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drivein · 09-01-2004, 10:29 AM

i'm looking to rent an airstream in the new york area. any suggestions?

Silvertwinkie · 09-01-2004, 10:46 AM

That might be kind of tough. They can barely keep them on the showroom floors, let alone rent 'em.

If you find anything make sure to post as I have seen this question a few times....maybe do a search and see if anything comes up that might help.

Airstream Life · 09-01-2004, 11:25 AM

We get this inquiry often, so I've researched it a bit.

The short answer is: you probably can't rent an Airstream. I've never found a dealer willing to do it, for a number of good reasons. I've never found a private party willing to do it, either.

RV dealers who do offer rentals usually focus on pop-ups or Class C models, both of which are easier. Pop-ups often don't require heavy hitches or even brake controllers, and Class C's don't require tow vehicles. Airstream doesn't make either of those types.

But perhaps someone with some entrepreneurial flair could develop a business of Airstream rentals? There's certainly some demand ... If I were doing it, I'd buy a fleet of early-to-mid-90's models, refurb them, pair them with appropriate tow vehicles, and rent them as a set.

InsideOut · 09-01-2004, 11:27 AM

L I A B I L I T Y !

bredlo · 09-02-2004, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

L I A B I L I T Y !

Couldn't be much worse liability than say, renting out Lamborghinis and Ferraris though, right Shari? And with those, you know the guys renting 'em are going to floor it from every stop sign.

With an Airstream rental situation, even if they aren't terribly experienced towing trailers and dealing with giant canisters of propane, at least in most cases we'll be talking about families, who would take all the precautions they could. If it were me, I'd move out west, near all the best national parks, and have some really strict guidelines. A 45 minute class on the ins and outs of towing and using the appliances, followed by their signature relieving me of responsibility if they have an accident. I'd charge, say, $900 a week for a 24-footer and late-model Suburban?

That'd give people the Airstream experience, without having to purchase one and stow it most of the year. Let's face it, it's hard for most city folk to justify ownership when they only get 2 weeks vacation a year.

05ModPod · 09-02-2004, 12:05 PM

What a novel idea - renting out your airstream....hmmm.

While working on our waterfront lot this summer (and what a terrible summer for weather we have had - I might mention!!!!) I tossed the idea of renting out our GT - for say a little honeymoon suite - "I Love Lucy Style".

Then I have the issue of can or can we not have a trailer on the lot???? Still no official answer but I think we might have a neighbour complain.

Plan B - Float the GT!!! At a cost of about 5K CND we can rig her up with extra large holding tanks built right into the pontoon frame - have a forward cockpit and rear outboard. Now the renter could have the best of both worlds - but over my dead body would they be able to leave the dock! It is just a FREE way of mooring. Just like a house boat but would look like a submarine on pontoons! What a neat thing that would be.

Cheers

If I had some extra cash Peter and I would be just the crazies to try it out.

Anyone heard of anyone putting their trailer on a barge/pontoon floats?

Missed you guys - just too busy this summer slaving over the gardens and landscaping down at the water. We will soon however have to start thinking of finishing off the work needed in our Airstream if we are going to get her to the States for a winter holiday!

Hope all of you are well - and at least got some summer traveling in.

JohnG · 09-02-2004, 12:36 PM

Can't see this ever coming about, but then again who would have ever thought that selling water in bottles would be a big deal..................

FireFighter · 09-02-2004, 12:41 PM

my only concern in demographics i am in michigan what does everyone think would the great lakes state have enough draw? or would i have to have an option of delivering your TV and trailer to your location as part of the rental if the rentee desired?

flamingo-kid1 · 09-02-2004, 12:43 PM

Just the THOUGHT of renting out Luna gives me the shudders!

People NEVER take care of rental items as if they were their own...

You'd have to keep it VERY impersonal and have units strictly for rent (HEAVEN FORBID) that you didn't LOVE!

bredlo · 09-02-2004, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamingo-kid1

Just the THOUGHT of renting out Luna gives me the shudders!

People NEVER take care of rental items as if they were their own...

You'd have to keep it VERY impersonal and have units strictly for rent (HEAVEN FORBID) that you didn't LOVE!

Without a doubt! Though...
that leads to another interesting concept:

Airstream timeshares! Or AirShares!

Just think of it... Can't afford that new Airstream motorhome with 9 slide-outs and a BBQ on the roof? Buy it with other families, and split the cost of insurance and storage by letting each family use it for 4 weekends per year. The weekends are chosen by drawing straws every January 1st, so there's no fighting over Memorial Day weekend!

KIMILI · 09-02-2004, 05:58 PM

Serious......$10,000.00 a week ok?? Let's talk.

By the way it sleeps SIX. It's a 2004, 25' CCD. Advance deposit mandatory. PM us for more details and pics.

swebster · 09-02-2004, 09:15 PM

Brad,
I really like the "AirShares" idea. What about something like the "FlexJet" programs for corporate aircraft? You buy into a managed partnership of several different units all in a specific area. Then you "rent" the most appropriate size based on your trip and availability. This solves the problem of only one unit for four or five families.

I've gone so far as pitched this idea to dealers but they basically look at me and say "but why would I do that when we could just sell them?". Good point but certainly missing an opportunity to meet a "less than ownership" interest and cultivate future buyers at the same time.

yukionna · 09-03-2004, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bredlo

...Let's face it, it's hard for most city folk to justify ownership when they only get 2 weeks vacation a year.

Where there's a will there's a way!

I only have 2 weeks vacation a year and I've been on 15 camping trips so far this year and I have 5 more trips planned before I winterize! I typically do take at least a one week vacation each year and use my remaining vacation time on Friday's to make long weekends. Then there are other Monday holiday weekends which are perfect for long weekends of camping.

bredlo · 09-03-2004, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swebster

Brad,
I really like the "AirShares" idea.

Thanks, swebster. The only thing that just occured to me is that I obviously got the name wrong. It would have to be called Sharestreams.

Yukionna: absolutely right! I guess if you're able to make the most of those weekends, even if you live in the big city there are places you can escape to.

Still, for me, a rehab job on an vintage AS was my only option as a non-diehard vacationer -- and the reaction swebster got from those dealers (why mess with renting when they can sell?) I think is completely short-sighted.

Opening up the Airstream experience to everyone, not just those with $30K or $40K to plunk down, should be a priority for any company that wants to continue to grow their customer base. Which is exactly why Airstream would've been a good candidate for this 8 or 10 years ago when the customers were literally dying off of old age (and not being replaced!) But maybe they'd be silly to consider the time-share concept now, with all the renewed interest.

59toaster · 09-03-2004, 08:49 AM

This maybe somebody looking for a "Prop" for a photo.movie shoot for like a day or two. I'd rent for that as long as I could stay with the coach. I'm actually concidering do that for a little extra cash every once in a while.

One of my buddies familily has rented several of their classic cars for movies over the years. They got to spend several days IN the Biltmore house while their Model T was used in the movie they were filming.

thenewkid64 · 09-03-2004, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bredlo

Opening up the Airstream experience to everyone, not just those with $30K or $40K to plunk down, should be a priority for any company that wants to continue to grow their customer base. Which is exactly why Airstream would've been a good candidate for this 8 or 10 years ago when the customers were literally dying off of old age (and not being replaced!) But maybe they'd be silly to consider the time-share concept now, with all the renewed interest.

Look at like this. If I was a dealer, have a rental fleet of used 1-5 year old units with tow vehicles. Offer the rig as a package. Set the rates where you will not get riff raff. Offer a % refund of the rental against the purchase of a new or used unit. A higher percentage of the rental could be used to reduce the price of the unit you just rented.

This allows you to offer the units for rent. Would offer an outlet for the used fleet that you have on trade, as a dealer you already have a service department to fix them if they get damaged. You will get some people that want to rent on for a month, but won't be a buyer.

The companies that rent the class C Motorhomes make money, I think this would too.

hesteria · 06-15-2005, 11:52 AM

This is totally relevant to me. I am a TV producer looking for an Airstream motorhome (vintage 60s/70s) or trailer for use in the making of a TV documentary in the North West. I am tearing my hair out trying to find one! I had no idea it would be so difficult!

InsideOut · 06-15-2005, 05:08 PM

Why not buy one then sell it when you're through? It seems on a 60's/70's model you would be hard pressed to loose money after using it for the period it would take to film your documentary...I would think in the end, it would be much less expensive to the bottomline!

Shari

SafeHarbor · 06-15-2005, 05:45 PM

Hi, hesteria,

I agree with Shari that it would not be financially a poor decision to buy one and resell it when you finish. The danger, however, is that you'll fall in love with the old girl and start fixing it up. Pretty soon, it'll be "full monty" time, and your other pursuits will languish as you pursue your own new-found Airstream dream.
Pretty soon, you might even find out what "cyclo" REALLY means.

Lamar

sfixx · 06-15-2005, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hesteria

...I am a TV producer looking for an Airstream motorhome (vintage 60s/70s) or trailer for use in the making of a TV documentary in the North West....

There are movie prop dealers that rent Airstreams if that's what you are looking for. I don't recall the links off hand but I'll try to find them if you like.

Steve