Why did YOU choose Airstream over the others?

[Ampman]

Looks awesome, pulls awesome. Bought our 2005 25 ft. Classic four years ago used and saved a ton of money. We wanted a rig that we could pull with a half ton or SUV if we needed to and could fit in most of the national and state parks. Never wanted or considered a fifth wheel. Only other trailer we considered was a Bigfoot but they were bankrupt when we were looking. Honestly if we had to buy new we couldn't afford an Airstream. Good thing is that there is always excellent used units out there. You just have to be patient for the right one.
Best decision we ever made. Only negative for me was not doing it years sooner because those years are gone and you can't get em back.

[Zybane]

I've been looking at everything that's out there, even some Australian units and I keep coming back to the Airstream!

I know they are pricey.
I know about filiform.
I know the quality may not be the best.
I know the insulation is poor.
I know they are easily dented by pretty much anything and virtually totaled by hail storms.
I know they are low to the ground and can't go off the beaten path much.
I know they have small solar, battery and water tank options from the factory.
I know the resale value isn't as good as a lot of AS owners think it is.
I know AS uses plywood floors.
I know AS has a non-galvanized steel trailer frame that can rust out.
I know AS doesn't use disc brakes and that is a really cheap move.

But..
The AS is gorgeous.
The AS has among the best interior's out there. Modern looking and not the 1980's funeral parlor decor of virtually everything else.
The AS has those amazing curved corner windows, vista view windows, large side windows, skylights, basically ton's of light is let in that bounces all around reflecting off the aluminum interior and it makes it feel so bright and inviting. Just a happy place to live.

It can all be summed up with the word "character". Something that most other trailers don't have. I can see why AS's are selling so well and I may end up with one.

[dkottum]

Zybane you have done your research well, and your conclusions are why we would have nothing else.

[m.hony]

Add to that:
I know that all but the Eddie Bauer and new Classic have crumby tires!

[BScott]

My AS is 43 years old and looks great. You can't say that about the other guys.

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by FollySteve

For us, it was a done deal the first time we sat inside with the door closed. Nothing else feels like an Airstream. Nothing!

I agree with the previous poster. Keeping the moisture out and the sun off, day in day out, is key to
longevity. We built a carport for ours.
Attachment 242985

What a great looking carport. Would it be possible to get a bit more info on size, construction, more images etc. If you don't want to post it here, a PM would be fine also
Thanks in advance fir the extra info

Cheers
Doug


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[FollySteve]

Thanks Doug. Yes I'm really happy with how it turned out. I designed it with help of a contractor friend. Told him I needed clearance but wanted to keep profile low. He suggested manufactured scissor trusses. 7/12 top and 4/12 bottom. Oyster shell tabby concrete; 8x8 posts; beams are double 2x12 sandwiching plywood; ceiling is trim grade 1x4 alternating with 1x2; shed provides cross bracing and is covered with 5/8 T111; finish is Flood wood stain.

The whole thing is in a shallow backyard and therefore 90 degrees to house. Use a front hitch to "back" Airstream in which is the only way possible. Mixed with some other work on the house so cost is a bit of a guess but $18k is probably close.

[FollySteve]

A few more pix of finished carport.

[drew05]

We bought our Airstream because it's an Airstream!

[Tater]

After having a pop up because that's all we could afford, we decided to get a full size trailer before retirement and bought a SOB with bunk beds because we had visions of grandchildren traveling with us. That didn't happen so we saw an AS at an RV show and bought our first AS 22'Sport. Two years later a FC25 and two years later a 30' Classic which is what we wished we had bought in the first place and saved lots of money. We liked what we saw in an AS better than other brands at the show. I would add dealer service makes all the difference.

[stsammy]

You know, for us, we had bandied around the idea of a trailer for years. Or maybe a boat (my husband is a sailer). Or maybe a recreational property. And after staying at a rental cottage for two weeks, we reaffirmed our feeling that we didn't want to incur all that maintenance, property taxes & 25 years of mortgage payments to always see the same place.

And we knew we didn't want to go through the stages of trailer ownership that so many seem to go through - used pop up, new pop up, used SOB, new hybrid.... We wanted what we wanted. And we're blessed to be in a position to afford our "end" trailer now, so we did. My five year old isn't getting any younger, and I didn't want to lose this adventure time together.

Also, the Canadian dollar is going to the poop now, ha. I'm doubly glad we bought a new 2015 off the lot.... Imagine adding 15% extra to the cost of new. That would have been us had we waited until next season (and I suspect it would pinch a tight used market up here even more)

[pickettmd]

We bought our AS for the size and quality. Had been camping in a well built,somethings better than AS, teardrop trailer made in Wisconsin by CampInn. It towed as if it wasn't there, fit anywhere and drew raves everywhere we went. But. . . . no bathroom no standing up. If the weather wasn't great and you had to be inside you were horizontal or in a sitting position. We thought of ourselves as campers not RVer's. Might have been wrong about that. So quality being very important to us AS was the only way to go and our 16' Sport is just the size we need for the two of us. Only complaint is that being the entry level AS we don't feel the love that the larger models or vintage owners get LOL !

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by FollySteve

A few more pix of finished carport. Attachment 246646Attachment 246647Attachment 246648

Brilliant Steve - very well done!
The design is very eye catching and well executed. What is your over-all footprint?

Thanks

Doug

[FollySteve]

Thanks Doug. Concrete pad is 32'x18'. Our Airstream is a 23D. Shed is about 7' deep so Airstream fits with a couple of feet to spare so that we can squeeze through at the back without walking around. If we had it to do over we would make it a few feet longer because I have a feeling we will eventually end up with a 25 twin (or maybe that new 26 - that thing is sweet). Next project is water and sewer. I hope that the pipes that we placed under the slab don't have a leak. 😳


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[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by FollySteve

Thanks Doug. Concrete pad is 32'x18'. Our Airstream is a 23D. Shed is about 7' deep so Airstream fits with a couple of feet to spare so that we can squeeze through at the back without walking around. If we had it to do over we would make it a few feet longer because I have a feeling we will eventually end up with a 25 twin (or maybe that new 26 - that thing is sweet). Next project is water and sewer. I hope that the pipes that we placed under the slab don't have a leak. 😳


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Thanks Steve:

Yes leaks would not be fun. How are you planning your sewer. Will you hook it into your house system?
I can relate to the upsizing thing.... Our first airstream is the 28' we have now. We like it a lot but have been watching the walk through video of the new classic from Colonial. Got to stop doing that sort of stuff.... Sheesh!

Also thanks for the email........

Cheers
Doug


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[FollySteve]

Yes we will connect to house sewer, but with a small diameter line since gravity won't work. Plan to stub up a standard hose thread fitting to receive connection of a Sewer Solution or macerator pump.

[Zybane]

Originally Posted by stsammy

You know, for us, we had bandied around the idea of a trailer for years. Or maybe a boat (my husband is a sailer). Or maybe a recreational property. And after staying at a rental cottage for two weeks, we reaffirmed our feeling that we didn't want to incur all that maintenance, property taxes & 25 years of mortgage payments to always see the same place.

This is a huge point for me. As I retire from the military I've thought the same thing. Get a retirement home somewhere. Then what? See the same street, the same hiking trails, the same town with the occasional "vacation trip" for 40 years?

Makes much more sense for me to take my belongings and my pets with me and see the rest of North America over those last 40 years.. Definitely much less likely to become bored in retirement that way!

[m.hony]

Dealerships ought to have "test tows".
The Airstream tows so much easier and smoother than a big white box with leaf springs.
I get 2 more mpg pulling the Airstream versus the white box.

[klattu]

The old class C was falling apart faster than I could repair.
Went looking for a GMC, I liked their looks.
Then discovered that Airstream made a motorhome.
Liked the classic look, and one I could fix up and it would be worth it.
No history of Airstreams in my passed, wanted something different and cool looking.

[Bev1940]

I choose an AS because it was an AIRSTREAM! I had seen SOB's that were nice but they didn't have the WOW factor for me. I found a 1978 31' in 2002 that I could afford and the journey began! Since I bought my AS my son's have bought sobs 2 are on their 2nd trailer and the other one has a 5th wheel that's only good as a park model. Last July I traveled about 7500 mi with my As and never had any trouble. When I bought it needed some repair but so far over all it's cost me about $14,000.00. It has had only one small leak at a roof vent, anything I can't fix on it gets repaired by CanAm RV. Me and my AS just 2 seniors having fun!