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anlot · 11-09-2014, 05:43 PM

Hi, I'm new here. Last Sunday, I saw a guy tow a vintage Airstream on the 5 freeway in LA and I've been in Major Trailer Nostalgia Mode (MTNM) ever since. I've seen them on the road before, but for some reason this time something clicked/tugged, and here I am.

I grew up in Belgium and when I was born, my parents already had a 1960s Sprite Alpine trailer -- 12 ft, super light. I camped in it many, many times up until I moved to the US in 1999.

I don't know if I'll ever own another trailer, let alone an Airstream, but I poked around on these forums all weekend and decided to sign up because it seems to be such a fun and supportive community. I figure, if I teach myself about them now, then maybe some day... Right? I can dream. And also, I came across a crazy eBay listing I wanted to share with you guys in a bit, but I'll do that in the proper subforum.

For now, just hello and nice to meet you all!

An

**moosetags** · 11-09-2014, 05:59 PM

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. We hope that you realize that by participating in these Forums, you are accepting the fact that you are hooked on Airstreams. This is a condition that there is no known cure for. So, hang on, you are in for an interesting ride.

anlot · 11-09-2014, 06:22 PM

Noooooooo! (kicking and screaming) This is just a temporary affliction!

sophie18 · 11-10-2014, 05:22 AM

Welcome to abroad.

64airstream · 11-10-2014, 06:36 AM

Welcome and good luck in your search.

Roy and Marie

mimiandrews · 11-10-2014, 06:39 AM

Sorry. Moosetags is right. It's not temporary.

But, who cares! It's fun!

Also relatively harmless, except perhaps for the financial aspects.

indy · 11-10-2014, 07:00 AM

alumaflu. Truly a contages bug.

kposey · 11-10-2014, 07:41 AM

Welcome to the forums! You might as well just accept the fact, aluminitis is for real! I am on my 7th (yes 7th) Airstream. It gets in your blood and you can't get it out!

Glad to have you here!!!!

Foiled Again · 11-10-2014, 08:12 AM

There actually IS a cure - only about 10% effective but curable.

So here it is - If you've never owned an Airstream, rent one. Not too easy to do but a few KOA campgrounds have them, and I believe there is a place in Vegas where you can choose among several vintage units while staying at a casino. There's also an Airstream Motel in Tucson AZ. I'll post some links below. For a very select few, just one weekend will take the romance right off of the experience. Of course, for 95% the addiction will grow worse.

Next, go to some rallies - WBCCI is an Airstream Club - and their rallies are often not open to non-members, though many welcome wannabes (future chum for the feeding frenzy). Also there are a lot of Forum rallies - and virtually all of them welcome drop ins, but it's always polite to call or e-mail ahead. Most rallies have open house - where many owners will open their streams to visitors. Make yourself very welcome by wearing socks and clogs, leaving the clogs at the door. Again, if you wander into an Airstream where they have been so ill advised that they cooked fish inside or have "problems" with their black tank.... you might just reconsider wanting an Airstream.

OTOH - be ready to drink the Kool-Aid.

Shady Dell: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...els-86611.html

Visit Area63 - he's a vendor who does some nice renovations - and is located in California
here's a link to what you could be getting into - these are only the people who FINISHED a renovation
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f415...er-101038.html

Welcome Here, Paula (just looking 9 years ago, now on 3rd Airstream)

m.hony · 11-10-2014, 09:38 AM

Aluminitis is NOT curable. It is chronic, and gets progressively worse over time.
There is, however, a way to live with the disease. Buy a shiny trailer and go campin'!
This "obsession" is far worse than any other hobby I've ever had. It is bigger than music, stereo equipment, bicycles, motorcycles, or cars. My little silver house is most definitely my "happy place". I'd rather be camping than anything else, but if I can't have an Airstream (or vintage kin) I'll go back to tent camping! Part of the OCD camping thing might be that it is one thing my wife enjoys with me. She doesn't care about any of my other interests/hobbies.

m.hony · 11-10-2014, 09:39 AM

"Just looking" will end up with a trailer in your driveway for sure!

flygrrl · 11-10-2014, 11:50 AM

Oh man he has got it! No cure anlot, but what a way to go. I remember the epiphany moment and it just got worse with time. Settles down somewhat once the silver being is in the driveway, but every time you go out and look at your baby you fall in love all over again.

**Stefrobrts** · 11-10-2014, 12:45 PM

Sorry to tell you it's a fast-acting disease. I estimate only 6 months between catching it and admitting it's incurable when you bring home your first Airstream

anlot · 11-10-2014, 01:39 PM

...I can see that I have walked into a nest of enablers! This is NOT a good situation, since I already need very little encouragement to go off the deep end when it comes to infatuations/obsessions.

I love the socks & clogs thing! Are there bonus points for wearing outrageous sock/clog combos? Thank you for the advice on renting an Airstream and visiting a rally... We'll have to see if this alumabug can still be banished from the blood stream, or if it will end up giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "oooo, shiny!"

Looking at the before and after pictures now... Truly labors of love! It's great to see the creativity that goes into these projects.

Since we live in a townhouse, we don't have a driveway. And we own only two little Honda Fits that couldn't even tow a Radio Flyer wagon, so I'm going to assume this constitutes automatic protection against that 6-months-and-it's-home prediction.

ukulele2010 · 11-10-2014, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anlot

Since we live in a townhouse, we don't have a driveway. And we own only two little Honda Fits that couldn't even tow a Radio Flyer wagon, so I'm going to assume this constitutes automatic protection against that 6-months-and-it's-home prediction.

I think what it means is you will need a new vehicle (or access to one) and a storage facility to house your Airstream. You will find out that all is doable.

Best of luck.

Hittenstiehl · 11-10-2014, 01:49 PM

Nope that is not a guarantee at all. You would not be the first without a parking spot or tow vehicle. We are all enabling enablers!! Someone will store it for you and another will offer you a great deal on a tow vehicle. While you are at it (if you are in the greater la area) look at cool websites such as area 63 productions as he has several in various degrees of completion he would likely part with. If you can't beat em join em.

m.hony · 11-10-2014, 05:57 PM

Hi. My name is Michael, and I'm a recovering alumaholic.

m.hony · 07-02-2015, 07:20 PM

I've found the cure!
It's a 30' silver pill or capsule!

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

anlot · 06-05-2018, 05:05 PM

Alright... Well... As some of you -- OK, most of you -- already predicted 3.5 years ago, aluminitis was not curable. And despite not having a driveway or a tow vehicle, we found ourselves ordering a 2019 27FB Tommy Bahama this past weekend! YAY!

We rented a 22 Sport last year so we had a small introduction to trailering, but for all intents and purposes we are complete newbies who will need to learn everything. Starting with: what on earth do we all need to buy that it won't come with? I looked around for a shopping list type sticky in the forums but was unable to locate one. Can anyone please point me in the right direction?

Thanks so much!