What Is the Airstream lineup hierarchy?

[brad1]

What is the hierarchy of Airstream models? You know, like GM has Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac in ascending order of price and image?.

Since I own one and read the forums often I should know this but I don’t. In fact, I admit to confusion on this and most matters related to Airstream model naming. Is there an analog for the GM example, some other structure, or is it all anarchy?

[Foiled Again]

Basecamp

Nest

Sport. 7.5 ft wide. Made in Euro version too

Flying Cloud. Nee: Safari and Safari SE

International. Nee: CCD
Special trim models such as Eddie Bauer

Classic: nee: Excella. Also Classic Ltd.

Flying Cloud and International are 8 ft wide until you go 25 ft or longer, then wide body or 8.5 feet

Classics are not made below 25 feet and are now all wide body.

I do not know the year wide bodies started... and I hope someone can add when the end segments went from 13 to 7 to 5.

[skyguyscott]

The most direct analogy to GM is Thor, the parent company of Airstream. Thor also owns other RV brands such as Jayco, Dutchmen and Heartland. The full list is on Thor's website here:

https://www.thorindustries.com/brands

Each brand, in turn, has a range of products at various price points. Airstream is not the most expensive brand of RV available, but is more expensive and luxurious than average.

The current Airstream website has the travel trailers listed by price here:

https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/

In addition, AS has the Class B touring coaches here:

https://www.airstream.com/touring-coaches/

In general, price goes up by size and level of accoutrements. These may vary over the years.

For the aluminum travel trailers, the range from high to low is roughly as follows:

• Land Yaht (discontinued) A union of AS and an Italian yacht company on the interiors
• PanAmerican(discontinued) the 34' toy hauler, only 19 produced, Flying Cloud Contemporary interior
• Classic - current higher end, heaviest and most expensive, "Grandma" interior design
• Globetrotter - "Modern/Scandanavian" interior design - replaces the CCD international line, named after Christopher C. Deem, an architect who worked with AS for a decade, specialized the in minimalist modern look
• International Serenity A variation of the CCD international, with a lighter, more Asian-influenced look.
• Flying Cloud - the line with the most varieties of floor plans, Contemporary look, used to be called the "Safari" line.
• Branded trailers (none currently produced) These were collaborations with companies like Eddie Bauer, Tony Bahama and others with unique appointments. Many featured a rear hatch similar to the PanAmerican, but without the "garage"
• Carvel/Bambi - An upgraded update of the economy Sport line, which in turn was AS attempt at making a more affordable trailer for younger customers.

The BaseCamp is AS attempt to make a more affordable trailer built for off-road adventuring, but by all accounts, the engineering, design and build quality do not yet live up to the application needs or customer expectations.

The (nest) is AS latest attempt to move into the fiberglass market.

Note that in the 1970s, AS produced the Argosy brand as a "cheaper" AS trailer, but also as a brand to experiment with new manufacturing techniques and features, some of which, like the panorama windows later migrated to the AS line.

The Class A is no longer made, Thor scuttled AS's attempt last decade to partner with MB to revive the segment, citing unwanted competition with existing Thor offerings.

Vintage Airstream's website has a helpful chart of the complete line of travel trailer models by year here:

http://vintageairstream.com/photo-archives/

Hope this helps, others can fill in any gaps or further elaborate.

[skyguyscott]

I should also say that Airstream often changes it's naming conventions which often confuse the game.

For instance, Airstream for decades used the term "Bambi" to refer to any AS trailer with a single axel. The Bambis could be of various lengths and of different lines, i.e. Sport, Flying Cloud, International, and so on. Now, however, they have officially renamed the entire Sport line "Bambi"

Likewise, Wally Byam used to refer to all his trailers as Land Yachts, and in particular, was fond of using naval terms like "Caravel" and "Cruiser" to name specific models. But occasionally, a general term like "Land Yacht" is used to name a specific model.

AS would name a trailer model or line "turnip" if it increased sales. Any fealty to reason, logic or common sense is wishful thinking, I'm afraid.

[brad1]

I’m bookmarking this thread. Thanks!

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by skyguyscott

I should also say that Airstream often changes it's naming conventions which often confuse the game.

Yes, it is very confusing!

"Vintage names" like Bambi, Caravel, Globetrotter, Flying Cloud & Safari used to solely indicate lengths of trailers - now the same names indicate styles of trailers. Today, trailers with those same names now come in various lengths. Whereas in the oldies, these names indicated the length and "Land Yacht" meant "standard finishes" and "International" indicated they had a few more "extras".

Shari

[Tall Grass]

I read that as "pecking order". Pity the poor souls in Basecamps and Nests.



Just kidding! lol

[OTRA15]

Less naming "rhyme or reason" as the years go on . . .



So be it.

[Silver.Sanctuary]

Originally Posted by skyguyscott

I should also say that Airstream often changes it's naming conventions which often confuse the game.

For instance, Airstream for decades used the term "Bambi" to refer to any AS trailer with a single axel. The Bambis could be of various lengths and of different lines, i.e. Sport, Flying Cloud, International, and so on. Now, however, they have officially renamed the entire Sport line "Bambi"

Likewise, Wally Byam used to refer to all his trailers as Land Yachts, and in particular, was fond of using naval terms like "Caravel" and "Cruiser" to name specific models. But occasionally, a general term like "Land Yacht" is used to name a specific model.

AS would name a trailer model or line "turnip" if it increased sales. Any fealty to reason, logic or common sense is wishful thinking, I'm afraid.

To make it more confusing, I have a 2004 dual axle Safari that is 22 feet long and clearly called a Bambi in the documentation. This doesn't quite fit with the sport line or single axle group.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Tall Grass

I read that as "pecking order". Pity the poor souls in Basecamps and Nests.

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Less naming "rhyme or reason" as the years go on . . .



So be it.

I concur! Just figure out which Airstream fits your travel-style & budget best and enjoy!

Shari