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fotochop · 07-11-2010, 05:57 PM

'69 Safari AND '01 Tundra w/WD-hitch cost me $10K, I put another 5K and lots of sweat equity in....just returned from amazing three-week FL adventure, Suwanne River, Dizney, Pensacola, w/family...

FL adventure: around $2K

memories: priceless ;-)

rebelstand · 07-11-2010, 06:27 PM

Hi & Welcome,
I am new to A/S ownership, only just over a week, and no where near as knowledgable about A/S as anyone else on the site. However as someone who has been out and looking at all types of RV's recently, I'll add my 2 cents. My husband and I spent about 6 months seriously entertaining the idea of a Brand Spankin NEW SOB. I have to say some of them had nicer interiors than our house. I could debate construction, insulation, slides, etc.. etc.. etc. Here were my problems with anything new, including Airstreams.... price, depreciation and personality.

The price of something new that depreciates that much, while ok for some, just doesn't work for me. Call me cheap.. that's really ok... I can live with that. Nothing against those who do it.. just not me.

With a vintage or used trailer I don't feel guilty about removing the upholstery.. it's 39 years old. I can keep what I like, I actually like the 70's veneer. Get rid of what I don't, the carpet, 70's upholstery/drapery. I would have a problem with this in a brand new unit. I can also stick to being as eco and allergy friendly as I can. I can add my own personality.

As for cost of renovation/restoration, we will do what we can and when we can. I am hoping that all the blood, sweat, tears and probable arguments will make our A/S more meaningful to us. If not, at least there is a chance I can at least get what I paid for the trailer back... if not, life lesson.

My advice... listen to your heart/instincts. They will tell you what you really want and need.

LJH · 07-11-2010, 10:34 PM

My nickname is Holleywood, and I have an Airstream, so maybe that part is true. But I think the rest is pretty much salesman BS. LJH

**blmitch5** · 07-11-2010, 11:27 PM

I love my AS and I didnt buy it new but waited until I could find one I could afford to pay for (no loan) and ended up with a very nice (used 3 times by the PO) 2006 19" Bambi. Some of my friends thought I was crazy to spend so much on a trailer and my Mother (has a class c) thought I would be better off with a new SOB. I looked at several brands and hands down Airstream was the winner. They may have problems (built by hand) but what doesnt! My new house had issues and its a nice house but there again if humans touch it it can have flaws. I spent lots of time on here looking at both the positive and negitive of AS and it still won! The SOBS looked cheap. granted some had lots of cool extras but it wouldnt hold up as well as the AS. As for comfort the Bambi warms right up and stays warm with the heater and heat strip and as far as AC goes it gets down right cold even it hot humid weather. So tell the

expert of one year to shove it and go with what you want. If its an AS, great or an SOB it is your choice. Dont let a second rate expert tell you what you should own. Look at Air classifieds and I'm sure you will find a great one.

**blmitch5** · 07-11-2010, 11:58 PM

You might call this guy. Hes close enough to go and see what and older unit looks like. I found this on FAce book.

Del Burwell: We have a 1977 32 ft. Excella that is in fair condition that we are to old too use anymore.
We live in the Sacramento. Ca area if anyone is interested I can send pictures. The inside is clean but the clear coat on the outside finish has deteriorated. If anyone is interested we would let it go at a decent... price. goldduster41@hotmail or 209-296-4513

Frank's Trailer Works · 07-12-2010, 05:25 AM

I need to know something.
Was this an Airstream Dealership?
Did he also know everything about how other trailers are constructed? Just wondering if he pointed out that most, all trailers are built of sticks and staples.

raveson · 07-12-2010, 09:11 AM

My first TT (1966 24' Tradewind) was purchased in 94-95. Personally reworked the interior back to perfect and towed it for 15 years. Was so impressed with the construction, when it came time to sell (sold for every penny invested) and look for a MH, wanted nothing else then a classic AS. Strayed and bought a 77 26' GMC and refilt the whole thing, also very well made! Sold for a heafty proffit. Still wanted a classic AS MH. Have had the 345 for 4 plus years and have never regretted the choice. The investment in the MH has been a bunch more then the TT, but nothing compared to a new unit of the same quality if thats possible short of a Prevost! Mabe with a big lottery hit a Prevost is in the future.

Dakota's Dad · 07-12-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raveson

The investment in the MH has been a bunch more then the TT, but nothing compared to a new unit of the same quality if thats possible short of a Prevost! Mabe with a big lottery hit a Prevost is in the future.

I said something along those lines to my wife.. she wanted to know what the tow rating of the Prevost would be, 'cause we would still be towing the 'stream...lol

I also "implied" that with money no object we would let Jackson Center do some of the repairs on our list.. got a dirty look for that...

I do love her so.

SARGE/AF · 07-12-2010, 09:59 AM

One other thing that nobody has mentioned including me. When I am inside an SOB, I feel like I am in a trailer, what I mean is that it feels like a box with plastic, a toy, something with no personality, thats the best I can describe it and I have been in some really nice SOB's. But when I am in an airstream no matter whos or what year it always feels like home. Even both of mine when I walk inside they feel like home, not some toy.

Sarge

arcamedies · 07-12-2010, 11:27 AM

Ditto to what everyone else has said. Last year I had a $200,000 motorhome and it ran the heat and a/c a lot with 4" of insulation. I found that being 40' towing a Jeep behind restricted me to really sightseeing what I enjoyed, so on to a vintage airstream that can be towed virtually anywhere comfortably, and I only put another $3500 into it so far.

Buy what you like and you will have fun with.

When you are done you'll sell it and have fond memories, or not.

Happy hunting.

Silver Me · 07-12-2010, 08:11 PM

Thank you all for your insight. And no, this was not an Airstream dealership. It was an RV center that sold many brands, but had no Airstreams, new or used. I am glad I posted my question on here! You have renewed my faith that Airstreams are just about the coolest things on the planet, and nice and helpful people own them! We knew the sales guy was feeding us bad info, but we were concerned about if the AS would be really hot inside. It sounds like that is not a concern to most of you.

To Airishuman who wrote:

it's also true that nOOb members that start threads like this USUALLY have an agenda.

I'm sorry if I offended you with my post. I couldn't find a thread on here that answered my question about the internal temperature of the A/S, I also don't know anyone personally that owns an A/S, and knew I wasn't getting a straight answer from the sales person. I thought I would get a straight answer from people on here that actually own an A/S. Sometimes a question is just a question...no agenda involved.

2airishuman · 07-12-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Me

...Sometimes a question is just a question...no agenda involved.

yeah well the centsSENSELESS hollywood 60,000 bucks yaddayadda...

hasn't got nut'n 2 do with insulation.
________

instead of asking a question that ISN't gonna help or solve ANY issues 4 ya...

tell us more.

-whatz the budget

-whatz the purpose of owning ANY rv

-why a stream

-how much/where will u go with it

-what will u pull it with

-how many people dogs and reptiles will inhabit it.

-what floats yer boat....looks, shine, WOW factor, utility, space, features, gadgets, LOW maintenance...

-or the opposites of each.

-and so on.

PROVIDING relevant INDIVIDUAL info means folks can better offer input...

rather than just posting "streams are great, YEAh yeaH YeAh...!!!"
__________

for HARD winter camping or HOT summer living there are MUCH BETTER rvz...

yes, better insulated, more space, more fluids, nicer interiors and so on...

and almost ALL at 1/2 the price of a new stream.
__________

the aluminum can has a THIN wall so there's only so much SPACE for insulation...

windows, vents, doors, the fridge all LEAK heat or cold.

the metal CONDUCTS heat and cold in a BAD way.

and so on...

you can READ ALL ABOUT these issues in the WINTER LIVING section or INSULATION section...

or in the 100s of threads where OWNERS WHO LOVE their streams bEEch about how poorly insulated they are...

and how much MONEY it takes to keep it comfortable in a harsh climate.

the ideal stream is MOBILE and goes where the weather is better...

OR try simply searching a few relevant terms...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...ods-14803.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f459...use-50348.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...ons-59996.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...sts-40442.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...nks-46754.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f381...ide-63397.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...-etc-7231.html
_________

as posted earlier EVERYTHING REPORTED 2 b said by the rvsalesguy is TRUE...

and sometimes an answer is just an answer.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...-it-21921.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...why-38293.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f468...oid-40020.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f349...rse-39275.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...rse-33773.html

cheers
2air'

tpi · 07-12-2010, 10:19 PM

I live in so. CA and do not hesitate to take my 25' Safari to hot places. I have the 11000 BTU air conditioner and it is entirely adequate for temperatures up to mid 90s.

While it becomes more marginal in hotter temps, I have been comfortable in the trailer in Laughlin NV , Las Vegas, CA central valley, Lake Havasu, central NV, and the CA high desert during the summer. In these conditions I do not bake in the oven or cook extensively. I also line the windows on the sunny side with reflective sunscreens. I stuff cushions in roof vents. I will use the awning if wind conditions permit. I keep the curtains drawn. At night the air conditioner always cycles, even in the hottest blast furnace of lower Colorado river valley. The interior cabinets are serving as insulation as evidenced by how warm they get inside.

The trick has been to get the air conditioner started early in the morning, or run it 24/7 to get head start on cooling. In the hottest days (105-115 F) the interior temp will rise to upper 70s to low 80s in mid afternoon. The cooling breeze of the air conditioner wearing light clothes makes it fairly comfortable nonetheless. On my trailer the bed and front couch receive a good breeze from air conditioner and are comfortable nearly all the time, even during much of the initial cooling phase.

Initial cooling is the largest problem. If the interior is 100 degrees from crossing the desert it will take till the evening to get the unit comfortably cool.

I would recommend a 15,000 btu air conditioner for all but the smallest trailers if used in hot environment. And two air conditioners on the largest trailers.

whitsend · 07-12-2010, 11:03 PM

What everybody above has said is true. The only $.02 I can add is that I use my '03 Classic almost exclusively (so far) in Texas. Read that as mild'ish winters & brutal summers. The 15,000BTU AC with heat strip, and the propane central heating does the job just fine. NO travel trailer I know of is designed or built to be comfortable with snow on the roof, or if the temp is pushing 99. Thus the term "snowbirds".

Determine what your real needs are likely to be, then go shopping for the Airstream that best suits those needs. Yes, you'll spend a few dollars more up front but you'll also have a trailer that you can will to your grandkids. EVERY other travel trailer will be on somebody's hunting/fishing lease in 10 to 15 years, whereas the WBCCI has a sub-club that is only for owners of Airtreams 25 years old or older. NO other brand can say that.

Basically you get what you pay for.

arcamedies · 07-13-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Me

Thank you all for your insight. And no, this was not an Airstream dealership. It was an RV center that sold many brands, but had no Airstreams, new or used. I am glad I posted my question on here! You have renewed my faith that Airstreams are just about the coolest things on the planet, and nice and helpful people own them! We knew the sales guy was feeding us bad info, but we were concerned about if the AS would be really hot inside. It sounds like that is not a concern to most of you.

I have to add rarely did I have more than 2 visitors in my 40' rig but with the twinkie the nieces and newphew with chillin want to come all the time. There are 8 of us inside when it was 95 degrees outside and it was 75 inside, very comfy.

And this is what it looked like when I bought it.

SARGE/AF · 07-15-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcamedies

I have to add rarely did I have more than 2 visitors in my 40' rig but with the twinkie the nieces and newphew with chillin want to come all the time. There are 8 of us inside when it was 95 degrees outside and it was 75 inside, very comfy.

And this is what it looked like when I bought it.

You know it is the same thing with me, when we had the tent then SOB hardley anyone ever stopped by. Now with the AS's we always have occasional vistors that like to just stop and talk, mostly about the AS, then we bought this once we have now which is a 34 Legend Norman Rockwell Edition and we get vistors at least 3 times a day. Really we have to keep the trailer straightend up cause everyone wants to look, which I really dont mind, have made some new freinds this way.
Now if someone would just take this 07 GMC & 31 Sov that I have listed for sale off my hands it would give us more money for camping, especially since the wife wants to take a trip west now that we have the space.

Sarge