Did you shop for different trailer brands?

[xo1rider]

Just curious...

My wife and I decided once we wanted a trailer that it was Airstream or nothing. We never looked at any other brand, for us it was going to be an Airstream or we'd just continue using our class "B" that we traded in for the Airstream.

How about you - what made you buy an Airstream for your first trailer?

[dkottum]

We just bought a 2012 also, our second Airstream and maybe 8th RV over 40 years.

We shopped harder of all the other RV's on this last one than ever before, everything, motorhomes, vans, trailers. Feeling this may be the last one and certainly the most expensive we did not want "buyer's remorse".

These forums tend to scare the heck out of you about buying almost anything, all the problems are highlighted over and over. So internet search is only part of the picture. You've got to look them over detail by detail.

We came away convinced that nothing matched the Airstream as an RV for overall long term and extensive use. Timeless beautiful design, easy access in and out as we age, good materials, and repairability sold us on the Airstream.

We looked and considered everything, and Airstream came out way on top with nothing else close in total satisfaction.

doug k

[moosetags]

We researched out travel trailer purchase for six months prior to buying our dear Lucy. We did look at some other brands, but nothing we saw came close to Airstreams at that time in 2006.

We bought Lucy new in June of 2006. She was a leftover 2005 that had languished on the dealer's lot for 16 months. The dealer told us that no one seemed interested in the then new front bedroom layout.

Lucy has worked out very well for us. we are closing in on 1,000 nights in Lucy (962), and we have towed her over 80,000 miles.

We like looking at new RVs of various types, and do this quite often. We have yet to see anything (travel trailer, or otherwise) that has tempted us to trade Lucy.

We have recently added a new concept to our RVing experience. Lucy's new tow vehicle is a truck/truck camper combination, who are named Fred and Ethel. Lucy is our base camp, and we venture out into the back country in Fred and Ethel.

Brian

[Gringo]

We asked around for the best travel trailer. Airstream was the far away consensus. We went with that.

[MrUKToad]

No, Airstream only for us, although we looked at others for comparison. The exterior design is just timeless and for me the epitome of road travel in North America. We were also impressed with the more modern interior styling that was available, something well suited to the retro yet futuristic Airstream - a sort of Jetsons quality if you see what I mean. Most other trailers we looked at, even the ones with the better aerodynamics, still reverted to the types of interiors that we didn't really want (says he trying desperately not to offend anyone else and their personal preferences). Mind you, when you realise that you can buy three very large SOB trailers for the price of an Airstream, you really need to be sure of your choices!

[webspinner]

Nothing but Airstream.

We wanted something that would last, especially since our budget required that it be "vintage." We knew that we are the sort of people who hold on to things, so we didn't want something that would fall apart on us. Plus, even if it becomes totally unusable, it's still recyclable!

We are also project people - metal, wood, fabric and mechanical and electrical systems were all things we knew we could handle, and enjoy doing in the process.

We watched a lot of Airstreams come and go on craigslist and ebay. When one that seemed like a good match (right length and price, decent condition, not too far away) showed up on craisgslist, we looked and bought. We had never been inside another Airstream and it was over a year later before we had the chance.

We've had the Tin Pickle for almost two years now, and have enjoyed every minute of it. We spent 50 nights in it in 2011 alone, and we're not retired. We have no regrets.

[Gringo]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

when you realise that you can buy three very large SOB trailers for the price of an Airstream, you really need to be sure of your choices!

When my brother in law heard what we bought, his response to his wife ( my sister) was something to the effect of "Why? They could have gotten a 36 ft. Fifth Wheel with five slideouts for that much money!!"


alas, the man will just never 'get it' with this whole concept of class.

[Fly at Night]

alas, the man will just never 'get it' with this whole concept of class.

ahhhh, yes. That says it all, really.

In the over-the-top land of RVs, the Airstream is refreshingly under-stated.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

alas, the man will just never 'get it' with this whole concept of class.

ahhhh, yes. That says it all, really.

In the over-the-top land of RVs, the Airstream is refreshingly under-stated.

In Jestons kind of way :~)

[casa3805]

Originally Posted by xo1rider

Just curious...

My wife and I decided once we wanted a trailer that it was Airstream or nothing. We never looked at any other brand, for us it was going to be an Airstream or we'd just continue using our class "B" that we traded in for the Airstream.

How about you - what made you buy an Airstream for your first trailer?

We looked for quite a while. Weren't even sure we wanted a tt to be honest. Really liked a brand called Open Range. But then their was a rally nearby and we drive over just to see them. That did it for us, hopelessly smitten. The old ones are just as pretty as the new ones. How do you argue with timeless beauty. (and we loved the Jetsons)

[Ag&Au]

We first looked at Airstreams when we bought our 21 foot Bigfoot. We stopped looking at them as soon as we saw that the 16 foot Bambi was going to be twice as much as the 21 foot bigfoot. I was also put off by the few small windows on the Bambi. Openness is important to me.

Nine years later we (mostly I) decided we needed something bigger. I wanted to look at 27-30 foot SOB's. We both felt we didn't want a fifth wheel. An Airstream dealer had just opened a lot about 10 miles from us, and since it was the closest RV dealer to us, we went there first. We never got any further. My wife justified the extra cost, by saying it would last longer. I will admit that I have yet to find a SOB that would satisfy me. Now, if I could just get over my paranoia about the fragility of the shell.

Ken

[DKB_SATX]

I looked at Earthound, and in retrospect it seems I may have dodged a bullet there. I considered a fiberglass trailer like Casita, but while the technical aspects are appealing, the trailers themselves aren't attractive to me.

One of the biggest issues I have is interiors. I don't want a travel trailer that looks like granny's house on the inside, and that seems to be the standard aesthetic model used by RV interior planners (I won't call most of the designers.) Earthbound has a nice visual direction, but others have reported that their execution with the interiors isn't great (I've only been in a few on dealer lots.)

I was worried at first because I don't like the interiors of most of the 80s and 90s Airstreams and wasn't in a position to comfortably buy a new CCD when I found a happy medium with the '70s Argosy interiors. It has the unconventional aspects of the '70s Airstreams without the more problematic tambours everywhere, and I'm very happy with it. My "someday" next trailer is likely to be a long '80s or late '70s Airstream that's ready to have a new or renovated interior, so we can have a big shiny showy trailer for rallies with big pads and full hookups, and our 24-foot Argosy for smaller venues like state and national parks. Hopefully I'll be able to stop there.

[Sphere Guy]

We looked at quite alot of SOB's, only TT's, no 5ers. We just didn't like the "Granny" styling, wall paper, frilly drapes and the like. Not that we are modern, just that Airstream was a "WOW" factor to us. Got beyond the sticker shock, even the discount price. The members here aided our decision. The most improtant was how many are still racking up the miles and all of the ones handed down to their kids, grand kids etc... You won't see that on the SOB channel.

The fever set in and we found a deal and couldn't pass on it. Even though we were not the TT kind of people. But now that we have it, we can't get enought time in it.

SG

Now

[Tin Trekkers]

Yes, we did shop around for the reasons already stated.

We've been going to RV shows for years and had a pretty good idea what's out there. We strongly preferred an Airstream and wanted to buy new...but the price of a new AS was a little steep for our comfort level.

When we started seriously shopping, we wanted to see if there were any innovative new designs out there that we hadn't come across at the RV shows. So we did a bunch of research online because...well because that's just how we are. We never buy any big ticket item without looking at options, reading reviews etc. Oh, if only Consumer Reports rated travel trailers like they do autos (sigh). We would have been in "data heaven."

But there isn't any objective rating system for RVs. Although there is one website out there that claims to provide that type of info...for a very pricey fee, by the way. But that service was panned on this and other forums so we passed.

Of course, if you opt for a SOB, you can get a lot of square footage for the money. But nothing else appealed to us like an Airstream, and that is truly what we wanted.

We were a little leary about buying a previously owned trailer but we found a pristine unit and the reputation of the dealer helped ease our fears. Finally, we decided to take the plunge.

What's the saying? "Life is too short...buy the damn shoes!"
Well we did and she is one shiny aluminum pod of happiness.

Happy Travelling...

[nswhite]

We started out tent camping. When we went to a trailer I wanted to buy only one. Airstream is the only brand we've noticed (they do have a distinctive shape) that is still in use after ten years on the road. It took some looking but we did find our trailer. '05 Classic S/O. We think we should be able to pass it on to the grandchildren.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

..................................

One of the biggest issues I have is interiors. I don't want a travel trailer that looks like granny's house on the inside, and that seems to be the standard aesthetic model used by RV interior planners (I won't call most of the designers.)

This is the second, third, or more of this type statement made on the forums recently. I am not sure who made the others. I think I let the first ones go, even though one of them was pointed directly at Airstream Classic trailers.

A few points:

Everyone has different tastes. That is a good thing.

Things go much more smoothly if we do not take pot shots at each other's tastes.

A large percentage of RVs are bought by grannies and granpappies. That includes me.

Just because a design is not to your personal liking does not automatically disqualify the designer from being called a designer.

It is possible to state that something is not to your taste, without implying that there is something wrong with those who like it or are responsible for it.

I personally do not care for the interiors of the more modern Airstreams. I don't shop at IKEA, or care for that type of design. However I have no ill opinions of those that do, and if I did, I would suppress the desire to state them.

Ken

[Splitrock]

I shopped for a decent ready to use trailer under 10 grand. There were a lot of them out there. I wanted to take a leisurely trip in the fall of 2010. Instead, I bought an older Airstream, cancelled the trip, cancelled all the trips this year, cancelled all the trips next year and spent equal to a new wood stick frame trailer on parts and interior items.

If I would have worked the Airstream hours on a regular paying job, I'd have made half a years wages.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Splitrock

I shopped for a decent ready to use trailer under 10 grand. There were a lot of them out there. I wanted to take a leisurely trip in the fall of 2010. Instead, I bought an older Airstream, cancelled the trip, cancelled all the trips this year, cancelled all the trips next year and spent equal to a new wood stick frame trailer on parts and interior items.

If I would have worked the Airstream hours on a regular paying job, I'd have made half a years wages.

I am curious. Would you do the same thing again if you had to do it over?

Ken

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I personally do not care for the interiors of the more modern Airstreams. I don't shop at IKEA, or care for that type of design. However I have no ill opinions of those that do, and if I did, I would suppress the desire to state them.

Ken

That's exactly the kind of issue I was trying to avoid in my earlier post.

For me personally, the Airstream Classic interiors are not what I like, BUT I know many folks do and that's just as it should be. Fortunately Airstream does do alternative interiors, for people who like that sort of thing, which is a great selling point as far as I'm concerned, especially as a lot of SOBs don't offer much choice at all.

Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by xo1rider

Just curious...

My wife and I decided once we wanted a trailer that it was Airstream or nothing. We never looked at any other brand, for us it was going to be an Airstream or we'd just continue using our class "B" that we traded in for the Airstream.

How about you - what made you buy an Airstream for your first trailer?

Unrequited Love....went right from nylon to Vintage Aluminum.

Bob