New member/older Airstream

[lindast]

We bought Emma, our 1970 Airstream Caravel, on Craigslist three years ago. We live in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, where the fire danger gets worse each year, and we have mostly used her as a fire escape. Whenever there is an evacuation or Red Flag Warning (high winds & temps) we head down to a friend's driveway in town.



Emma was in great cosmetic shape when we got her, and Leale's in San Jose has been a huge help to us in checking and updating the mechanical systems. We did not want to have to worry about dump stations, so replaced the existing toilet with a Nature's Head composting toilet. It works great, with no odors, but is rather comical— since we weren't replacing the entire built-in fiberglass (?) bathroom structure, the Nature's Head had to be installed on top of the raised dais of the old toilet. I'm not that tall, so there's now a short step-stool for me to reach the throne!


We've had a good time fixing her up: new curtains, carpet, dishes, etc., and my husband seems to enjoy puttering and replacing things, but she is not one of the glamorous rebuilds you see on YouTube!



The pandemic has made RVing so popular that getting reservations at campgrounds is difficult, but we've finally started actually camping in her. Being retired has its perks, and being able to camp mid-week is one. I do feel a little shy around the newer, glossier, RVs, so it is great to see messages on the forums here from other vintage trailer owners.

[Bubba L]

Welcome and glad to have y’all with us. Being retired and having the choice to camp during the week is the way we go. We book our first night on Sundays. But still hard to get some sites at the more popular campgrounds. Don’t feel shy about camping around newer Airstreams. Some vintage owners think they have fewer problems with their trailers than the new ones. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.

[dbj216]

Hello from Colorado and welcome to these Forums and the vintage Airstream hobby. Good to hear you enjoy tinkering with your 70 Caravel 18'. That is the second year of the new body style and really a popular trailer.

My son has a 69 Globe Trotter 21', one model size longer than your trailer. He has owned if for over 10 years. We have now renovated it making it a comfortable travel trailer, although we chewed up quite a bit of floor space with our mid bath layout. But we don't do yoga in the trailer so we don't miss the open space.

Take a look at these Forums Knowledgebase found at the bottom of the Forums page. This section is organized by model and year instead of general topics. Find Caravel and your year range. I think you will read about all kinds of different aspects of your trailer.

David

[Rich W]

Hello Linda, greetings from Kentucky, welcome to the forum. Don't worry about the other trailers, just enjoy traveling and making friends.

[Fungus]

Lindast - the only person judging Emma against the glossy new ones is the person in your bathroom mirror. Ignore her. The rest of us will enjoy seeing Emma on the road.