Why Buy?

[the_carmv]

It seems that there is a certain personality type that buys Airstreams. I am curious why you all made the choice to buy one – was it because of the product appeal, or something more emotional. I have always loved them and am interested in your thoughts.

[Bob Thompson]

For me, it was the durability of the shell, the ability to achieve light weight, the ease of towing, and the availablility of parts. Other than those considerations, most RV's use the same or similar parts from the same suppliers.

[Fyrzowt]

For me it was the value over the long haul. I have owned and used several SOB (some other brand) trailers and a pick-up camper, all were pre-owned. All seemed to begin to fall apart within a somewhat predictable 10 - 15 year age time frame. My last trailer was one that we liked in terms of layout and useability, but the wood frame walls began to dry rot and I was having increased problems keeping it all together and sold it.

In looking at the market at the time, I saw an occasional A/S for sale and finally looked at one. It was more money than the market we had been looking in, but after continuing to look at trailers, I kept going back and looking at A/S for longevity.

While A/S does have it's issues, as any product made , I felt like this was a trailer that I could own for the rest of my life if I maintained it properly. As I looked at value of SOB vs A/S, my feeling is over time A/S will prove to be the better value.

I am on my second A/S, (the first was totalled by a truck) and have been pleased with both. Both were pre-owned, for my situation used makes the most financial sense to me.

I can't see me ever owning another SOB.

Dave

[BillTex]

Quality of construction.
Owning (another) American legend.
Cool factor.
Ease of towing.

[Mel]

Because I didn't want a trailer that looked like every other white box out there.

[Condoluminum]

You might search threads in related forums about why Airstreams, but the reasons you mentioned are a combination.. We owned a similar size Brand X, took excellent care of it (parked at house on slab, windows covered, batteries maintained, etc) and still feel lucky to have gotten 13 years' use out of it... It is worth the effort to look on used market for used travel trailers of other brands older than 20 years... Other than Airstream and Argosy, you'd be lucky to find more than a handful of restored collector models... We bought used model, and ours is appreciating, not depreciating..

For us it was:

1. Construction and durability (frame/running gear/wood cabinetry/windows)
2. Weight and towability (light plus less wind resistance plus CG)
3. Community of owners and activities available..
4. The sense of owning modern equivalent of private rail car.. Coolness...

John

[doorgunner]

I had 2 other SOB before my AS. The AS pulls quite nice even in moderate cross winds. What I like the most is the curved walls and ceiling. That gives me a peaceful feeling. And as far as personality types- you need to attend a forum rally- Many different types of personalities with the common thread being enjoyment of their AS. Pride in ownership, work in progress need a project or whatever the AS community is FIRST CLASS folks. Tim

[JD Dawson]

my first rv experience was a tradewinds...should have never let it go...next was a 30' dutchman tt...junk!!!next was a 29' komfort mh...more junk!!!next was a older 23' prowler tt...well built, heavy built, but too old & too far gone to revive...presently '06 23' rockwood...best bang for the buck, but estimate useful road life of maybe 5 years...buying another AS will hopefully close the circle on a well educated experience.

[ArtStream]

They make better art subjects than boxes.

They also have an intrinsic esthetic beauty which appeals to my artistic side and a longevity which appeals to my practial side.



Michael

[azflycaster]

If you want a 30 year old trailer, what else is still on the road?

[klattu]

Its emotional...
If you have to ask, you would not understand.

[63air]

I like high quality things with classic style that last a long time. That pretty much means it had to be an Airstream for me when I gave up the tent. The main thing is its just pure freedom when you head down the road. Also you get to meet a lot of interesting people especially if you own a vintage trailer, can't tell you how many times the guys in the million dollar buses have asked to take a look at our 63.

[Aria]

If you own an Airstream...you are special. I am with artlink. I have an artistic and a frugal side. They are DIFFERENT and UNIQUE. And the people you meet are a part of the Airstream Choice ...different, unique, special,artistic. People who know quality, and enjoy the good life.

[ljmiii]

1 - AS is beautiful and functional.
2 - SOB (other than T@B) are almost uniformly ugly...but 2 kids meant no T@B
3 - 16' bambi sleeps four better than most anything we saw out there.

[Foiled Again]

Even the supreme court couldn't adequately define it, but finally admitted "You know it when you see it".

There is something organic and soothing about the curved walls. Every time I leave my A/S home and travel to a convention, etc., sans trailer I am reminded of how unnatural boxy hotel rooms feel.

Less is more, and the minimilist feeling of the CCD and Safari Special editions appeals to me. Maybe I'm like a bird... I like shiny.

Durability... Yep. Towability... Yep. People ooh and ahh... Yep it happens. Nice people on forums and at meetings, DEFINITELY. Able to turn off the lightswitch with my toe from the bed....priceless.

I've only towed ONE SOB trailer for less than 100 miles, as a favor for a friend. Man, that would have been a great cure for constipation! Sure scared me "witless"!

Paula Ford

[Goin camping]

1, Value.
2, Style.
3, Durability.

But the real reason is that since I was a kid I always thought they looked cool.

[AlbertF]

Fryzowt explained the value reasons very well. Buy quality at a fair price, keep it for a long time, and you end up spending a lot less and enjoying the item a lot more. Goes for practically anything - cars, clothes, furniture, whatever. How new you buy depends on how much money you have now.

The other reasons are towability (balance and aerodynamics) and style. Nothing else compares. There is no tactful way to put it; SOBs are simply tacky with their silly graphics. They would look better as plain white boxes. That's my opinion, anyway. (I have also met people who think Airstreams are ugly.)

[dbradhstream]

... hmmm ... Why get married???

[juel]

They keep going and going and going. I know there is nothing short of a horrible accident that could not be fixed on this trailer. I'm pulling a trailer that was made in 1978, and folks have no idea it is that old. Of course since it's an Argosy, folks have no idea what it is either. And it's soooooo cute too.

[ben4981]

that's the kind my Dad Left me and it's just cool. I just wish I coild tow it with our corvette