Airstreams Sold out Across America !

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by ocropper

We just picked up our 2020 Classic 33 ( 3d and final AS model for us - we love it !!!) at Colonial yesterday (Nick Lenzo and whole team are super btw!!!!!) and the lot had quite a few empty spaces and I saw several rows of “sold” stickers!!

One other point these guys pre delivery inspection process is super. They detected bad water pump and replaced and found a overhead drawer light that was totally missing. Colonial rocks!!!

I agree about Colonial. We bought two Airstreams from them. We had a few issues crop up but nothing like some of the horror stories you read about. I think they catch a lot of issues and fix them prior to the customer seeing it.

[Gosman]

I have a 1979 vintage 30ft Argosy all restored and have sold many in the past but for some reason this one is,not moving.. I do not believe many folks are looking or want to travel to look with the virus

[Birchbay]

One possibility that I haven't seen mentioned—People may be buying Airstreams in droves to park them alongside their house and use them as home offices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sitting at the dinette without the interruptions of kids and spouses, you could actually get some work done! Might be able to write off the Airstream as a business expense as well.

[HikinMike]

We bought a 2021 International 27FB in early July. At that time it was estimated to be delivered in mid Sept. Latest we have heard now is mid Oct.

I don't believe a glut of airstreams has been created. Dealers just sold what they had on hand, which was what they wanted for the first part of the year anyway. Now they are having a hard time getting restocked. Factory would have built more by now in a non-covid world.

Everything being built by Thor now is pre-sold. My dealer said they are not scheduling any spec units to be built at this time. He had to 'prove' this one was sold so the factory would put it in line to be built.

[ctimberlake]

Bay Area Airstream had less than 10 available when they told me they normally have around 100. my concern would be the lack of camping spaces available with more and more RVs on the road

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by StanA

It’s also not just RVs. I called my local Taylor guitar dealer last week and he has none in stock, and was told he may be able to get some in October. Many factories are running at less than full capacity, and it will be a while before they can catch up from recent full lockdowns.

It's also not just RVs and Guitars: my Toyota dealer says they are selling like hotcakes and some dealers are sold out!

I thought people were hurting from loss of jobs?? Where in the heck is all this money coming from??

Vivian

[HikinMike]

Originally Posted by Landshark

It's also not just RVs and Guitars: my Toyota dealer says they are selling like hotcakes and some dealers are sold out!

I thought people were hurting from loss of jobs?? Where in the heck is all this money coming from??

Vivian

The job losses have been horrible and devastating to many, but pretty wide swaths were unaffected. 20% unemployment also means 80% employed.

I think the shortage of units available has more to do with supply problems than demand though.

My wife ordered a new light fixture from Restoration Hardware back in May. It is projected to be here in late September.

[Star Cruzer]

I live 2 miles from North Trail RV in Fort Myers Florida, last March their lots were full of inventory, About 30 or 50 AS trailers. Today maybe 8 or 10 left. I said to my wife about 2 months ago I wonder what happened to all the Air Streams? After reading this thread I understand. All sold out.

[Glenn T]

Originally Posted by AM2PMtravels

Anyone else notice Airstreams are gone everywhere since Covid19 ? I spoke with Colonial Airstreams last week and they only had 1 left . Guy said they usually have 150+ in stock . Glad I got mine when I did , wonder if this will skyrocket the values ?

Hmm... It'll probably encourage AS to raise prices even higher.

...and all the newbies on the road will fill up all the available campsites.

I don't think it's good for us.

[Rocinante]

I've seen a couple of buyers of new RVs hop onto various Class B-focused FB groups to say their delivery date has been pushed up and they are now getting a significantly earlier delivery than expected because another buyer cancelled an order. I personally expect to see more of this, though I must confess I'm no economist. I don't even play one on TV.

So, if I'm right, patience is your friend.

That said, we'll still likely jump into the fray because we're currently without an RV and would like to have another one sooner rather than later. (sigh)

[jmpgino]

Well we have been unable to find anywhere to go away because of all the new campers being sold. Not enough spaces for them all in this country now. Been trying for a month now, if this is the new now we are selling ours. The 2018 and 2019 years were bad enough when only getting two spots each year but now camping away will be an impossibility and we are retired.

[FunkyBunks]

Demand for Airstreams is up 300%(ish). Dealer stock is depleted. As of yesterday, a couple large 5-Rivet dealers said they have sold every Airstream that was allocated. This means if you order today, delivery is estimated for March, 2021. That being said, I am an experienced optimist. RV sales for all brands are way up. Airstreams remain a relatively high quality, rare choice. As all brands of RVs are used more heavily than ever by everyone for camping, home offices, guest quarters, etc. guess what? The relative quality and "special" characteristics of Airstreams will be revealed and magnify their value to a broader audience. If campgrounds are crowded...capitalism will step in and we will see more great campgrounds becoming available. Have faith.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by FunkyBunks

Demand for Airstreams is up 300%(ish). ...

I'd love to see a citation for that statistic. I'm wired that way.

[azflycaster]

No one has stated what the Airstream production numbers are at this time. My understanding is that the number of employees is considerably lower that it was several months ago.

[Julie-Bob]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

No one has stated what the Airstream production numbers are at this time. My understanding is that the number of employees is considerably lower that it was several months ago.

Azflycaster. The last time I look for the numbers for AS factory production was about year ago before they opened the new part was around 94 a week.

I’m for the RV parks improving and in some parts of the country build more. San Francisco and Chicago. Would be place to start building. However given the status of the city government in both we will never see it.

[Julie-Bob]

Originally Posted by Julie-Bob

Azflycaster. The last time I look for the numbers for AS factory production was about year ago before they opened the new part was around 94 a week.

I’m for the RV parks improving and in some parts of the country build more. San Francisco and Chicago. Would be place to start building. However given the status of the city government in both we will never see it.

Boy look what I found on production numbers


Production. As of January 2015 Airstream was producing 50 trailers per week or about 2,600 per year.

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by Julie-Bob

I’m for the RV parks improving and in some parts of the country build more. San Francisco and Chicago. Would be place to start building. However given the status of the city government in both we will never see it.

I have no idea about Chicago, but the city governments of San Francisco or nearby cities would not be the stumbling block.

In the SF Bay area, any piece of property suitable for a new RV park has much more value for building homes or commercial buildings and consequently has a purchase price much above what an RV park could sustain. There are some long established mobile home parks, but they are residential and not for tourists.

Tim

[panamerican]

Buddy of mine talked to a dealer yesterday....orders for units placed today, August 12th, 2020, based on current staffing levels at Jackson Center are scheduled to arrive March 2021, provided there are no COVID shutdowns or further staffing reductions.

To put it into perspective, in 2005, it took about a bit over 60 days to get mine from order to delivery. Later I heard it was about 90 days.

[AM2PMtravels]

Originally Posted by AM2PMtravels

Anyone else notice Airstreams are gone everywhere since Covid19 ? I spoke with Colonial Airstreams last week and they only had 1 left . Guy said they usually have 150+ in stock . Glad I got mine when I did , wonder if this will skyrocket the values ?

My 2cents is I think this will eventually 2/3 years help the values of Airstreams go up even more ... why you say ? Simple , tons more people Camping now 400% more RVs on road so now your gonna see All these Quality control issues with how other campers are thrown together like a cracker box and naturally just like we did start weighing the options and looking for best quality campers which led us to Airstream. Sure you’ll have a few guys complaining here in there but it’s no comparison . 350+ man hours to build a Airstream vs 30-80 hrs to build most others ... I’ll take the AS .

[Suza]

Originally Posted by mpsgolf

Not just Airstreams. Local RV lots have much lower inventory than in past years at this time.

Makes you wonder how many folks will keep a year or two then realize It’s not for them and sell causing a glut and buyer’s market??

I think this is exactly what will happen. Seller's market today . . . . . buyers market tomorrow!