New Airstream Model

[wheel interested]

I just got back from several days and tours at Jackson Center and I saw one of the new economy Airstreams on the line at Jackson Center. I believe these will be 20% less expensive and 20% lighter in weight. It is called the Sport. It is narrower than the Bambis and other narrow body units, approximately 92" wide. The floorplan reminded me of a thin version of the hardsided interior of the hybred trailers with the canvas bunks that fold out. As you enter the unit to your left is the wall for the bathroom. There is a half round shower the size of a standup tanning bed the toilet and sink. On the right is a lounge with thin cusions, opposite is the galley with a long counter, beneath is a microwave. The round sink cover flips up and exposes a collapsable faucet and another round cover exposes a burner. The overhead cabinets appear as shiny aluminum and roll-up to open, similar to roll-top desks or tambour (?) doors of the vintage trailers. Passing through the middle section to the front is a very long dinette, possibly seating 3-4 on each side. There is one large window over the galley, one at the front, and I think there was one on the lounge side and in the bathroom. The gas bottle cover was a white plastic Campco cover.

Here is a really really bad sketch but will give you an idea.

[firedog]

Good Grief, what are they thinking of at Thor?

Originally Posted by wheel interested

I just got back from several days and tours at Jackson Center and I saw one of the new economy Airstreams on the line at Jackson Center. I believe these will be 20% less expensive and 20% lighter in weight. It is called the Sport. It is narrower than the Bambis and other narrow body units, approximately 92" wide. The floorplan reminded me of a thin version of the hardsided interior of the hybred trailers with the canvas bunks that fold out. As you enter the unit to your left is the wall for the bathroom. There is a half round shower the size of a standup tanning bed the toilet and sink. On the right is a lounge with thin cusions, opposite is the galley with a long counter, beneath is a microwave. The round sink cover flips up and exposes a collapsable faucet and another round cover exposes a burner. The overhead cabinets appear as shiny aluminum and roll-up to open, similar to roll-top desks or tambour (?) doors of the vintage trailers. Passing through the middle section to the front is a very long dinette, possibly seating 3-4 on each side. There is one large window over the galley, one at the front, and I think there was one on the lounge side and in the bathroom. The gas bottle cover was a white plastic Campco cover.

Here is a really really bad sketch but will give you an idea.

[overlander64]

It almost looks like they may have been borrowing rather heavily from the Argosy 22 circa 1976. The rear entry floorplan is quite similar with the exception of how the dinette is handled. The scan from the brochure page showing the Argosy 22 is below:




Kevin

[bobkelly]

Carol----Thanks for the report on a new model. What would you estimate as the overall length?? Any other observations?? Guess you were having your unit serviced. Were you pleased with the work?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by firedog

Good Grief, what are they thinking of at Thor?

Probably lower cost and lighter weight means more people will buy which means increased bottom line for Thor. Face it Today's Airstreams are pigs when it comes to overall weight (no worse than anybody else tho). My 1975 31' weighs just under 6k ready to roll, the current version weighs close to 2k more. A lot of people are looking for vintage short units because they can be towed with a small SUV. The smallest of the current crop weighs in at around 3000#, and can be run up over 4k very quickly. I will be interested to see where the new one falls in terms of weight and price.

Aaron

[wheel interested]

Originally Posted by bobkelly

Carol----Thanks for the report on a new model. What would you estimate as the overall length?? Any other observations?? Guess you were having your unit serviced. Were you pleased with the work?

Hi Bob, it was at the very end of the tour and we had already spent 2 hours inside and able to see more since the factory was shut-down all week for a slow period, but we had to get going at that point. I am going to guess it was about 20'. Perhaps the dinette was not extra long but appeared so to me since it was probably a much narrower table. The walkway felt narrow compared to the wide bodies. The wall covering was a light grey heather which goes well with aluminum. The rounded shower is nice and the fold-away sink and cabinets are cool. The single windows (one each side) were large. The floorplan does look like Kevin's posted rear door Argosy unit in the cutaway diagrams and for a photograph it reminds me a little of Thor's Tow-Lite here. Hi-Lo Trailers The base camp was last on the line and the Sport had more of a camper feel while the BaseCamp felt very rough and utilitarian like the inside of a cargo plane might feel like with a couple of fold down cots. There also was one of the European Airstreams though early in the line and had no interior yet. The galvanized frame looked very very nice.

The advantage of going to the factory for service is the large pool of technicians and parts available and the convenience of the terraport. They work hard and have pride in their workmanship and often go beyond with extra care, service and parts with a generous and congenial attitude, including Amy and Jean, at the front desk who warmly greet every person and pet and handle a myriad of duties and take stellar care of everyone. The process of procuring authorization and negotiation can be frustrating and tedious however and in that eventuality it might be preferable to be working through your own dealer.

[lilmouse]

Hi all,
Carol, that was very nice of you to post something here about the airstreams.
Despite some people wondering what the designers were thinking when A/S decided to put this trailer in production, I think it's great. Yeah!!!
I know for a fact my husband and I would be looking at this model. Affordable, a little lighter, and still in the Airstream family. How cool is that?!?

[3Ms75Argosy]

so was it sort of CCD like with some aluminum inside? Or were the cabinets "wood."

I'm VERY excited.... was the outside aluminum and rounded? Pics?

Dimentions sound like those of the EU AS's.... did you notice if the wheels were more in the middle for very light tongue weight too?
Marc

[wheel interested]

At the time I wasn't thinking about gathering up the information and wish I had taken the tour again to look more closely. I didn't notice where the wheel was but I'm going to guess the wheel was in the middlish. It had the cloth interior but a nice grayish/white heather that accented the aluminum. I think the quality of the interior aluminum on the special editions which is better than what they will cover up would have driven up the price.

It looks just like a regular Airstream all shiny round and purty, (except for that white plastic gas tank cover.) I believe the large window had black gaskets and is not an awning type as in the SE/CCD/Classics. Sorry I can't remember more in how it opened.

I didn't notice the lower cabinets wood. There would be the microwave (combo oven?-not sure)and the lower fridge would have aluminum look on the front panel I am thinking. My eyes were drawn to the overhead with the cool shiny aluminum slats of the roll fronts. I thought done up in vintage fabrics and accessories it would be very cool!

They don't allow cameras in the factory anymore but if anyone is going to JC the cmputer desk has some trim that looks just like those cabinets and someone could post a picture of that. It looks like strips of about half inch or narrower with the space in between looking black. It has the appearance of dull mirror surface.

I can't wait for someone to post a dealer's classified on it. I wonder if that will have to be after the RV show in Vegas. ???

Lilmouse I think it's a great way to get more and younger people into Airstreaming. Many may continue to be Airstream customers with their future needs. Or perhaps the gas prices will cause many to get smaller vehicles with more mpg and this lightweight unit should fit that group.

[knunut]

I think it's Fantastic! Looks cool. I'll be at the Dealer to Check it out!
With the price of Gas going to $4 gal.design's like this and the teardrop style unit's will make a comeback.

[Minnie's Mate]

When we bought our trailer a year ago this month, I talked with our dealer (MiddleTNAirstream) about the lack of models geared toward families since the demise of the 30' bunk. He told me that Airstream was planning to bring back a model similar to the Argosy line that would be priced as an entry level product. I guess this is the first in that line! I'm glad. Like was said, this could be the first in a series of Airstreams for a family. First the sport while the family is just the couple or couple with small children, then move up to something a little larger like the front bedroom Safari when the children get older, and then a Classic when the nest is empty. This Sport could really round out the product line for Airstream. Way to go JC! I hope it is a big seller for Airstream.

PS-You know, if Airstream does go ahead with the Class-C motorhome like the rumors say they will, they could really tap into the family market in a big way like they haven't been into in years.

[overlander63]

Looks like a rear door Argosy 20. Maybe they are trying to manufacture a "world trailer" that could be shipped to Europe with little modification, or sold here in the states. 92" wide and 20' long would fit most Euro trailer regulations, they would just need different brakes and a lower tongue weight.

[wannastream]

Carol,

This info sounds like it could be a Euro model. Are you sure it was intended for the US market?

Of course it could be that they are going to make a US version of the Euro models. I'd like to see that, and a redo of the Argosy concept in a lighter more affordable version would be a smart move. Lets face it the AS line it too heavy and too expensive anymore. I'd be curious to see a new US model that's for sure.

[wheel interested]

No I am not sure but putting all together. There was a regular on his 78th tour or so , (not online he says,) forgot his name, and he said it was a Sport, so did Don who leads the tours. There was a different one that Don specified was going to Europe but Don said (and I saw that one) those will have the galvanized frame which looks painted and different from the other Airstreams in the AFrame for their weather.

Here's a link for European Airstreams. Airstream Europe :: Product Family :: Gallery

The gas tanks have a shield and the wraparound and windows on this picture were not on that other unit, I think. The center window looks much the same though.

The floorplan for the Sport looked like this one except the shower was to the left of the door and the lounge was to the right and met up to the dinette seat. I think the table was hung directly under the front window and it looked long.

It is looking darn close, the wall to the left of the door was solid across, the sink and burner was reversed. I also thought that it was said this sport was even narrower than the other models. ???

[Aria]

Carol, Thanks for all the information. Nice to be able to keep up on Airstream News. Thanks again.

[wheel interested]

My pleasure Aria, or would that be my obsession? Going camping this weekend and the following week, no rallies just plain ol' camping where we can get away and commune with nature. Two state parks, first Hardwick Pines and then Wilderness State Park, and if that doesn't work there is always Macinac Island to load up the sensory perception and shopping bags. Have a good weekend and let that AS shine in the sun.

[Pacerized]

This thread stood out to me about a narrow airstream model. I have a 1981 25' excella 2 that measures only 7' wide. I discovered the difference when I had a window rock guard installed at our local airstream dealer last week, and had to have it adjusted to fit. My trailer was parked next to a 71 international which when measured was a full foot wider. The layout is the same as the 24' Argosy twin bed. The only other person I've spoken with who has an 81 excella says that their's measures 8'. I've thought about calling airstream, and giving them the vin # to see if they can give me any more details about this. Is it possible that I have one of the more narrow European models from this time? Would anyone have any info on these?
Thanks: Charlie

[Silvertwinkie]

Great find Carol....looks like there was a shread of truth about the Argosy line making a comeback in some way.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Pacerized

This thread stood out to me about a narrow airstream model. I have a 1981 25' excella 2 that measures only 7' wide. I discovered the difference when I had a window rock guard installed at our local airstream dealer last week, and had to have it adjusted to fit. My trailer was parked next to a 71 international which when measured was a full foot wider. The layout is the same as the 24' Argosy twin bed. The only other person I've spoken with who has an 81 excella says that their's measures 8'. I've thought about calling airstream, and giving them the vin # to see if they can give me any more details about this. Is it possible that I have one of the more narrow European models from this time? Would anyone have any info on these?
Thanks: Charlie

Charlie,
I seem to recall hearing about another one. Does you VIN# have an X in it? I wish I could recall where I heard about the other one. That person also contacted JC and they had no clue about it. IIRC there were a couple of overseas caravans around that time, including one to China.

Aaron

[Silvertwinkie]

I still don't understand why Airstream doesn't treat the frame the same as they do for the European models......