New less expensive Airstream

[Len n Jeanne]

Originally Posted by jgutteter

I worry that thier foray into a 'value' line won't go so well... However, I am looking to upgrade my 16' Scamp here are the reasons why:

1. Too small (no shower except a wet bath)
2. Sleeping on my kitchen table can be a drag over time
3. Fit and finish is nice, but I have worked to a point to where I want a bit of luxury... No other TT matches AS materials and design.
4. All current makes/models of TT look as through they were designed in the 80's, except AS

...
.

Agreed.

Committed as we are to small trailers, we've looked inside a lot of Casitas, Scamps, A-chalets, T@Bs, truck campers, micro-teardrops (aka rolling coffins,) the odd Boler, and found a used Trillium for our son/daughter-in-law. It doesn't take much to view the interiors of these units: just walk around the CG, and when you see the owners outside, admire their "small is beautiful" footprint, ask how much it weighs, and accept if they offer you a look-see.

Despite the lighter price and weight, these units tend to be very narrow inside and with limited head room. A tall or rotund couple might feel claustrophobic, and I don't know where you'd put the children. Or much camping gear. Some of the tables seat just 2 people. Some of them either have no bathroom, or put the kitchen off the back. Although the outdoor kitchen may seem ingenious, not everybody wants to cook a meal outside during pouring rain.

The 16' Bambi is spacious by comparison.

Casita does make a 5th wheel, but I've only seen 2 of them on the road.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Casita does make a 5th wheel, but I've only seen 2 of them on the road.

Casita does not make a fifth wheel, but Skamp does.

[D Greene]

Our 16 Bambi is the largest trailer we have owned. We come from two small pop up truck campers and most recently, a 15 foot Trillium with no head of any kind. The Bambi still seems spacious. We seriously considered the smaller Oliver but the design did not work as well for us. If AS does a top quality molded fiberglass trailer I don't see the cost savings. Now if it is the same quality of a Scamp or Casita then maybe so. But why reinvent the wheel? Unless the new AS is something totally different they are going to have some tough competition in the smaller trailer market.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Casita does make a 5th wheel, but I've only seen 2 of them on the road.

You might be thinking of Escape out of Chilliwack:
The Escape 5.0TA

[bolerama]

Bigfoot RVs come in 25 foot models with 2 doors, double axles, queen beds, thermal pane windows, etc.: 25B25FB and 25B25RQ
2500 Series Travel Trailers - Bigfoot RV - Truck Campers & Travel Trailers - Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer

These can actually be used for winter camping. The interiors are very uninspiring. Otherwise, they are superior to most RVs on the market.

Airstream would have a tough go against these, so a similar trailer would need some Airstream pizzazz.

Lisa

[AWCHIEF]

Love all this speculation. Projected to hit the dealer floor middle of 2016. That is not long to wait.

[switz]

By the time the end of year discounted price was added to the modifications price on our 2015 23D International Serenity, it was close to the 2014 list price of our 2014 3' Classic.

I do not see where the $30,000 class will be built as JC is currently swamped and can not get product out without major QC issues now. Based upon their pricing model, I wonder if an empty shell of fiberglass would meet that price? Maybe wheels and axles might be thrown in?

[damonbeals]

It could be that Airstream is trying the Scout again, which was a non-alum trailer. They showed it at the Louisville show, and did this survey of Airforum members. I even got a copy of Wanderlust for filling out the survey.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...cle-52070.html

Damon
#4827

[carl2591]

I walked in one at a local RV show and while it does try to mimic the Airstream they have a LONG way to go on that front. If you were taken blindfolded into a unit not knowing what it was I could see the difference between the Vantage and the Airstream or most other RV for that matter.

The interior is the AS is so much more pleasing looking at first glance.. not the same old RV like like in Vantage or most any other RV for that matter.

If the other RV manufacturers would at least try to copy what AS has done it was move the entire RV sector up a couple of notches and the changes would not be any more costly for the most part. Loose the cheesie Plaid or silly design material they love to use and the wood look stuff.. AS uses a lot of solid colors on walls and soft goods for a reason, they look better..

hard to beat an airstream in looks and feel for me.

Originally Posted by graywhale

I'm not sure if anybody is familiar with the Keystone Vantage that was made for about one year (2012/13?), but it's a rounded (very Airstream-like) trailer with higher end features, with a gray fiberglass shell (although EDPM roof), and I think retailed in the $28K-$35K+ range. I owned the smallest one (19UL, about 23' overall and very similar to some Airstream floorplans), and there were two that were quite a bit larger; unfortunately nothing in between 23' and 30'+! From the first time I saw it I referred to it as a "wanna be" Airstream. BTW, even though a bit heavier than other trailers in its size range, it pulled really easily, better than my current more traditional trailer that is 800# lighter.

[carl2591]

that webpage at airstream is gone..

Originally Posted by damonbeals

It could be that Airstream is trying the Scout again, which was a non-alum trailer. They showed it at the Louisville show, and did this survey of Airforum members. I even got a copy of Wanderlust for filling out the survey.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...cle-52070.html

Damon
#4827

[Tom Nugler]

Many are thinking of fiberglass as a base material for a hypothetical new Airstream. I’ll add a twist to the equation.
Automakers are using more and more plastic body panels than ever.
The variety of plastic types can produce anything from flexible bumper covers, rigid trunk and hood lids to rock hard injection molded engineered plastic radiator core supports with fasteners embedded in the material.
A quick check on the Internets seems to indicate that plastics may be lighter and less costly than fiberglass in many applications. Maybe someone in the industry could weigh in on this.
I suspect there is a suitable thermoplastic, blended to a silver hue, dent resistant and is UV stable that could be used to construct an Airstream type shell.
I’m thinking something like a traditional steel frame, torsion axles with a composite floor as a base. The shell could be comprised of injection or vacuumed formed end caps and a thermoplastic sheet formed to whatever body length is needed. Ribs and supports could be secured inside the base shell with an appropriate epoxy or whatever current adhesive is used on this material.
I’ll leave the interior design thoughts to someone who is more right brained than me.

Just thinking out loud,
Tom.

[AWCHIEF]

Funny, this thread is already going in circles. Folks need to read the entire thread being commenting.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Nothing is difficult about hooking up the hoses and power cord, unless you are old, have arthritis, a bad back, and can't bend over very far. And then there is the hitching up, for us old guys, sometimes that is difficult.

So, some of us decide to switch to a motorhome.

Enjoy your youth while you have it.

I just leave my truck 'n' trailer coupled up all the time. I guess if that's how I'm gonna do it, I could have bought a motor home, but I already had the monster gas guzzling truck.

[Foiled Again]

If Airstream is going to have this new trailer come OUT in 2016 you can bet your booties that they'll be buying out another manufacturer or buying a "shell" from another manufacturer. It's a huge expense to set up a whole manufacturing line, and to make molds for fiberglass/thermoplastic or whatever. AND if the market is ... well meh...? Most of us know about the Basecamp. I think I saw three or four tucked away in a dark corner of the factory as late as 2012. Airstream doesn't want another "Edsel"

I'm betting they buy a shell from Oliver and custom out the badging and interior. They might even contract to have Oliver DO the interior. Why Oliver? Geography & Market Share (or lack thereof). Casita is made in Texas, Scamp in Backus Minnesota. Oliver is least known smallest market share and is closest to the Airstream mothership. Oliver JUST restarted production after the economic depression. It isn't the company's only product and is probably 2-3 years from profitability.

Why do I think Airstream will pay someone else to build it? Well almost 20 years ago there was a recall on refrigerators - almost 20 brands - ALL manufactured in one facility in Amana Iowa. That KILLED my waning loyalty to Brand Names. (Uncle Cal used to train dogs and caught Hell from his doctor for self treating an infection with veterinary penicillin - claimed it wasn't as safe or well tested human stuff. Then later found out that both came off the same manufacturing line.

Then there was the dog food recall, something poison that was imported from China - again 2 dozen brands made in the same factory.

This isn't the first time it's happened in the RV world. I have a later model Avion - one of the "family" of Fleetwoods though they killed it.

I could be wrong and they might also go to a big boat manufacturer - but if they're going to compete with themselves which a lot of brands DO... why not get in on the cheap so they can back out that way if it doesn't work out? They make money hand over fist without a bigger workforce if it succeeds; if it's a lead balloon like the Basecamp their losses are minimized.

I own an answering service with my partner - on at least three occasions in the past 10 years I've been approached by another owner who wants to have a business - but not have to deal with "all those damned operators and their drama" They generously (meh) offer me 70% of what they collect if my staff does the actual work. Walk into a store that's Baskin Robbins/Dunkin'Donuts.... both owned by the same corporate giant, and finally not trying to hide it any more.

Pragmatic Paula

[Ray Eklund]

I suggest that Airstream hire Pragmatic Paula to advise them. Airstream Jackson Center probably followed this thread to discover that there might be some genuine information on this thread that was not considered in the lounge, somewhere and removed their promotion puffing.

Remember "New Coke".

Working at Pepsi Cola, my boss said the Two Liter plastic bottles would not work and explode on the shelves. At the same time this plastic bottle company was coaxing me to interview... as they thought they could squeeze some information out of me. Not too much later, two liter bottles for 89 cents were the norm.

Large companies, Sears, J. C. Penny, Montgomery Wards can lose their way with the executive staff that all think the same. Everything I wore in my youth was from one of these three retailers. Today... better prices and great quality... Costco.

The Airstream Interstate is a good example of using two factories that specialize to put together a great product.

Fiberglass... Corvettes are made of fiber glass. An aluminum skin would be lighter... much lighter. The finish can get fine cracks if not done well. The panels are "glued" together, sanded and is one solid body. Nothing like the smell of fiber glass curing... Fiber glass degrades into fine slivers on some products. Try pulling them out of your hand... I have, it was not pleasant at all. Corvette bodies in the Summer are flexible. During the Winter it will break apart in chunks in a mild collision.

Airstream may be wise to put ten of these together as loss leaders for testing, as it will cost double or more for a small run... and get some opinions from some on this thread. Paula gets my vote as she would be a bit more diplomatic.

If these are anything like automobiles. It might retail for $20,000 but the parts for repairs would bring its value up to $50,000 if still being made in China.

[BoldAdventure]

Airstream Scout



Hmmm... pass.

[Ted S.]

They get a little money in the pocket, then they want to be like Donald Trump.

Us old guys can tell you, stay lean, this will pass, stash it away and have a hell of a vacation when it all goes down.

Don't belive me? How'd that Basecamp work out?

[PaulnGina]

Someone who like the retro look would like that, I would think.

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

Airstream Scout



Hmmm... pass.

[Glenritas]

The day we dragged home the Airstream we already had two Casitas.

Now if Airstream would build a 7'8" wide by 22' to 25' fiberglass trailer with a Casita Liberty Deluxe like layout or a '69 Tradewind layout. It could sell if the price was right.

[DDOK]

Is the Scout the new 'Airstream' ? It looks like an airstream version of a canned ham camper.

Canned Ham campers like Scotty are having a resurgence right now. They are small, light weight, almost anything can tow them. Some have those little mini air conditioners (that don't work in the south)....

I'd be curious to know more about airstreams take on the concept....