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Old 09-26-2023, 12:38 PM   #1
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Factory Tour Pictures and Thoughts

FWIW (not sure where to post this), we journeyed from Minnesota to the holy land last week and went on the factory tour (9/21/23). I thought I'd post some pictures [BTW, next-to-last is the new Tradewind (the one with all the solar panels on the roof)]. The tour was impressive and worthwhile. I can't say I learned a ton, but it was fascinating seeing various stages and all the work that goes into building an Airstream. Some random thoughts and observations:
  • Looks like they are using GE A/C going forward, saw a few Dometic and Coleman but mostly GE.
  • It was very difficult to hear the tour guide even with the audio receiver and ear buds they give you, we caught maybe every third word, so maybe why I didn't learn much. I will send them some feedback. That said, he was extremely knowledgeable and candid.
  • Drooled seeing three pallets of Victron MultiPlus 3000 converters/inverters - does anyone know what model these go into? (New Tradewind is 2000).
  • Glad I never had to do factory work for a living. Building cabinets looks ok, but operating the press that bends aluminum stock for the framework looked really boring as well as bending the stuff on another machine.
  • Afterwards, we had to leave so I had to buzz through the Heritage Museum. Also worthwhile and well done. Interesting to see the progression and the wood interiors. The Class A funeral coach was a hightlight. That's how I want to exit.
  • Saw a Trump sticker prominently displayed on a tool box on the tour route. I don't like politics intruding on my tours regardless of affiliation.
  • Production he said was about 100/wk; 140/wk max.
  • Dogs are allowed in the lobby/merch area. Our Newfie was very welcome. She loves her new Airstream branded collapsible water dish (as near as I can tell). No dogs on the tour of course.
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Old 09-26-2023, 04:27 PM   #2
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The Trade Wind brochure says that it has the fully inverted 3000 W inverter/charger., i.e. the MultiPlus 3000.

Carnaval, Flying cloud, international, globetrotter, Classic and Pottery barn are all switching to 2000 from 1000 with 24 model year.
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Old 09-26-2023, 04:50 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Hall View Post
The Trade Wind brochure says that it has the fully inverted 3000 W inverter/charger., i.e. the MultiPlus 3000.

Carnaval, Flying cloud, international, globetrotter, Classic and Pottery barn are all switching to 2000 from 1000 with 24 model year.
Ah, thanks, got that wrong.
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Old 09-26-2023, 04:56 PM   #4
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And Thanks for the post. Really like the pictures. Sounds like a great adventure.
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Old 09-26-2023, 05:15 PM   #5
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Very nice pictures. Thank you for posting. We hope to make that journey also.

Seeing as the toolboxes are likely personal toolboxes I guess the stickers are their personal opinion. It's very seldom to see a craftsperson have no stickers on their toolbox.
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Old 09-27-2023, 10:17 AM   #6
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JeffKim: Very interesting photos and comments. Thank you. But didn't appreciate YOUR political comment about the Airstream employee's own first amendment right to express their opinion on their personal toolbox. American workers should be able to voice their opinions without being cancelled by others. Your perspective didn't need to be inserted into an otherwise appropriate posting.
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Old 09-27-2023, 10:24 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trowbridge View Post
Very interesting photos and comments. Thank you. But didn't appreciate YOUR political comment about the Airstream employee's own first amendment right to express their opinion on their personal toolbox. American workers should be able to voice their opinions without being cancelled by others. Your perspective didn't need to be inserted into an otherwise appropriate posting.
If each time I saw something that was offensive (from my personal perception) and were to let everyone know on this forum my offenses, there wouldn't be much room to talk about Airstreams! We all need to learn to laugh off these inconsequential forms of self expression. If I were vegan, and someone had a juicy steak on their toolbox, would I tell the world how offended I am? No! You be vegan, I'll eat my own diet. Same with politics.
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Old 09-27-2023, 11:12 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trowbridge View Post
JeffKim: Very interesting photos and comments. Thank you. But didn't appreciate YOUR political comment about the Airstream employee's own first amendment right to express their opinion on their personal toolbox. American workers should be able to voice their opinions without being cancelled by others. Your perspective didn't need to be inserted into an otherwise appropriate posting.
Yeah, I thought that comment might rile some people. The First Amendment is about the government's right to regulate free speech. In the workplace workers are subject to their employer's rules - there are no free speech rights. By all means post signs on your yard, car, dog, etc. I was saying that displaying a political sign could make some tour "guests" feel less welcome and is also tacit approval of this political statement. It's not a big deal by any means, but it still grates on me. I also think politics in the workplace makes for less than harmonious workplace, but that's another topic.
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Old 09-27-2023, 11:47 AM   #9
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I think they copied my 1959 Trade Wind...lol
I put in the 3k Victron Inverter, Tankless Water Heater (mine is Truma), 12/120v Fridge & ours is 4in taller.
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Old 09-27-2023, 12:05 PM   #10
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Great photos of the tour.
I was there during the pandemic but we were not allowed on the work floor at the time and the heritage was not open yet.

Two weeks ago we were at the Region 5 WBCCI rally. Woodland RV brought a new Tradewind trailer for everyone to see close up and gave a great presentation.
My wife did not like the color scheme of the new trailer and didn't think it was worth the money for laminated cabinets. She is old school and likes the oak cabinetry in our old 1994 trailer. I heard the same comment from another lady who was also inspecting the trailer. I guess I was just mesmerized by the shiny new aluminum!! This trailer had lithium batteries inside the trailer (empty battery case on the tongue), GE AC, 12v absorption refrigerator, solar panels, convection microwave oven and a queen bed. Salesman said the twin bed configuration won't be out until the first of the year. The trailer had Goodyear Wrangler rugged looking tires and a 3 inch lift kit. The lift kit really seems to make the trailer sit high like a box trailer. Certainly pro's and cons to this modification. I'm not sold on the refrigerator and tankless water heater. If your going to a 12v unit then they should probably have went with a Danfoss compressor model.
It was fun seeing the new unit.
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Old 09-27-2023, 01:37 PM   #11
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Sad to see this creep up on our Forum. When we toured the guide and equipment worked well. We waved to the workers they smiled and waved back. Maybe we were focused on the production and not politics. Respect and Love the hard working people at Airsteam. Just keep the forum on trailers not politics. It’s farm country America.
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Old 09-27-2023, 02:11 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffKim View Post
Yeah, I thought that comment might rile some people. The First Amendment is about the government's right to regulate free speech. In the workplace workers are subject to their employer's rules - there are no free speech rights. By all means post signs on your yard, car, dog, etc. I was saying that displaying a political sign could make some tour "guests" feel less welcome and is also tacit approval of this political statement. It's not a big deal by any means, but it still grates on me. I also think politics in the workplace makes for less than harmonious workplace, but that's another topic.
Wonder what you would think about all of the "Snap on Tool" Calanders I used to have up in my workspace. Workspace was at a Pershing Nuclear Warhead maintenance base in West Germany. I was there making sure that all Americans were assured of there freedoms. A little sticker is not much to complain about. Thanks for the report on Factory tour and Heritage Center. We have been there 2 times and loved it.
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Old 09-27-2023, 02:26 PM   #13
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We also took the factory tour 20 Sept. The guide said that during covid they had so much trouble getting parts that they decided to source out to different factories for similar parts. That is why you are seeing different AC's ie; Dometic, Coleman, and now GE. He said that they were using all three brands depending on the model Airstream produced.
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Old 09-27-2023, 04:39 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Life is a Highway View Post
Sad to see this creep up on our Forum. When we toured the guide and equipment worked well. We waved to the workers they smiled and waved back. Maybe we were focused on the production and not politics. Respect and Love the hard working people at Airsteam. Just keep the forum on trailers not politics. It’s farm country America.
Apologies, I agree, I didn't mean to make it political or step on any toes.
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Old 10-01-2023, 08:13 PM   #15
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I’m not offended by any political statements. I’m offended by people and institutions that want to squelch people’s right to have an opinion. There was a time in this country when folks could speak their views without being ostracized or cancelled and even engage in discussions or debates without being nasty or hateful. I guess those days are gone. Freedom is precious and it does come with a cost. Open minds, civility and tolerance of others beliefs seem to be disappearing.
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Old 10-01-2023, 09:09 PM   #16
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Uh-Oh! Does Airstream factory issue “Infractions” ..?
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Old 10-02-2023, 05:04 AM   #17
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Give Jeffkim a break! He wasn't trying to offend anyone. Perhaps if he just mentioned a political sticker instead of naming it would have been better. But I agree with him, it belongs away from the workplace
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Old 10-02-2023, 11:42 AM   #18
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At the risk of repeating myself, I only wanted to say that I find politics infiltrates places where I don't think it should be or where I'd like not to be reminded of it. I agree however, that it might be too much to expect at a factory in a rural area in our hyper-political age.

Anyways, do take the time to go on the tour. As an Airstream fanboy, it was a thrill. However, I'm disappointed I did not get a Victron MultiPlus as a souvenir.
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Old 10-02-2023, 12:08 PM   #19
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Yeah, I thought that comment might rile some people. The First Amendment is about the government's right to regulate free speech. In the workplace workers are subject to their employer's rules - there are no free speech rights. By all means post signs on your yard, car, dog, etc. I was saying that displaying a political sign could make some tour "guests" feel less welcome and is also tacit approval of this political statement. It's not a big deal by any means, but it still grates on me. I also think politics in the workplace makes for less than harmonious workplace, but that's another topic.
You need to get over it. It's HIS workplace......You should feel fortunate that he and his coworkers welcomed you into it. I personally wouldn't be a fan of groups of random people roaming through my workplace on a daily basis. I'm sorry that a sticker "grates" on you, but that really is a you problem. Have a great day!
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Old 10-02-2023, 06:19 PM   #20
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Personally, when visiting Jackson Center, I feel privileged to visit a "factory in a rural area"...people who know how to work, work hard, and really form the backbone of our country. Plus, they make good trailers.
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