What's the difference? Safari vs. Classic vs. International?

[MG911]

Hello all,

Can someone briefly explain why the 3 different models and to what demographic each of them are aimed at? I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the wide range in pre-owned prices. What happend to the Excella?


The product literature I have from a dealer doesn't explain it very well for some reason and I'm relatively new to the AS world.

If there is a thread that provides a history on this topic, please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance...

Mike

[Silvertwinkie]

Base CCD/Safari

Interior exposed alum skin
Better windows
Different interior


Base Safari/ Safari SE

Same as a CCD, except standard Safari interiors



Signature series CCD/CCD

Even more decked out interior in the Sig CCD than the base CCD



Each unit is aimed at a certain price point and taste range. Excella has been gone for a decade or so, but was called the Airstream Classic/Excella (followed by a number 500,1000). So I would guess that the Excella was just a Classic.

Hope this helps....

[wheel interested]

Safaris are the lightest and easy care durable laminate finishes. SE has the upgraded windows and wrap and interior aluminum skin. LS package will give the best upgrades available.

CCDs /Internationals have full opening windows and the panaramic wrap window and heavier wood overhead cabinets

Classics have a residential style and most all options as standard with integral features and upgrades not available on other models, heaviest of the Airstreams with corian counters, and currently hickory wood and large holding tanks.

[Cracker]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

Base CCD/Safari

Interior exposed alum skin
Better windows
Different interior


Base Safari/ Safari SE

Same as a CCD, except standard Safari interiors



Signature series CCD/CCD

Even more decked out interior in the Sig CCD than the base CCD



Each unit is aimed at a certain price point and taste range. Excella has been gone for a decade or so, but was called the Airstream Classic/Excella (followed by a number 500,1000). So I would guess that the Excella was just a Classic.

Hope this helps....

Silvertwinkie:

Just a minor note - my 2000 is an Excella. I think (---always dangerous!) that they went to the "Classic" designation in 2001. Maybe somebody else will confirm what the first year for the "Classic" designation was.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by MG911

Hello all,

Can someone briefly explain why the 3 different models and to what demographic each of them are aimed at? I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the wide range in pre-owned prices. What happend to the Excella?

The product literature I have from a dealer doesn't explain it very well for some reason and I'm relatively new to the AS world.

If there is a thread that provides a history on this topic, please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance...

Mike

I'm assuming you are talking about the recent name descriptors being used...you may want to check out the Airstream Company website. I understand that there may be a new website in the works, but this one will get you started. I think it does a fairly good job of showing the options - at least enough info to get you started with understanding the differences. IMO, it's better than going to a dealer in person to only see a couple of each. Once you narrow down the options & level of finish you like, it'll make it easier to "speak Airstream" and find the specific trailer that suits your needs, style & budget best.

In brief, here's my understanding of how they can be described today:

Bambi - smaller 16-19', entry level small trailers for weekenders, couples or young families (may have International, Safari or Special Edition trim packages)
International - more varied plans 16-28', couples or families who prefer modern slick designs
Safari - more varied trailer plans 16-30', couples or families who prefer clean contemporary/transitional designs
Classic - heavier, bigger 25-34', best suited for full-timers, retirees or those prefering more traditional design

Of course, there are accessory and color options with all the models which makes things even more confusing!

If you are looking for an older "vintage" (25+ years old) trailer, you will find the vintage archive website helpful. Most of the same names were used, but meant different things than they do today.

Shari

[Minnie's Mate]

In the pre-80's, wasn't the "International" considered and options package and the Safari a model whereas today each designation is a line of models and "Classic" replaced the "Excella" line with the "Excella" line broken up between Excella "500" or "1000" depending on year made? Or am I over simplifying?

[InsideOut]

I can speak best about the vintage trailers...50's-70's 'Safari' meant it was 22-23' long. 'International' was used as a trim package nomenclature - there were 'basic or standard' trailers - which had no upgrades, 'Land Yachts' which were a little better appointed and 'International' versions which had some extras like padded walls, water filters, some extra trim, etc - things that would make International travel more comfortable and with a little more "bling". There are lots of threads that discuss the different packages of the late 50's-early 70's - the options varied year to year, much like they do today.

Shari

[MG911]

Thanks for everyone's replies. I was trying to figure out what type of Airstreamers my family and I are and the Safari's seem to be best suited to our budget/lifestyle. As of this morning I was able to secure a deal on a 28' 2005 Safari SE LS. I have to drive 2 days to pick it up but it's beautiful and the couple selling it seem absolutely wondeful! From the photos, it's in MINT condition and should serve us more than well. Wish us luck!

[wheel interested]

Cool! That was quick. I know you will love your Airstream, sounds like you are getting a good one treated with care. Don't forget to take and post pictures and have a safe trip and enjoy the journey home.

[safari57]

Originally Posted by MG911

Thanks for everyone's replies. I was trying to figure out what type of Airstreamers my family and I are and the Safari's seem to be best suited to our budget/lifestyle. As of this morning I was able to secure a deal on a 28' 2005 Safari SE LS. I have to drive 2 days to pick it up but it's beautiful and the couple selling it seem absolutely wondeful! From the photos, it's in MINT condition and should serve us more than well. Wish us luck!

This is great news Mike. Enjoy your drive/adventure and we look forward to pictures. Taking a few of the trailer when you are picking it up, then on the road home, are the kinds of pictures that gets our hearts pumping to go do it again ourselves. I have a soft spot for anything called a Safari....

Take care
Barry

[CanoeStream]

Congratulations Mike! And there's plenty of summer left to use it!!

[MG911]

Pictures will soon follow, I promise. My wife is already talking about attending a rally or two next summer! The trailer was a bit over our original price (hmmm...by $20K or so...lol) but the more I look at these trailers, the more I realize what a great product they are and what an investment in my family it will be. Why wait for retirement, and why buy one that we may outgrow in a few years??

We were able to swing it without going into too much debt so that also makes me feel better about the purchase. Recreational property in my neck of the woods has sky rocketed so this will be our own little 'cabin' at the lake, except we get to pick any number of beautiful locations through out North America.

Thanks again for all the help in my search as a rookie and look forward to meeting some of you at a rally in the near future.

[safari57]

I know what you mean Mike. Get out and enjoy things while you can. I've learned the hard way that you do it when the doing is possible and waiting too long may mean not doing it at all. A two day drive to go get the trailer is a long haul, but the two days back will be great if you are taking sleeping bags and pillows with you. You can camp overnight on the way home. Make sure the sellers show you how to work everything and if they have a check list they use to make sure it's ready to head down the road you may want to grab it. It's pretty easy to forget to do things on a new unit and learn the hardway.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Trees and posts and logs and big rocks! Those suckers move and they move fast. As soon as they realize that you are in the truck and backing up they will jump right behind you, or tightly to the side of your rig. Many of us learned this one the hard way (if you'll pardon the pun) soon after buying our trailers. I now have my wife out making sure that if any of the aforementioned trailer denters happens to move she can tell me before I hit it.

When do you go get it?

Safe journey.

Barry

[MG911]

HI Carol in Michigan....if you see 2 guys in a blue F150 heading west bound on Tuesday from the Eldeans boat yard in Macatawa with a shiny 28' toaster in tow, with huge grins OR absolute looks of terror on their face, that will most likely be us.

[MG911]

I'm leaving Sunday morning, hopefully end up in Fargo or Minneapolis that night, then carry on to Holland, Mi. the next day (Monday). Hopefully if all goes well, pick up my permit at a DMV, spend some time with the owners and head back Tuesday sometime. The couple selling this sound like wonderful people and I'm sure they will provide me with a good orientation before hitting the road. Not sure where I'll crash for the night on the way home but will figure it out as we go.

I drive a fairly large rig at work but my trailer backing skills are limited to boats. I've heard stationary objects are not very forgiving with the AS'ers! Most people I've talked to say it's usually at the end of a day after a LONG day on the road when fatigue has set in (and in the dark doesn't help).

Just out of curiosity, have any of you done the Walmart parking lot thing as an overnight spot??

Mike

[Condoluminum]

In specific answer, I've done the Wal-Mart thing, at store near dealer here in CA at dealer's suggestion. Talked to mgr at store, got permission, and there were several RV's parked in lot, plus several tractor trailer trucks along side road adjacent to lot.. Search for "wal-mart" and 'parking" for other experiences. Can't say I loved it, but price right and did get to sleep eventually, with no hassles.. Also possible to do same thing (depending on your location) in rest areas (some prohibit "overnight camping", but allow parking for up to 8 hours..), and truck stops (if the sound and smell of multiple diesels won't keep you up...

Having done the 1800 mile ferry trip bringing home purchase, here were some other learnings...

1. Bed linen/sleeping bag/towel for shower/soap, etc
2. Jug of water for drinking, in case fresh tank not so fresh..
3. Tool box (the big one..) just in case..
4. Extra wiring and connector bits "
5. FRS handheld radios (buy in US if not easily purchased in Canada) for backing up. Little walkie-talkies cost $15/pair, work great...

Hope all goes well!

[safari57]

Mike,

There is nothing like a road trip to pick up a new toy. The adrenalin is going pretty much full time. If you do stay at a Wally World it's good to buy something there - food, pops, travel goodies or whatever, just to patronize them for the free parking a wee bit. On your way through US customs on the way down ask them what you will need to do when coming back up, if you haven't done that already. They need to approve your exporting the rig from the US and Canadian Customs will ask you and send you back to do this before they will let you import it. No big deal, or at least it wasn't for my buddy since it's not a motorized vehicle so they did not need the 72 hours notice before coming to the border crossing, but still worth confirming with them on the way down. If you are taking greater than $10,000 cash make sure you do declare it at the border - from what I've been told they are not polite to people who "forget" to tell them and automatically assume it is going to be spent on non-legal things.

Take a copy of the advertisement that you found the trailer. We got chastised by the Canada Customs guys for not having it with us. Oops - he was polite but said in future when bringing something across like that they could make us leave it in their storage compound and go home and find the ad. Given Saskatoon is a long ways away take the ad with you.

Wow, Michigan from Saskatoon - that's a good haul. Well worth it. I'll bet the family is excited as heck.

Barry

[MG911]

10-4 on the Wal-Mart sleep overs.

Safari 57, it's kind of frustrating getting the correct answer out of some of the provincial/federal authorities. I've had 2 agents at RIV tell me I required 72 hours notice at the border and the last one triple checked on my insistance, and assured me this wasn't the case for non-motorized trailers. Two completely conflicting answers! From the research I've done however, I'm confident about the 'no notice' policy.

Thanks for the tips on printing out the ad and checking in with US customs on the way down - that's all new info to me. As for the money issue, I wired the deposit and will complete the transaction same method (it was done within hours). I wouldn't feel comfortable travelling with that much cash anyway (and advertising that fact on the internet to boot..lol).

The tool box, radios, bed linen, etc. is all duly noted.

I'll be checking back here before I leave so if anybody has any other suggestions, please feel free to share your thoughts for a first timer.
Mike