No More Factory Orders for 2015s?

[Mark Pratt]

All,

I have been in discussions with Camper Clinic II in Buda, Texas on possibly ordering me a 2015 FC 25' or 27' FB with Twin Beds. I had just asked them for a price quote on a factory order and they just came back to me and said, as of March 1st, that Airstream is no longer taking any more orders on 2015's.

I had assumed that the 2015's would continue to be made until at least mid-year and possibly into the Fall.

For those of you with more experience on the inner workings of Airstream surprised to hear this or is this the normal timing for transition to the next year builds?

Maybe some of the largest Airstream dealers (Colonial, RV One, Airsteam LA, etc.) have placed enough orders to fill up the remaining slots for 2015's? Should I go to some of those other large dealers and see if they have placed 2015 pre-orders and work with them on negotiating a purchase?

When will the 2016's begin construction? Has anyone heard of what the Flying Cloud changes/price increases be for 2016?

Thanks,

Mark

[Landrum]

It could be different now, but I went through this issue last year. I ended up finding what I wanted on the lot. However, I was told if a dealer already had one on order it could be modified if it wasn't in production yet. If they had a 25fb on order you could make changes to the 25fb. They wouldn't change a 25 to a 27.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[silverlabs]

Mark. I can't speak for sure but I know last year the 2015's were coming in mid June as we purchased a FC25 Twin from Camper Clinic in May and right after that some 15's came in. We just traded that unit for a FC28 Twin in Dublin. I think they mentioned that what they had, other than I think one or two they were waiting to receive were all the 15's they would have.

[Landrum]

Take a look at Foley RV. We were very happy with them, and I assume if you are looking at Camper Clinic then Foley AL wouldn't be too far.



Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Al - K4GLU]

The Airstream Model Year changes in mid May. So after about May 15 they will start the 2016 Model Year. I'm sure all the 2015 slots are taken by now. If it were me at this stage if I wanted to order something I'd wait to see what changes are mode in the 2016's.

[Soyboy]

In the RV world, the next model year starts waaaayyy earilier than in the automobile world.

[Sbb]

I just read article two days ago. airstream out 13 weeks. That can explain. Those are sold to individuals as orders and soecs to dealers. Once the new oroduction line opens, things will move faster. Oh they make 50 a week.

[idroba]

Originally Posted by Landrum

It could be different now, but I went through this issue last year. I ended up finding what I wanted on the lot. However, I was told if a dealer already had one on order it could be modified if it wasn't in production yet. If they had a 25fb on order you could make changes to the 25fb. They wouldn't change a 25 to a 27.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

When I got my 2014 FC 20 the dealer had a pre order for a 20' with different equipment than I wanted but up to the date of production they could call and have the specifics changed. So, I got my oven vs. microwave, Ultraleather rather than cloth, white counters rather than dark, and an inverter.

I ordered in late April, and had my 2014 in mid June 2013.

Find a dealer who will do that for you.

[mefly2]

Find a dealer with the frame length you want and go for it!

[Mark Pratt]

Thanks all - much appreciated. I have approached several dealers and will see what they can do for me.

Regards,

Mark

[paiceman]

Having run several factories in my work life I can safely say AS is going to continue to make AS until model year change it's just that they are sold out with personal orders via dealers and dealer stock orders. As someone pointed out if you have a dealer near you that you like and they have a 27' on order and it's scheduled for May delivery you might be able to add to or modify the specs. Otherwise as you proposed hunt around the big boys are taking in stock units and just might have what you are looking for.

For AS this is the best - 13 week lead time allows them to efficiently order parts, schedule employees and build in an orderly manner. No lead time customer service in most companies allows last minute changes and last minute orders which screws up production such as you would not believe.

Best of luck, good hunting.

[Artvez]

The factory expansion will let them do 75 a month now.
We ordered our 19' in February with a build date at the end of April and it will be a 2016.
As of yesterday, neither our dealer nor the people I spoke with at the factory would give me the MSRP for the 2016s which are coming out in a few weeks.

[switz]

When a dealer places an order, it is just a reservation for a slot. Up to about 30 days out from that slot starting down the line, it could be changed to anything (except maybe the new 2015 Classic). Closer in, one may be able to change accessories on the specific model in that slot.

Early during the 2014 model year, the slots were assigned out 6 months in advance. If that lead time is down to three months, perhaps sales have peaked and the dealers are not ordering as much for "stock".

In May of 2013 we ordered a 27FB Classic for late January 2015 production. We even had the vin number after a month. A month later, we decided to skip the 27FB and get the 31' Classic for just the roughly $3,012 list price differential. We kept the slot number (last six digits of the VIN number) and the other letters changed to reflect our 31' Classic.

At this point, the 2015 order book is closed. Colonial, for example, will have some 2015 models dribbling in as late as possibly July. As of today, 3 April 2015, there are still four 2014 models in their new stock.

Some of the first 2016s will show up at Colonial as well as the WBCCI International rally in early July in Farmington, NM.

[paiceman]

There is a difference between lead times and slots. When we ran we had slots 12 months out but at times only a two week lead time - not good. We shrived for 8-12 week lead times as it took 8 weeks for material to get into the country from China. Hub caps etc came from China. A slot is a reservation, a lead time is an order, which in our case could be changed up until three weeks prior to delivery, not sure about AS.

[Seemore2006]

Will there be an 85th Anniversary model?

[Mark Pratt]

Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions.

Just an update. Because I am not retiring until August 2015, I did not want our new FC 25' FB with Twin beds delivered until then.

I approached both my closest dealer and also several of the largest AS dealers in the US - all that had favorable comments from the Air Forums. After unsuccessfully trying to work out a deal to take an existing dealer 2015 preorder and modify it to our option list, as recommended by some of the guys above, several of the dealers recommended that I look at placing a 2016 order.

I was a little uncomfortable shifting to the 2016's since the FC revisions had not been announced (even though the largest dealers said they expect only cosmetic changes to the FC) and the price increases had not been announced (most are assuming 3% increases). But I got comfortable with that after seeing several of the quotes.

Based on a combination of a very competitive price with no haggling or "new car salesman" pressure/tactics, no hidden purchase costs, the dealer being in reasonable proximity to us, and the almost unanimous glowing remarks from Air Forum members for this dealer, I ended up going with Foley RV Center and Airstream of Mississippi in Gulf Port, Mississippi.

The comments, information, and advice from the Air Forum members were invaluable in helping with this purchase.

I will update everyone in August after picking up the unit.

Thanks again,

Mark

[gnijman]

The build date for our 2016 Flying Cloud 25FB (Twin) is June 19. So far the only change I have heard about is that the AC ducting outlet is being changed to spiffy aluminum controllable/directable outlets.

[Plasma800]

Foley has exactly what I want RIGHT NOW..... cept it only has 1 a/c and I would prefer two..... booooooo. Can't seem to locate a 2015 with 2 A/C in a 27FB Signature anywhere.

Also waiting on 2016 pricing from them. I know everyone just had their big meetings this past week, so hopefully by Monday a lot more 2016 info will pour forth upon us all

[AWCHIEF]

Colonial Patrick is reporting a 5 1/5% across the board price increase. Going to have to pay premium for the new layouts, tech and factory enhancements.

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Colonial Patrick is reporting a 5 1/5% across the board price increase. Going to have to pay premium for the new layouts, tech and factory enhancements.

I've heard 3.5% not 5.1/5%. That's what my dealer told me to expect on my ordered 25FC.