Why so few Airstream motorhomes?

[Mike Leary]

Do it... you've come to the right place.

[Air Apparent]

Originally Posted by Stick Miller

I am a "lurker". Admittedly, I have been active on the BlueBird Wanderlodge sites for a couple of years, but I'm rethinking that route. Anyone have comments on the 310? I guess I don't know what to look for, but growing up with Airstream Trailers - my dad had a 4 digit WBCC number - I am fascinated by this product. I am only interested in the classic style that looks like an AS trailer.

Please excuse my ignorance on this subject. I am just beginning my search.

Stick - I used to be skinny - Miller
Americus, Georgia

Stick:

Like you I was interested in buying a used Bluebird, even at the time we bought our first Airstream in 2005. Thus my screen name.

However, since having the Airstream trailer I have come to the conclusion that I am better off with a trailer / truck combination. The Airstream Classic motorhomes (that look similar to a trailer) have not been manufactured for many, many years. A motorhome will have a much higher cost of maintenance than a trailer.

I have also been studying the cost of maintaining an older Prevost. I have come to the conclusion that a mid 90's Bluebird or Prevost will cost between $5,000 to $8,000 per year on average to maintain. If there is a major repair it could be much, much higher. I believe that non-bus class A's average around $3,000 per year to maintain. I can't commet on the older Airstream motorhomes as I haven't owned one or researched them. Good luck in whatever you do.

[Chuckles]

Go for it... our 310 has given us loads of countless pleasure.

They are not too big and not too small, and they keep you busy! There is always something to do on them (and spend on them!!) but who's counting.

They are worth every penny, give you immense pleasure, the admiration of others - and they don't depreciate!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Bluebird

However, since having the Airstream trailer I have come to the conclusion that I am better off with a trailer / truck combination. The Airstream Classic motorhomes (that look similar to a trailer) have not been manufactured for many, many years. A motorhome will have a much higher cost of maintenance than a trailer.

All is relative. I don't necessarily agree on the motorhome being a higher maintenance issue.

This of course is just one persons opinion. Your mileage may vary.

Brad

[kmpro]

I agree with Brad. Maintenance on m/h is about the same as tow vehicle and trailer. We have had 12 or 13 RVs including trailers, 5th wheels, B-vans, Gasoline class A's, Fred diesels, and diesel pushers. The gasoline A's are the lowest cost to maintain IMHO. Our Classic 310 will be a great coach once we get all the TLC issues met along with fixing poorly maintained attempts to repair. It's not as big as our 40' Pusher, but I enjoy the classic look of our 1984. Driving down the road you get lots of attaboys and thumbs up from other drivers in this rig, and that does not happen in a 40'. Retail on our pusher was $ 265 K and some change, but I am enjoying refurbishing the 310 AS more. I will have to admit it has been a test of my skills remodeling and mechanical to get the Silver Queen off its knees.

[John H.]

Yes, I agree with brad and Kmpro,

We enjoyed 2 airstream trailers for many years and restored, updated and maintained them as Like new condition. Along with the Suberbans and 3/4 ton Pick up tow vehicles.

Our 89 345 is now maintained and used accordingly and we find that there is little difference in total cost other then paying insurance on One and not Two Units ???

John

[kmpro]

My insurance is less on the m/h than I paid to insure car and trailer combo.

[Mike Leary]

We're on our second AS mo/ho after having two AS trailers.

[kmpro]

Mike, this is our first AS M/H but it is our Third AS.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by kmpro

Mike, this is our first AS M/H but it is our Third AS.

Nothing better than a AS mo/ho, as long as you keep them waxed.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Nothing better than a AS mo/ho, as long as you keep them waxed.

Waxed

This assumes you have something worth waxing . Our 310 is in dire need of having the clear coat removed and redone. Something that won't happen for quite some time to come .

Brad

[Gene]

An alternative:

Fifth Wheelin': VW Beetle pulls a fifth wheel travel trailer

Gene

[345bill]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

An alternative:

Fifth Wheelin': VW Beetle pulls a fifth wheel travel trailer

Gene

Hey Gene- That's one of the coolest things we've seen. Thanks.

[gloran]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

There was a lot of competition and people made their choices. Airstream did not see it was profitable to continue when there was that small a demand for them and dropped the product line. The Aluminum ones were definitely higher priced by comparison to their competition (Foot vs Foot) and did not sell well. The motor homes are more complex and more difficult to maintain by comparison to the trailers but not that much different from other motor homes. The plastic version had no distinctive features, over the other brands, and could not justify the margins Airstream desires when they market a product and when they set the price at the margins they wanted, there was no demand.

I find it interesting you refer to the fiberglass constructed MH as plastic and having no distinctive features. The new front and end caps were so innovative at the time that a patent was granted AS for them. The laminated walls and ceiling with styrofoam insulation were better insulated than earlier coaches. Their fiberglass roofs were more durable than their competition. They had the same quality cabinetry in them,(as the trailers) that made them more expensive, along with other higher quality materials to add to the cost. The low profile design was so unique in styling,like the AS trailers, the design virtually remained the same from 1989 to 2006 when AS stopped making MH's. As to the reason why AS stopped making MH's. I was told two main reasons by the Jackson Center. Their best selling MH was the low profile LY, and their main P30 assembly line was out of date not set up to handle the larger Workhorse chassis required to accomodate the weight of multiple slides to compete in todays market and would have required an expensive total overhaul of that line. AirStream's main bread and butter are their trailers, Thor Industries already were manufacturing high end MH through other brand such as the Mandalay Presidio, and Four Winn, so why compete against themselves.
I agree, the reason you don't see as many Airstream MH undoubtedly was the price, but had little to do with changing from aluminum to a fiberglass shell.

[Mike Leary]

Far as I remember, AS quit making a REAL mo/ho in 1996; the rest were something different.

[gloran]

I don't understand your wording REAL mo/ho, the rest were something different. Are you refering to 1997 the last year the Classic Aluminum bodies were made?

[ViewRVs]

Originally Posted by gloran

I don't understand your wording REAL mo/ho

I could see that one coming!

The "Classic" aluminum ones were made up to 1996 (although one sold in 1997). The Land Yacht line started on 1989 with the unique fiberglass front and rear caps.

Of course, all of them qualify as "real" motorhomes! Both models have unique advantages.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by 1985air345

I could see that one coming!

Me too; I could not resist. I do wave at all Airstreams, though. All in jest.

[kmpro]

Mike I suppose you are like a lot of folks. More than anything, you prefer aluminum over fiberglass for looks and let's face it, the Bauxite has more snob appeal. Me too. I served as a Factory Representative in the RV business for several years, I know it is like pulling teeth to get them to re-tool the line to produce something different than current. Price is the major factor of retool and market demand too. At the time AS was suffering in sales because the product was at a bad price point and the industry was moving to workhorse and slide-outs. Without sales to support it, retool to workhorse & slides was off the agenda unless the company had a real risk-taker with vision to see what was coming. As it was the beancounters won and AS stayed with the more conservative approach thus the demise of the AS M/H. Too many times the final decision is controlled by the beancounters and thus sales suffer and it's all over. The other side is that sales would spend us into oblivion if we turn them loose. My thought: Yeah but it would be a lot more fun think of how great the M/Hs would be!!!
Mike

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by kmpro

As it was the beancounters won

Which pretty much wrecked the American reputation for quality. NAFTA put the noose around our necks.