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11-25-2006, 07:45 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member 
1964 24' Tradewind
Portage
, Michigan
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 332
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It must be fate
hello all! I've poked around your site a bit, and finally decided to register. My dh and I are looking for our first Airstream. We've toyed with the idea for years, but a series of events in the past several days have led us to believe it's time to act on our ambitions:
1) we came across Airstream patio lights at a local home improvement store 2) flipping aimlessly through the channels one night, we caught John Ratzenberger's "Made in America", at the Airstream factory
3) walking through a local store I found a pair of pink flamingo and Airstream PJ's.
May sound strange to some, but for me it's a sign that we need our Airstream sooner, rather than later. We're interested in a smaller airstream (we have a dodge dakota V8, with no intent to buy a larger capacity towing vehicle) and preferably one that we can restore. Any words of wisdom, or advice you're willing to share?
Thanks in advance!
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11-25-2006, 07:54 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1994 30' Excella
Currently Looking...
Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,935
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Welcome to the forums. Your wisdom is in good order with your decision to purchase an Airstream. Research the year and model you wish to purchase then hunt for it, that's part of the fun.
__________________
Chaplain Kent
Forest River Forester 2501TS
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11-25-2006, 08:20 AM
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#3
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Moderator

2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,679
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A big Forums welcome to yet another couple bitten by the Airstream bug. Over the yuears, Airstream has made many different small units that can be handled by a V-8 Dakota. Do your research as to how much weight you can COMFORTABLY tow. To be really comfortable, you should stay at or below 80 percent of the Dakota's towing capacity. The older Airstreams are usually lighter per foot, but there are even newer Bambis that may fit the bill.
Good luck in your quest. If you have any questions, ask them here.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with HAHA
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
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11-25-2006, 08:26 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
1967 22' Safari
1960 Caravel
Edmonds
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,445
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dnrtheil, welcome! You are correct - you cannot ignore all the recent signs! I would recommend going to www.vintageairstream.com and checking out all the floor plans and sizes to get an idea of what might work for you. Don't get too attached to one particular model, though, because availability and price will also dictate what you will be able to buy. Good luck with your search.
__________________
Mel
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11-25-2006, 08:27 AM
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#5
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Just an old timer...

2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,677
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First, it may not be aluminitis... it may just be indigestion. Only your doctor knows for sure.
Then, peruse your owner's manual thoroughly for the tow capacity of your Dakota. Make sure the Airstream you buy will weigh 15% to 20% less than the max towing capacity of your truck. Make sure the trailer tongue weight doesn't exceed your allowable tongue weight, and that you don't exceed the gross combined vehicle weight rating of your truck. If it doesn't have the tow package installed, make sure you add all of the tow package components. You'll need a brake controller as well.
Here's a link to the Airstream company's FAQs that have some interesting info.
Here's a link you'll find useful in determining the approximate curb weight of Airstreams of various years.
Happy Hunting!
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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11-25-2006, 08:49 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master 

1956 22' Safari
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,568
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 85MH325
First, it may not be aluminitis... it may just be indigestion. Only your doctor knows for sure.
<snip>
Roger
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So that was your final diagnosis Roger? Indigestion??? Wow, at least there is a cure for that...
Shari
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11-25-2006, 09:54 AM
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#7
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More than one rivet loose

Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Run Forest run!
Run! Run quickly as fast as you can! in any direstion away from aluminum
If you are keeping the dakota, you are looking at a vintage trailer. The size will depend on the Tow capacity of you Dakota and if you have a trailer reciever what size is it? 1 1/4 or 2"? A search of the forums and the internet will let you know the weights of various trailers.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball 
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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11-25-2006, 10:26 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member 
1972 23' Safari
Placitas
, New Mexico
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 305
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Wait til the Flamingos start appearing!
Once I got my Airstream the flamingos started appearing. It seems like they popped up everywhere. But here is the most bizarre "omen" of them all.
This past summer in New MExico we had severe flooding. A small creek runs through my property that, at least 4 times during the summer ran like a raging river. I'm talking a torrent 8 feet deep 20 ft across. The second flood took down my favorite big cottonwood. It fell like a bridge across the creek. I was devastated. The next flood I walked up the creek looking at the damage. As I was walking back, I spied something bright pink hung up on the cottonwood tree. On closer inspection it turned out to be a large inflatable flamingo party decoration in remarkably good shape considering what it had been through.
After that it was a 6 foot stuffed flamingo that my boyfriend snagged from the set of Wild Hogs after they finished filming. The flamingo was part of a carnival scene.
__________________
Airylle 1972 Safari featured for 5 nanoseconds in the movie Wild Hogs
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11-25-2006, 10:47 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu_Hwy_Lady
Once I got my Airstream the flamingos started appearing. It seems like they popped up everywhere. But here is the most bizarre "omen" of them all.
This past summer in New MExico we had severe flooding. A small creek runs through my property that, at least 4 times during the summer ran like a raging river. I'm talking a torrent 8 feet deep 20 ft across. The second flood took down my favorite big cottonwood. It fell like a bridge across the creek. I was devastated. The next flood I walked up the creek looking at the damage. As I was walking back, I spied something bright pink hung up on the cottonwood tree. On closer inspection it turned out to be a large inflatable flamingo party decoration in remarkably good shape considering what it had been through.
After that it was a 6 foot stuffed flamingo that my boyfriend snagged from the set of Wild Hogs after they finished filming. The flamingo was part of a carnival scene.
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Do mean like this ?
Jim
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
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11-25-2006, 11:29 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master 

1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,524
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we had necer considered getting an Airstream until a few things in a row happened, similiar to your story. After the bug bit, we have not been the same. But its a good sickness!!
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11-25-2006, 12:08 PM
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#11
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Just an old timer...

2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,677
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Quote:
Originally Posted by InsideOut
So that was your final diagnosis Roger? Indigestion??? Wow, at least there is a cure for that...
Shari 
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Cute, Shari... cute...
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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11-25-2006, 01:14 PM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,484
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It must be fate
Greetings dnrtheil!
Welcome to the Forums!
Another possibility, if you aren't determined to have your aluminum 'au-natural' is the Argosy. In fact, the Minuet series produced from 1977 through 1979 makes a very nice match for a mid-sized tow-vehicle with its 7' width (8" narrower than standard), and weight conscious design.
The Argosy had a number of features several years prior to Airstream such as the deep wrap front windows on all coaches -- and similar wrap-windows offered with rear bedroom coaches beginning in the mid-1970s. In addition, the Argosy line featured a 22' and a 24' rear entry floorplan that in some ways foretold the rear entry floorplans recently introduced by Airstream.
The Minuets featured two things that didn't make it to the standard Airstream coaches -- composite aluminum floors in some coaches (6.0 and 6.7 Metre coaches); and vinyl-clad aluminum cabinetry in all of the Mineuts. A total of three Minuet sizes were offered -- 6.0 Metre (20' - single axle) -- 6.7 Metre (22' - single axle) -- 7.3 Metre (24' - tandem axle).
Good luck with your search for the ideal Airstream!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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11-26-2006, 12:55 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
1963 16' Bambi
1962 22' Safari
Yreka
, California
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,937
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Welcome to the forums..
Welcome!
Oh it is fun to search for just the right Airstream!  I wish you lots of luck! Perfect time of year to look. Would make a great Christmas Present!
Might I suggest taking a look at the following thread...it will give you lots of food for thought whether buying new or vintage:
http://www.airforums.com/forum...eam-22920.html
If you consider going vintage... try the search button on the blue toolbar and key in my hubbys thread about 63 Bambi floor replacement... it will give you an idea of what we went through to get ours ready for the road.
Be prepared for lots of work if you buy vintage, unless you buy one restored. The wood floors are always a consideration!
Good luck!
Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)
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