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crazycuda · 04-30-2012, 06:42 AM

My wife and I have been talking lately about buying a camper so we dont have to stay in my in-laws camper when we go and would like our own so we can take family adventures. my wife is open to any type of camper and I would prefer an AirStream. she said she has a few things she wants out of an airstream if we get one.

here are a few things we are looking for

1. 19'-27' max
2. sleeps 4 preferred
3. we are ok with an older model that we can renovate as we go (must be close to camping ready)
4. she would like a couch/bed for seating rather than just a little dining table
5. My wife doesnt care for the floor plans that have 2 beds in the middle on each side of the walkway. but then again she hasnt seen them in person so they might be acceptable when she sees them
6. we are looking to spend less than 10k so and older used AS is what we want

**blmitch5** · 04-30-2012, 07:01 AM

Welcome! Given her list of wants and your size preference you might be better off with a 25' with a lounge and a "queen" bed in the rear. It's also a size that will fit most anywhere and can be pulled with a F150 type truck. They are the most popular size out there and several are on the Air Forums classifieds right now. Good luck on your search and there are lots of great threads on choosing the right sized AS and TV (tow vehicle) but if you have other questions we are all glad to help.

MrUKToad · 04-30-2012, 07:20 AM

You could almost be describing a 25' with the 'queen" bed in the rear with that list of requirements. Hope you find what you want, Crazycuda.

mutcth · 04-30-2012, 07:44 AM

As Brad and Mr. Toad said above, a 25' mid-bath model sounds like the thing. They started building that floor plan in 1984. Will probably cost most of the $10k budget, but they're nice trailers.

Tom

kposey · 04-30-2012, 08:01 AM

I like your title, "Looking for our first." afterall, you can't have just one! Be patient and watch the classifieds. You will find one with those requirements. Look forward to seeing you on the road!

crazycuda · 04-30-2012, 10:25 AM

Looking at the towing specs for our 2008 Grand Cherokee the Maximum gross trailer weight (GTW) for the engine and towing package it is 6500lbs so ill be toward the top end of that.

we were hoping to go look at one locally this weekend but it was sold. its was a 1971 Tradewind 25' that had been redone inside. it didnt perfectly fit my wifes demands but i just want to get her out and looking at some AS in person.

crazycuda · 05-04-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutcth

As Brad and Mr. Toad said above, a 25' mid-bath model sounds like the thing. They started building that floor plan in 1984. Will probably cost most of the $10k budget, but they're nice trailers.

Tom

What model airstream would fall into this category

mutcth · 05-07-2012, 05:31 AM

They were called either Sovereign or Excella, with Excela being the ritzier of the two.

Tom

xrvr · 05-07-2012, 08:07 AM

Airstream.com has floorplans for AS by year starting from way back. very interesting. jim

crazycuda · 05-15-2013, 04:10 AM

well its been a long time since i originally posted this but after life took a front seat i am just starting to look again for our airstream. locally i have found one close to what we want 1971 VINTAGE 25' AIRSTREAM LAND YACHT TRADE WIND SAFARI TRAVEL TRAILER

might have to go look at this one sometime soon. glad im back in the search. i am right now in the middle of emailing a local guy who remodels and restores models for celebs and i am hoping to get a chance to work with him on future restorations (i am fairly handy and i am a CAD designer)

dkrug · 05-15-2013, 06:34 AM

Good hunting! I never wanted a travel trailer until my husband showed me an Airstream. It was love at first sight.
This site is a good read for anyone thinking about an older AS:
Price vs. Condition - Vintage Airstream

2PNPOD · 05-15-2013, 06:39 AM

Great to have you back! It's never too late to purchase your AS. Our first post was back in 2003, and we finally purchased our AS last month! In our cas, it was I that really wanted an AS, where my husband just wanted to be sure it had a lavatory.

aireseneca · 05-15-2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycuda

Looking at the towing specs for our 2008 Grand Cherokee the Maximum gross trailer weight (GTW) for the engine and towing package it is 6500lbs so ill be toward the top end of that.

You will get every opinion under the sun with TV's....
Some say you have to have a Ford 350 0r a Dodge 2500 or practically a semi tractor....
Others will say you can slap a 34 footer on a VW Golf or Jetta...

Of course I exaggerate

But do check out the Tow Vehicle section of the forum-especially check out the new diesel Cherokees now coming for 2014
Find out about what Andy in Can-Am London Ontario does for a living
Maybe laugh at my experience to date with outfitting my 2006 Commander-
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f368...ll-103439.html

Enjoy!

TouringDan · 05-15-2013, 08:35 AM

Glad to hear you are back in the hunt. The Tradewind you have found looks like a good one. My recomendation is to buy the best one you can find. Tradewinds rock!

Dan

Ps- my grandparents lived in Cascade on the Thornaple River.

Jim & Mitzi · 05-15-2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycuda

My wife and I have been talking lately about buying a camper so we dont have to stay in my in-laws camper when we go and would like our own so we can take family adventures. my wife is open to any type of camper and I would prefer an AirStream. she said she has a few things she wants out of an airstream if we get one.

here are a few things we are looking for

1. 19'-27' max
2. sleeps 4 preferred
3. we are ok with an older model that we can renovate as we go (must be close to camping ready)
4. she would like a couch/bed for seating rather than just a little dining table
5. My wife doesnt care for the floor plans that have 2 beds in the middle on each side of the walkway. but then again she hasnt seen them in person so they might be acceptable when she sees them
6. we are looking to spend less than 10k so and older used AS is what we want

1967 38' VG + condition call 813-760-9317 Jim

crazycuda · 05-15-2013, 10:35 AM

my wifes concern is room for us and our soon to be 2 year old daughter. she doesnt want to get one that will become to cramped for 3 people since we would like to have another child so it would eventually need to sleep 4 people and have enough room for us to be comfortable.

TouringDan my wife family lives on the thornapple south of cascade near caledonia. nice area for sure

crazycuda · 05-15-2013, 07:56 PM

so i have convinced my wife that a twin rear bed layout wouldnt be a bad thing. i guess that opens up a few options. does anyone have a link to where i can find out what models had what layouts

Globie64 · 05-15-2013, 09:09 PM

Hey Crazycuda, the one on Craigslist looks nice. I'd ask about axles, inverter, tanks, appliances- the stuff that can be kind of a money sink. See if the seller has a definitive answer, or if they're kind of vague and you can gauge what might need work.

crazycuda · 05-16-2013, 04:05 AM

last year there was an excella for sale just around the corner from my house but it was just the wrong time for us to even look at it. must have been a great unit since it sold in just over 3 weeks. During that time i was forced to drive by when i would come home for physical therapy for my thumb after i severed a tendon in it. tough to see something so nice so close and know you cant justify it at the current time

crazycuda · 05-30-2013, 04:46 AM

down the same stretch of road the excella was on i see another airstream that was stored in a old barn. i believe it was out by the road last year for sale and right now its parked near their garage far enough off the road i dont dare stop to find out what it is. if it pops up for sale i will jump at the chance to at least look at it