Need help justifying Airstream brand!

[Ultradog]

...When my cousin stopped over the other day the first thing he saw was my trailer.

"Oh, you got an Airstream?
Geez, I didn't know you had one of those. You must be doing pretty well. Can I see the inside? How old is it?"

"It's a 1975"

"Really, that old? Gee it looks REALLY nice. Can I see the inside?
Can I?"

[Davydd]

I think just about every good reason has been stated here but I think Cracker pegged it with the unknown author quote. Nickcrowhurst too.

[overlander63]

Originally posted by yukionna
Help! Friends of mine are getting ready to purchase some-other-brand of trailer so I need the collective help (and knowledge) of this community summed up in one tidy thread.

My thought is I will direct my friends to this thread in a day or two so they can read why they should purchase an Airstream trailer over a some-other-brand trailer. So please, take a moment to explain why you believe the Airstream brand is the best choice!

Mine is 32+ years old, and has had NO maintenance of any kind for over ten years. I towed it home, washed it, and went camping in it the next weekend. Most other brands would be a pile of rotted wood and tin siding after being treated in such a manner. Airstream construction is almost exclusively metal, inside and out. That means no (or very little) wood to rot, no termites, no sagging ceiling tiles, etc. The increased cost is offset by a much longer lifespan of the trailer.
About 60% of the Airstreams I see going down the road are over ten years old, and still look like new, most other brands of trailers at that age are relegated to being a "hunting cabin" somewhere, because they are no longer in good enough condition to be used as travel trailers. Obviously, higher-end brands of travel trailers will last a little longer, but not that much.
Show your people a ten year old Airstream, then show them a ten year old other brand trailer. The difference will be instantly obvious.
Properly cared for, and Airstream will be something your grandchildren will enjoy camping in someday.
Another brand, properly cared for, will make an excellent utility trailer someday...
Terry

[Hubba]

My idea of "roughing it" would be - NOT staying in an Airstream - and I don't even have one!

[Chuck]

"Oh, you got an Airstream?
Geez, I didn't know you had one of those. You must be doing pretty well.

I got that, too, only with even more shock and awe (i.e. mis-underestimating of my net worth ) I was visiting some old collegues from a past life...showed one of the guys some pics of my "new toy". He said to me, "geez, I guess they must be paying you really well in the computer biz...alot better than I would have thought!" took me a minute to catch what he was saying....then it dawned on me, and I said, "well, its 30 years old". He did a double-take, and exclaimed "GET OUT!?". This guy knew what Airstream's are, and what they cost. but even he was shocked at how good an old one can look.

[yukionna]

I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment on this thread -- the response was overwhelming!

The good news is we now have a single, tidy thread which contains a good summary of what makes the Airstream brand a legend.

The bad news is my friends have decided to buy a SOB, but at least it is a Thor model so they are halfway there! My next plan of action is to immerse them in the "Airstream experience" by taking them to as many buddy rally's as I can next year.

Resistance will be futile!

[Davydd]

Yukionna,

What were the compelling reasons for SOB? Did your friends benefit from this feedback and did they explain why SOB?

[overlander63]

Originally posted by Hubba
My idea of "roughing it" would be - NOT staying in an Airstream - and I don't even have one!

That is a slight modification of a quote from a celebrity, I don't even remember which one, which went, "My idea of 'roughing it' is having to stay in a four-star hotel."
Terry

[Jim Jarzabek]

If you change the lyrics just a bit....

To know, know, know them....

Is to love, love , love them.....

And I do.....

(Chorus) Yes, I do....

(I don't know the original artist from the 50's or 60's but the title of this Classic was "To Know Him" I believe)

[ssww]

RoadKingMoe took the words right out of my mouth. I have built a classic harley that I brought home in seven boxes and a frame. I feel the same way about my AS. She will be worth alot to some people when I'm done,but she will be priceless to me.

But really . If you have to convince them they just don't get it!!!!

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by Jim Jarzabek

(I don't know the original artist from the 50's or 60's but the title of this Classic was "To Know Him" I believe)

Jim, it was the Teddy Bears, "To know him is to love him",and the producer was Phil Spector, IIRC. Why can't I remember important stuff? Nick

[Swanny]

Here's my answer and I'm sticking to it...

I've never witnessed the owner of an SOB having at least 1 person approach them at a gas station, Wal-Mart, RV park or campground; to discuss their travel trailer. When we take our AS to any of the previously mentioned locations, there is ALWAYS at least 1 person who wants to talk about it.

Occassionally, I'm asked to provide a 'free tour.'

Mitch

[Boondocker]

Why not justify sunny days, puppies, and sunsets while we are at it?

[fastrob]

There is nothing like an Airstream.
I had a guy pull over and help me, even though I did need help, "because you had an Airstream".
Join a group you admire, help out a little and live well.

[juel]

I have to second the person who said you just know when you see your trailer that you have to have it. When I saw the Argosy just in pictures for the first time, I was on the phone asking how much deposit the seller wanted. I still go out and sit in my Argosy and watch TV, and I see him when I leave for work every day. This trailer is a 1978 and in wonderful condition. The love affair continues. I look at new SOB trailers at the RV show. Then I come home and sit in my Argosy and know how lucky I am to have found him. This guy is a part of our family, a part of our fun, a part of our future retirement plans. My husband and I know for certain the this trailer will be here as long as we need it and nothing can go wrong that cannot be fixed, usually by us. Hope I didn't get too carried away, but those of us here on the forum know how this feels.

[bake315]

I also read somewhere (probably here):

If you're in a serious accident with an Airstream, it most likely gets hauled off with a tow truck.

If you're in a serious accident with an SOB, it most likely gets hauled away in a dump truck.

Or some variation of that. You get the spirit of the sentiment, though...

[Janssvt]

Just because..........

[azflycaster]

We had a very nice pop up for 17 years. We have had the Trade Wind less then a year. We have had more people want to take a look inside the Airstream then we did the pop up.