Top 5 things you love about your Airstream, and top 5 things you hate

[Dennis C]

In a format similar to that found on YouTube reviews, please let us know your top 5 in each category. Here are mine:

Things I love (no particular order):

• The iconic Airstream shape and design
• Ease of towing compared to other travel trailers
• Interior layout and design
• The Airstream owners’ clubs and community
• The unique history of the brand and the company

Things I hate (no particular order):

• The size and shape of the overhead lockers and outside storage makes storage and organizing a challenge
• The size of the shower; it’s too small
• Factory power/battery/solar options offered from Airstream
• No factory TPMS sensors on a ~$100K trailer
• The overall electronics package (televisions, stereo system, USB ports, connectivity, etc.)

I’ve found ways to deal with the things that I hate, but many of the solutions weren’t inexpensive. We love our 23FB, but it took a little while to modify it to suit our needs.

What’s on your list?

[richard5933]

Love:

1. The 'cool' factor that comes with the timeless look and design
2. The simplicity of the design - no slides, etc.
3. Interior design and use of real wood
4. Aerodynamics and ease of towing
5. Community that comes with ownership

Hate:

1. Fragility and ease of damage to outer skin
2. Lack of storage
3. Weight of the interior I love so much and consequent heavy tongue weight
4. Bathroom layout
5. Failing clear coat

[LNBright]

Pros:
The classy, timeless appearance
The 'durability', accessibility of repairs, that it has the potential for a longer lifespan
The 'warmth' of the wood in the interior, that it fees like a home, not a mobile box
The history, connection, camaraderie, that has been built around the brand

Cons:
The 'almost right but not' on the layout/floorplans: there'll be floorplan I like that is almost spot on, "except for...", then I'll pick a different floorplan that solves that, and it's mostly good, "except for..." this other issue... I really wish there was a way to (easily) pick a floorplan then tweak it a bit coming off the production line (I realize, sure, w/ enough money thrown at it, anything can be done, but, I really don't want a camper that cost more than my home). It leads people into 'bigger' campers, but I don't know that going 'bigger' solves as much as it creates (TV challenges, etc.)

Building off of that, the smaller tank sizes on the Bambis: again, that pushes you to looking at the dual-axle 23FB, but then it's bigger than what we're really wanting, we like the smaller size of our 20FB. I've had to reload the freshwater tank mid-trip before, so, there's ways to deal with, but...

Dated components: my camper's not 'that' old, but a crank-up rooftop antenna and a cable-tv port: just seems that Airstream takes awhile to move on... (I realize the newest ones don't have crank-ups, but it took going to ducted a/c to get them there.)

And price. I mean, yeah, it costs to build them, it comes w/ the territory, but, I really wish they (and everything else) didn't cost as much as they do. I don't mean I'm a cheapskate, but, I try to be somewhat frugal, but as mom said when I was growing up, I have champagne tastes on a beer budget... So, I have to be judicious on spending, avoid some costs in order to help other things happen (as we all do).

[Saluda372]

Way more than 5 likes, no hates.

[Lily&Me]

Ditto.

Maggie

[jfreeham]

I've not found anything to hate.

I've found much to love.

Well, if it could wax itself, that'd be a plus.

[Dennis C]

Maybe “hate” was a bit too strong, but there are certainly some things about Airstreams that aren’t perfect…

[waninae39]

imho, it should read like and dislike

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Like: Lots of things. Really to many to list.

Dislike: This and that. Then I think back to what else I *could* have bought and they really don't count. A giant bathroom and shower without impacting the rest of the layout or size of the trailer sounds great. That's not going to happen so it doesn't count. You have to buy a (much) larger trailer to get more stuff inside ....

Put another way, If I wanted lots of this or that, I'd have bought a big class A for 3 to 4X the price of my trailer. That's a lot of changes to get a big shower.

So dislikes that actually could be changed:

The screens don't seem to be all that easy to keep in place when the dogs jump up on the windows.

If they just moved the water pump a little, it would be easier to play the winterization game.

A metal plate welded in front of the hot and cold drain valves would be nice.

Why can't they label the tanks "black" and "grey" .....

Why no switch to disable the lights in the outside storage cabinets ...

Yes, these are petty and some are things I could / might address myself. Also this is trailer specific since that seems to be the theme of the thread.

Bob

[1StreamDream]

Likes:

- durability
- towing behavior (aerodynamic)
- ability to boondock so easily
- airflow with windows open and fans on
- design simplicity

Dislikes:

- narrow sleeping space at the curve end of a twin
- walls cold to the touch in the sleeping space
- high price
- shower stall size/shape a bit too tight
- can't safely add a rear mounted hitch (for a carrying platform or bike rack)

[John Ware]

The only negative thing I can think of is the excessive tongue weight. The rest is all good.

[dbj216]

I only have vintage Airstreams, so my list is "non-relavent", but some might apply to the later models.

Likes:

Interior designs are top notch, very efficient
Design and build quality exceed box campers.
Long life
Easy and efficient to tow due to "air stream" shape
Hold their value well
Airstream clubs and rallys

Dislikes:

Entry door too short. head bonks
Overhead cabinets too low over galley. head bonks

David

[Guanaco]

Likes:

Appearance,
Sturdiness,
Efficiency of design & space,
Quality of build,
Ease of towing.

Dislikes:

Tankless water heater,
Tankless water heater (I hate it so much I'm listing it twice),
Noisy A/C,
Electric-only refrigerator,
Poor quality television.

[Mikebrady62]

Originally Posted by dbj216

I only have vintage Airstreams, so my list is "non-relavent", but some might apply to the later models.

Likes:

Interior designs are top notch, very efficient
Design and build quality exceed box campers.
Long life
Easy and efficient to tow due to "air stream" shape
Hold their value well
Airstream clubs and rallys

Dislikes:

Entry door too short. head bonks
Overhead cabinets too low over galley. head bonks

David

David, you need to learn to duck at times 😀
I agree with all of your “Likes”. I would add the amount of light that is brought into the rooms with all of the windows front and rear.

We have been lucky, the only “dislike” would be having to leave to bathroom door open when you need to sit down. I’m not a big guy by any means (6’1” 190 lbs.) but I need just a tad more width than my 27’ front bed bathroom allows with the door closed.

Happy campers here!

[369goose]

Originally Posted by jfreeham

I've not found anything to hate.

I've found much to love.

Well, if it could wax itself, that'd be a plus.

Ditto

And back itself into our (narrow) pole barn.

[Life is a Highway]

This should be interesting

I agree with your likes-

#1: Jackson Center Service Department and Staff
#2: The iconic Airstream shape and design
#3: Ease of towing compared to other travel trailers
#4: Interior layout and design
#5: The unique history of the brand and the company

Five things I Dislike or could be improved on-

1: Airstream factory build Quality Control
2: Airstream Sales and Service Dealer are mostly worthless after the sale! Should be a Tesla model. Have State site's to view models options and then order online with a Factory Delivery Option
3: Spending more time at the factory service center because the factory or dealer screw ups than time on vacation with the trailer
4: The lousy 1000 watt inverter, AGM batteries and marginal solar. Having to go aftermarket to improve the trailer.
5: The Aluminum that dents everywhere! if you look at it sideways. Visit the factory and the old girls had a much thicker skin especially on the radius areas

[GCinSC2]

Our is a 2007 Classic so based on that.

My top items.

Trimmed out interior. Feels warm and cozy.
Absorption fridge and simpler proven appliances.
High line counter tops.
The baddest brakes ever Dexter 4 piston discs.
And it’s a Slide Out.

Room for improvement.

Neatly laid out and identified wiring.
Factory designed access cover for dump valves.
Maybe a STEP HERE zone for AC servicing.

Happy camper

Gary

[2012FB]

Iconic look
Interior finish
Tow ability
History, familiarity, prior ownership

Very poor wall construction
Awful window actuation
Overall lack of insulation (walls windows)
Exterior frailty
Lack of positive locking drawer door latches
Cheap electrical system execution and components
Low end entertainment electronics
Shower with intruding wheel well
Lack of Grand Lounge Option instead of bench seat dinette

I have spent a great deal of money upgrading our new 2022 FC 25’ RBT. Should have come from the factory this way or at least most should have been optional.

Came very close to buying another brand but my wife won out. Now that the upgrades are done all is good. For the most part anyways, everything else you just accept!

[Nathan0606]

Likes:
1. My couch with 2 recliners
2. The cozy interior
3. 90-10 rule: 90% is just us. (see #2 above) 10% is grandsons. (they help with #5 below in the dislikes)
4. The looks of the exterior. (she has great curves)
5. Galley kitchen

dislikes:
1. Small shower (we are both very tall)
2. Queen bed (see tall comment in #1)
3. Stuff breaks. (thank you, "you tube," airsteam bloggers & brilliant husband)
4. Wonky shades (ugh!) how do you put them back on the track in the curves?
5. Anyting "t.v." (3 controllers. Really???)

[emelaich01]

Seems like we add/subtract a few when we travel, but there are some standouts.

Like:

--slippery-er than SOB's which helps on gas mileage (we had a little 20' Jayco and I don't think we ever did better than about 9 mpg...).
--the 'cool' factor. Compliments are nice at occasional stops but it's hard to be nice and answer all your questions when one or both of us have to hit the restroom. "I'll be right back..."
--stylish interior. We LIKE the curved cabinets, plus the bathroom's got 8% more space than a 737's. The design is 'clean', without all the fluff that other mfr's seem to think passes for luxurious design.
--enough storage*, nicely done It affords room for the necessities and that puts the brake on my packrat tendencies.

Not so neat-o:

--the shower door is pretty sketch on the FC, others maybe? AS should have enough pull with this vendor to improve on the threshold design.
--insulation. Run the wiring thru plastic raceways and fill the space between inner/outer walls with foam. This will improve occupant comfort as well as structural integrity.
--AC vents. "fully open" means it only blocks 50% of the airfllow. Use the same design as the generic plastic jobbies. Saves weight, cost and you get more air. And increase the size of the intakes to match the return air plenum; the Penguin II can't breathe through a straw.
--be a quality leader. Incentivize line workers to spot problems before the buyer (not beta tester) does. Accept early defeat on bad design decisions and lose the 'we've always done it this way' mentality.
--speed control on vent over stove. Shouldn't strive for a perfect vacuum in the trailer just to remove the Jiffy Pop stink.
--"Tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of the gross weight of the trailer". I'm pretty sure Charlton Heston (as Moses) communicated this when he came down from Mt Sinai in 1956.
--that * on the storage? There's loads of room behind the drawers in the kitchen on our FBFC. Need to utilize this, maybe thru the magazine rack by the door.

Most of us--as kids--remember passing (or being passed by) an Airstream on the highway, perhaps on a vacation or other family outing. For me, it solidified my ideal of a safe, secure shelter; something that exuded permanence (look at the rivets!). Looking back, I realize that's when it became iconic. And 60+ years later, it remains so. You'll never be prefect,
Airstream trailer, but you can be better. The child in me hopes so and the adult knows you can.