Fans of the Airstream Basecamp

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First designed in 2005 by Bryan Thompson and Steve Moneypenny of Nissan Design America in San Diego, who "envisioned a travel trailer that was a springboard for outdoors adventures rather than a living room on wheels," this multi-purpose hybrid tent-trailer, Airstream Basecamp, debuted in mid-2006 as the U.S. economy looked strong. But Airstream was unable to attract buyers and it was discontinued in 2009 during the depth of the Great Recession.

Bolstered by the improving U.S. economy and increasing consumer confidence, Airstream is now growing and coming out with new models such as the greatly improved 2017 Airstream Basecamp.

This thread is for anyone with any interest in the Airstream Basecamp, from it inception to its current state and beyond. All are invited to comment and contribute, hopefully in a helpful, friendly and courteous manner.

Introducing the new Basecamp

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See Colonial Airstream's Patrick Botticelli give a detailed walk through tour of the 2017 Airstream Basecamp:

Walk Through 2017 Airstream Basecamp

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Patrick says this new Basecamp is made with a buck riveted aluminum structure (like a regular Airstream trailer), not the fiberglass with aluminum plating of the original Basecamp. Airstream produced Basecamp models for the years of 2007, 2008, and 2009.

See Patrick give a walk through of his 2007 Basecamp (the 9th one made!):

Walk Through 2007 Airstream Basecamp

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The original Basecamp had large clamshell rear doors that provided access for loading in a motorcycle, quad, or bike.

See Patrick come in out of a cold, snowy New Jersey night with his mountain bike and light a Mr. Buddy Heater and proceed to cook a meal:

Cooking in an Airstream Basecamp Trailer

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This is what it's like in Patrick's Basecamp when he is towing:

Inside 2007 Airstream Basecamp being towed

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2017 Airstream Basecamp in the news:

"Airstream's new Basecamp is a tiny house you can tow practically anywhere"

"Airstream compacts its sleek aluminum construction into Basecamp trailer (again)"

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Dreaming... wondering... the Basecamp has come a long way from its beginnings...

2017 Airstream Basecamp

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The video walk through below discusses the size of kayaks that can be hauled with the 2017 Airstream Basecamp and shows the setup of the side and rear tents:

2017 Basecamp Walk Through with Tent Setup

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2017 Airstream Basecamp Slideshow

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According to "The Shape of Things Past," article in the Fall 2005 issue of Airstream Life, page 16, "Airstream called on Nissan Design America to translate a dusty old photo of a 1930s [Airstream] Torpedo into something 20- and 30- something buyers would love." The result was the design of the first Airstream Basecamp.

The article shows a photo of Dr. Norman Holman, Sr., next to his 1935 Airstream Torpedo that he built from a set of Wally Byam's $5.00 plans.

His son, Norman W. Holman Jr., MD PhD, inherited this Torpedo and shows it in the video below:

Oldest Airstream Trailer in the World

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Airstream Basecamp made its first appearance in 2006, as seen in Airstream Life's Tour of America blog post, "Base Camp!," March 10, 2006.

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"The Ultimate Freedom: Airstream Debuts Basecamp," sponsored content seen on nationalgeographic.com.

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Go to the source: Airstream, Inc.'s Basecamp webpage to see Overview - Design - Features - Floor Plan - and get the Brochure.

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2017 Airstream Basecamp's rear and side tents and visor made by Paha Que (seen and announced on Paha Que on Facebook).

Additional photos of tents attached to the Airstream Basecamp seen here.

(http://www.airforums.com/forums/f404...ml#post1856156)

[Rocinante]

Love the tents for Basecamp, so cool. Every time I walk by and see an RPod with the tent attachment set up, I just love it. This seems even better. Can't wait to see one at my local dealership so I can oogle it.

[bolerama]

Thanks for starting this thread and adding all the historical links. Lisa

[rmatkovich]

I think the Basecamp is not for campers, it is to hule things to the beach or bike trails if U watch the video. Y would I pay that much cash for that ????? what ever it is because it is so small why not get a bamby.

[Rocinante]

Beg to differ - it's a response to trailers like the R-Pod. Small, nimble, cool, and a lot of fun for camping. Expensive perhaps, but it's an Airstream. Definitely comes off as better for roughing it off the beaten path and bringing your outdoor gear along for the ride than a Bambi, which also has no option for attached tents.

[SilverGate]

As mentioned in post #1 here, the original Airstream Basecamp built in 2006 was a collaborative effort of Airstream and Nissan Design America (NDA).

Nissan Designer Bryan Thompson explains that Airstream wanted to create a trailer that would appeal to a younger market that was not buying their larger trailers.

"So we came up with this idea, let's infuse some of the [Nissan] Xterra DNA into some of the classic heritage icons of Airstream."

Bryan Thompson on Airstream Basecamp Project

[SilverGate]

Nissan & Airstream