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thomdial · 09-30-2013, 10:36 PM

How do Airstreamers differ so much from the SOB (as many like to call them) campers? Is it just blind, brand loyalty?

Scott J-24 · 09-30-2013, 11:01 PM

No.

Happydays · 09-30-2013, 11:06 PM

Well said Scott. I'd say they cost about quadruple then the main stream SOB and the simplicity of them is why we love them

av8or · 10-01-2013, 01:08 AM

"If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand."

Just kidding. I believe there is another great American iconic brand that uses that phrase.....or at least the pirate costume wearing fan club does.

I don't think "Airstreamers" are different than anyone else that enjoys RVs or glamping, they just love the RV that they purchased....and they are cool, but so was that Jayco pop-up I had many years ago. How would the Pres. put it; "I've evolved." ��

andreasduess · 10-01-2013, 04:43 AM

As a boating friend of mine once put it:"owning a boat is like standing on the roof of your house, scattering handfuls of $5 bills into the wind, but much more fun".

Owning an Airstream is a similar experience, yet there are very few other brands I would even look at. Not because I feel in any way superior to other campers (I tent camped for years, couldn't afford any trailer at the time) but because every time I look at our AS it makes me smile.

andreasduess · 10-01-2013, 04:56 AM

And right on command, the forum is helping me to illustrate my point...

ROBERT CROSS · 10-01-2013, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomdial

How do Airstreamers differ so much from the SOB (as many like to call them) campers? Is it just blind, brand loyalty?

"Airstream Lifestyle"

Well.....when you think your

you really are.

Bob

Protagonist · 10-01-2013, 05:04 AM

An Airstream lifestyle is exactly what you make of it. There are as many Airstream lifestyles as there are Airstream owners, no two exactly alike.

The only difference is that pride of Airstream ownership helps to define us. You will meet plenty of Airstreamers, but just how many Winnebagoers will you meet? Most SOB owners don't identify themselves by the brand they own.

dznf0g · 10-01-2013, 05:28 AM

Define it yourself.....we are not sheep.

Road Ruler · 10-01-2013, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreasduess

but because every time I look at our AS it makes me smile.

So true Andy!

DanB · 10-01-2013, 07:13 AM

Back in my "younger" days, I raced Hobie Cats (sailing catamarans). We had what was know as "the Hobie way of life". It was a relaxed, crack open a beer whether you won or lost, chilled out, I look good and so does my girlfriend (now wife) attitude.

I've since grown up, but find the Airstream way of life to be very similar. It may appear stuck up, but after you join in, you realize we are mostly just great people with good looking wives.

panheaddale · 10-01-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomdial

How do Airstreamers differ so much from the SOB (as many like to call them) campers? Is it just blind, brand loyalty?

YES JUST LIKE HARLEY OWNERS. I have ridden a harley for many years and have had vintage airstreams and restored them but they are both money pits. They are both American icons that alot of people buy just to brag about owning. currently have a 64 overlander restoring and a 64 harley panhead I restored a few years ago. Personally don,t want and don't like the new airstreams or the new harleys. I could go buy new and probably spend less money, time, and energy but then what fun would that be? AIRSTREAM LIFESTYLE: it is whatever you want it to be just don't look down an someone who camps in a SOB they have just as much fun.

TG Twinkie · 10-01-2013, 08:38 AM

SOB owners probably have a lot more $$$$$ in the bank. Or at least smaller payments.

Protagonist · 10-01-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

SOB owners probably have a lot more $$$$$ in the bank. Or at least smaller payments.

More likely just bigger trailers/motorhomes. That may only last about 5 years before they're traded in due to accelerated decrepitude.

panheaddale · 10-01-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

More likely just bigger trailers/motorhomes. That may only last about 5 years before they're traded in due to accelerated decrepitude.

I keep hearing this chest thumping attitude throughout the forums and while it is true that SOB may have roof issues so do airstreams. All I keep seeing on here are people with leaks in their new airstreams and I for one would not be happy paying 100,000 plus to have the issues they have. COOL FACTOR only goes so far. I have plenty of friends that have SOB didn't spend as much money, have a bigger trailer and have had them 5 to 10 years and have had few troubles. I know their are problems with any brand you buy but it is just sad that people have to down the other brands just to try to make their point about how great airstreams are.Let the brand speak for itself. Makes you think of the guy that used to buy a corvette just to get attention of the girls because no one paid attention to him.I know everyone of you know THIS GUY. Airstreams are a part of America just like apple pie and baseball. Don't make people thing we are a bunch of stuck up snobs that buy airstream.The airstream life style should be about enjoying life and having fun (same as the SOB owners) not about look at me I have an airstream and you have an SOB.

louaxtjr · 10-01-2013, 10:18 AM

For me, the Airstream lifestyle is owning a vintage rv that has great support and parts availability while retaining or appreciating value while I use it. In addition, the serviceability was a major consideration in my decision to buy an Airstream, as it was with my older Chevy tow vehicle. And yes, the cool factor didn't hurt.

Protagonist · 10-01-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panheaddale

I keep hearing this chest thumping attitude throughout the forums and while it is true that SOB may have roof issues so do airstreams.

No chest thumping. It's my perception that there are a lot more vintage Airstreams still in use than vintage SOBs. Of any brand. SOBs seem to wear out sooner, or get traded in on newer models sooner. And not necessarily due to roof leaks.

SteveSueMac · 10-01-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Define it yourself.....we are not sheep.

Bingo. Love it!!

KenSanLan · 10-01-2013, 10:51 AM

When shiny aluminum makes your little heart go thumpity thump, you are well on your way to the Airstream lifestyle.

andreasduess · 10-01-2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

No chest thumping. It's my perception that there are a lot more vintage Airstreams still in use than vintage SOBs. Of any brand. SOBs seem to wear out sooner, or get traded in on newer models sooner. And not necessarily due to roof leaks.

My dealer told me that the average time of ownership for a SOB trailer in Canada is between four and five years, compared to 15+ years for Airstreams.

That's not intended to be a value judgement, just an observation.