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Old 02-20-2009, 10:44 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flynaxos View Post
If you don't understand, we can't explain.
Glib comment to be sure, but a strong element of truth in that.

When we decided to downsize from a 30 foot box trailer we listed our wants (from high to low priority);

- shorter trailer that would allow us to fit on more campsites w/o reservations.
- no slides, simple setup to fit our KISS style of camping.
- that could be easily towed with a modest tow vehicle (don't like trucks)
- a trailer that was well built and would last a long time
- a trailer with low depreciation
- a trailer with low maintenance requirements
- comfortable for three season camping
- ergonomically comfortable

In the end the only trailer that met all of our requirements was a used Airstream. We've only had it for a year and it certainly has its share of problems (minor corrosion etc.), but my DW and I absolutely love it to death and wouldn't own anything else.

We recently went to the local RV show and saw NOTHING that interested us in the least, c'ept for a new Airstream!

I would never recommend an Airstream to anyone as their first RV. Once you gain some RV experience you'll know whether an Airstream is best for you or not.

Until then...happy RVing!
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Old 02-20-2009, 11:04 AM   #22
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Airstreams are just cool. That being said they are not perfect. Most of my life I have been driving older vehicles that I fix as I drive. People saw my old 1969 shortbox F100 and marveled at how kool it was. What they did'nt see was over the years I had every fastener on the truck off at least 3 times. Friends would buy a neat old car and start to work and reliaze how much effort it took to keep on the road and sell it. My 67 Tradewind is way kool, $600, sitting in a field in Arizona. We took it camping 1 month after buying it. It was an aluminum tent. 18 months later we are still fixing and still camping.I have about $1500 in it at this point and the list of needs is loooong! But the fun & kool facter for Helen & I is enormous. Helen is from England and to her the Airstream sayes America. Adios, John
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Old 02-20-2009, 11:54 AM   #23
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Quote:
If you don't understand, we can't explain.
Not only glib, but not really on point either. As has been pointed out already, I think the original poster already understands, otherwise why ask the question? The original poster is currently evaluating a used Airstream likely in poor condition, against other brand trailers in presumably better condition, for equal or similar cost.

And yet, the original poster keeps coming back to this forum with more questions about Airstreams.

I think that says all you need to know, right there.

There is something about Airstreams that just draws some people in. They're certainly not for everybody.

And I can appreciate Garfield's comment about not making an Airstream your first RV, but I did exactly that, and I'll put it this way-- if I didn't have the Airstream, I wouldn't have an RV at all. I'd just stick with tent-camping, as I have for the last 30 years.

I don't want just any RV.

I want an Airstream.

And that's the difference...
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Old 02-20-2009, 12:17 PM   #24
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Having moved from a first-class pop up (Coleman Niagara with slide out dinette) to a 32' Airstream, I feel like I've moved from Motel 6 to a suite at the Waldorf-Astoria. And got the AS for less money! Basic response to your question, you won't find a 25-30 year old SOB in the same condition as the 25-30 year old AS.
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Old 02-20-2009, 12:37 PM   #25
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A silver kin owners perspective

I recently purchased a 1963 22' Silver Streak which is similar to an Airstream. Bought it with plans to renovate and there are no sites except Tom Pattersons' for SS owners. Tom's site is great but there are just not that many SS owners so consequently there is just not that much traffic on the site. I joined the Airstream site due to the enormous amount of information and support that is directly transferable to my SS renovation. I feel, if to do over, I'd have waited until I found a vintage Airstream so I would feel more a part of from what I can tell are wonderful group of fanatics. I do have to confess that I have already contracted what I fear is an incurable case of aluminitus, caught right here on this forum.....
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Old 02-20-2009, 01:12 PM   #26
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Question

We have been camping with nothing but Airstreams for the last 24yrs.
Would not own anything else!

If we were to do it over I would reverse the experience.
I knew nothing about trailers when we started, with our 63 Safari. A very good original unit. It still required a 3k investment over and above the 3.2k purchase price. My personal labor making it fit to use, approx. 300hrs@$25.00/hr> discounted, because I was enjoying every moment of it. $7500.00.
No floor,skin,frame,axle,leak or other "major" restoration, with the exception of plumbing,furnace,and electrical. It was a long but gradual learning curve. Did not have the AS community to fall back on. It was 18mos before we went on our first trip.

If I knew then what I know now. We would have started with one that was "camping ready." Learning all that we needed along the way while STREAM'N! Maybe even adding a Vintage later on, like a lot of folks here have done.

I'm sorry to say that I would not consider new at this time. Too many negative vibes from the Mother-Ship. Now don't get me wrong, I love the "experience" of our Classic, it's the lack of pride in it's manufacture that drives me crazy.
Maybe it's just me, but then, maybe not.
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Old 02-20-2009, 01:37 PM   #27
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New Trailers have more bells and whistles. However there is something about having a vintage american classic that I will never give up.




Quote:
Originally Posted by atobols View Post
Let me start by saying that I understand that I am posing this question to a likely biased audience. I am making a plea to those that have had other brands of campers and have switched to airstream or those that have had an airstream, switched, and come back. I understand the stigma of a certain brand. I'm a John Deere man myself. Would a Kubota or a New Holland have done the trick...yup, but I went for the JD. I'm not a fan of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, but instead of BMW motorcycles which is perhaps just as closed-minded. I've owned Hondas...bought one of them brand new...but ended up with a now my second BMW and I won't go back to anything else.

So, WHY AIRSTREAM? Why should I drop $5000 on a 25 to 30 year old Airstream that likely needs another $5000 in work when I can buy a 15 year old camper that isn't silver and has any ol' name emblazened on the front? A camper that probably doesn't need a lot of work except to alleviate personal peeves. A camper that I can haul off to a campsite and sleep just fine in right now. Why should I seek the silver? Why the time, money, blood, sweat, swearing, etc.

Don't get me wrong here. Being a JD and BMW man, I know what it is to have brand-identity... but I knew tractors and bikes long before settling on one brand. I'm new to RV'ing. I have no experience other than what co-workers and relatives tell me...and none of them are Airstreamers. I have two Airstream opportunities right now and multiple non-Airstream ops. Please, give your input, but please be objective about it...you're forming the opinion in an infant RV mind!
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Old 02-20-2009, 02:01 PM   #28
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I hope you bought a JD skidsteer loader a few years ago when New Holland was buuilding them for Deere and painting them green, because then you'd at least have a good one.

Anyway, Airsteams are just like the JD lawn and garden tractor I own. They both come with a lot of hype for which you pay much more than their worth from a utilitarian perspective. But your neighbors will envy
you driving around with them, and that's gotta be worth something.

I think it woud look way cool to paint an Airstream green and yellow.
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Old 02-20-2009, 02:23 PM   #29
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Just Another Opinion...

Looking at this from the vintage perspective, it is my feeling that AS’ and certain other brands do age better than others. That's not to say that they are the best, but AS' are/were considered to be high end, are unique, and there is a certain pride in ownership. AS has a long history of continued sales. As such there are plenty old units still on the road, which provides a good inventory of reasonably priced vintage trailers. Thus, when it comes to vintage it's typically easier to find an AS as opposed to others.

There is also a "Love em, Hate em" side to it as well. For me...I love shiny silver trailers of any type, especially vintage ones. Owning something unique compared to most units you pass going down the highway is very rewarding. Ride with someone when one is in tow and just watch how many people notice your tow going down the road. And similar to the Honda Motorcycle ad from the 60’s…“You Meet The Nicest People In An Airstream”

Yes there's a fair amount of maintenance, as with any trailer, and AS' certainly have their own shortcomings. So I'm not about to lead anyone to believe they are the best, but they are definitely worth the effort and money required for restoration.
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Old 02-20-2009, 02:25 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyfisher View Post
I think it woud look way cool to paint an Airstream green and yellow.
Flyfisher,
I think it's already been done...to a whale tale I might add. Take a look at the Airstream that appears about 18 seconds into this video ...

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Old 02-20-2009, 02:41 PM   #31
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I painted my WD hitch John Deere green... does that count?

I can only answer "Why?" as it relates to my wife and I. In a couple of years, we plan to take a year of early retirement. We felt it would be more affordable and comfortable to spend most of our year "on the road" in an RV. We generally like the "base camp" approach where we make camp and then putt around. We didn't want a montrously large RV or to tow a car. We looked at "same old box" trailers, fifth wheels, etc. Let me see if I can describe the feeling. It was like looking at a home decorating catalog circa 1977 with plush "shag" carpeting, "avocado" and "harvest gold" appliances and over-sized dark wood furniture. Now, I'm not even remotely fashionable or hip... but the whole "box" scene felt like a retro movie of the week set. The same old boxes were something, but that something wasn't us.

We went to look at vintage trailers... spartans, avions, shastas, etc. We saw some interesting and very nice coaches. We also looked at new Airstreams. The real vintage (40s and 50s) was nice, but very cramped for two tallish travelers. The new Airstreams were nice, but I wasn't sold. The support and great people here (Airforums) made me think vintage Airsteam was the way go. I felt the vintage AS community was great. Aftermarket parts were available. We wanted a pretty custom interior (two people only, maximum comfort). We felt 26' was the sweet spot for length, towability and livability. One of the forum members helped us find a '67 Overlander less than 20 miles from our house. Boom... we're vintage Airstream owners.

Why? The vintage Airstream is a great "platform." We have the money, time and hopefully skill to bring it into the 21st century. We don't mind doing a good bit of work ourselves. We wanted a coach where we really understood every system and could make it work. Saving an old trailer is environmentally sustainable/smart living stuff. And, of course, there is the "cool" factor. Dropping out for awhile is a pretty radical idea for two responsible citizens. Going vintage Airstream is congruent with a certain mindset, a towing-to-a-different-beat approach. You don't have to be a little crazy to tow vintage aluminum... but it helps.
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Old 02-20-2009, 02:51 PM   #32
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Quote:
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Flyfisher,
I think it's already been done...to a whale tale I might add. Take a look at the Airstream that appears about 18 seconds into this video ...

You'd want to have the Airstream painted predominately green, I'd think, with the trim (as in windows, etc) in yellow. That way no one would confuse you with the Oregon Ducks. And pull it with that big JD tractor.
You know, better than a Pre-Vo.
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Old 02-20-2009, 03:05 PM   #33
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We have owned a 1978 Mastercoach (which was a really nice brand and admittedly a very nice trailer) and a Coachmen (not so nice, 1980) and tow white boxes all the time for our work. When we first started towing the Airstream, we noticed much less wind resistance, it followed our truck as straight as an arrow. And it was bigger and lighter than our Mastercoach. Since the last trailer that we had was a '78 and so is our Airstream, it was neat to compare. Even though the quality of the Mastercoach was up there, the Airstream blew it out of the water. And we didn't break the bank on it. I would never buy SOB (some other brand) again, even though I still like all vintage trailers and appreciate looking at other people's vintage trailers other than Airstream.
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Old 02-20-2009, 04:15 PM   #34
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I think the towing alone made up my mind. Yeah there are all kinds of other things that I like, but once you tow a big white box and then tow an Airstream.....you understand. I've done it, and you compare my 30' white box SOB and my 31' Classic and the way it responds to wind and passing traffic, its so different.

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Old 02-20-2009, 06:14 PM   #35
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Some years ago my wife and I anguished over spending the extra dollars to purchase a Ducane Stainless Grill. At that time their slogan was "Buy your last grill first". Besides being a great grill and looking very nice it has saved us untold amounts of money purchasing cheap grills every couple of years.

Same with our Airstream. Of course they are a little expensive. Of course it fulfill that desire to own an american icon. It tows great and the low center of gravity can't be beat. It is very comfortable and with regular TLC Airstreams last a long long time. Best of all it is just plain cool to be camping in an Airstream.
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Old 02-20-2009, 06:38 PM   #36
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Reasons to buy Airstream:

  1. all of the above posts
  2. snob appeal - if you want snob appeal, this is Prada that will still be in fashion next year, next decade
  3. approachable - even if it is supposedly a snob appeal RV, all you have to do is smile at your neighbors and offer them a cup of coffee (freshly ground and french pressed, mind you) and you can make friends who are dying to look at the inside of your Airstream
  4. minimalism - esp in the CCD version - it just doesn't look like someone puked up the 70's inside.
It's like porn - hard to define - but you know it when you see it.

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Old 02-21-2009, 08:47 PM   #37
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A word about Ducane

Quote:
Originally Posted by fltlevel510 View Post
Some years ago my wife and I anguished over spending the extra dollars to purchase a Ducane Stainless Grill. At that time their slogan was "Buy your last grill first". Besides being a great grill and looking very nice it has saved us untold amounts of money purchasing cheap grills every couple of years.
.
I also have a Ducane.....unfortunately if you haven't followed along, the company went out of business. Apparently their free lifetime warranty on the grills sent them down the tubes. Weber bought what was left and is now the owner. I called to replace my burner and some other components (which would have been free) under the lifetime warranty. The Weber folks informed me that my warranty is now void. They gave me a courtesy discount so I ended up spending $100 for parts.

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Old 02-21-2009, 09:46 PM   #38
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With my airstream, I am living inside a part of America and it feels great! You really grow to love them if not right at the beginning. And yes, the snob appeal is great.
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Old 02-22-2009, 08:03 AM   #39
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I think the reason we own an AIRSTEAM is My father always had an SOB of some kind. I don't even know or remember the names of. He had at least 2 motorhomes. I remember one Was a GEORGIA BOY . For whatever reason I never got to use them or even camp in them. But it seems I was always around them.
I think the turning point was when the wife and I saw a video on a PBS Station which I think was a hr long program. IT was a look inside the manufacture of AIRSTREAM Start to Finish. After viewing that program we were convinced that if we ever got an RV it would have to be AIRSTREAM. Also in my 34 yrs over-the-road I had seen a lot of accidents with SOB's where there was nothing left but a few sticks and insulation gathered up on a flat bed and decided then "NO SOB's FOR ME."
We knew there was no way we could ever afford a new AIRSTREAM. Then for some reason I stumbled on AIR FORUMS and was able to see what U all had to say about AIRSTREAM and your restorations. I thought "HEY I CAN DO SOME OF THAT!" I began looking at what might be in our price range(Classifieds an Ebay) and with a little of my own labor we are now the owners of a Vintage Airstream.While still a work in progress its functional and we enjoyed it very much last yr and the new friends we made are priceless to us.
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Old 02-22-2009, 09:19 AM   #40
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The Decision Process

When I was looking for an RV, I had always loved the AS. That thought was in the back of my mind. As I explored and experienced RV's at shows, everytime I would sit in a SOB, I would say it just doesn't feel right.

I sat in the AS and it felt so right. The AS gives me so much pleasure and the fellowship within the units is wonderful.
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