

where designer Robert Johans states (in post #15) that he will be working with Airstream as a consultant, overseeing the production of the Nest in Jackson Center, Ohio.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 05-01-2016, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al - K4GLU

Airstream will not be able to meet Oliver quality. 40K for one of these and a bit over 50K for a fully equipped 23' Oliver. No contest - Oliver hands down. This might turn into as big a boondoggle as that silly Base Camp.

Hi, I wasn't a fan of the Base Camp and thought it was way over priced, but like the last Ranchero [1979] there was a demand for them right after they were no longer available. People wanted what you could no longer buy. People were willing to pay even more for them. I also don't think we can automatically say that the quality will be bad and they won't sell. I went to a car show in LA when they showed the first Scions. Who in their right mind would buy one of these ugly boxy $hit boxes of a car? I was wrong; many people loved these things. Time will tell.

No, I won't be one of the buyers of the Nest.

SilverGate · 05-01-2016, 10:57 PM

It seems Airstream's first prototype fiberglass trailer was the Wally Bee.

A photo of the Wally Bee is also seen in #3 Wally's Trailers, and Who Slept Where.

OTRA15 · 05-02-2016, 02:48 AM

Perhaps folks going to Jackson Center can check out where the Nest will be fabricated, especially the plastic shell. I understand the plant was expanded quite a bit in the last couple of years -- was some of this done as a home for the Nest production?

Will AS hire new workers for a separate assembly line for finishing the Nest, or will existing workers take over the completion, at some point?

As was discussed in the other thread, quality control will be crucial, especially in the casting/molding of the plastic shell, a new material for AS. Has Airstream said anything publicly about this QC issue, and dealing with plastic vs. aluminum?

"Many Rivers To Cross" on this one IMO -- hopefully the song's line -- "and I can't seem to find my way over" -- will not need to be sung.

PS -- FYI the earlier thread which discussed the Nest:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...am-144000.html

switz · 05-02-2016, 04:39 AM

Since my 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI diesel can tow our 2015 23D International Serenity weighing 6,068 pounds fully loaded for camping with no issues going up or going down mountain, I don't ever see myself as a Nest customer. The 23D is as small as we are willing to go.

AWCHIEF · 05-02-2016, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Perhaps folks going to Jackson Center can check out where the Nest will be fabricated, especially the plastic shell. I understand the plant was expanded quite a bit in the last couple of years -- was some of this done as a home for the Nest production?

Will AS hire new workers for a separate assembly line for finishing the Nest, or will existing workers take over the completion, at some point?

As was discussed in the other thread, quality control will be crucial, especially in the casting/molding of the plastic shell, a new material for AS. Has Airstream said anything publicly about this QC issue, and dealing with plastic vs. aluminum?

"Many Rivers To Cross" on this one IMO -- hopefully the song's line -- "and I can't seem to find my way over" -- will not need to be sung.

PS -- FYI the earlier thread which discussed the Nest:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...am-144000.html

From what I understood from the Airstream PR rep that was at the Florida State Rally the Nest will be a stand alone product possibly built in a new and separate facility located on property that Airstream recently acquired in Jackson Center. He was very closed mouthed with any other information about the Nest or any other new Airstream models. They are still hiring and training new employees for the recently completed expansion of the Airstream line. They also have plans for expansion of the motor coach facility across the street and a new parking lot for completed trailers. The parts warehouse has been moved across the street. Apparently big things are planned for the future of Airstream.

switz · 05-02-2016, 06:52 AM

I hope the big plans include an increase in QC for the future Airstream owners!

AWCHIEF · 05-02-2016, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switz

I hope the big plans include an increase in QC for the future Airstream owners!

Heck must not be that bad. You have bought 3 new ones.

switz · 05-02-2016, 07:05 AM

The 2013 25FB had no QC issues at the 26 unit per week production rate (July 2012). The 2014 Classic had many small issues at 41 units per week (January 2014) and the 2015 23D had significant issues with over 50 per week (September 2014). Production is now headed for 75+ per week with several hundred new untrained employees on the line. Just saying.... the trend requires monitoring.