Finally registered!

[cptkel]

Hello everyone!

My wife and I are dreaming to someday own an airstream. I have been reading and following many of the conversations on this forum. I have alot to learn before I pull the trigger, however. We live in PA and have 1 son and another on the way. I hope to find out about some of the airstream groups near us and maybe attend a rally at some point. Any airstreamers reading this in the PA area, please direct me to where I could learn more about our local groups and/or functions. Also, could some of you recommend some magazines that you read to help keep the airstream dream alive (ie. reading material while at work )?

Take Care
Kellan

[Kevin245]

Hi Kellan,

Glad to have you with us and congrats on making the transition from lurker to member.


Kevin

[Michigander]

Welcome to the forums! I'm certain someone from PA will speak up soon.

Dreaming is half the fun!

[Skatiero]

Welcome! Airstream Life is a great magazine and if you're lucky they may still be selling back issues on Airstreams website. I bought them for my wife for Christmas. I'm still looking good after that one.
I'm not sure how far you are from WBCCI Penn Woods campground in PA but I heard its a good one and that might be a good one to visit and further fan the flames of aluminitis.
Rob

[Aviator]

My in-laws were members of the PA unit and used to keep the trailer at Penn Woods. It is a great park with a very active group of Airstreamers. When they open up next month, you should check it out. After all we all love to show off our Airstreams and answer questions about them. Their website is: Penn Wood Airstream Park - About Us* ...* airstream park, Penn Wood campground, pennwood campground

[BAB]

Agree that "Airstream Life" is a primary source. I haven't found that the other trailer magazine I get "Trailer Life" is of much interest. You will learn more by just reading this site than any other place. I did!

[cptkel]

Thanks for the welcomes and advice everyone. I will surely look into Penn Woods and Airstream Life.

[cptkel]

This may not be the correct forum for this question, but I'll ask you all anyways. Originally, I wanted a newer late model Airstream that would work for my family of four. However, I have been reading through the financing forum and have decided that it may be better for us to save up and buy a smaller, cheaper, and older Airstream with cash rather than one we would have to finance to afford.

I have turned my attention to older vintage trailers. My question is what our models that could sleep two adults and two small children? Argosy's and Overlander's seem to be some of the more popular models. What are the perks to these models? What years should I be looking it? Are there big differences between the years and models? I don't think we need the luxury's that come with the newer Airstreams and being young and already having a fair amount of debt I feel that this would be the route to take for my family.

Kellan

[Wazbro]

Many of the trailers from the '70s back would need work to get ready to use them or be more expensive from being restored.

1974 is the first year all Airstreams came with gray tanks and the first several years the gray tanks were small.

You can get a '80s-'90s Airstream for a decent price (less then a '60s trailer that was restored to unknown quality) that is in ready to camp condition (depending on how picky you are) as long as you do a good job inspecting it so don't rule out that era.

[cptkel]

I was just looking at the classifieds and started to eye the late 80s and early 90s. The Excella's seem to stand out to me. Maybe I will read up more extensively on this model and era!

Thanks
Kellan

[Aage]

Originally Posted by cptkel

I have turned my attention to older vintage trailers. My question is what our models that could sleep two adults and two small children? Argosy's and Overlander's seem to be some of the more popular models. What are the perks to these models? What years should I be looking it? Are there big differences between the years and models? I don't think we need the luxury's that come with the newer Airstreams and being young and already having a fair amount of debt I feel that this would be the route to take for my family.

Kellan

Almost any of the older TTs will sleep two adults and two children if the children are little, since as well as the regular beds for the adults, the ones with a "gaucho" (pull-out couch) or a dinette will make over for two little ones.

As for the rest of your questions, what is important is that you buy a trailer in good enough condition that you can start camping right away, and not have to take years re-building it, at which point the kids may have grown out of those skimpy beds.

To make more of a science of that selection process, download the Trailer Inspection Checklist, print it out, and go over everything in it in detail when you look at a trailer you are taking seriously.

The two -big- areas to consider are:

• Are the major appliances (stove, oven, AC, fridge, furnace) in good, safe, working order? Figure adding about $4k to the total if they aren't.
• Have there been any long-term leaks? Leaks contribute to the smell inside a trailer, and can also destroy the wooden sub-floor.

Take your time looking! Park yourself in as many as you can for a good while! You will see that there are several popular interior styles and sizes, and you need to go sit in them to see what you like.

Lastly, I will say this: don't feel you have to buy the smallest one you can. The bigger ones are not harder to travel with, and they afford good space for those rainy days, or extra guests. Plus, they will actually be less costly in the used ones, you will see

Good luck, and ask lots of questions!

[cptkel]

Thanks Aage!

As far as parking myself in many Airstreams, I am not so sure this will be an easy task. I seem to be right smack in the middle of no Airstream zone where I live. We talked about making a trip to Colonial (in NJ), however, they have mostly new or close to new models to look at.

I guess I could watch the classifieds, but finding an Airstream that matches my wants and price range will probably be hard to find near where I live. I'll have to check the classifieds to see if I can limit searches to a distance close to my home area code.

[NevadaGeo]

Here's a strange hint. Sometimes the longer used trailers can be found at lower cost than the shorter trailers. Gives you more room for kids too. And a roomier but larger and more costly tow vehicle.