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joshua32064 · 01-20-2004, 05:57 PM

Question.

I know that we all love our Airstream's, but I am curious to find out from the other members of this chat forum what you think of other travel trailers that are on the market.

In your opinion, is there one travel trailer brand out there that really stands out?

wahoonc · 01-20-2004, 06:09 PM

We had come down to either a Sunline or Nash. Leaning towards the Sunline. For what they are they are well built and have a good warranty record. When the chance came to buy a vintage Airstream all bets were off

I have always liked Airstreams...for over 35 years

Now I have one...still like them, in fact I found another one for sale the other day but my wife won't let me have my allowance

Probably a good thing.

I work with metal for a living and consider the Airstream a work of art that just happens to be the best built travel trailer in the world. Does it have it's problems...yes but how many 29 year old SOB's do you see still being used regularly.

Aaron

overlander63 · 01-20-2004, 06:26 PM

Joshua, if we hadn't gotten our Argosy, we prbably would have gotten one of those fiberglass trailers. Knowing what I do about nails in wood working loose, I really didn't want another "wobbly box".
Terry

InsideOut · 01-20-2004, 06:43 PM

We'd still be using our tent ~

Shari

skip · 01-20-2004, 07:01 PM

How about an oxen team & aluminium covered wagon.........polished of course.

rluhr · 01-20-2004, 07:16 PM

Before Airstream, I was interested in Casita, a fiberglass trailer. The body is a bit more streamlined, less susceptible to rust and early failure than the typical SOBs, and they are lightweight.

But I could never get past the interiors ... hideous IMHO ... even though the Casita folks seem to like them. Ultimately I discovered the vintage Airstreams and got a lot more (karma, nostalgia, features, space, insulation) for about one-third the price of a new Casita. Even with all that, I still have a soft spot for the Casita, and would re-consider them if they could update their interiors (and my Caravel spontaneously exploded!

)

-- RL

Forrest · 01-20-2004, 07:50 PM

Award travel trailers, made in Canada, would likely be on the top of the list after Airstream. However, we just saw a line of Grand Surveyor models by Forrest River at the RV show and we were quite impressed with them. They have fiberglass panel exteriors with aluminum framing, R-7 insulation in the walls, and R-11 insulation in the roof, independent rubber torsion axles similiar to the Henchen axle used by Airstream, a totally enclosed & insulated under chassis utilizing removable aluminum panels, a 12 year warranty on the roof (rubber), 5 year on the axle, 2 year on the outer skin, etc. All that and their 28 foot with slide out weighs only 4834#'s with a load capacity of 1500#'s and hitch weight of 520#'s. Pretty impressive numbers for a trailer that costs less than $23,000 including all options.

BUT that square box still leaves me cold. And as good as the warranty is - possibly better than Airstream's - will not make the fiberglass skin last as long as the aluminum skin on an Airstream. I would be afraid that if I sold my Airstream to buy a flat sided trailer, no matter how good that SOB might be, I would always regret the move.

overlander64 · 01-20-2004, 08:13 PM

After my experiences with two earlier box-type RVS, a Sunway and then a Nomad, I really didn't seriously consider anything other than an Airstream or Argsoy - - didn't consider new as I couldn't afford to buy a new Airstream at that time.

If my search for an Airstream or Argosy hadn't been successful, I probably would have seriously considered the top-of-the-line model manufactured by Jayco in the 24'-27' range. The main reason for considering that particular brand was the reputation of my hometown dealer who has been in business for 30 plus years.

Kevin

Rog0525 · 01-20-2004, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by joshua32064
Question.

I know that we all love our Airstream's, but I am curious to find out from the other members of this chat forum what you think of other travel trailers that are on the market.

In your opinion, is there one travel trailer brand out there that really stands out?

No.

joshua32064 · 01-20-2004, 08:45 PM

For the record, the reason I am asking this question, is because I am merely curious.

I have a few friends that always ask me how other units compare, and I always tell them that the Airstream is a superior product.

The one thing that I can't argue with them about, is that you get a lot more space for usually half or a third the price. The only way I do combat that, is by telling them that they will have to buy three of those, before I need to purchase another trailer.

rluhr · 01-20-2004, 08:48 PM

I was sitting in a 16' CCD at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa last weekend, with four other people. We had a conversation for over an hour. Periodically someone would stick their head in, and we'd heartily invite them in.

They'd come in, look around, look at the sticker, and say, "Oh, $35,000 for something so small!" And then they'd head off to buy a 28-foot SOB at half the price.

Many people buy by the foot, thinking it equates to a good value. Such people will have to learn the hard way.

-- RL

RivetED · 01-20-2004, 08:57 PM

I'm perplexed. Why didn't any of the nine respondents who "bought A/S instead, NOT buy NEW...all, ALL, were vintage owners.!??????? Am I not supposed to be buying a new A/S?????

joshua32064 · 01-20-2004, 08:59 PM

Mine is new and I do NOT regret my purchase at all. I have had my unit for a short amount of time and have had a wonderful time taking it out each time.

RivetED · 01-20-2004, 09:05 PM

Thanks, But you started the thread and everyone else had vintage units. We are about to buy either a 2004-25'-Safari or Classic after a long (> 1yr.) search. I was reading the thread with interest but taken aback that you were the only newbee! This is a big decision for us and hope I'm not stepping into a lose/lose situation....Maybe that's too strong, but I'm trying to feel comfortable about our purchase.

wahoonc · 01-20-2004, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ed & Debbie
I'm perplexed. Why didn't any of the nine respondents who "bought A/S instead, NOT buy NEW...all, ALL, were vintage owners.!??????? Am I not supposed to be buying a new A/S?????

Ed& Debbie,
I can't afford an new Airstream! the only way I can own was by buying vintage. I can take anything apart...and usually get it back together again. A new 31' AS runs around $65,000 or so. The vintage unit I bougth cost less than $4000 and if I put another $3000 in it I will be suprised. Plus it has some advantages over the newer units...read it can be polished

and if I decide I don't like it I can probably get my money back easily without taking the depreciation hit. If I am lucky it may actually apprecitate in value.

Another item that comes to mind...60% of all AS manufactured are still in use. I guess you could call it a form of recyling

Aaron

Tin Hut · 01-20-2004, 09:12 PM

Ed & Debbie.

Can't go wrong buying a new unit. Nothing wrong with them for sure. Probably just the difference between buying a used car (albeit a classic with style) and a new one. Although the vintage ones are holding value and some even nosing up, it's still generally cheaper buying used and fixing it up. Nice thing about the AS is that when you fix up a vintage you've got that "cool factor" built in. THere's times I wish I had a new one as my fix it list gets longer.

joshua32064 · 01-20-2004, 09:14 PM

Ed & Debbie,

I think that I can confidentially tell you that buying a new Airstream would definitely not be a lose / lose situation for you or anyone.

I am extremely pleased with my new unit and I can't wait to take more trips.

Josh

Rog0525 · 01-20-2004, 09:15 PM

Thank goodness there are NEW Airstream buyers. They make it possible for folks like me who want the best quality in an RV but at an affordable price. That is why I only buy vintage AS's.
I dare say that the quality built into my 33 year old trailer holds it head above the new box trailers and I'll bet my bottom dollar that it will still be in service when most of the 04 SOB's have been resigned to the junkyard.

Rog

j54mark · 01-20-2004, 09:21 PM

This forum is heavily populated by owners of vintage units simply because we need each other. Those who buy new have their warrenties and their dealers. The rest of us have no warrenty, and frequently no dealer within any reasonable distance.

This is starting to change as more and more prospective new buyers are using this site as research tool. And as they find this to be a good place to get the maximum use and enjoyment out of their new purchase. Quite rightly so.

For myself, there was really no other choice once I investiged the issue. I knew that whatever I bought would have to submit to some serious customization, and the idea of buying something new to take it apart never seemed rational. I needed a good basic design to work with. I needed something that would hold its value within reason. I wanted something with good towing qualities. Quickly the only question became WHICH Airstream.

Mark

**jcanavera** · 01-20-2004, 09:34 PM

I always thought that my Hi-Lo was pretty unique and was built like a tank. Steel frame foam-cor walls Aluminum bonded exterior walls. Lifting system engineered to lift 10 times the weight of the top section, Henschen axles. Probably the quietest trailer I ever owned and the only travel trailer which tows better than an Airstream. I kept it 14 years, bought it in 1982 for $8,100 sold it for $5,500.

Jack