AS Current Quality of Workmanship

[gypsydad]

The Casita is a great little trailer, but cramped for 2 people + dog, and little storage. They do hold their value. The Oliver is a bigger Casita, but still a wet bath, narrow, and again, lacking storage. We have owned 3 different year 25's for 2 years each, prior to our currant 2017 28'FC Twin, which we purchased new. Unlike Gene, we still enjoy the AS for the reasons we bought it; simplicity of design, aerodynamics low CG and stability when towing. Plus no slides to fool with nor break when camping. I didn't buy it as a "status" symbol...who would do that anyway? (even Mathew McConaughey enjoys his AS!)

Close friends we camped with last summer had a new Lance 28'; had issues with his slide, wind issues when towing, and ultimately ended up selling and getting a new 28' AS FC...and yes, there are some QC issues with the new cabinets delaminating. Frustrating for sure to a "new" AS owner.

To me after owning 4 AS's, a Casita, a pop-up, and a Class A over 20 years...I've learned they all have issues; some perhaps more than others. Your either going to fix and enjoy it, or share your frustration with others and enjoy the exchange; or your going to do both!

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

The Casita is a great little trailer, but cramped for 2 people + dog, and little storage. They do hold their value. The Oliver is a bigger Casita, but still a wet bath, narrow, and again, lacking storage. We have owned 3 different year 25's for 2 years each, prior to our currant 2017 28'FC Twin, which we purchased new. Unlike Gene, we still enjoy the AS for the reasons we bought it; simplicity of design, aerodynamics low CG and stability when towing. Plus no slides to fool with nor break when camping. I didn't buy it as a "status" symbol...who would do that anyway? (even Mathew McConaughey enjoys his AS!)

Close friends we camped with last summer had a new Lance 28'; had issues with his slide, wind issues when towing, and ultimately ended up selling and getting a new 28' AS FC...and yes, there are some QC issues with the new cabinets delaminating. Frustrating for sure to a "new" AS owner.

To me after owning 4 AS's, a Casita, a pop-up, and a Class A over 20 years...I've learned they all have issues; some perhaps more than others. Your either going to fix and enjoy it, or share your frustration with others and enjoy the exchange; or your going to do both!

Yeah. I think because the price is so high we, understandably, expect perfection or something close to it. The truth is that Airstreams are very labor intensive to manufacture compared to stick built trailers, driving cost way up. They’ll also last a lot longer than most SOB trailers. For me, I enjoy the comraderie (sp?) of the Airstream Club. We thoroughly enjoy it....and isn’t that what this is all about?

[Gene]

Casitas are two bathtubs—one on top, one on bottom. Round corners are good to reduce wind resistance. Casitas don't leak. Too small for us, but would have been luxury decades ago when we were hiking and carrying tents and sleeping bags on our backs. I didn't know Olivers had wet baths. Of course, no item is perfect for everyone, but it is all a balancing act. I don't trust slides either and we have one and it did have to be fixed right away—warranty fortunately. They sure increase room and it is getting hard to find RV's without them.

As I am frequently misquoted or my intent is questioned, let's look at "Unlike Gene, we still enjoy the AS for the reasons we bought it; simplicity of design, aerodynamics low CG and stability when towing." We liked the aerodynamics and stability. I think the design looks simple, but forming metal to have compound corners and clean curves is not simple. I have said repeatedly the design is good as Wally intended, but the design improvements Wally promoted have pretty much stopped. Wally was a brilliant promoter and salesman came up with an original idea. He actually did borrow some of it and made it much better. When he wanted new stuff like decent toilets, he asked others to make them. He got several companies to innovate and then he bought their products to his specs. I think Thetford was started because Wally encouraged it. Can't remember which other companies he helped. Since he died, the innovation has been quite limited and creativity seems absent. Our reasons for a change were quite simple and logical.

The problem newbies face is too much information and not enough. Experience is wonderful, but newbies have to absorb a lot and still make mistakes. If I had practical experience with trailers, I probably would have bought a gently used trailer. Olivers did not exist then, but older ones like Streamline and Spartan could be an alternative. The prices may be too much by now though. I know where a Royal Manor is parked and used and the owner was asking $10,000. It looked like it needed some work—it looked to be about 35' or more and was not for us. The aircraft style design is best for long days on the road, but there are many things to contemplate when buying an RV.

Gene

[BayouBiker]

The intent seems obvious enough, to validate your choice to not own and Airstream by convincing others they should not want to purchase or keep an Airstream. Simple.

No judgement here, just an obvious observation.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

The intent seems obvious enough, to validate your choice to not own and Airstream by convincing others they should not want to purchase or keep an Airstream. Simple.

No judgement here, just an obvious observation.

Well stated.

[JonDNC]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

The intent seems obvious enough, to validate your choice to not own and Airstream by convincing others they should not want to purchase or keep an Airstream. Simple.

No judgement here, just an obvious observation.

Agree

[pmclemore]

I do not agree,

I love my Airstream and thoroughly enjoy well-thought out posts such as those by Gene. Those two sentiments are not contradictory.

Pat

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

I do not agree,

I love my Airstream and thoroughly enjoy well-thought out posts such as those by Gene. Those two sentiments are not contradictory.

Pat

Exactly...we have had only two AS's in 33yrs, we feel the quality nowhere meets price point, the dealer network need major improvement, and most everything could be made better with a bit more "Pride in Doing".
It was our first TT and it will be our last.
Just cause I bitch a lot doesn't mean I don't 😍 them.

[Drtrash]

Wondering how the covid shutdown and start up will impact quality. Trying to go fast to meet demand can have a critical impact on QC, old addage fast is slow and slow is fast will play a role. I am the new guy looking at getting an AS, and it is a concern. Wont buy new but hoping lightly used cream puff will apear. Currently have an artic fox so bar is already high or higher than most

[lsbrodsky]

I am with Robert. I enjoy gathering with Airstream friends at rallies, I enjoy camping by ourselves. In short, I enjoy using my Airstream, but I no longer enjoy maintaining it and I don't enjoy the anxiety of what is going to require repair next. I would never encourage anyone to buy one, certainly not new. I don't care if all RV's have these problems, Airstream is certainly overpriced for what you get. If looking at my campground and rally reservations this year is any indication, campgrounds are going to be very full, at least here in the East.
Gene is not the only one with those opinions, though if I sold my Airstream, there would be no reason to come back to the Forum. I could just go back to the wet shaving forum.
Larry

[skyguyscott]

^^ pretty accurate ^^

I think what most, but not all, owners can agree on is the following:

• Airstreams are expensive
• Even used ones; i.e. no such thing as a "cheap AS, like no such thing as a "cheap" british sports car.
• Thor/Airstream/dealer network could do a much better job if they really wanted/had to
• No trailer is perfect, it will require periodic maintanance at least, and if you are unlucky, pricey fixes

I remain persuaded that those in the market for an AS trailer would likely come out ahead to buy a used one, in whatever condition, spend $$ to customize it to their situation and end up with a much better trailer at less cost and headaches than buying a new one off the lot. Hopefully that will change, but have not seen any evidence that the mindset of Thor has changed enough yet.

BTW, if you go that route, especially if you like to DIY, you will save even more, plus get to really know your TT inside and out, all the systems, etc. and be able to pretty much troubleshoot and fix it yourself.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

In short, I enjoy using my Airstream, but I no longer enjoy maintaining it and I don't enjoy the anxiety of what is going to require repair next. ... I could just go back to the wet shaving forum.
Larry

I did experience anxiety about what would happen next. I had had some problems with the fridge in the last two years we owned the Airstream. Anyone who has had a fridge that might fail in the middle of a trip knows how that really can ruin your days (and that ice cream that can be a real treat after a long day driving or exploring, but is melted). Although I am pretty good at fixing things, the fridge always intimidated me. I have fixed much more complicated things, so my mother must have been scared by a refrigerator when she was pregnant.

With our concerns about the difficulties Barb was having getting out of the bed—probably had something to do with her need for knee surgery several years later—and the crowded main cabin, concern about what to fix or replace next was combined motivation to move on. Both of us remember clearly what we felt as it was towed down the road never to be seen by us again. We put a lot of work, care and love into that trailer and we had amazing experiences traveling from the North Slope of Alaska to Key West and many points in between. We made it ours and improved on many design failures and replaced cheap items with good ones.

Since I have had a beard for 50 years, the wet shaving forum is just not a good place for me. Since I have stated why I remained on the Forum, it is amazing how people, perhaps trying to make a point that is not valid, misrepresent or forget what I have said—I have friends here and I try to help people with issues I hope I know about. In my busy days, the Forum is relatively relaxing and breaks up the work. It is that simple.

[pmclemore]

Our first was a 25 twin - but as we are not twin people, I built a box to support the middle and turned the mattresses sideways - presenting us with the "climb-over" issue.

Our next was a 31 with the walk-around bed and we loved it. When it was time to move on, I considered a smaller rig for all the good reasons I could think of. But we loved the walk-around queen, so we made the drastic downsize all the way down to a 30. Still, you won't believe how much storage you lose when you go from a classic to an International.

Still crazy after all these years.

Pat

[Gene]

Beds are often an issue in RV's. Most are smaller than they claim to be. If you are short, no problem, but they are often too short for tall and even average people. Access can be difficult. We now have access from both sides, but the wall in front of my side creates a narrow space to squeeze through. To lengthen the bed, I put a 2x4 between the head and wall and got several more inches for feet. This narrowed the space between the wall and my side. Compromise. We selected the 25FB knowing the bed was a problem. In retrospect I thought the 27 might have been a better choice, but we wanted a shorter trailer for maneuvering in tight places. More compromise. Fitting all the necessities of a house into 200 or 250 square feet cannot be easily done. When I toured a friend's 34 I thought I was in a mansion, but they had a very hard time parking it at home. They sold it after a while and bought another brand.

[B. Cole]

Gene- I enjoy watching your comments!