New guy - many questions...

[chrisburgess]

Hi folks:

Non-Airstream owner here looking around to see if I should become an Airstream owner now or in the future. We're at the early stages of this project.

My wife and I are 3-5 years away from retirement and we're starting to think about what that will look like. We haven't owned a camper before (though her parents did when she was younger), but do enjoy traveling. Do we buy a vehicle and camper now before we retire or wait until we have more time to use it? Or is this the old "best 2 days of a boat owners life are the day they bought and sold the boat"? So many questions.

What was your decision process for determining that buying an Airstream (or other camper) was right for you? When in your life did you make the leap? How did you handle the expense(s) if you aren't at a point where money is no object? What convinced you that this was right for you versus you were caught up in the romantic notion / marketing materials? Did you go into the purchase with very specific plans/trips to use it or was it loosey-goosey?

Thanks!

Chris

[JeffKim]

Hi! Welcome!

I'm sure you'll get a lot of wisdom from others here who are retired. However, I'm about 5 years out yet so somewhat similar, and I can relate what our experience is, but everyone is unique in their circumstances and vision for their future.

A lot depends on whether you like camping and traveling and what you anticipate you will be doing. We started out as tent campers and after a number of years decided we wanted to be able to go on longer trips without the hassle of a tent and better shelter and comforts. We typically like camping in places often without hookups (boondocking) but occasionally we land at sites with amenities to recharge.

We had no experience with a trailer either but were sold on Airstreams for their reputation and aesthetic. Our first Airstream was what we could afford, a 16' Bambi, but also we learned a lot about what we wanted for our second and "forever" camper, a 25' Globetrotter.

I'd advise that if you haven't done much camping or trailering, start out preretirement seeing if you like it and pulling a trailer. This might take a bit of an investment. Airstreams work pretty much the same as any other trailer, so you can get a SOB (Some Other Brand) to start. Take short trips or occasional long ones that you might want to try in retirement. Figure out how big you'd like the retirement trailer to be and how it should be equipped.

Our trailer we anticipate will be retirement ready. But also I can work remotely so it has internet connectability with Starlink and a cell modem, and for boondocking for long periods with solar and lots of lithium batteries. So if you're in that sort of situation it might be easier to rationalize getting something longer term.

We are very happy with our Airstream (defects aside). I like that it is our personal space and opens up possibilities for travel not only to wild places but to places like my brother's driveway in Nashville. Also, just by owning an Airstream you are in the club and there are lots of helpful and friendly people to help you along and you have instant friends at a rally or on the road. We don't have any regrets but I've never owned a boat.

[BikeCamper]

Welcome. Ditto what @JeffKim said above.

Our story is very similar to above. Long-time tent campers. 3-6 years from full retirement. Looking for more comfort and anticipating taking more extended trips in the relatively near future.

I am very glad we took the plunge this past spring. It’s a fun hobby (if you enjoy visiting national, state, and provincial parks.) Yet there is a learning curve, and many opportunities to customize a travel trailer to suite your specific preferences. But it takes time and money, so it’s nice not to feel rushed. Imo, it’s best to take it slow and build some experience rather than shoving off on big trips with no practical experience.

As for the “affording it” question: Our philosophy is to always pay cash for depreciating assets. If paying cash for a new Airstream is out of the question, there are enough used Airstream examples out there to fit nearly any budget. For our budget, we found the sweet spot for condition and value was the 2010-2019 model years. But that would vary based on budget, and we certainly saw very nice trailers outside that date range too.

One of the most important factors when getting started is your tow vehicle. Do you already have one? Are you shopping for one? Do you know much about towing and payload ratings? Fire away with any questions.

[3OnOurWay]

Hi welcome
I’ll be chiming in on the MH side.

Do we buy a vehicle and camper now before we retire or wait until we have more time to use it?


If you can afford it now to get the one that you would want in a few years, now, I would buy earlier than later, this will give you time to tinker with it and change the Tirana you discover is wekekend / week trips incrementally.so in a few years, when yo retire, one less thing to start new or get it to where it is. Also there are no guarantees about the future and so if you have a little bit of the time and the money today, I think it’s worthwhile to start down that road before life can have an early hijack to your plans

we made our decision based on using the Neighbors SOB sprinter and knew that that was the right approach for us to just be able to get up and go. We are happy that Airstream only has the 25 footer instead of the 22 footer garage space. Lastly, for us, we could’ve never imagined that in nine months time we would’ve placed over 10,000 miles and 30+ nights ( that’s with us both working full-time and having a full-time in school)

Enjoy

[aftermath]

Originally Posted by chrisburgess

Hi folks:

.... We haven't owned a camper before (though her parents did when she was younger), but do enjoy traveling. Do we buy a vehicle and camper now before we retire or wait until we have more time to use it? .... When in your life did you make the leap? How did you handle the expense(s) if you aren't at a point where money is no object? ....

Chris

Every person has his own history and path. No one can tell you which will be best for you. We have been married for 52 years and retired 14 years ago. We have ALWAYS camped, first in a tent and then for 17 years in a tent trailer. As we neared reirement we purchased a hybrid which was basically a larger tent trailer with a bathroom and kitchen. We took a few trips in that but found the set up and tear down problematic. A year before actual retirement we got our Airstream. Traveling in one of these is so much nicer. You can stop anywhere along the way and fix lunch and use the bathroom.

All that said, if you have never pulled a trailer I suggest what someone else suggested earlier, get a truck and pick up an inexpensive used trailer to find out if you like towing. You can sell the trailer for close to what you paid for it and you will know what you will want in your next trailer.

[overlander64]

Greetings Chris! Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstream!!

Originally Posted by chrisburgess

Hi folks:

Non-Airstream owner here looking around to see if I should become an Airstream owner now or in the future. We're at the early stages of this project.

My wife and I are 3-5 years away from retirement and we're starting to think about what that will look like. We haven't owned a camper before (though her parents did when she was younger), but do enjoy traveling. Do we buy a vehicle and camper now before we retire or wait until we have more time to use it? Or is this the old "best 2 days of a boat owners life are the day they bought and sold the boat"? So many questions.

My thought is that there is no time better than the present. I have no regrets having purchased my Airstream when I was in my mid-30s. Those memories of vacations and WBCCI/ACI International Rallies all over the country will be with me the rest of my life, and I am still making those memories as I am getting ready to depart for this year's WBCCI/ACI International Rally in Sedalia, MO -- one of the closer rallies for me at less than 400 miles, the closest having been only 25 miles in Du Quoin, IL. It took me over six months to settle on the Airstream that I purchased, but it was a decision that lasted as I still own that now 60 year old Airstream 29 years later. I went into the process looking for a new Airstream, but my dealer advised me that the floor plan that I required had been discontinued and the floor plan in the size Airstream that I wanted (24 to 26 feet) just was not as good as the one that had been discontinued in my opinion.

Originally Posted by chrisburgess

What was your decision process for determining that buying an Airstream (or other camper) was right for you? When in your life did you make the leap? How did you handle the expense(s) if you aren't at a point where money is no object? What convinced you that this was right for you versus you were caught up in the romantic notion / marketing materials? Did you go into the purchase with very specific plans/trips to use it or was it loosey-goosey?

I grew up camping, first with a 9' X 9' Cabin Tent, but soon found that my father abhorred tent camping, while my mother was willing so long as we had air mattresses. We did that for a few years until it became time for Boy Scouts when the idea was raised to buy a new Cabover Truck Camper so that my father would take me on Boy Scout camping trips so in 1969, we acquired a 1969 Chevrolet C20 Pickup with a SunWay 8.5' Cabover Camer.



That idea lasted two years as my father disliked camping in the truck camper as much, if not more than in the Cabin Tent. The truck camper was sold in favor of a 1971 Buick Sportwagon, and my mother and I went back to tent camping when we went on our longer Summer vacations (my father did not enjoy traveling).

The next step in the progression occurred when I was in my 20s, when my mother and I went out an purchased a new 1980 Nomad Light Weight 18 Travel Trailer. It checked all of the boxes for us at the time. We didn't have to buy a pickup which both of us refused to drive, as the trailer had a GVWR of 3,250 pounds. We equipped my car at the time to tow the Nomad, and it was the tow car of choice as long as we owned that trailer -- 1980 through 1983. We sold that trailer in desperation as it was falling apart more quickly than we could reassemble it. We returned to camping in a Cabin Tent for several years.

The 1980 Nomad Light Weight 18-Foot with 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Convertible tow vehicle at the Cloud 9 Ranch in Caufield, MO in 1980.


The next step in the progression was the decision to move away from the Cabin Tent for something more secure from bad weather. The choice was a brand new 1983 B-Van (not Airstream, the manufacturer is now out of business). We kept that for two years and realized that it had many of the same shortcomings that had caused us to dislike the truck camper. The one plus of the B-Van was that when we had relatives or friends accompany us we could all ride in the same compartment, but that was the only advantage. The B-Van was so very expensive to maintain as the engine was difficult to access, and the mechanics often tracked dirt and grease through the living area of the B-Van. In addition, if we didn't tow our Toyota Corolla 1200 behind the B-Van, it meant breaking camp anytime that we wanted to go out to eat or tour nearby attractions. That van was traded in 1985 on a new Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham Luxury Sedan with heavy duty trailer towing package (a special order that I still own today), and I went back to the Cabin Tent. My mother decided that she was no longer able to take tent camping so when she accompanied me on adventures we would either reserve Camping Cabins or stay in motels.

Finally, in 1995, I decided that it was time to upgrade to what I had always wanted and dreamed of since my first experience camping -- an Airstream. Friends of my family had been Airstream owners for years, and stopped by my mother's family farm while we were visiting one summer and they asked me to spend the night in their brand new 1964 Airstream (I was 5 years old). I don't think that I will ever forget sleeping in that hammock bunk. My mother once said that she thought that I would never be satisfied until I became an Airstream owner. That finally happened in September of 1995 when I purchased my 1964 Airstream Overlander Land Yacht International from its second owners. It was immaculately maintained, and appeared to be far newer than its 31 years. The owners demonstrated that everything in the trailer was operable except the furnace (it was over 80 degrees that day), and as an original International Oil Burner Corporation unit, it was not safe to operate anyway). The original golden oak cabinetry and woodwork glowed, and the upholstery/drapes while dated and a bit worn were clean and in good order. While it was more than 15 years older than I had originally planned on considering, its condition won me over -- and it had the exact floor plan that I had been looking for -- large, comfortable rear bathroom, center twin bedroom, with front galley/lounge featuring a pull-out sofa and drop-leaf dining table. On one of my first longer trips with the trailer after purchase, I happened to stop by the home of the son of the family friends who had introduced me to Airstream, and when he looked inside the trailer, he exclaimed, "how did you find mom and dad's trailer" -- he identified the trailer by the drapes that his mother had sewn a few years before they had retired from travel and sold the trailer in 1980. In the years since, I have continued with a maintenance regimen, making repairs when needed, but the trailer has not required a shell off restoration. I did have Fowler RV Interiors refresh the interior by refreshing the WATCO Oil finish on the woodwork and cabinetry along with new upholstery/foam, draperies, and floor coverings. I also had P and S Trailer Service Polish and Plasticoat the exterior. New axles are on the agenda as they had been rebuilt by the Henschen shop not too long before they went out of business.

This is the 1964 Overlander Land Yacht International with my favorite tow car, a 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, sadly, it was stolen a few years ago so my current tow vehicle is a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited Sedan. One of the reasons that I like my Vintage Airstream is that its GVW is between 5,500 and 6,000 pounds ready to travel so I can tow it with my full-size car. I owned one pickup, and have ridden in/driven new/late model pickups owned by friends, and have no desire whatsoever to ever own one again -- I bought into the argument that you had to have a pickup to tow an Airstream in November of 1995 and purchased a leftover 1995 Chevrolet K1500 Extended Cab short bed with every luxury option except the sunroof, and included the heavy duty trailering package -- after three years, I made my way to the Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, GMC garage and happily traded it in.

The final step in my path to Airstream life was the purchase of a smaller Airstream product for weekend use. A 1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre travel trailer. It offered a wonderfully open floor plan and a GVWR of 3,100 pounds making it very easy to tow. The photo is with the 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible taken in 2008 on the way to the WBCCI International Rally in Bozeman, MT.



Good luck with your search and Research!

Kevin

[uncle_bob]

Hi

We spent *many* decades camping in tents. Roughly every 5 to 8 years, we would go shopping. We'd look at Class A's this time. Next time it would be trailers. Time after that it might be Class C's. Each time we'd decide "not right now". We just kept bouncing back and forth not making a decision (other than buying new tents about every 10 years or so.

Growing up there was a family trailer. We also "shared" a Class A for a while. Friends had a number of trailers including Airstreams. The stories they would tell about "issues" are pretty much identical to what you hear today. You hear them from anybody who owns a boat, plane, RV, cottage, or anything similar. They all require upkeep.

Once we retired we got serious about "what to do". After a lot of debate, the 30' Classic came into our lives.

Looking back, should we / would we / could we have made that decision earlier? With 20/20 hindsight, sure !!! Turn back the clock 5 years earlier and a whole lot of things were unknown and undefined.

What to do?

This is *very* much a personal decision. There is no way for somebody to make it for you. It has significant budget impact. It also soaks up time. How that works for you ... none of us can really evaluate.

Trailer:

Nice things about a good sized trailer: You pull up to a campsite, set it up, and it's your home away from home. You have a reasonably functional kitchen and bath. You have comfortable sleeping, eating, and relaxing space. When you want to go someplace you hop in your tow vehicle and away you go. The trailer stays all setup.

Not so nice things about a good sized trailer: You aren't going to tow it with a Honda Civic. It needs a fair amount of "parking space" to set it up comfortably. It takes maybe an hour to set up / tear down.

Class B van:

Nice things about a class B: You pull up most anywhere, put it in park and there you are. Not much to set up. You still have your own kitchen and bathroom. Easier to drive than a trailer. Ideal for "stop for the night and go next morning" travel.

Not so nice things about a class B: They ain't cheap. You don't have quite the room inside. You also can't haul along as many "toys" with you. When you go someplace, you have a pretty big vehicle to park wherever you go.

Class A:

Nice things about a class A: You now are back to the space you had in the trailer with the "all in one" of the van. You can tow a car behind the Class A. Hopping in the car to go someplace makes parking at the destination a lot easier than a big pickup truck. Indeed you could tow a Jeep.

Not so nice things about a class A: Wow, we really spent some cash (for a good one). They are big and they need a lot of "room". You also need an upgrade on your driver's license to drive one.

In between A's and B's you have C's (yes it's weird). Depending on which one you look at they can be anywhere between the A and the B.

Did we wander a bit off the trailer topic? Yes we did. The only reason was to point out that there are a whole lot of "category" choices ahead of the "tailer" decision.

With any of these, there will be a "learning curve" when you first get one. Lots and lots of fiddly details to study up about. Lots of new skills to learn. If you buy used there likely will be repairs. If you buy new, there probably will be warranty fun and games. In either case, they likely will be customizations.

In an ideal world, buying ahead of "let's get out for 6 months at a time" would be ideal. You can sort out all the nonsense with a bunch of small trips. Lots of time back home to figure things out. Lots of time in the driveway to do this or that.

In an ideal world you would buy your "forever RV" right up front. No buy this / trade in for that stuff. Get the right one and stick with it. RV's are not likely to appreciate in value. Multiple trades typically means more money into the project.

In an ideal world, you could work out what your ideal RV was without ever using one. At the very least this means heading out and spending a *lot* of time sitting in various versions of each likely choice. That's not sitting with the sales guy pestering you. It's you and your crew sitting here / sitting there. You check out this and that. Even with this approach, you still are a bit short on data. Still it's *way* better than trying to work it out from pictures on the internet.

Want to try things out? (not at all a bad idea ....)

Tents are cheap. They get you "out camping". The experience is a lot more basic than any of the options above.

You can rent a very basic Class C van from a number of outfits. They are far from a "luxury" option. Still it is a way to get some idea of what's what.

Renting trailers you can tow around is a bit more difficult. There are a few outfits that rent them. How convenient that is for you ... who knows. For most it's not easy to do.

Renting stationary trailers is a bit more common that ones you can tow. Still not really easy and maybe not going to give you the "full experience".

Since none of us live in an ideal world, there's always going to be some level of "leap of faith" involved.

Bob

[AlbertF]

A few things to consider:

Do you like travelling? In particular, do you like road trips? If so, an Airstream is a great way to go. Once you've gotten past the initial investment, it's a lot cheaper than hotels and restaurants, and more comfortable too. And if you set things up for "boondocking", you can still find low-cost or even free places to park for the night.

How big of a trailer do you need? A follow up question - when you fly, do you stick with a carry-on bag, or do you check luggage? If you are the first type, I think a smaller trailer will serve you well. Easier to park and maneuver, and not as much sheet metal to maintain.

Why an Airstream? Towability, aerodynamic efficiency, excellent layouts, lots of windows (natural light), quality materials (no MDF or similar), and everything is repairable/restorable. While they are not perfect, they will last a long time if cared for.

We purchased our first in 2006. It was a 1975 27'. We owned it for nearly 12 years, travelling with our young sons. It went across the continent a few times, and facilitated three long distance moves. We sold it because it really needed restoration. We purchased our 22FB in 2019 with the expectation that we might own it for 25 years. So far, we are very happy with it. It's not huge, but it's great for the two of us, and we try to use it as much as possible. Work obligations prevent long-term travel at this point, but we hope to take trips of increasing distance in the next few years. Again, we enjoy travelling, and driving is one of my favourite ways to relax.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Another "tidbit" here for the OP:

You (now) live up where it gets cold and snows. For normal use, snow / sub freezing temps are not a good thing. The RV gets "winterized" ( dump out all the water and put in anti-freeze) and goes into storage. Typically for us, that happens before the end of November and runs past the end of March.

Could you "head south" for those months? Sure you could. There are a lot of folks who do. Functionally, this may involve being "away from home" for all those winter months or it may involve "winterizing" the RV multiple times.

The flip side of this is that in some parts of the country, it gets *really* hot in the summer. The A/C on your RV pulls a lot of power. Realistically you will be in some sort of organized campground in order to run them full time. The other alternative is to go somewhere else (you are mobile).

Does the idea of visiting every state in the US and every province in Canada sound like fun? If you spend a couple weeks in each one (which really is *not* enough for most of those provinces and many states ....) how much time does that come up to? ..... hmmm ... ( 50 + 10 ) x 2 = 120 weeks "on the road".

If you "limit" yourself to May through October, you get about 25 weeks each year. Doing nothing but camping, you have a 5 year schedule there (ok, Hawaii isn't going to work, knock off 2 weeks ). Poor RI and PEI might not get 2 weeks (they should ....), they also are not a long drive from you. Start looking at Alaska and 2 months up there is rushing things. I'd suggest something closer to 4 months and a "full season" just to do that from MA. Factor that kind of thing in and 5 years is probably closer to 10 years.

Now toss in minor issues like maybe being home every so often. That's going to stretch tings out further. Then there's those return trips (Alaska ... some folks head up there every year).

Do you *have* to do this? Of course not. The only point is: You can spend a *lot* of time on the road. This sort of thing can be a very big part of your life.

How much do you enjoy driving?

Bob

[Bearstream01]

Hi chris and welcome to the forum. Highly subjective questions, but here goes…

First, if you can do it now, do it now. I know its dark, but I know too many people that never got to enjoy retirement.

We are about 3 yrs away ourselves. I think thats great timing! I suggest joining the Airstream club too to get the most out of the Airstream experience. Then when the time comes, you will be familiar with your systems, your camping style, and how the club works. You can hit the ground running, maybe by going on a caravan!

My decision process prob doesnt apply to you, but it was to help overcome travel anxieties.

The day I have to sell would absolutely NOT be the best day of my life!!! She has enriched my life in ways I cannot even describe…. Plus she has feelings!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Ok, what's the alternative? (at least what we talked about "back then").

1) Just stay home and do nothing at all. Eat nothing but cheap food (and not a lot of it ). Don't use the A/C or heat much. This is the "let's save all the money" approach. Financially it has a lot of appeal. Past that ... not so much.

2) Go on tours and cruises. This eliminates all the planning and grubby detail stuff. (ok, that's a myth ... ). You can see the world. Financially this has a lot less appeal. I've never been really happy with the tour / cruise process. Way to much "do this now" nonsense.

3) Fly to various destinations, rent a car and stay in hotels. Far less to deal with than an RV. To me, not as fun (I spent decades in hotels on business travel ....). Financially still pretty expensive. For us, this works better than the tour / cruise.

4) Same idea as 3 above, but drive to the destination. You trade off the cost of the drive against the flight + rental. Past a pretty modest distance, this probably is not a money saver. It certainly takes more time.

5) Rent a "living space" at this or that destination, get there and spend a month or two. This takes the hotel out of the equation. In most of the US or Canada still not dirt cheap. In various far away places .... rent might be pretty low.

6) Go local. Come up with activities that keep you active locally. This is sort of the "something else" option. Travel no longer is part of the equation.

Just like all the rest, it's very much up to you.

First step when heading towards retirement is to take a look at that "money issue". Once you understand that, work on the rest. No, I'm not selling financial advice. I'm also not even making suggestions. The only point is to study up on the what's what / what's most likely and see what the implications are. Simply looking at worst case on any problem is going to drive you insane .... (ok, two sentences later that looks a lot like advice )

Bob

[Fungus]

I agree with all previous advice.

I’ve been retired since late 2016.

We’re finishing up year four of ownership. Lots of tent camping and backpacking when the kids were young. Less so when they hit teenage years.

Airstream was our first choice but could have gone with an Oliver or a Casita. That would probably have been a mistake. Original plan was a Basecamp 20 but did not like the limited windows. Pivoted to a 23 foot Flying Cloud. Fell upon a barely used 2017 International 25FB in late 2020 while visiting family in Virginia. Got a good deal and drove it home 1500 miles in three legs, sleeping just one night in the trailer, where we began the aforementioned “maintenance experience.” The trailer takes a beating, hence, maintenance. About 50 upgrades too, some minor, some more involved. But if you’re moderately handy with tools, most are not difficult to tackle yourself.

We love our 25FB. We stay at state parks in the southeast from Texas to South Carolina. On the road about 100 nights a year, except 2023 (just 2 nights).

Having said all that, our vacation style tends to run in clumps. Tent camping for a decade. Mayor cities for seven years or so. Europe for five years or so. Hawaii for a decade. And now the AS. Who knows, maybe we’ll tire of it later. We still spend far more nights in it than we dreamed we would: 88 days on the road so far this year and planning another 60-ish day trip to take before year end. Trailer is currently in the driveway getting yet more upgrades.

No specific trips in mind during our research. Our trips are longer than expected.

As noted above, a bit of movement on what trailer to get. We got lucky and happened upon a good fit, without knowing it until much later.

We bought the tow vehicle first. Bad idea due a combination of the shift in trailer size and length of our trips. But had we not bought the first truck, we probably would not have made the leap when 1500 miles from home.

Financing it didn’t apply to us. I don’t like to borrow money on a depreciating asset unless rates are crazy low.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Ok, off on another branch of this ....

We started off with the "maybe we can put it behind our SUV" approach. Heading over and looking at the options, that idea went away pretty fast.

We started off with a "let's look at a 25 foot" as a target. Same "look at it" expedition ... off to a 30'. Yes this after many decades of looking at things. Absolutely no regrets on that decision at all.

Like folks above, we also looked at Casita's (we've been to their factory ....). Not a good idea for us. Still a very cute little item.

Net result one: We have a nice big pickup that does a fine job of towing the trailer. It's our second pickup bought to tow the trailer (it's an F350). The previous F250 turned out to be a bit to small for us. It's not just the trailer, it's the trailer plus "all of you" plus the gear you turn out to be hauling.

Net result two: We have enough "room" to comfortably head out for several months. The dogs both have room to fit in. We can bring enough along that overlapping seasons (summer and fall clothing) is not a big deal. We can also do this without eating out a lot.

So, as mentioned above, buy the trailer first and buy the TV second. If there is any doubt about the TV, go for the bigger one. (Turns out the F350 really isn't that much more than the F250 ...).

Alternative? How comfortable are you both (I assume there's two of you...) in small spaces? How does climbing *over* somebody in the middle of the night work for you? How well will it work in 10 years ? . Smaller is better in some ways. In others .... not so much.

Bob

[Ndcctrucks]

Hi

You have started a tome (ha ha!).

We were 9 years from retirement (5 now) and rented a 23’ cheapie trailer but newer; we had never camped as a family but a thought of one epic trip for all of us was wandering in my mind, so we tried it out.

We camped two nights in our local mountains (Idyllwild, CA). It went really well with all of us enjoying it.

The next year I started looking for a trailer for our trip, which I decided would be to Juneau, Alaska. As I shopped, I decided that only an Airstream would retain value; I had also expected a high-quality product.

We bought one somewhat under market value, but it was 18 years old and needed frame repairs as well as new axles.

We made the 6500-mile, 28-day trek and we and the trailer survived; all four of us adults in a 23’ International CCD.

Before that trip, we camped in Death Valley three nights and camped in Idyllwild as well.

My wife and I just returned this last weekend from a 2400-mile trip to central Oregon coast and the Redwoods; the point of mentioning these other trips is that we’ve put about 10,000 miles on it with few problems.

I ran into numerous factory quality-in-workmanship issues besides the frame problems; but all of my repairs have held and we’ve had no further problems.

Our towing vehicles have been a 1973 Dodge 3/4 ton crew cab, a 2012 RAM 1500 extended cab, and a 2019 RAM 1500 crew cab. I’ve not experienced any bad or scary towing (other than having to slow from 60 to 50 to stop swaying while in a storm with crosswind gusts).

I don’t use an equalizer hitch but I do use air leveling bags on the RAMs; I don’t use anti-sway either, and despite all manner of mountain grades, quick reactions to avoid collisions, and poor weather, the Airstream followed right behind us and behaved.

Don’t know if this dissertation helped, but I hope it did.

I have a two-page thread on the frame repairs: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f36...rs-228570.html

Best Regards and Good Luck!
-Ken

[chrisburgess]

Wow! I wasn't expecting so many responses to this question. Thanks everyone!

Lifestyle follow-up questions:

I've tent camped with my family (30 day sabbatical through 13 NPs, 4100 miles starting from Vegas to Yellowstone) but so much of that was setup/take-down because everything we had was packed tightly in a minivan. We had 3 kids 9-14 to keep an eye on, too. Wonderful trip, but a lot of work. A camper alleviates some/much of that, which is very appealing.

So since a lot of tent-style camping work is avoided, what is the day to day like for you once you 'get there' to where you are camping and all setup? You've arrived, leveled, hooked-up, did your business, ate, etc. What do you do for the next <x> days while you are there? Looking for your personal approach to this lifestyle/culture.

Is there a better forum to post this kind of question to?

[SuperTrouper]

Originally Posted by chrisburgess

Hi folks:
What was your decision process for determining that buying an Airstream (or other camper) was right for you? When in your life did you make the leap? How did you handle the expense(s) if you aren't at a point where money is no object? What convinced you that this was right for you versus you were caught up in the romantic notion / marketing materials? Did you go into the purchase with very specific plans/trips to use it or was it loosey-goosey?
Chris

Answering some of your questions: My Dad always liked Airstreams but we could never afford one. My wife and I both like mid-century and classic design and always admired Airstreams. We were tempted to move from car/tent camping to a tent trailer but a few nights bunking in our uncle's tent trailer in near freezing temps at Thanksgiving cured us of that. A local 27FB became available suddenly in 2010 (Airstream Classifieds) at a really good price (people were still reeling from the 2008 financial meltdown) and we jumped at it. We were fortunate to procure just the right size and design for us (27FB International Ocean Breeze). We purchased it outright, procured local storage and asked the seller to put it in the storage location. We then went out and found a tow vehicle (TV), a 2002 7.3L Ford Excursion (we had 4 kids at home at the time). The EX currently has 320K miles on it. We had had a plan to purchase an Airstream at retirement but are glad we did 15 years prior (I still have a few years to go 'til retirement). We have camped with all four children and although we didn't have a trailer camping plan or schedule at first, we have had some fantastic adventures and continue to use the trailer about once a month on average. With the kids, we did a lot of hookup camping (KOA) but now prefer state / local parks or boondocking/Hipcamp utilizing solar power. Our trailer is also the preferred lodging for my grown children, brother and friends when visiting our house (we park it out front on the street for each visit). We plan to take long term cross country trips when I retire in a few years.

[Justen]

A slightly different tack here- my girlfriend is completely retired, I am semi- retired. We bought a vintage Airstream when our travel plans got cancelled in 2020. Neither of us had a camper before, we came from a tent/backpacking background.

We fell in love with the camper, and the lifestyle and friends we have made in the AS community. Our last two big trips (Patagonia and Iceland) we rented an RV because we enjoy the freedom it gives us on the road.

And that would be my suggestion to you at this stage- rent a Class C several times a year for the next few years and see if you enjoy the lifestyle- not everyone does. It will give a better sense of whether or not you want to continue after retiring before making a large investment in a depreciating asset- both the camper and TV.

[SuperTrouper]

Originally Posted by Justen

It will give a better sense of whether or not you want to continue after retiring before making a large investment in a depreciating asset- both the camper and TV.

Interesting bit, we were very lucky since we purchased in 2010, the value of the trailer has increased and the TV, being a rare and sought after 7.3 Ex has held its value (my mechanic gets purchase inquiries every time he works on it). These are the only two vehicles that I have purchased where this has been the case. Right place, right time.

[Dexterpix]

Hi Chris,

The financial side is definitely an individual choice. I can say that we purchased ours in 2014. The price of replacing that exact model has DOUBLED since then. Waiting will cost more.

On the Airstream side I will say what I say to people when we are out when the ask
"I have always wanted an Airstream, Is it worth it?"

We are travelers NOT campers.

Campers in my mind, park their trailer for extended periods of time and "live" in them as they sight see in the area or enjoy the campground life style.

Travelers stay for short periods of time and move frequently. My wife is not retired yet so we limit our travels to 2-4 weeks. We average about 5k miles for 2 weeks and have done 8+ over 4weeks. We have never stayed in a single campground/boondock for more than 4 nights. For TRAVELLING the Airstream is great!! No slides to open to enjoy all the trailer has to offer. Great for stops in rest areas/welcome centers for lunch or overnights. We don't carry much in the way of extras. 2 chairs, grill and generator are all that's in the truck bed.

If you want to CAMP I would say don't waste the extraordinary amount of money for an Airstream. Get SOB trailer with slides and all the luxuries of home, even if you burn it up in 5 years you can replace it and still not have spent what you would on the new Airstream. The Airstream still needs as much care and maintenance as any other trailer, the materials your working with are just a little better quality.

I would say be honest with yourself what you want from any trailer experience before spending the money. Between the trailer and TV it's a big spend.

Remember it's supposed to be fun!!

Good luck
Joe

[overlander64]

Greetings Chris!

Originally Posted by chrisburgess

Wow! I wasn't expecting so many responses to this question. Thanks everyone!

Lifestyle follow-up questions:

I've tent camped with my family (30 day sabbatical through 13 NPs, 4100 miles starting from Vegas to Yellowstone) but so much of that was setup/take-down because everything we had was packed tightly in a minivan. We had 3 kids 9-14 to keep an eye on, too. Wonderful trip, but a lot of work. A camper alleviates some/much of that, which is very appealing.

So since a lot of tent-style camping work is avoided, what is the day to day like for you once you 'get there' to where you are camping and all setup? You've arrived, leveled, hooked-up, did your business, ate, etc. What do you do for the next <x> days while you are there? Looking for your personal approach to this lifestyle/culture.

I follow the lead that my mother established in my early travels with her. We would get our cabin tent setup in the campground where we might stay for two or three nights. She would then inquire of the campground's reservation desk or host where we might find the best local cafe/restaurant. At these popular local cafes/restaurants, we would often have meals with local specialties that made trips even more memorable, and the locals were almost always happy to share their takes on interesting places to visit in their areas. Some of the foods that we discovered while traveling in this manner were Horseshoe Sandwiches (near Springfield, IL), Bierochs (German pocket sandwiches in Northwest Kansas), Runza (German pocket sandwich similar to Bierochs in Nebraska and Minnesota), Cornish Pasty (Southwest Wisconsin), Pitchfork Steak Fondue (Medora, ND), and Sourdough Bread Bowl Chili (Nevada), and Sourdough Bread Bowl Beef Stew (California). We also discovered some interesting and off-beat attractions as well over the years by asking the locals that included such things as The Big Well and Museum in Greensburg, KS -- The Garden of Eden in Lucas, KS -- The Worlds Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, KS -- Dorothy's House and the Land of OZ in Liberal, KS -- Post Rock and Barbed Wire Museums in La Crosse, KS -- Casa Bonita, Lakewood, CO -- Monument to Prunes and Shorty the Burros in Fairplay, CO -- The Old Stagecoach Road (Scenic Byway linking Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek or Victor, CO). While you can find many of these attractions and food ideas through Internet searches, asking the locals often results in some of the best recommendations as well as suggestions that help in planning.

Today, I am retired, and often spend three to five days once I have setup in a campground exploring the local area relying primarily on recommendations of locals that I meet in the small cafes and restaurants.

Kevin