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yukionna · 03-28-2006, 08:21 AM

Welcome to the forum! "Why buy an Airstream" is a popular question on this forum. Here are some links to similar threads that might give you more insight into what you are looking for:

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Tarheel · 03-28-2006, 09:18 AM

My first Airstream was a 1974 31'. it was 25 years old and was still structurally sound. My second Airstream is a 94 34' bought used. It had been in 49 states, centural America, and in every providence in Canada before I bought it. The body is still tight and leak free, the appliances still work (ok all of them are from vendors not Airstream), the cabinets are still on the walls, the doors are not falling off and the unit looks good. I am not embarassed to pull into any campground with my 12 year old probably 150,000 mile unit. I have put about 50,000 miles on the unit with two trips to Maine, 5 trips to Florida, Chicago, Springfield, and a caravan through the Southwest. When comparing Airstream with Terry, Shasta or the other brands out there see how many are still on the road, structually sound, and attractive after 25 years. There are some, but they are few. If you want an inexpensive trailer to tow to the lake and park for the season or if you take the kids out 3-4 times a summer then the wooden frame trailer makes a lot of sense. Its inexpensive, roomy, pleanty of bunks and will offer many summers fun with limited use. Its not made to live in or to full time in. The end use and what you expect from the trailer has a lot to say about what you buy. I don't know anyone that has bought an Airstream that later said they wished they had a box trailer.

SilverToy · 03-28-2006, 11:42 AM

Rick etal -

Interesting thread. Do I assume correctly, that the 5th wheels are considered ( or in fact are!) also stick built? Just curious as someone (Rick?) wrote that those trailers really aren't for 'live in' trailering. I don't have an issue with the statement at all! I wouldn't want to live in one either.

Just wondering if those 5th wheels have a different type construction.

There are an awful lot of those things out there with LOTS of folks living in them seemingly full time. Have been in several and while they are OK, some are even nice - they just don't have that certain something that AS's all have.

There is something special about climbing into that silver tube.

Which actually brings me to another issue. Are the AS MH ( newer ones - not the silver ones!) built with the same techniques as the AS trialers? Aluminum sides, stringers, U channel, and all that? I don't recall looking when I took the AS factory tour - I was like a kid in a candy shop - head on a swivel !!!!

As always, Thanks for any and all info and replies.

Axel

early · 03-28-2006, 12:38 PM

Ours is 35 years old and the only spot rotten in our floor was under the bathtub and it was not very big. We did remodel simply because we didn't like the dark colors, but everything was solid. Our friends have a 1988 sob and it is falling apart. They know they can't get their money back and they have no money for a better rig. We have been helping them fix theirs up along with another couple. We have done the back bedroom and that's it for right now. The floor, wood studs and most of the paneling had to be replaced because of water damage. It's kinda sad because everytime youpulled something off there was damage. The other couple had some left over paneling and flooring and we gave them the queen bed out of the wrecked AS we have and the curtains. I just got through painting their new paneling yesterday. Now they have a nice back bedroom, problem is though the rest of the rig needs to be done. They wish they could get an AS and maybe oneday they can.

Dawn

Tarheel · 03-28-2006, 06:55 PM

Airstreams "Integrity" is a 5th wheel and, correct me if I am wrong and I now you will, is stick built with fiberglass sides. It is recognized by the club as an Airstream and is a very nice unit. Many manufactures of travel trailers will tell you that they are not intended for extended use, the salesmen will not. There are a few companys out there that make welded aluminum structures similar in design to Airstream, the usually skin them out in fiberglass because it is cheaper to build both from a material cost as well as labor, and much easier to repair.
I have less than no knowledge on how the Motorhomes are constructed. They are beautiful and spacious but not for me.