Airstream OCD?

[drbrick]

We love our AS - and Blue Streak is almost 20 years old, in very good condition and we ceramic polish every year to help protect the finish - BUT it's just a trailer (though expensive) and the purpose is to enjoy, travel, boondock, glamp - we also tow with a 2013 f-150 that is in great condition and I cermic polish the truck each year change oil, rotate the tires, etc. BUT it's just a truck to enjoy, tow the trailer as we travel, boondock, glamp. What I'm trying to say is "fear is not an option" if you own an Airstream .. if you obscess over it you will have a difficult time enjoying it - IMHO.

[John&Vicki]

Well, it depends on how well you can manage yourself. After all, you control your life, not your “conditions”.

I’m a Porsche fanatic (www.audettecollection.com) especially the F Series longhoods from 1965-1973. I owned 15 of them at one time and I like things to be perfect. However there’s one little problem with that when it comes to Porsches - they were designed and built to be driven. And driven in a spirited manner. Which pretty quickly eliminates perfect.

So I built a little model for myself. I took an almost perverse pleasure in restoring and building them to a #1 level (perfect) and then driving them down to a #2 level. That loosened up the OCD as far as the cars were concerned and life in general. Very liberating.

As far as my Airstream is concerned, it’s too old to be perfect and use, so I’m not too concerned about cosmetics. I am fanatical, however, about everything working perfectly, a productive outlet for those three letter tendencies.

Cheers,
John

[Mollysdad]

It's like a beautiful woman.
First, it's lust and everything seems perfect. Later the flaws become noticeable, like that scratch or this filiform corrosion.
I've been lucky, mine is trouble free, knock on aluminum, (Except for the awning)
I attribute the trouble free part to it sitting on a dealer's lot for a while so any leaks/flaws would show up.
I'm OCD when it comes to drilling holes. Before I do it, it has to be something that improves the function, never for a picture or wall hanging.

[John Nelson]

good luck with the perfectionist thing...shoot for good is my goal...

[John & Roberta]

914Next, how many pages is your Pre-Flight check list, your Landing checklist? Our checklists approach filling a binder, the Pre-Flight four pages (2 pages back to back, laminated), the Landing three pages. I use these checklists. Every time.

Roberta and I bought our Flying Cloud 30RB one year old with a transferrable extended warranty. After a 7,000-mile shakedown cruise in the West, we turned our not-so Little Lady into Fairfield Airstream for warranty repair. Get those loose (or missing) rivets replaced, get the dinette table LEVEL, quiet that damn water pump, square away those locker hinges, reattach the cushion Velcro. Get our 8 cu.ft. refrigerator working on LPG (!!)

Roberta and I have yet to work out an effective language (hands, whistles, shouts) for coordinating backing up.

We have a weather station and monitor local weather reports, worried about surprise freezes and possible hail.

Is there anything else to worry about?

[Twinkle]

Like most OCD'ers finding an object or an action to project onto you don't need to own an AS to experience the worrisome thoughts you mentioned. AS won't therapeutically resolve your issues because it will get dirty and something will break or get dinged. It's NOT about buying or maintaining perfection as to the AS itself. An AS is about a quality product whose use brings you JOY. You are it's caretaker. If you don't find the JOY in that despite the imperfections and vicissitudes of ownership then it is definitely NOT for you and it doesn't matter what make or model you buy. Good luck, I hope it all works out for you!

[Killerlumber]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

Don't buy one.

You have a whole house on wheels rumbling down the interstate, hammering pot holes, bouncing over bridges, taking stone chips from passing cars.

Loose screws, broken cabinets, pulled wires, leaks, troubleshooting this that and everything else, furnace won't light, A/C won't fire up, fridge not running, you name it.

It's an OCD nightmare.

Hit the 'new posts' button at top of page, just read a few pages of topics.....it's brutal.

Good luck

As you mentioned, it's a house going through a mini earthquake every time it's moved. Love your answer.

[1ibahand1]

Found your post very light hearted. Just remember, “any RV owner has to have a good sense of humor”. Have fun and use it, that’s what it’s for!

[Muskie]

On the contrary, the more beat up the better, I don't want focus onto the thing, its a 59, and it has enough focus already. I wear second hand clothes and don't shower enough!

[ctimberlake]

You’re a commercial pilot 👩🏼*✈️

[MaggieScott]

I too am picky about my toys and love to keep them in great shape. I know I can be anxious about it looking less than perfect and especially about when is that first dent or scratch going to appear.

I learned a cure for this years ago. Since the early 1990s, whenever I have bought a new car or RV (I am on #6), I have crawled underneath with a hammer and dented a non-vital part.

Ah the relief. No longer a virgin, it has now been dented. And rather than being done by a stranger who didn't care, it was done by me, who loved it beyond rationality.

Anxiety cured. Problem over. Now I keep it tidy and clean (in sight of my office window too) but don't worry about it when its out of sight!

Good luck and contact me if you need to borrow a loving hammer.

[JonDNC]

⬆️⬆️⬆️

Perfect

[MaggieScott]

Originally Posted by 914Next

My wife and I are contemplating the purchase of a newer but used airstream (globetrotter 27). We're both pretty aesthetically focused, perfectionists, and I'll admit I have a tendency to be a bit obsessive (although not unreasonably so in my view ). As an example my wife loves to tell the (exaggerated) stories of me having a modern chair obsession but then refusing to sit on them because I love to look at them...not wear them out. I also have been an old car enthusiast and I'm that guy who loves all original survivors and then drives them only rarely in order to keep them in pristine original condition. Ok, it sounds more anal than it is but....I'm not entirely innocent.

So....seriously I wonder whether airstreaming is just an OCD bout waiting to happen? Are the majority of you people fellow perfectionists who will worry about the potential hail storm, obsess about filiform corrosion, pack a chainsaw so that you can remove low hanging branches before you back the trailer into a spot (I'm joking....mostly), outfitting your wife with a reflective suit so that she can stand and direct you safely out and away from the gas pumps and contemplate selling the damn thing after the first dent? Is my mental health in jeopardy here?

I think I can let go....I think I can.....

And you?

OCD Airstream Owner
I too am picky about my toys and love to keep them in great shape. I know I can be anxious about it looking less than perfect and especially about when is that first dent or scratch going to appear.

I learned a cure for this years ago. Since the early 1990s, whenever I have bought a new car or RV (I am on #6), I have crawled underneath with a hammer and dented a non-vital part.

Ah the relief. No longer a virgin, it has now been dented. And rather than being done by a stranger who didn't care, it was done by me, who loved it beyond rationality.

Anxiety cured. Problem over. Now I keep it tidy and clean (in sight of my office window too) but don't worry about it when its out of sight!

Good luck and contact me if you need to borrow a loving hammer.

[Jimingram55]

We own a 2018 Globetrotter so we must have similar tastes. Bought it used a year ago and have spent over 4 months in it. Latest trip was 2 months in Colorado and the last 5 days of the trip, had a wardrobe door that fell off and BTW, I don't like the hinges AS uses.

The door is already back on and we are going ready for the next trip. We are also dealing with a hard wired surge protector that is giving us a problem.

All this to say, as good as AS are, things are gonna break and if that will steal your joy, you might want to consider renting. Either things own you or you own things but there is a certain amount of work involved in the "care and feeding" of a trailer. It seems like there is always something that needs attention from either your trailer or tow unit.

Lastly, worry has no effect on your circumstances except maybe make you sick or steal your happiness. On our last trip, during the rainstorm we were in, hail started. Not a thing we could do but pray and know we had good insurance. Thankfully the hail stayed small and no damage.

I say get the trailer, try not to obsess, and use it frequently.

[Life is a Highway]

Take it from one of your kind your gonna be sick watching it dent ding scratch and get filthy slimed on the road.

Your only hope buy two , a barn or garage Queen and then a used one that’s been in a hail storm driven through a tumble weed attack herd and finally parked under a hickory nut tree.

I envy the people with dents rusty hitches never washed and smiles on their face just enjoying life and the trip.

[rmkrum]

I’m an engineer, so some OCD comes with the territory. However, I’m not obsessive about looks...so holes get drilled when needed...for example:





We’ve collected a few dents and scratches, but no leaks that I know of, so it’s all good...as long as the electrical stuff and appliances work properly I can live with it. I’m handy, but by no means handsome!

[Atwebs]

There are all sorts of levels of OCD. From..."we would NEVER remove the original stuff or use the toilet" to "can't wait to swap everything out and I've already used the toilet!".

We learned from my parents after they were gone and we were cleaning out their home. So many things they had and never used at all. We found 100 bottles of wine (and they did drink, but only the cheap stuff!), cupboards full of unlit candles and drawers of pretty decorative soaps. Beautiful sets of dishes and silver and tools that were basically untouched because they were always afraid something would happen if they used them.

So, our Motto: Burn the candles, drink the wine and use the soap. Eat off the fancy dishes and for heaven's sake, use the toilet. You can't take it with you and there is no prize at the end for keeping it safe.

[SilverWind]

It's just a travel tool. Letting go might be good for you. We've had four new Airstreams plus a restored vintage since 2004, in addition to a restored Porsche. I've experienced all levels of OCD and have let most of it go. I'm now much more relaxed and have more fun traveling. OCD is a real time sucker.

Btw....if you worry about preserving the trailer's resale value by maintaining its current state, you may be surprised to know that most potential buyers and dealer don't look twice at the things you've labored intently to keep perfect.

[cattailfarm]

Hi!! My husband and I chose an Airstream because we loved all of the light ! Regular campers seem to be perpetually dark and sporting a 1970's vibe. We are full timers. We also paid the big dollar because of the reputation of the quality of the AS. Again, we are full timers and knew it wold take a little more of a beating. First, I must say , you will not get perfection! Off the lot, we had exactly 13 issues with it, including a shower door flange that wouldn't stay in, cabinetry that didn't fit the space it was in, stove grids that chipped easily, an exterior door that was problematic, the shower handle wouldn't stay in place......etc., etc., etc., My husband fixed most of them. We have been on the road for a year and a half and still waiting for cabinets to be refitted. But, we are sorting through and settling in. I am an extreme perfectionist and I kind of freaked a tidge.😠 But I decided to just let it GO ! We spend more time outside of the camper than in anyway. I think the factory was just trying to spit them out too fast and became a bit sloppy. Non-the-less, we're in! Besides you will get a LOT of attention and envy EVERYWHERE you go.😀 Go for it! Unless, you want to pick up something vintage and restore (sounds like you'd be good at it)

[Flapjack2143]

Hi there. Welcome (we hope) to the AS Family. We are first time campers and decided on AS 23FB Globetrotter. My idea a camping was the Hilton with robes!! LOVE OUR AIRSTREAM!
Yes, I’m the wife of an OCD person yet I find myself a bit more “concerned” about our AS than he is 😊. He loves checking the readings of the tanks, switches, connections and so forth ten times a day. He has a great mechanical background ( which is important) and I accept that. BUT...I’ve found myself a bit more concerned (compulsive) about a few different things. I’m like a fish that sees that silver lure...(gotta go after it regardless of what is going on) For example: the outside. I don’t like our AS to show rain streaks in the dust, fingerprints on the exterior, tree sap on the top or let alone road grime during or after a trip. I find myself polishing spots and handles constantly. The inside is a different story that’s even worse.....smudges, fingerprints, unmade bed, towel not folded right, pillows not placed properly, pans not stacked correctly...you guessed it...It drives me wild. I’m also the one in the reflective vest talking in the walk-in talkie to back us up properly. YES I’m a mess, but the first tree limb you didn’t pay attention to will make you sick to your stomach when you here that crack and look up!! It also made me cool my jets a bit and slow down with the “Stuff I Do” and enjoy the journey. Good luck...My advice: Don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy the journey and ALWAYS look UP( when parking it) !😊