Stop me before I SOB!

[85MH325]

Michelle, as you know, I defected. While I still enjoy Airstreams as rolling art, there are some SOBs out there that offer things AS doesn't. My molded fiberglass shell Bigfoot 25' offers hail resistance, true four season ability with dual thermopane windows and heated tanks, and weighs about 1,500 lbs less than the a similar 25' AS, and has no seams. It also cost only half as much and is of similar quality, with the interior somewhere between the Safari and Classic. The penalty I pay is frontal air resistance as it's taller and more square.

I'm not a fan of sandwich core walls with roof seams, but SOB manufacturers have made great strides in the past few years overcoming many of the shortcomings of the old stick-built trailers.

There is no doubt that Airstream has its limitations. They're like a BMW motorcycle. They're eccentric, and you either fit them or you don't. As long as your needs work inside what they offer, they're superb. When you want to do something other than what they can do for you, it's time to look elsewhere.

If you really, REALLY enjoy your Airstream, I'd echo the advice to start looking for a box van tow vehicle, and I'd probably get either an F450 with a custom fiberglass B+ van body (14,000 lb GVWR and 20,000 lb tow capacity) or a Sprinter similarly equipped. The Sprinter's capacities aren't as high, but they're certainly adequate and will probably give you significantly better fuel mileage.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Roger

[BillTex]

Hi Michelle, I don't know...I agree look at alternative TV's. HD Van or sprinter may be the way to go, but I think both Ford and Chevy sell deezul vans...

We have had SOB's and truth is after 7-8 yrs they start to fall apart, leak, etc.
I have wondered; what if?
Could I ever go back to an SOB?

In all honesty, I could not see it happening.
I would like a TC some day for backwoods exploring, but would keep the AS.

The quality of the AS is incomparable (unfortunatley). I don't see any alternatives to meet the durability of an AS.
Spoiled, I guess...

Bill

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by janetb

Michelle! Snap out of it!

Oh wait it must have been that new medication! No seriously. I am loking at the posibility that I may be in a trailer long past two years. The currently is getting a little small and with my recent acquisition I am having to re-evaluate everything.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, have Inland Andy customize your trailer to have a rear, center, hatch door and have BMW tie downs near the center; Then you can have it all and one of a kind. Lots of options.

No airplane, no Airstream, did you find a cure for Aluminitus?

I have not found a cure yet. I suspect there will be serious withdrawl and much therapy if I give up the AS as well.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

"Your cheating heart will make you weep
You'll cry and cry and try to sleep..."

and remember those SOBs are just

"little boxes on the hillside and they're all made out of ticky-tack and they all look just the same."

You're not just whistling Dixie, are you?

Nope I am serious. I am looking at posibilies. The only One I see working right now is a toy hauler.

Originally Posted by wheel interested

I saw a 2004 SkyDeck for sale for 150, I think at Colonial...now pull the base camp or vintage Bambi with your bike in it and you could really do the racing circuit up right and still look down on 'em. (OK, so that last is a joke folks! You know we Airstreamers have that reputation.)

I would love to have skydeck. do you know hwere I can get that $1,000,000/yr job so I can afford one? A little base camp behind would be just the ticket. I am not sure the BMW will fit.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Pop Rivet

1/2 mil here - 1/2 mill there - might as well get the best

I could read the bmp file type.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Janet

Michelle - consider the cat! You may be able to find an sob in a storm but the cat will be confused. Go for a BIG truck.

I am sure poor Sarah would figure it out evenutally. Right now she has a home in the hangar. Only problem with big truck/van. I have not paid off my truck yet.....

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by TIMEMACHINE

Michelle,

Keep your AS and change your TV.

Take a look at the 4500 Dodge Cab Chassis with the Cummins and 6 spd auto trans. The exhaust brake makes for easy mountain driving. Kind of a cross between Michael's Big Box Ford and Lew's Sprinter Van. I have seen them with built-in ramps for easy bike loading.

Drive one before you say no.

time

Ok so I will go to the local Dodge dealer and inquire but the truck is as much as the toy haulers I am looking at.

[jnerges]

But this one is pretty close.

Seriously, what is an SOB?

Aside from the obvious.

John

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

Interesting developments Michelle. I had read about your humm-cycle and didn't know where that fit in. It doesn't. Michael's rig is cool -- and you can use the motorcycle as your commuter. I wouldn't want a gas hog U-Haul truck but those rollout ramps are hard to beat.

You gotta fit yer lifestyle...

My lifestyle is changing. Some not by choice some by choice.
Michael's rig is good for what he is doing. If I continue to live in a trailer this I am going to want more room. The toy hauler is perfect. A little place to store and work on the motorcycle that is heated and airconditioned!
This is my current favorite. Made across the street from where I am currently working.
Northwood Manufacturing

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by moosetags

What a dilemma!

How about the new AS Pan America Toy Hauler? That was supposed to be introduced this month.

Brian

I considered it but for around $100,000? I can get a lot of other trailer for that!

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by lewster

YA BEAT ME TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The new Sprinter 3500 dually has over 4000lb load capacity and an additional 7500 lb. tow capacity. Ride your bike right in!!!!!!!!!!! Hitch up and you're GONE!!!!!

I take my V-Strom (565lb) right inside my Sprinter, along with all of the tools, roll-a-ways and everything else I have when I'm on the road.

IT WORKS FOR ME!

Lew,
4000 in the sprinter would work. However my trailer current weighs 8900 lbs.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by safari62

1.Sprinter
2.box van
3. stake body cab over.
4. Also Airstream's prototype 34' toy hauler. I know they made at least one.
Sell the motorcycle, get a bicycle

I already have a bicycle. It does not go very fast.
I like izuzu truck idea!

[Fiamma]

Originally Posted by jnerges

But this one is pretty close.

Seriously, what is an SOB?

Aside from the obvious.

John

It means "Some Other Brand", other than Airstream.

I've heard a lot of good things about Northwoods trailers.

[2airishuman]

i like the sprinter option too, but...

even the 3500 isn't rated to tow a newer 31 ft 'stream, like 'cats has.

it partly depends on HOW often the trailer will be moved, and where...

1-3 moves a year the big fiver is way more livable.

but if traveling 15-20k miles hauling a trailer, keep the stream.

the big 5 tow hauler will lead to REALLY awful fuel economy, and have u ever pulled one?

it really isn't fun or easy driving, as is with a twink.

AND u might need a new truck for 5er/tow hauler (dually 350 or 450) anyway.

otoh a used box van with the older 7.3 l diesel can go anywhere, even mexico!

and the mpg is about the same as the new trucks, and the purchase price is MUCH less than a new anything.

unless you are a LONG TIME motorbike rider, ya might wanna pause b4 making expensive changes based on a bike.

many new bike riders go through a giddy up phase, then taper off.

motorbikes come and go and really are seasonal in places like montana.

florida or so cal, well the rules change.

it might be wise to wait until u know where the home base is located.

an rv village (like the north texas 'stream harbor) might offer a park model for living space, a place to store the stream and bike...

and serve as a hub for trailer towing travel too...

i would NOT want to LIVE in a toy hauler and give up interior space for gasoline powered stuff...

regardless of the brand.

terry's suggestion of a shed for stuff would be my preference is stationary

cheers
2air'

[SilverPal]

We sold our '06 Safari for an SOB with a little more room. It's nice, but it's not an Airstream! Within days we were searching for a vintage and succeeded! The SOB will be for those long trips; the Airstream for club activities and local rallies. I'm a Happy Camper once again!

ps - You WILL miss your Airstream and the great friendships that go along with it!

[easyride]

And Here I Thought Sob Was Square Old Box

[Mikethefixit]

I think the Box truck /Chevy or Ford Chasis /Desiel Crewcab(they make em ya know) and pull the Airstream would solve the problems and U would have the best of both worlds. Best of luck to U for what ever u decide. I think someone said it "U would miss your Airsteam and the friendships U have made".
Roger

[slowmover]

This post is about the trade-off from "livability" versus roadability:


Michelle, as you know, I defected. While I still enjoy Airstreams as rolling art, there are some SOBs out there that offer things AS doesn't. My molded fiberglass shell Bigfoot 25' offers hail resistance, true four season ability with dual thermopane windows and heated tanks, and weighs about 1,500 lbs less than the a similar 25' AS, and has no seams. It also cost only half as much and is of similar quality, with the interior somewhere between the Safari and Classic. The penalty I pay is frontal air resistance as it's taller and more square.

(As well as: higher center of gravity, lesser ability to handle side or quartering winds; and, most importantly, the loss of independent suspension. A box on wheels is not ANYTHING like an aerodynamic, low-center-of-gravity, independently-suspended travel trailer. This is a significant decrease in road-ability. The fuel mileage penalty is minor by comparison.)

Toyhaulers that I see are likely the WORST balanced and loaded vehicles I see on the roadway. I made a return to home today in a 240-mile journey with minor steady winds for this region. No decrease in my fuel economy, but EVERY RV (boxes) were heeling in this wind. I doubt the drivers noticed after a while, but every one of them was pushing their luck more than they considered.

It would take very little to upset a toyhauler past the point of no return.

[lewster]

Hey Michell,

I would do the box truck thing considering the weight of your trailer, nice Isuzu model with a lift gate at the rear so you can get all of your stuff in/out easily.......including the bike! Nice aerodynamic front on the box and decent fuel mileage to boot!

Plus, I've seen a new version of the box with an entry door just aft of the cab that sits lower than the cab and contains a set of easy-entry steps into the box.........I almost opted for one of these myself, but decided to stay with the Sprinter and will be using a mobile workshop trailer that will match the colors of the van for the next FL snowbird season.....way cheaper!!!

The 5-ers do have a lot of space, but I work on these every day and the quality just isn't there with luan interior walls (even in the expensive ones), bonded walls, rubber roof, they seem to find just about every corner to cut when they make one of these.....wih perhaps the exception of the Newmar London Aire 5-er...........you'll hate yourself after a short while!!!