Why Airstream?

[PDGotro]

My wife and I are researching the advantages/disadvantages of owning a Airstream travel trailer. Through the past 20 yrs of camping we have owned a Wilderness travel trailer, Sunnybrook fifth wheel, and currently own a 2003 Tiffin gas motorhome. Within the next few months we will be purchasing a new "recreational" unit. We are very interested in an Airstream travel trailer! However, realizing the difference between a motorhome and a travel trailer - and also, realizing respectfully the Airstream is unlike any other travel trailer, we are interested in the opinions of Airstream owners that may help our decision. Thank you in advance!

[SteveH]

The primary practical reason for owning an Airstream compared to any other travel trailer is they are easier to pull, and handle better on the road.

[dkottum]

The advantage is an American icon that never goes out of style, always repairable and worth the expense, low wind resistance when towing or parked, independent suspension for great handling and low entry, several well-designed interior choices within a common shell; take very good care of it and it will last a lifetime and look good all the way.

Disadvantage is high price, metal riveted shell susceptible to corrosion and sealant leaks (which are treatable and preventable with regular inspections and maintenance), typical mediocre RV components and accessories, uncomfortable dinettes as the only seating in many models, very limited storage compared to fifth wheels and mh's, and disappointed owners who discover these things after purchase and the inspection/maintenance required to keep such as expensive travel trailer in excellent condition.

[Wingeezer]

We have owned two SOB trailers and now the Airstream. I do believe that the Airstream is built to a greater quality standard, but it is certainly not a linear relationship! I.E. paying three times the money does not get you three times the quality IMHO. For example, you will have water leaks sooner or later - and the floors are still wood and subject to rot. The appliances are all pretty much what you will get in any RV.

Certainly they tow well, have a unique look and are very nicely finished inside and draw lots of attention wherever you camp. You'll get lots of interest and questions from fellow RV'ers!

On one instance we we re camped next to our daughter and her family in their RV. Someone asked our daughter "What's it like being camped next to the Airstream?" to which she replied "It's ok, they are my parents!"

As I get older, sometimes I think about moving to a motorhome as I assume there are less "Physical demands" associated with setting it up.

They sure look nice, but every time I start to get serious about it - and that has happened several times, I eventually talk myself out of it for the following reasons ....

- We only camp maybe 6-7 weeks a year so it would be a lot of $$$$ tied up in an RV getting little use.

- I would have the hassle of getting a different driving license.

- there are enough things to go wrong with an Airstream, let alone a Class A motorhome with all of its extra systems and equipment.

- I'd have to tow another vehicle anyway and couldn't back up, plus having to buy and fiddle around with the brake buddy.

- half the gas mileage.

- My wife won't drive with the trailer and it would be nice in emergencies if she could/would. She would not drive a class A either and although I would be ok with a class B, she is convinced it would be too confining and won't consider it, so switching to a class A would give no advantage there.

- Mtce costs of the motorhome would be much higher.

- We store our RV about 15 miles from our home. If it were a motorhome, I imagine I would want to go and start it up and run it a few miles every month or so.



So all in all, from my perspective, it seems that for us, our Airstream Classic 30 is a good a choice, and most likely will see us through our remaining RV'ing days.

If we did get something else at this point, it would likely be a newer Airstream!

Brian

[Msmoto]

My "RV" history...or travel history....tens of thousands of miles by car...nearly all 48 states...about ten years ago...solo motorcycle across the U.S. and returning from Portland, OR, decided I was tired of motels.....went to my AS dealer.

I of course was thinking they must be at least $30,000......LOL.....when I saw the $70,000 price tag.... Bought 2007 25 footer....very nice International Safari. About six months later, traded for 2009 Int 27 FB, pulled this nearly 30,000 miles, decided to go "full time", so Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QGP in 2010. Had I "arrived" more LOL?

After 50,000 miles, never getting to the full time status I found my desires changing....as in wanting to get into state and national parks which was not possible with 43 feet of Moho.

Sold it, purchased 2015 Serenity 30 RB, recliners, awnings, etc, and could not be happier. Much of the Moho gear ( enough to fill a small house) fits into the Serenity and my TV, a Dodge/Cummins 4x4.

Have pulled more than 10,000 miles in first year with this AS, love it. But, the question of why a trailer selling for nearly $100,000 vs. a box trailer or fifth wheel with twice the space, half the cost..... Totally subjective, but there is something special about an Airstream which is not present in other TT. The aluminum, shape, appearance, ease of towing, or maybe the WBCCI....?

Ah, yes, for me, the fellowship and social interactions of the Airstream community....a huge part of ownership. I do not think this is equalled among any other RV brand. And, my expectations, especially the WBCCI International have been far exceeded.

Want to see:
https://flickr.com/photos/72826370@N...57654660902369


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871

[ROBERT CROSS]

......Why Harley?

Honestly, I don't know. We went from a tent to a 63 Safari in 1988, and never looked back.
Always thought they were kool, they are..... kind'a.

But everything has positives & negatives
.
There could be more room....
there should be no leaks....
quality may not match the price point when new....
sometimes form takes precedence over function....

They are great to tow....
the exterior will last for a long time if maintained....
they are a curiosity magnet at any Campground....
they can turn most anyone into an RV maintenance guru in no time....
a very loyal fan base which will defend them far beyond beyond a non-owners understanding....

Bob

[AWCHIEF]

More importantly you have to ask yourself why not an Airstream?

[KJRitchie]

Since you've owned conventional travel trailers and now a motorhome and are use to the fit and finish, maintenance required etc, what has drawn you to look at Airstreams?

Kelvin

[Rocinante]

As an FYI, with the search function you'll find several similar threads here on the forum with lots of great thoughts on the topic as food for thought.

If you have work hard talking yourself into it, no matter what brand or model it is, it's probably not the RV for you.

[Mixter]

The leading characteristic for me was re-sale value. Although RV's are purchased with our "disposable" income, I did not want to dispose of my income.... which is what I feel like on 1-2 week fly-away vacations with my family of 5.... (yes I have the memories... blah blah blah )

We may go through times when we use our camper alot in 1 year... or maybe we go through a phase where we dont use it at all because of other life events. If we're in a time when not using it, I dont want to feel guilty of owning something thats just sitting there depreciating.

I've seen many friends get into pretty sweet SOB's. Yes, they can sometimes be roomier and more plush with cool features, but ultimately one day its just sitting for years before they say "maybe we should get rid of that thing because we dont use it anymore". By that time, somethings broken, stained, damaged, stinky.... Even worse if its been leaking and rotting... Re-sale at that point hurts. I think of many SOB's themselves as "disposable"... If you understand that up front, no problem. Just use them up and enjoy it's serviceable life, then consider that money you would have spent on a vacation anyway. However, Airstreams have a much longer useful life- both because they are VERY rebuildable, and also because the styling is timeless. So there is a much longer market for them as previously owned.

In the end for me, I like knowing that if I needed to, I could sell mine and liquidate my equity. Or if I ever want to change to a newer, longer, shorter, etc. I can use my equity.

And then there is just the cool factor...

[carl2591]

I can say for me and my wife after walking through at least 10 SOB of all different stripes when we walked in the 28 FB International it just felt right.. expensive as hell but man that thing did shine.

I know for us, short of winning a couple hundred thousand dollar lottery, a new AS is out of the question.

I have been looking for the last year or so and man the prices on used unit is starting to get stupid high.

just today on the classified site there was a 2007 27ft listed for 47K and a 2011 27ft listed for 54K.. not sure how to figure out what a good value is any thing now.

[1965 mustang]

1- They are cool
2- 9'7" high . It fits in a 10' high garage door
3- My aunt and uncle full timed in one. So it's sentimental
4-Resale value
5-I saw a picture of one with a tree on top of it. So seems pretty safe and sturdy
6-Pulls nice
7-My wife likes shiny things
8-Cult like following
9-Easy setup and take down
10-They are cool!!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[nrgtrakr]

Look at other RV makes and models - how many are still in business and how many are still in use?

Nothing stays new forever, but being able to maintain and repair goes a long way.

So with that initial logic, we looked at a couple of ASs, "fell in love" with one and it followed us home.

[jdalrymple]

Ain't nobody no where restoring or remodeling a fiberglass RV.

Regards,


JD

[xrvr]

Incorrect, there are members of the tin can tourists who remodel Fiberglas trailers. No, I don't know why!

[Two To Tow]

Having just picked up our new AS last week, after an exhaustive year of research before purchase (married to an engineer), here's what it came down to for us: it's a tidy package of really well considered design. Storage all makes sense, the fit and finish is far superior to most other TT's (we have Serenity and I realize this is hardly objective), and as jdalrymple implied, it's a legacy TT. You simply do not bring an Airstream to the town dump or leave it out in the woods to rot - it is something that will be recycled into more fun for future generations.

[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

Ain't nobody no where restoring or remodeling a fiberglass RV.

Regards,

JD

So the neighbor that buys and restores old Scamps and Burros isn't...

[AWCHIEF]

Sitting in a national park campground and was observing my neighbors rigs. Seems most of them have more external storage space than the entire cubic footage of my trailer. Just a bit depressing when I think about going full time in my Airstream.

[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Sitting in a national park campground and was observing my neighbors rigs. Seems most of them have more external storage space than the entire cubic footage of my trailer. Just a bit depressing when I think about going full time in my Airstream.

Careful! You're heading towards the dark side...

[Resolute_ZS]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Sitting in a national park campground and was observing my neighbors rigs. Seems most of them have more external storage space than the entire cubic footage of my trailer. Just a bit depressing when I think about going full time in my Airstream.

I'll do you a huge favor and relieve you of your depression - let me know where to pick up your Airstream, and I'll take it off your hands for you. Just think - that'll free up a lot of space for a big SOB!