What Airstream Design Improvements are Needed?

[Air83]

Bring back from the 80's:
Double pane windows & fiber optic tail light monitor system
Add:
1 key works all outside storage & tank fill doors, 1 key for the door (2 keys per trailer)
Sliding door instead of folding curtain (so I can lock my dog out)
upgrade shower head
off switch for batteries & converter
waterproof synthetic floor
all trailers 50 amp
build frame so generator can ride on back bumper or extend front frame to fit generator
put all roof excursions inline close to each other so solar can easily be installed
Prewire for solar (12 gauge)
cut off switch for batteries and converter
better tank drain valves and cooper tubing
put roll out drawers in kitchen & bedroom
murphy beds on twins
washer/ dryer option
Better converter/inverter system

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Toasterlife

I agree. The solution is to install a furnace with higher efficiency and reduce the heat loss by insulating the windows, vents and sky lights.

Dan

As a heat source option, I could envision a separate water heater and some Pex ran throughout the floor to provide some radiant heat. Put together the right way, it could be pretty efficient.

[bbandeddie]

Replace the water heater and furnace with all-in-one Truma combi. Those things are the bomb- efficient, fast and quiet. Of course take the extra 30minutes to duct with straight pipe instead of flex or just go radiant.
+1 on double glazed windows - the windows on Cirrus truck campers are fabulous.
Double glazed vent fan covers should be a no-brainer.
Froli mattess suspension system.

[J. Morgan]

Sell a model without any of the fancy integrated stuff that is hard to keep working. Maybe even sell a shell that customizers could fit an entire interior and the associated systems.

[GM Airstream]

Replace the water heater and furnace with all-in-one Truma combi. Those things are the bomb- efficient, fast and quiet. Of course take the extra 30minutes to duct with straight pipe instead of flex or just go radiant.

wow... some serious thinking here that has come back around... At one time they did the heater/waterheater thing... but it was so expensive when one of the items went out... to replace the whole unit...

Another one was the oven/ heater combo... that didn't make it either... So they have been tried...

Now AS is trying the pex tubing radiant heat idea... using the water heater... and a pump... as to economic benifts... ahhhh ok...


Now what AS needs to do is go modular.. i.e they make the basic frame and floor.. then the buyer has a program similar to what sportsmobile did.. they allow the buyer to place the items where they want them... of course they can have the rights to the design after.. so if someone else gets the layout plans... they can dup them without being limited to the orginal persons plan...

Now if you don't want the dinnet... you can opt for a easy chair... etc... Its just that everything needs to fit... and that they meet the housing code .. i.e you need a bathroom with a toilet... kinda thing...

But, it would allow buyers to design their own... by picking from the list of modules and putting them where they want... to their specs...

Its just you can't fit 34 ft of goods inside a 29 ft trailer... kinda thing... so it has limits to what you can and can't have... so to speak..

[xrvr]

Originally Posted by j. Morgan

sell a model without any of the fancy integrated stuff that is hard to keep working. Maybe even sell a shell that customizers could fit an entire interior and the associated systems.

yes!!!!!!!

[tbashin]

Insulate it like Avion used to do with foam. NEVER use plastic for anything.

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by tbashin

Insulate it like Avion used to do with foam. NEVER use plastic for anything.

I would be curious if the AS frame, as is, would allow the use of spray-on foam insulation? With frame/shell flex, I wonder if the rigid foam would get turned to dust? Other than that, the insulation would be fantastic!

[Paprika]

"I would like to see double glazed glass in the windows. It’s quieter and prevents condensate."

Until the seal fails a few years down the road... then you get condensation between the panes, resulting in permanently fogged windows that cost a bundle to repair (if you're lucky) or replace.

I'm not saying double-pane windows are necessarily a bad idea--just that they are by no means trouble-free.

[Roadtech]

I agree.

[Steamy1]

How about more thoughtful design features, such as not having the bathroom door swing open to hit the drawer handle and damage the finish on the door?

This is the existing condition on the 23FB with the rear baths.

[Cyclist]

Design the trailer to maximize maintenance accessibility as much as possible. Access to the water pump in the 28 (under the refrigerator) is a real pain when winterizing.

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by Paprika

"I would like to see double glazed glass in the windows. It’s quieter and prevents condensate."

Until the seal fails a few years down the road... then you get condensation between the panes, resulting in permanently fogged windows that cost a bundle to repair (if you're lucky) or replace.

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

I liked the crank out windows on the 22 sport

We have Hehr crank-out windows in our 2002 19' Bambi and have made the non-moving parts double pane. A secret is to avoid fully sealing the space between the panes. You get the insulation benefits of double panes and the occasional condensation dries out (without a trace) quickly.

Tim

[gypsydad]

Posted this before on other threads....nice if they offered these in the attached as Factory options....

[wbrisett]

Originally Posted by pt.reyesfan

Switch for 100% battery “cut-off.”

Amen! I have installed cutoff switches to do this, but it sure would be nice if they allowed you to totally kill the power.

[Spinonedad]

Eliminate or replace with a better design
The stupid little rubber end pieces that continue to fall off the threshold entry way on the floor,,,

[mikulski603]

After having spent over $100,000 on a lounger and in 3 months, have had to repair the automatic shades. twice. Although it is cool to press a button and get the WOW response, it is less than cool to have them get stuck half way. Either fix it with no charge, or replace them with pull downs. If I want Walmart quality, I will buy a Winnebago for $40,000 less and buy my own after market.

[Morse]

Originally Posted by wbrisett

Amen! I have installed cutoff switches to do this, but it sure would be nice if they allowed you to totally kill the power.

I have a factory fitted battery Kill switch in my '88 Excella.

[Smittyfan]

A TOY HAULER still in production

[Streamer1492]

First require anyone who wants to design any improvements to spend at least two weeks living and driving a current Airstream and at least one week dry camping! Then hopefully they would make some beneficial improvements. Second why are tv’s mounted so low, first thing I do is raise the TV and why do they have a cabinet above the walking space in bedroom on 23 and 25 FB’s. Third add a generator option and last MSRP is ridiculous.