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06-18-2010, 03:35 PM
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#21
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68Safari22
1968 22' Safari
edmond
, Oklahoma
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 12
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Zero time, the AS came to me.
We (me, wife, 2 teenage boys) were camping in a tent camper at a campground in CO. We met an elderly couple from Okla City with an AS. We became better acquainted and spent some evenings in the AS playing cards. It was always hard to go back to the tent camper since it was cold, damp, and dark.
Just by chance we met them at the same campground 2 more times in 2 more years. The second time while playing cards the gentleman announced that he was thinking of selling the AS since they were just getting too old to hitch and set up the AS. I said if you decide to sell it give me a call. A week later he called and we became the owners of a 1968 Safari 22 ft.
This was in 1988. I knew absolutely nothing about AS, but it looked great to me. Turned out it was in good shape with no major problems like floor rot.
We pulled it for several years with a 1985 Ford Crown Vic. Believe it or not the car did well and went all over CO passes. I pull it now with a 1997 F150.
Someone might say I looked for 3 years, but that is not true. I didn't even think about an AS until the gentleman said he might sell it.
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06-18-2010, 04:15 PM
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#22
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1 Rivet Member 
1986 32' Excella
St. Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 10
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We causallly looked for 4 years and seriously looked for a year (all over), and found our 86 Excella 32' when someone called a friend of theirs who lived outside of
Gainesville Florida, after reading a e-mail I sent questioning a AS for sale in La. The
owner was going to advertise soon, I drove up from St. Pete and bought the Excella
on the spot that day. "Stella" our Excella....
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06-18-2010, 04:30 PM
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#23
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4 Rivet Member 
1958 22' Flying Cloud
Saint Helena
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 254
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I thought about it for about a year, then started looking. After 12 months, found the floorplan I wanted in a 58 Flying Cloud. Lots of ads in that time, but it was the only one that I actually set eyes on and touched.
__________________
-Michael
TAC CA-12
"All things in moderation, including moderation"
- Mark Twain
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06-18-2010, 08:51 PM
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#24
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Rivet Master 
1964 17' Bambi II
1961 24' Tradewind
Strasburg
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 960
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One shops for these things??
Actually...we weren't shopping for one, unless you count that I have been shopping for one my whole life (yes...that is WHOLE life.) I grew up in Airstreams and always admired the older and smaller ones. So, the other month my wife says if I can find a vintage Bambi for $1000, I can buy it. We are driving home from the beach a few weeks later and I see an Airstream dealership with a '63 Bambi out front. The Jeep does a u-turn all by itself and I have to get out to look at it. I e-mail the owner who says, no, it is not for sale as it is their personal trailer and they tow it with their '63 T-Bird locally and use it for advertising in front of the RV dealership. Well, it worked. This one is not for sale, but he has a customer about twenty minutes away whose '64 Bambi II might still be for sale. And it is...for $1000. Two weeks later I take a trip with Dad down to see it (about an hour and a half) and he gives it his nod of approval. How can you go wrong with a '64 Bambi II Airstream even if it does need major frame repair, all appliances replaced (most likely) and cleaning of everything? It's only $1000! So now it sits in the driveway awaiting its moments of restoration. Which will take a while. This is our third camper...currently...and all of them need something. I guess sometimes the AS finds you.
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06-19-2010, 09:58 AM
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#25
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Moderator

2006 19' International CCD
Olathe
, Kansas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,224
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6 long months
My inlaws came for a visit and wanted to look at 5th wheels (Montanas) so we took them out shopping for one. I didn't see anything I'd like but I thought it be fun to move up to a small trailer from tent camping. We don't have any AS dealers in KC but while I was looking online I ran accros the Swiss Army Ed AS and was blown away! I travel half the country for my job so I did a dealer search and stoped by the Chicago dealer to look at it. Hooked! I had to have it but the $60,000 price tag woul have made me single and broke! So I looked online for months and worked on my other half (didn't fall in love with the AS like I did) so I was going crazy not finding what we wanted for a price that we could afford without financing. In January I found the perfect 19' Bambi CCD. A 2006 perfect shape all the goodies wd hitch hoses cords tow mirrors even the flatware and dishes! It was only 2600 miles rt and barley used. So the po and I worked out a great deal (I have yo thank his wife for that) and I found a very nice inspector on here so I bought it sight unseen! Picked it up in March through snow and ice and I have to say I wouldn't have it any other way! Still addicted and love every minute of towing and camping!
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06-19-2010, 11:26 AM
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#26
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3 Rivet Member 
2007 25' Classic
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 244
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I had admired them for decades, but was too busy with my career and businesses to take a close look. I retired at 53 and 7 years later things were calmed down enough to get serious about Airstreams.
I shopped for about 6 months, using the internet, THIS site and by telephoning dealers all over the country. 4 trailers were swooped out from under me and 3 deals fell apart for one reason or another.
On April Fools' Day of this year, we bought our trailer. We had found her 3 days before the purchase, placed a deposit down over the phone with a card and headed for the dealers, a 10 hour drive.
With the help of the knowledgeable and experienced good folks on this site, we have dealt with the minor bugs she came with. We are VERY happy with our Airstream.
I have only one regret..... I should have done this 10 years sooner. If I had, I would have focussed on Vintage trailers. Unfortunately, at 61, and due to health issues, I can no longer put the work into rebuilding such a beautiful work of art.... 10 years ago I could have and still had time to mow the lawns. ;>) Be that as it may... I feel like I have achieved one more dream, climbed one more mountain and found one more way to enjoy the adventure of life.
Shop 'till you drop... you will get there if you truly want to.
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06-19-2010, 11:41 AM
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#27
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4 Rivet Member 
1977 28' Argosy 28
Bullhead City
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
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About fifteen minutes . Went to the swap meet one Saturday.Saw the Argosy looked at it for a little while original interior kind of rough shape and engine not running very good. Drove away from it went about three blocks turned around and put a deposit on it.
__________________
Gypsy Jo 1977 Argosy 28' Motor Home
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06-19-2010, 12:32 PM
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#28
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3 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Indian Harbor Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 182
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Two years. We actually had a deposit on a Class A at an RV show in Tampa. Walked by our AS, fell in love, got our deposit back and put it on Belle, our Airstream baby. We kept hearing "you"ll know it when you see it"!
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06-19-2010, 12:42 PM
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#29
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1 Rivet Member 
1969 27' Overlander
Sunny Skies
, Rockies
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 17
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2 years.
I suggest you do all the research you can in the mean time as well as prepare accordingly. Make sure your towing vehicle is adequate. Then decide on the size as well as new vs. used.
Lastly and most importantly; airstream has a "sense of adventure" attached to its image and most people get the bug by romanticizing about their travels, etc.
That said, make sure you incorporate the "unplanned" or "unexpected" aspect of the adventure into your expectations. You may break down or run into issues, but this is part of it and should be embraced. You never know who you'll meet and what stories you will have to tell.
Cheers and good luck
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06-19-2010, 03:44 PM
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#30
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3 Rivet Member 
2007 19' Bambi
2005 18' Westphalia
Evans
, GA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 218
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Less than two months.
Saw a Flying Cloud at the Atlanta RV show in January. Knew we wanted an Airstream.
Discovered the early CCD line a few days later on line and knew it was the style we wanted.
Spent a month checking the internet and making calls.
Realized the unit listed in our state was the best price and the best unit for us.
Drove 150 miles and picked it up.
We take it out monthly and absolutely love it!
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06-19-2010, 04:18 PM
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#31
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3 Rivet Member 
1999 23' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 231
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On the fence for years! Then one day a single sentence Craigslist ad peaked my interest. No picture just a phone number. When I called it was a dealer trying to move a used unit so the owner could buy a new one. Both dealer and owner where in a hurry! I got a great deal!
__________________
Charlie M
TAC TX-6
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06-19-2010, 07:36 PM
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#32
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4 Rivet Member 
1956 16' Bubble
Dallas
, Oregon
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 364
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1 year--i started out thinking about building a teardrop--then buying a canned ham, then buidling a canned ham, then getting a stripped out airstream to rebuild. this is where i ended up! take your time--you don't want a lemon or a rednecked facelift version. the more you look the more you learn. both on price and what model you want. but when you know what you want--have cash in hand and beat all of the out of state shoppers who really can't view it easily. I was lucky to find my 1956 bubble 70 miles from home! once i calculated the 3 grand extra it would cost to travel out of state and trailer back a cool 1948 wee wind that wasn't roadworthy--i jump on the local find. and consider this--a somewhat completed or original trailer that cost 10,000 grand that's ugly and problamatic as anything inside is not a better purchase than a good shell that you can rebuild to suite your tastes and level of perfection.
The best trailer for you is the best one you can afford, in the best condition you can afford, and in a current condition that you can complete on your own or live with as is. It's only money but debt will kill you in the end. only buy what you can afford--but the more you look the better shopper you are. cheers--ted
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06-19-2010, 07:40 PM
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#33
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4 Rivet Member 
1956 16' Bubble
Dallas
, Oregon
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 364
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ps--be sure to use craiglook.com as well. it's an amazing tool that lets you search the entire United States in one click--or state by state. i was always searching for an engine like that. now you will have another site to waste even more of your time away as you do on airformus.com!! cheers--ted
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06-21-2010, 11:39 AM
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#34
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1 Rivet Member 
2010 25' FB International CCD
Leesburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
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About six months
After walking through some new Airstreams at an RV show last Fall, we were hooked. Trouble was, we had just traded a 32' Class A Winnebago in for a 24' Class C Fleetwood Sprinter chassis. So we held off and kept towing a Subaru behind the Sprinter until this summer when we decided that we really wanted an Airstream.
Only one dealer near enough to us in Virginia, and they only had a couple on the lot. We ended up driving 240 miles to New Jersey to check out Colonial Airstream in Lakewood. Wow! They had about 80 units neatly lined up and ready for inspection. We ended up putting a deposit on a new 25' International Serenity. Plan to pick it up next month. I recommend Colonial if you are looking for a new unit. Ask for Patrick or his wife Lauren. They have a hard time keeping used ones around.
We had to go out and get our tow vehicle - a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. That should do a nice job with the Serenity. We can't wait to pick it up. Already have a two week trip planned for Yellowstone/Grand Tetons in September.
__________________
2010 25' International Serenity
2010 Toyota Sequoia
WBCCI 2515, TAC VA-9
Leesburg, VA
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02-06-2012, 07:30 PM
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#35
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2 Rivet Member 
1963 19' Globetrotter
1953 21' Flying Cloud
Bolinas
, California
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 23
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about 3 days. I met my wife at burning man, married her 6 days later and moved to Washington state to be with her. as I was getting to know my wife I found out she had a bream of an airstream. As it so happened I also harbored similar feelings. We looked on CL and found our very own '63 Globetrotter. So we can say that we met, married, and bought our first house with in a month. I'm not an impulsive person in my life, it's just that some times things feel right and you go for them. Now back to the complete referb.
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02-06-2012, 08:16 PM
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#36
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Rivet Master 
1954 25' Cruiser
Currently Looking...
Cruisin
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 698
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About 15 minutes, 3 years ago and hopefully we will camp in it for the first time this spring. Came in for lunch and like always looked at craigslist for interesting campers and saw our 54 cruiser, if only I would have known what a project it would be!
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02-06-2012, 09:30 PM
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#37
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3 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Connellsville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 152
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We've been looking for just shy of a year now with no luck finding just the right used one. Went to the dealer and looked at a few new ones this weekend. Man are they tempting.
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02-07-2012, 11:52 AM
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#38
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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For my Airstream Interstate class B, about a month. I already knew I wanted a Sprinter-based class B, and had already looked at Roadtrek Adventurous and Winnebago Era. When I saw the Airstream Interstate, I did an analysis of quality vs. price to see if the extra quality of an Interstate was worth the extra cost. As soon as I decided that, yes, it was, I started negotiations.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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02-07-2012, 12:04 PM
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#39
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Rivet Master 
1979 31' Sovereign
Milford
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
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My wife (girlfriend at the time) and I looked at various RVs over a course of several years, and knew we wanted a higher end travel trailer or fifth wheel. Once we had the money, tow vehicle, and a place to store it, we began the actual shopping, which took only a few weeks.
During those few weeks we looked at a couple used white box trailers on dealer's lots but nothing really grabbed us. Then one day she brought home an RV trader magazine, this was pre-internet times, and mentioned there was an Airstream in it.
It was located several hours away, owned by a couple that had used it as a guest house for the fast few years. Well, you know how the story ends up, now it is ours. Best $7,000 I ever spent.
Christopher
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02-07-2012, 12:48 PM
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#40
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Rivet Master 
2008 19' Safari SE
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 950
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Less than a month. I knew I didn't have the skills to fix up an old one and couldn't afford a new one. I drilled down to the things the trailer HAD to have and resigned myself to a long search. Everyone said that if I found the exact one, leap on it, but don't worry if it gets away from you, there'll always be another. Was also starting to squirrel away funds for a TV as well, since the only vehicle I own is a VW Jetta TDI.
Then I ran across the CanAm website, realized I could tow with the Jetta, AND they had the exact trailer I wanted with all but one of the required bits. So I leapt.
We're on our way back from Canada with the Bambino in tow as I write -- well, we're having lunch in Hays KS at the moment. The rig is doing great! Pretty windy out right now, so we stopped to give my arms a rest.
So my advice is to know what you're looking for, and be ready to leap if the perfect AS suddenly shows up, but don't worry if you miss, because it'll all come together if you're staying open to all the possibilities and actively looking.
__________________
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." - Catherine Aird
Blog: 300 Miles or 3:00
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