Any way to find Airstream at RV shows

[Rocinante]

I wish we had been able to settle on the 25, because that 3-foot difference between the 28/27FB and the 25 means one can get into more of those shrimpy National Park campsites. We just could not stand the E/W configuration of the queen bed in the 25, so here we are. As long as I don't think about those few campgrounds we can't get into, we're super-happy with our choice. (Fun fact: the 27FB is actually 1" longer than the 28, per specs on the AS website.)

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

My dealer also sells umpteen other brands, but will not take an Airstream to a RV show because the fragile, expensive to repair AS skin can be subjected to errant baby carriages, fist pounding, or running of fingernails along the side etc. (That was the gist of their explanation).

They also alluded that potential Airstream owners are somewhat elitist and would not want to purchase a trailer after the unwashed masses had tromped through enroute to the tent trailers......or words to that effect.

Really? Are we that elitist?

Frankly, the FaN was the dealership's showroom model and many had tromped through prior to purchase. Did it bother me? Not really.

This "elitist" just disinfected everything before permanently gracing the interior.

While I don't know your dealer, I had worked for a RV dealer in the past during the RV show at the Convention Center here in St. Louis. I also worked in the Convention Center as a department manager for almost 9 years so I have some direct experience in what goes on.

There is no doubt that in some cases the vehicles at the shows take some abuse. Very typical are folks breaking components in the trailers and other issues. For example when Hi-Lo trailers were shown at the RV Show, it wasn't unusual for the sliding curtain door that separated the bathroom from the rest of the trailer to be damaged by folks pulling them down instead of sliding them. One year someone turned on a microwave in an Airstream which set the books and instructions on the microwave that were inside, on fire. I saw the smoke in the trailer and pulled the smoldering paper out just before it broke into flame. I've seen kids jump on beds, snag bedspreads all while parents look the other way.

Quite honestly I don't blame a dealer in not taking his most expensive vehicles down to a show. Our local dealer here in St. Louis might bring down 15 trailers of other brands but he now only brings down one Airstream. Part of that is he is local and close to the metro area so folks can come to his dealership easily if Airstream is what they are looking for. On the other hand when the RV show hits Kansas City he brings quite a few to that city based on his dealership being about 3+ hours from those folks.

Jack

[beetlebob]

Hi Coastal. Go to the forum site and look up Alumalina 2014. We are going to tent camp there next to one of the nice people who are going to let us stay to see what a get together is like to to see I think over 70 AS trailers. All years and sizes. Best place to ask a million questions and see all different types.It is the last weekend of this month on a weekend. Worth a drive on Saturday if you like to drive. Get on the site I bet you might find someone who will let you tent or car camp on their site. We are going to shop and ask questions ourself. Our truck will not be ready untill 2 weeks after the show so we are going to show it off at the Fall get together at Hunting Island. Another one to go to. We are also AS shopping and are not sure where we will buy. To us haveing a dealer close is not an option so if we need work good excuse to take time off and go to Ohio.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

Really? Are we that elitist?

Seriously? Most Airstreamers love showing off their campers, I've found.

I do get the damage concerns. But I heard Colonial sold many of the Airstreams they brought to the show, so...any elitism or damage concerns kind of seem overblown to me.