Bob Wheeler at The Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show at London's ExCeL

[WK57ABF]

Hope you find this interesting :

Caravan Channel > Videos

John & Carole in the UK

[mutcth]

My goodness I want that trailer. Red leather U-shaped lounge in the front, long kitchen galley, big bed across the back. Dual panoramic windows and a narrow body trailer.

I don't want to pay the equivalent of 60,000 pounds UK though...

Thanks for sharing that video!

Tom

[DKB_SATX]

Interesting that it's a UK-built trailer (according to the brit being interviewed) yet the door is still on the US (and continental) "curb side" of the trailer. I guess that's for continental sales?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Interesting....always falling back on their Icon-o-me and riveted skin.

Nothing about great quality/control or experienced dealer network, same-o same-o.

Bob

[bredlo]

Thanks for the link, WK57ABF. Nice to know they're being built locally over there, makes a lot more sense than exporting them from Ohio - and gives some good jobs to some great Brits!

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Interesting that it's a UK-built trailer (according to the brit being interviewed) yet the door is still on the US (and continental) "curb side" of the trailer. I guess that's for continental sales?

The shell of the trailer is made in good ol' Jackson Center but the interior is kitted out in the UK. I reckon it'd be too expensive to set up a production line to have the doors on the other side, unless sales went big in Japan and Australia where they also drive on the left; it's no big deal which side your door's on really.

£60,000 is a lot of money!

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by WK57ABF

Hope you find this interesting :

Caravan Channel > Videos

John & Carole in the UK

Thanks, really nice to see.

[10Smiles]

I enjoyed the video. I like the bunk model, that would be great with the kids!

Thanks for posting.

[ajdesq]

Funnily enough I met Bob at the London show...

He laughed and said how the new International 685 would suit his needs (with his three children) better than a US model. So who knows what the future may hold...

I did mention that there was a lot of transatlantic envy on both sides of the pond!

Just for the record, the assembly regime is still as follows:

European BPW chassis is sent from Germany to JC
European wiring loom is sent from UK to JC
JC assemble chassis and make bodyshell, incorporating the EU wiring inside
Empty shell gets shipped to the UK
Furniture, plumbing, and appliances (from the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Netherlands) are fitted at Airstream's UK depot
Resulting trailers are then sold in European countries

As the UK is the only EU country where we drive on the left, the door is on the 'wrong' side (for us) because naturally the volume of sales outside the UK is higher.

Interestingly enough, Airstream Europe are now breaking into the Australian market. Apparently, it's the law in Oz that new trailers MUST have the door on the correct side. So AEU have produced a 684 with a door both sides. Mind you, the rear door is in the bedroom, so it really does seem to be a 'box-ticker' rather than a door that will normally be used on site.

Best wishes to all,

Andrew

[Frank's Trailer Works]

and all that over seas build out is to satisfy the EU unions....